Triple Billings Trip 2016

In 2016 I went to Billings Montana three times.  I like to call it my Triple Billings year.  The last trip was with my family over the holidays.  It was a blast (of cold air).  At first we were tempted to drive there in our rear-wheel Suburban.  Our travel plans evolved as follows:

1.  Drive to Montana and back if the weather cooperates.  (Too risky in our Suburban -- and too long.)
2. Drive to Utah and rent a 4x4 and drive the rest of the way to Montana.  (Still too long and now too expensive.)
3.  Fly to and from Montana on Allegiant and use a relative's truck while there.  (Too expensive.  Otherwise, too easy.)
4.  Fly to Montana on Christmas Day in a four-hour delayed flight and unexpectedly buy a 4x4 family car (goodbye Suburban) and drive home from Montana on two consecutive windy, cold, icy days.  (Not too risky, not too long, not too expensive -- and not too easy.  Just right.)

We picked option #4.

The weather was perfect for Billings -- in the 20's during the day.  And the skiing was wonderful -- two great days -- one at Bridger Bowl and the other at Red Lodge.  And, of course, family was awesome.  The Larsens hosted us; Grandma and Grandpa Wells engaged us in lots of interesting conversations; and the Wells entertained our kids!

Oh sure, we all got sick at some point during the trip (thanks Dane!).  And we barely made it out of Montana before the freeway was shut down due to zero visibility from Blowing Snow.  But what's a Brown Family Vacation without a little drama?

Christmas Day in the Allegiant terminal (no this is not a selfie - someone actually took the picture for us)

Zach and Sam at Red Lodge ski trip

Closed freeway (we skirted 60 miles of the closure by driving a snowdrift covered frontage road)