The Way I Ski It: Big Sky Resort's Blog

AT THE HELM calling the shots on when to open terrain over the past 30 years is Bob Dixon.  Who better to talk to about snow and what makes Big Sky the Biggest Skiing in America?  We took a minute to sit down with him; here is what he had to say about snow and what he likes best.

What do you think about this year, is the snow going to be good?
NOAA is calling for EL Nino, which is not good for the Northwest. Big Sky Resort sits on the cusp of the Northern and Southern weather patterns. An active Atlantic hurricane season has shown a more active La Nina, where an active Pacific hurricane season a more active El Nino. Mother Nature is cyclical. A dry summer means that precipitation needs to come sometime and winter will bring some snow. I don’t really want an early season, however here the winds keep the skiing good.

Are there any patterns you have seen for winter conditions on Lone Mountain?
The end of November to December is the worst for avalanches. There are deep slabs and lots of instabilities in the snowpack. Then the Christmas crowds come and help the snowpack with skiing it in (compaction). Around January 6th the buses are leaving and a storm rolls in for the locals. January is good and March picks up more and April is great for snowfall. The coldest of the cold snaps come in November and early December. The coldest day ever was in 1988 and it was 62 below.

What is your favorite run on the mountain?
It’s all about the right day. Consistently 1st Gulley, especially when the upper pockets are open. It has a consistent fall line and I enjoy the hoots and hollers from the chair when I do it right.

What is it about Big Sky Resort that you love the most?
Lone Mountain. No such thing as a bad snow year. That mountain gives you good skiing somewhere. The ski culture has changed, the mountain hasn’t.

What does the Biggest Skiing in America mean to you?
The ski experience. That mountain offers so much different terrain. Southern Comfort for world class beginner terrain, to the Tram with great vertical descents, to the Couloir for the ultimate adrenaline rush. There is no waiting in line. The ski experience is more available, with so many acres per skier, this is what it is all about. We have the best ski experience, anywhere.

What has been the best snow year ever at Big Sky?
Consistent snow years add up great snow totals. But it’s the epic days that I remember that outshine all those numbers. In 1986 we received 200” in two weeks. In 1994 we had a storm cycle that delivered 150” in a week and a half. I couldn’t make a turn down little tree. That was an epic storm cycle.

-Lyndsey Owens

Bluegrass music.  For many, it brings to mind notions of the Beverly Hillbillies and southern backwoods, moonshine-induced, foot-stomping calls of “YEEE HAWW!”  For others it is indistinguishable from pop country a la Taylor Swift or Tim McGraw.  Still others associate it with free-loving “Festies” or the new generation of Woodstockers.

In reality, all of these nuances are correct in some way.  Bluegrass music today remains highly influenced by its “Father,” legendary Bill Monroe, but is often eclectically mixed with more modern elements and styles.  And while the geographical heart of bluegrass still undoubtedly lies south of the Mason-Dixon, the Rocky Mountains of Montana are becoming prime country to find some of the finest bluegrass picking around. 

Just this past week I took the time to jump on tour with the Grammy-nominated Infamous Stringdusters during their sold out, two-night, Halloween-themed stint in Big Sky Country.  The band donned neon sunglasses to a costumed bunch at Bozeman’s Emerson ballroom, only to be followed 24 hours later with a wild crowd (and head to toe lycra on each band member) at Missoula’s Top Hat. 

The energy each night was, hands down, incredible.  The music – well, it just couldn’t get any better.  The band’s fiddle player and famed vocalist Jeremy Garrett perhaps said it best on his Facebook page after the Bozeman show:  “I had one of the most fun music times I have ever had in my life... I don't know if you really know what that means, but it is true. I love you Montana. I really really love you. Can't wait till tomorrow.”

Garrett elaborates more on the band’s website: “The type of people who listen to the music that we play, and are coming to the shows, are also people who go on epic hikes, or ski, or ride mountain bikes, or get out and experience life from all angles.  The new song on our latest record called ‘Night On The River’ has been going out to a lot of people.  Rafters come up after the show to talk about it…The music sort of sets up the background for your life.”

And perhaps the ultimate intersection of bluegrass and Montana life can be found mid-February at Big Sky Resort.  Big Sky Big Grass, gearing up for its 7th annual festival in 2013 has become a can’t-miss event for Bluegrass lovers, skiers and just about everyone in between.  Unlike its larger, summertime counterparts such as Telluride, BSBG Festival-goers ski and ride powder at the Biggest Skiing in America by day and stomp their heels to some of the industry’s finest by night.  This year’s lineup includes The Sam Bush Band, The Del McCoury Band, The Emmitt-Nershi Band and The Special Consensus, just to name a few.  Past acts will tell you there truly is something special about the unique mountain setting paired with the onstage (and offstage) picking.

No, it isn’t Nashville here in Montana.  But then again, we like it that way.

