The Yurts

The yurts are 20 feet in diameter and are built on elevated wood platform decks. Each yurt is heated with a wood burning stove, has sleeping for up to eight people and a full kitchen with all the necessities to make even the most gourmet of meals. In order to stand up to Montana’s harsh winters, the yurts are equipped with tall walls, a wind and snow load package as well as heavy duty canvas and roof insulation. Our yurts will ensure a comfortable safe place to stay while enjoying Montana’s pristine backcountry.

The Crew

Carl Sievers - co-owner/operator. Carl grew up traveling a lot, paying his dues skiing on Midwestern ice hills. Since then he’s made skiing a way of life. With a degree in English and Sociology Education, he’s made winter a priority. Whether building industrial water clarifiers or tending bar, the allure of deep powder skiing has always been a trump card. In the off season he works in Missoula’s fine dining restaurant the Red Bird, rafting and waiting for the snow to start flying. He is CPR and first aid certified and has received his Avalanche/Snow Safety training and certifications from Rod Newcomb and the American Avalanche Institute. He loves and respects the humble feeling he gets in the snow covered mountains and wants to be skiing until he’s old and gray.

Adam Simon - co-owner/operator. Adam grew up in Idaho, causing havoc on the slopes of Targhee. Skiing since he could walk, snow has been a huge part of his life. Now that he has a son Owen, he and his wife Jenny are instilling this love and respect of the mountains into the next generation. Carried on Adam’s back Owen was out Nordic skiing before he could walk. And with Adam’s influence he’s destine to live a mountain lifestyle. Adam has a degree in Geology and worked as geo lab tech before the pursuit of powder skiing took over completely. He now exclusively skis powder snow and has received avalanche certifications through the American Avalanche Institute, as well as first aid and CPR certifications. The snow we ski is the snow we paddle and his love and respect for Mother Nature is unparalleled.

Cory Gunterman - lead guide. Yurtski’s left hand man, Cory has a degree in Forestry and in the off season he is a contractor building homes in Missoula. Known as the work horse, Cory has an undying respect and love for life in the mountains. His professionalism and knowledge of the forest make him one of the best people to spend time with in the mountains. Always positive and always ready, Cory has proven himself to be a true powder hound. Don’t let the dreadlocks fool you, Cory’s one of the hardest working people we know. He can be found split boarding around Montana’s deepest and steepest mountains, usually with JW. He has received his avalanche training in Montana and is first aid and CPR certified.

JW Reid - lead guide. Yurtski's right hand man, JW is a carpenter by trade and has worked in solar power and green building. He first gained a respect for the backcountry by frequently traveling the Arctic watershed of Northern Ontario and Quebec in a canoe. This eventually led him to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies, specifically climate change. Rarely seen on a chair lift, he can be found earning his turns with the best of them splitboarding in Montana's mountains. Not afraid of hard work in inhospitable conditions, his devotion makes him ready for any challenge. JW has a Wilderness EMT certification and has done his avalanche training in Montana. He also likes hot coco in bed.

Dominck Martin and Matt Cornetti - chefs. These two gentlemen create some of the best food in Montana at the Red Bird Restaurant. Both classically trained and highly motivated, their passion for food allows them to mystify time and time again. Pride and integrity being a mainstay these two can accomplish anything with food. Moreover, they can do it deep in the backcountry. Handmade six foot long pappardelle pasta and duck confit ragu at 6800 feet, no problem, slow cooked dutch oven country ribs, no problem, grilled oysters on the half shell, sure. Challenge their skills by booking a catered trip, you won’t be disappointed.

Permitted by the Lolo national forest, Seeley lake ranger district