Big Mountain Memories: Mismatched skis and friendly people at the Bierstube

I first skied Big Mountain in 1964. Skis broke in those days. Gary Sakahara and Mark Sullivan each had busted a ski. They combined the surviving solo skis and called them a pair. I bought the pair for $1.50. My first “pair” of skis were mismatched; different manufacturers and different lengths. The price was right.

In 1966, Jim and Joyce Black envisioned a Bavarian Beer Hall. Their friend, local contractor Gary Tallman built the Bierstube.

In 1970, I was 21 years old, the Big Mountain was 23. Lee Swanson hired me as a night bartender.

I felt a unique “vibe” in the building. Something was here that was not in the valley. A mood, a tenor, an exuberant attitude flowed. But there was something else, an obvious ingredient I did not grasp.

A customer, beautiful Annika, a German immigrant, homesick for her Bavarian home, with a word explained to me that obvious ingredient I did not see.

Annika introduced me to a German word, Gemutlichkeit.

Gemutlichkeit describes what the Bierstube offered — music, simple food, happy drinking, genuine laughter, warm cordiality and friendliness; a place where an alliance of goodwill turns strangers into friends.

Such offerings indeed are part of Gemutlichkeit, but there is more.

From where she sat across from me at the bar, Annika swept her arm to encompass the crowded room and said, “Everyone here feels they belong, there are no outsiders, that is Gemutlichkeit, we all feel welcome.”

“Pat,” she laughed, “you and this Bierstube have cowboy Gemutlichkeit.”

Patrick Muri submitted memories from skiing on Big Mountain. The Pilot is welcoming Big Mountain Memories submitted by readers to celebrate Whitefish Mountain Resort's 75th Anniversary winter season this year. To submit your memories, email editor@whitefishpilot.com.