GLACIER NATIONAL PARK — The historic Sperry Chalet's construction is finally complete after months of anticipation.
Project manager Travil Neil says crews worked seven days a week for six months to complete restoration efforts.
The chalet was completely destroyed in the Sprague fire of 2017 which burned thousands of acres in Glacier National Park.
The multi million-dollar reconstruction efforts were not easy as the chalet sits around 6,000 feet elevation. Materials were flown in from helicopter or packed up by mule train and crews hiked up hill seven miles in order to work on the project.
The work was not open to creative interpretation with site superintendent TJ Lashley saying crews had to stay as close as they could to the original chalet. Neil told MTN News that he's thrilled construction is complete, but will miss working on this unique project.
"Everyone involved in the project from the top down has really invested a lot. The crews on site there eight days a week and then they'd get back to their families. Everyone on this project has gotten a pretty emotional connection with the chalet up there and to be honest I wish we could extend it even further so we could keep working up there, it's so beautiful," explained Neil.
Neil says crews still would like to complete a few finishing touches. He added reservations for the chalet should go live online early next year. Meanwhile, beds, curtains and linens will be added by Belton Chalets before the chalet opens for the summer of 2020.
