Park chalets to be run by single company
The Daily Inter Lake
Both of Glacier National Park's historic backcountry chalets will be operated by Belton Chalets Inc. during a 10-year contract that takes effect in January.
Belton Chalets, owned by West Glacier's Luding family, has been in the chalet management business since the 1950s.
But for most of the last decade, Granite Park Chalet has been operated by Glacier Wilderness Guides while Belton Chalets managed Sperry Chalet.
National Park Service officials determined that the most efficient and reliable arrangement would involve a single operator for both chalets during the upcoming contracting period.
Two proposals were submitted in response to a National Park Service prospectus for a new concession contract.
Because of its tenured history of doing business in the park, Belton Chalets was granted a "right of preference" in the contracting process. That allowed the Ludings to match the terms of other offers submitted to the park service.
A panel of National Park Service officials evaluated the proposals and selected Belton Chalet's as the best offer.
Under the new 10-year contract, Granite Park Chalet will continue to be operated as a hiker shelter where guests must prepare their own meals. Sperry Chalet will continue as a full-service backcountry hotel with meals provided to guests.
For information on lodging reservations at the chalets, contact Belton Chalets after Jan. 10 by calling 1-888-345-2649, or on the Internet at: