Butte, Horizon’s diamond in the rough

Published by Horizon Air’s, The Leading Edge.

From a Metro III window, landing in Butte, “the richest hill on earth,” is both hair-raising and breathtaking.  Station Manager Stan Marks recalled the first time he flew into Butte, he felt his stomach drop. “You’re flying into this town and you see mountains—all around you,” explained Marks. In between the mountains—which rise up suddenly like a mammoth wall—there’s a small runway. “Let me tell you, it’s pretty interesting,” said Marks.

Located in the rugged Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide, Butte also has the largest open pit mine in the United States.

“The entire city was built on top of a mine,” said Marks. “When you want to build a house, they mine your property first. Only then can you build on it.”

Since its early mining days, the city’s population has dwindled from 100,000 to 38,000. But, those who struck it big remain. “Butte was once the financial center of Montana,” said Marks. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of mining, stimulating more area growth.

Rivers traverse around the mountains like snakes and gambling casinos intrigue visitors at any of the city’s 95 restaurants and bars, even at the airport.

However, pulling slots isn’t the only popular form of gambling in town. Daredevils enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking and big game hunting. Those who prefer less excitement can catch Old Faithful at nearby Yellowstone, or wrestle a five-pound trout out of Big Hole River.

Spend a weekend at the Copper King Mansion. The Victorian inn’s proprietress prepares the finest tasting prime rib, veal or Chicken Cordon Bleu, and then provides guests with the best room in the mansion.  “The antiques are incredible,” Marks added.  “It’s like stepping into the past.”

Today, business travelers make up most of Horizon’s passengers.  However, students and faculty of nationally-recognized Montana Technical, a top mineral engineering and vocational school, round out the passenger mix. Marks and his team look forward to seeing you soon…why not plan a day trip?

The Butte team: Vadine Bosch, Paul Ferguson, Dave Holman, Stan Marks, Cathy Redfern, Alan Rohrdanz and Bobbie Jean Stewart.