Airman Joseline Chacon Monterroso, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BOTTINEAU, N.D. — What started as a cold North Dakota evening quickly turned into a chance to step away from routines, and do something unexpected just outside of Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
Located about a 90 minute drive from Minot AFB, Bottineau Winter Park offers a variety of winter activities such as skiing, snow boarding, and tubing. As Airman Benjamin Selchow, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Specialist, Airman Celeste Estrella, 891st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Jonatan Yepes, military spouse, and I entered the property, we were greeted with powdery white slopes. The property felt inviting and comfortable to go and explore. Stepping out of the car, the warmth of the sun and crisp air hitting my face felt nostalgic, bringing back snowy childhood days.
From there, we decided to go, check in and rent our skis and snowboard equipment. We then explored the park and discovered everything it has to offer. The easy to navigate park contains eight alpine trails ranging from beginner to expert, which made me feel comfortable as I had never tried snowboarding or skiing before.
Bottineau Winter Park hosted a special event during our visit, their annual Alpine Glow Fest II. As my group and I put on our gear, the sun set and Glow Fest came to life. My group and I were greeted with the night sky filled with fireworks, music and colorful lights brightening up the slopes, bringing together both local residents and military members for a night focused on a sense of belonging. North Dakota received snowfall over the weeks prior to our visit, resulting in perfect conditions for our experience. From the most experienced riders to those first time stepping foot on a slope, everyone took advantage of the perfect snow.
From 6 p.m. to midnight, the glow-in-the-dark event transformed the winter park into a scene filled with skiers, snowboarders and tubers enjoying the night under colorful lights. With DJs playing on the hill and fireworks launching every hour, the event offered us an exciting night.
For service members and their families, Bottineau Winter Park and events like Glow Fest provide a chance to step away from daily responsibilities and feel involved in the local community. It provides an opportunity to visit the park and head back to base all within a day. The shared memory of music, winter sports and celebration builds relationships between civilians and military members alike.
This event felt like the perfect opportunity to meet new people and step out of my comfort zone, especially since it was my first time trying snowboarding and skiing. The park was very beginner friendly, which made the experience even better. The music, fireworks and overall atmosphere made me grateful to be stationed at Minot AFB knowing I might not have experienced something like this back home. Events like this help can ease the isolation that often comes with being a new Airman and make winter here more enjoyable.
As the night came to a close, the glowing slopes and lively crowd reflected more than just a successful event, they showed how a community comes together to support one another, creating lasting memories in the middle of a North Dakota winter.
Active duty military patrons of Bottineau Winter Park are allotted a 10% discount for lift tickets, tubing, and rentals upon purchase. While equipment is available at the park, such as skis, snow boards, goggles, and helmets, equipment is also available to rent from Minot AFB’s Outdoor Recreation.
