Here's your chance to own a piece of Bridger Bowl.
The ski area is selling about 175 of the red Riblet-brand chairs - which are no longer made - off the Bridger and Deer Park lifts.
"They're not the original chairs from 1964," General Manager Randy Elliott said Tuesday. "But, I think they've been on there since about 1980 or 1978."
Bridger Bowl plans two tear out the two-person Bridger and Deer Park chairlifts this month and replace them with a triple-person chairlift.
But the old chairs are too valuable to scrap.
Bridger Bowl is holding a computer-generated lottery on June 28 to determine who will get the opportunity to buy one. Anyone interested can pay a $20 non-refundable entry fee to the lottery. The deadline to enter is June 19.
Those picked in the lottery can buy the chairs for $250 if they are Bridger Bowl Association members (who joined on or before May 26) or $350 if they are not members.
The chairs weigh about 75 pounds and stand about 8-feet tall with the stem.
"Mostly, what people do is turn them into porch swings," Elliott said. "A lot of people have been riding those red chairs for many, many years, so there's a lot of sentimental value to them. We'll just have to see how quickly they go."
Entries, which must include the $20 check, complete name, phone number and e-mail, should be sent to Bridger Bowl Red Chair, 15795 Bridger Canyon Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715.
For more information, call Bridger Bowl at 587-2111.
Amanda Ricker can be reached at aricker@dailychronicle.com or 582-2628.
MT_Tom posted at 9:39 am on Fri, Jun 4, 2010.
Molly - Post your business name here and you'll have the free advertising you so desperately want.
I'm sure everyone will generously support you. Personally, I really like righteous people with a huge scene of entitlement... Hah. Good luck in your endeavors.
MT_Tom posted at 9:28 am on Fri, Jun 4, 2010.
Molly - Whats the name of your business...
fenske_art posted at 9:34 am on Thu, Jun 3, 2010.
Molly, you just do not get it, do you?
Bridger is supported by the local population in a pretty wholehearted manner. As a non-profit area they are viewed much more favorably than most ski areas.
My guess is they will probably sell all the chairs and the folks who paid the twenty bucks will be able to write that off as a donation and will be happy to have done so.
Now, if your business is a non-profit and has the proper credentials then the Chronic would be more than happy to help you out, just like they do with Bridger or Eagle Mount or many other deserving entities.
MontanaMolly posted at 12:32 am on Thu, Jun 3, 2010.
My problem is with charging a $20 non-refundable fee just to be considered. That is a rip off. It is like they are saying that the final price of the chairs isn't enough...they are going to try to profit off of people's interest. Yes, I agree that private businesses have the right to do whatever they wish (if legal) including giving free ad space to any entity they choose (obviously), I was just saying "hey...I'd like to get in on that too!"
Shane posted at 12:08 pm on Wed, Jun 2, 2010.
I'm actually a bit upset that they're having a lottery. I asked to have my name put on a waiting list days after I heard that the chairs would be dismantled. I would have put money down that day but was told that they had to wait and see how much interest there was before setting a price.
If they're having a lottery I bet there is quite a bit of interest.
oj posted at 10:25 am on Wed, Jun 2, 2010.
It is going to be interesting to see the response to their lottery and how much interest there is in owning the old chairs given the state of the economy. I tend to agree with the original post and feel like they are making a bigger deal out of it than it should be and they may have a tough time selling them at any price if they use the lottery system.
I have a prediction, but it isn't based on anything except a gut feeling that people aren't spending money on things that they don't have a specific purpose. The chairs sound like a fun piece of memorabilia to own, but anyone that has extra spending money right now may find themselves pondering the practicality of owning a piece.
However, if the response isn't huge and they have a tough time moving the chairs I have an idea that I'll bring up later. In any case it will be an interesting experiment to watch.
Free spirit posted at 7:20 am on Wed, Jun 2, 2010.
Bridger Bowl is a non-profit.
ginowan90 posted at 6:47 am on Wed, Jun 2, 2010.
MontanaMolly, yes, organizations are allowed to raffle off items to raise money. I think it is a great idea, and contrary to popular belief, the Bozeman paper is a private entity, not a publicly owned one, so they can endorse and give free space to whomever they want to. I am always amazed by the amount of control freaks who feel they should be telling everyone else how to live. Don't be like that old woman a few years back that called the cops on her neighbor because her street garbage can's color didn't match what everyone else had. What ever happened to live and let live?
MontanaMolly posted at 1:59 am on Wed, Jun 2, 2010.
I have to wonder how many people are going to fall for this scam. A $20 non-refundable fee to enter the drawing is gambling. Did they file the necessary paperwork with the state gambling division to run this "lottery"? For goodness sake, put one of the chairs out with a sign that says "for sale" like any other business would do when trying to get rid of something they can't use anymore. To make matters worse, the newspaper gave away free ad space by running the article. Since when does a private company get free ad space for their latest money making scheme? Can I have the same amount of space for my company too?