Fundraising at Burned Montana Ski Area Gets $250,000 Matching Boost
Maverick Mountain, the small Montana ski area torched by a wildfire over the summer, is getting an up to $250,000 boost from an anonymous donor.
The news, shared by Friends of Maverick Mountain, a fundraising initiative dedicated to the ski area’s recovery, revolves around a donation match. The donor will match donations up to $250,000.
That’s big for Maverick.
“We are amazed and thankful for all the support in the last two months,” said Jason Schumacher of the Dillon Jaycees, a member of the Friends of Maverick Mountain advisory board, in the release.
He added that $385,000 has been raised so far from 500 people and companies.
“This significant matching gift is a great way to double your donation and get us closer to getting all the kids back on the mountain,” Schumacher said.
The Sand Creek Fire hit Maverick Mountain in August, burning a portion of its runs and causing the lone chairlift’s haul rope to fail, scattering the chairs over the mountain, according to co-owner Erik Borge, who spoke with the Montana Free Press at the time.
The lift’s been declared a loss. The ski patrol building and communications infrastructure at the top of the mountain were also destroyed.
Two used Poma fixed-grip quad chairlifts, purchased in 2024 and stored undamaged in the Grasshopper Valley, are the foundation of the rebuild, according to Friends of Maverick Mountain. The quote to refurbish and install the Aspen chair is $2.9 million, compared with $5.4 million for a brand-new chair. Insurance will contribute $1.4 million, the release added.
To help Maverick Mountain raise $1.5 million, the Dillon Jaycees—a southwest Montana volunteer service organization—launched Friends of Maverick Mountain. In past winters, the organization has run the Jaycees Little Skiers program at the ski area, helping local kids get into snowsports.
Donations, which, for now, are doubled, can be made online at friendsofmaverickmountain.org. Fundraising and distribution decisions are overseen by a board that includes Jim Harvey, Lesli Cottom, Laurie Moore, Cory Birkenbuel, JM Peck, Jason Schumacher, Zeno Beattie and Sandi Sloan. Any funds left over will go towards scholarships and equipment for youth programs.
Maverick wasn’t the only ski area damaged by fire during the summer. Utah’s Eagle Point was struck, too, and has since announced that it won’t open for the 2026-27 season. Eagle Point has fundraising efforts underway.
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