The Bellrose Family has been residing in a camper van atop one of Montana’s tallest mountains for the past five years, braving avalanches and heavy snow in the winter, as well as encounters with grizzly bears during the summer. Living in such extreme conditions has become a daily struggle for Brandon, Alisa, and their children Alayah, Trinity, Brae, and Tristan.

Brandon, aged 61, recalls their initial encounters with wolves and the challenging environment they face daily. Originally from rural Illinois, he ran an off-road experience business in Las Vegas before meeting Alisa, 43, a former real estate agent turned showgirl from Texas. Their shared dream of living in the wilderness led them to crisscross America for 16 years before settling at an altitude of 2500m on the Montana mountain.

The family relies on solar power, wood from the surrounding forest, and water from a nearby well for heat, electricity, and water. Alisa mentions the two-hour process of melting snow for a hot shower during winter, while Brandon highlights the challenges of being snowed in under 14ft of snow.

Their income primarily comes from their daughter Alayah’s job as a chef in a nearby town, as the family struggles financially and often borrows equipment for household repairs from locals downhill. Homeschooling is the norm for the children due to the distance from the nearest town, with Trinity pursuing astronomy thanks to the clear mountain skies.

Despite the hardships, the Bellrose family finds joy in spending quality time together, engaging in various outdoor activities such as skiing, white water rafting, and mountain biking. They aspire to build a restaurant and establish a natural skiing area for tourists, with Alayah envisioned to run the kitchen. Alisa expresses excitement about the future and the beauty and potential the mountain offers.

Their unique lifestyle and challenges are showcased in tonight’s episode of Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild on Channel 5, offering a glimpse into the Bellrose family’s extraordinary journey and their aspirations for the future.