Montana

Seeking to Silo in Montana – FLYING Magazine

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2024

Seeking to Silo in Montana – FLYING Magazine

Montana’s Flathead Valley is a widely acclaimed summer and winter destination, known for its pristine clear water lakes, ski resorts, and—most notably—Glacier National Park.

The Silo House fly-in rental in Kalispell is conveniently situated near the area’s attractions but benefits from its tranquil location at Sky Ranch Airport (MT95). The increasingly popular accommodation is owned by Tom Bass and Susan Jasmann, longtime residents of the area who individually share a passion for aviation and horses.

“We opened the Silo House four years ago,” Bass said. “Two months later, COVID hit and every reservation was canceled. We thought we were going to go broke but actually did quite well during the pandemic because of what you can do here.

An aerial view of Sky Ranch Airport (MT95), which sports a 5,000-foot-by-220-foot turf runway. [Courtesy: Silo House/Tom Bass]

“Montana’s number one economic source is recreation, and people flock here because of all the things to do. People that stay at the Silo House for a week spend two or three days at Glacier [National] Park and the rest with all the activities Flathead Valley has to offer. There are places to ride horses, fly fish, hike, float the rivers, zip lines, rent RVs or boats, and many other things. Flathead Lake, which is only 2 miles from the Silo House, is 50 miles long and is about 6 miles wide on average.”

The fly-in rental features a unique architectural style. It is a memorable starting point for a pilot’s adventures in northwest Montana.

“One of the four lots we own was the original farmhouse for the section of land that MT95 is built on,” Bass said. “The farmhouse was 100 years old, and we took it down to the studs and doubled its size. The farmer’s original grain bins on the lot needed to be repurposed and the Silo House was born. All of the exterior is rock, barnwood, and silos. The interior is industrial modern with dramatic steel beams, lots of glass, stunning views, and custom wood furniture. With the patio, an acre of grass, and stunning views: This is the place you want to come home to at the end of the day. The initial goal of the house from day one was to be designed from the ground up as a vacation rental.”

The project’s website provides an overview of its amenities.

There are equestrian facilities on-site at the Silo House. [Courtesy: Silo House/Tom Bass]

“The Silo House has an open floor plan with plenty of room to entertain, with windows overlooking a wetlands pond and the dramatic Rocky Mountains,” he said. “There are two large bedrooms with comfy king-size beds, a round loft with three twins (for kids or adults), two bathrooms, and private study with a twin which is in the silo over the master bedroom. A round fully stocked kitchen is a phenomenal place to cook, and there is a stunning bar area. The beautiful rustic wood kitchen table comfortably seats 10.

“You can enjoy your cup of coffee in front of the fireplace or out on the beautifully appointed patio, which has an outdoor bar area and fire pit for both summer and winter nights. Also, bring your binoculars for sightings of all sorts of animal life, bird watching, and horses in the pasture next door.”

Bass contends that the unique project has continued to be successful, post-pandemic, for several reasons. More than anything, having a rental home with direct runway access is a rarity in northwest Montana. Pilots have taken notice of the ease of taxiing to their accommodation.

As a point of reference, Kalispell City Airport (S27) is 6 nm northwest, and Glacier Park International (KGPI) is 12 nm to the north of Sky Ranch Airport. When you land at the Silo House, your hosts will take you to one of several car rental locations and help with your luggage.

Bass, a Cessna 180 owner, offered an overview of some of the notable airstrips in the area. He is happy to help curate a list of “must-sees” for pilots visiting, both on land and the water. He has been to Alaska 15 times on floats and frequented many of the Idaho backcountry strips. If you need help in planning your dream flying adventure, he will be there to help you.

“I am familiar with all of the local runways around here, including backcountry runways,” he said. “There are four backcountry runways less than 40 miles away that all have great camping locations. Three of them—Schafer, Meadow Creek, and Spotted Bear—are a few hundred feet away from spectacular fly fishing spots. Flights over the mountains in this area will give you breathtaking views.

Spotted Bear (8U4) – 27 miles; 3,672 feet msl; 3,800-foot runway
Meadow Creek (0S1) – 35 miles; 3,993 feet msl; 2,800-foot runway
Schafer (8U2) – 38 miles; 4,854 feet msl; 3,200-foot runway
Ryan Field (2MT1) – 23 miles; 3,660 feet msl; 2,500-foot runway

Inside the Silo House, a purpose-built vacation rental a short taxi away from the private airport’s runway. [Courtesy: Silo House/Tom Bass]

“These backcountry strips are all in the mountains and should only be attempted by pilots with mountain flying experience. For those that are not seasoned backcountry pilots, there are instructors around here that seriously know what they are doing. They know what they’re doing because daily they help a lot of people who are flown into these strips as a place to start their hikes.”