Online Ticket sales for Big Sky Big Grass begin on November 15th.  Stay tuned to www.bigskybiggrass.com and be sure to “like” Big Sky Big Grass on Facebook for the latest updates.

- Margo Humphries

WITH A STORM rolling in today and then clearing up to blue skies by Monday, it looks like the last week of the season is going to be the best kind: bluebird powder spring ski days.

With seven inches of snow in the last 48 hours and snow accumulating all day today, there’s plenty of powder to be found right now, especially on the peak.  Anything North-facing is skiing especially nicely - check out Rice Bowl and Crazy Horse for the good stuff.

So bring out the powder skis and hit the slopes– this coming week marks free skiing for Frequent Sky Card holders and two separate discount days (college students ski for $19 on April 10th and everyone skis for $29 on April 11th when they sign up online in advance).  Cheap powder skiing on bluebird days?  Looks like the season at Big Sky is going out with a bang.

- Greer


Check out the Big Sky Snow Report and the 7-day forecast from NOAA to stay updated on conditions.

Get the skinny on all things snow with the weekly Ski Skinny on The Way I Ski It.  It’s a special conditions report with intel on snow quality, where to head on the hill, and expert advice on what to pull from your quiver to get the most out of your day on the slopes.  Fatty pow skis or groomer go-tos?  Get the skinny here.

ANY SKI TOWN LOCAL knows spring skiing means one thing. And it’s not bluebird days, warm temps, or beers in the plaza.  OK, it means all that too.  But it also means this: Deals.

Jackets, goggles, skis, season passes – now’s the time to buy your gear for next season.  As long as you’re OK with wearing last season’s magenta instead of next season’s fuchsia on the slopes come November, planning ahead is totally worth it.

The Setup:

A whole ski setup with skis, boots, and bindings might cost you upwards of two grand come fall.  Right now at Big Sky Sports, you’ll get everything at under 1,000 bucks, no problem. Super bargain hunters might even pull of a package at under $700.

Skis:

Demos are an even better option.  Sure they’ve been skied, but you can get a super sick pair of Rossi Super 7s for $550 with bindings at the Big Sky Demo Center.  It’s a screamin' deal, considering those babies go retail for over $900 bucks without bindings.

Outerwear:

Outerwear can cost hundreds of dollars.  At Big Sky Sports this spring, jackets are 40% off, and Grizzly Outfitters and Gallatin Alpine Sports are having super end-of-season sales as well.  Now’s the time to pull the trigger on that pair of pink Patagonia pants you’ve been eyeing all winter – they’re almost half the price.

Season passes: 

Lots of locals score a pass by working for the Resort – it’s a benefit for full time seasonal employees.  But weekend warriors know to buy early – before April 30th – for 40% off.  Adult passes are on sale now for $799.

-  Greer

AFTER A BIG snow dump on Monday night and a bluebird powder day on Tuesday, conditions have stayed stellar all over the mountain.  Head to Challenger for smooth, wind-buffed powder, and hit the trees for fluffy stashes.

But for the best snow, sign out for the North Summit Snowfield – conditions have only improved since Tuesday’s powder day, with sometimes bony sections like Rips now nicely filled in with soft and creamy snow.  You’ll need a Biggest Skiing in America ticket (The run is technically on Moonlight terrain, but can only be accessed by Big Sky’s tram), but the upgrade is worth it for perfect turns on the north face of Lone Peak.

The forecast is calling for snow over the next three days with a total accumulation of about 12 inches.  Keep your entire quiver close at hand – all-mountain skis may be great for today, but you could need your pow skis at the drop of a hat.

-Greer

Check out the Big Sky Snow Report and the 7-day forecast from NOAA to stay updated on conditions.

Get the skinny on all things snow with the weekly Ski Skinny on The Way I Ski It.  It’s a special conditions report with intel on snow quality, where to head on the hill, and expert advice on what to pull from your quiver to get the most out of your day on the slopes.  Fatty pow skis or groomer go-tos?  Get the skinny here.

Runs off of Challenger lift are smooth and wind-buffed.

Skiing and Snowboarding:  There’s a reason Big Sky locals are obsessed with skiing:  it’s really, really fun.  Especially when temperatures are comfortable enough to take off your gloves on the chairlift and enjoy beers in the base-area. 

Pond Skimming:  The perfect winter-meets-spring activity for skiers, riders, and swimmers.  Sign up for Big Sky’s annual Pond Skim on April 14th.

Snowshoeing:  Mountain trails stay snowy up high - strap into a pair of shoes the size of tennis rackets and start hiking.

Ziplining:  Not many ziplines are open in the winter, but at Big Sky it’s an all-season affair. 

Nordic Skiing:  Trails are melting in the meadow, but higher up you can still skate and classic ski routes at Lone Mountain Ranch.

Running:  That’s what YakTrax are for!

-  Greer