Sperry Chalet damaged by avalanche

An avalanche has damaged Sperry Chalet and may force the popular backcountry hotel on the west side of Glacier National Park to open at reduced capacity for guests.

Kevin Warrington, chalet coordinator, said he expects to open for business on July 8 as scheduled. He won’t know the extent of the capacity reduction until more assessments of the damage are possible.

“We don’t have any information,” he said. “It’s impossible to get someone up there now because the possibility of an avalanche is too high.”

According to Warrington, some skiers in the area saw the damage and notified park officials. He said the park sent people in to verify the report.

The initial inspection found damage to exterior windows and doors and a few interior rooms filled with snow on the southern end of the dormitory building. Additional damage was noted to interior walls and fixtures, but the building is believed to remain structurally sound.

 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sperry Chalet was struck by an avalanche once before in 1957.

“It’s a two-a-century event,” Warrington said.

Built in 1913 by Great Northern Railway magnate James Hill and his son Louis, the chalet constructed of native rock has survived for almost a century. Except for a modernized kitchen and new composting restroom building, the 17-rustic-room hotel remains the same as when it opened in 1914.

The kitchen and restroom building were not damaged by the avalanche. Warrington said photos taken in mid-April and posted on the website www.sperrychalet.com show snow levels up to the second-story balcony.

“That’s normal,” he said.

To prepare for the summer season, the staff arrives at the buildings in late June for about a week of deep cleaning before opening July 8. Warrington plans to keep the same schedule this year.

“Now, it’s a whole lot of sitting around and waiting for the snow to melt,” he said.

Warrington said rooms were fully booked by the end of January. When the condition of Sperry Chalet is understood, the staff intends to contact reservation-holders whose plans may be affected.The 2011 season at Sperry Chalet runs from July 8 to Sept. 10.

Belton Chalet Inc., Warrington’s employer, operates the chalet as a concessionaire of the National Park Service. Their contract requires them to keep insurance on the facility.

Warrington couldn’t comment on the whether coverage would pay for this damage.

“We’re still talking to our insurance company,” he said.

Just delivering materials and workers to the hotel could prove quite a challenge. Sperry Trail, the shortest overland route to the chalet, starts at Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot at elevation 3,214 feet and winds 6.7 miles up an additional 3,300 feet.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com .