A Diamond DA-62 sits on the grass at Sky Ranch Airport (MT95) in Kalispell, Montana. [Courtesy: Silo House/Tom Bass]

The well-manicured grass runway at Sky Ranch Airport is much less intimidating to the visiting pilot, sitting at an estimated 2,905 feet msl. According to Bass, 100LL fuel is typically available for guests so that they don’t have to fly to another airport to fill up.

“MT95 is the biggest grass strip in Montana,” he said. “It’s 5,000 feet long and 220 feet wide, but we have designated a 50-foot taxiway on each side. There are no obstacles, so it is easy to get in and out of.”

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Montana

Montana Ag Network: Farmers and ranchers face destroyed crops after hailstorm

Published

7 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Press Room

Montana Ag Network: Farmers and ranchers face destroyed crops after hailstorm

SHEPHERD — While Monday’s hailstorm hammered homeowners in Shepherd, growers also suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars from lost crops.

Norman Haaland, who grows malt barley just south of Shepherd, said he received a call from his neighbors after the storm had passed, informing him that his machine shed was no longer standing tall.

Watch full video of crop damage from Monday storm below:

Farmers and ranchers faced with crop damage after Monday storm

“‘Norman, you realize your machinery shed is gone. It’s out in your field,’” Haaland recalled the conversation Wednesday.

Not only was the machine shed gone, but the swather sitting inside was also swallowed by debris, leaving Haaland with a sight he is still trying to process.

“I’m just waiting for them to come out and look at it, so we can start cleaning up,” Haaland said.

But not everything can be cleaned up. Haaland’s crops were destroyed by the hail.

One hundred fifty acres of what used to be two-to-three foot tall malt barley are now flat.

“That crop out there is probably worth about a hundred grand. So, that’s a loss,” Haaland said. “Yeah, it hurts. It’s a real financial loss.”

Hannah Pedeferri/ MTN News

Norman Haaland’s malt barley fields

Just down the road, the MSU Agriculture Center of Research in Huntley is also facing devastation.

“There’s really nothing. We have no crops left on the station,” Kent McVay, the superintendent of the agriculture center, said.

The research and experiment team are unable to replant crops this year. The station grows winter and spring wheat and other crops for research purposes.

“We’ll have no harvest here on station this fall,” McVay said.

McVay recalled similar damage from a storm in 2019, when total damage was estimated at $1 million.

“We may have as much damage this time as we did then,” McVay.

A field day was scheduled for Wednesday at the station was canceled because there was nothing to show.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for June 17, 2025

Published

24 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at June 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 17 drawing

16-23-39-46-55, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from June 17 drawing

04-07-28-36-46, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from June 17 drawing

13-19-20-29, Bonus: 02

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

Stormy weather exits western Montana temporarily

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Press Room

Stormy weather exits western Montana temporarily

Thunderstorm activity moves further east today. It will be a mostly sunny day with high temperatures reaching the 70s and 80s.

For updates on the Jericho Mountain Fire, visit this link or view my Facebook post below.

A weak ridge of high pressure builds over the region on Wednesday, keeping us dry and warm. Highs will be in the 80s again. It will be a bit breezy in western Montana. Wind will be around 10-20 MPH.

The return of southwest flow aloft brings afternoon thunderstorms back by Thursday. The first day of summer is coming up on Friday, as well as a cold front bringing rain and thunderstorms. We are watching the potential for some severe thunderstorms.

It will not feel like summer heading into he weekend, however. A center of low moves into Montana late Saturday into Sunday, bringing much cooler air, widespread rain, and even some mountain snow. High temperatures will only reach the 50s and 60s, especially on Sunday.

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WEATHER ALERTS:

NONE

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Helena Temperature Records Today:
High: 97 (2022)
Low: 34 (1954)
AVG: 75/49

Great Falls Temperature Records Today:
High: 97 (1961)
Low: 33 (1994)
AVG: 73/46

Have a great Tuesday!
Joey Biancone
Meteorologist

MTN