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

Skiing Big Sky's Private Powder

3/22/2013 9:07:00 PM

Ben Buffalo Jump 3-22-13
Ben Brosseau getting deep 

AFTER GETTING A brief glimpse of spring last week, winter resumed and we were happily reminded that ski season is not over. Beginning late last Saturday, winter returned in a BIG way depositing 5-7 inches of snow on the lower-mountain with even larger totals found on the peak and since then we’ve received well over a foot of snow setting us up for another great weekend.

No matter where I went on the mountain and no matter the day, the skiing was great. Big Sky’s wind grooming machine was hard at work the days we didn’t get any new snow overnight and our consistent storms provide the powder it feeds on.

After our most recent storm from Wednesday night that dropped 10+ inches in pockets across the mountain, my friends Sharron, Mark, Aaron, and Hartman headed for Dakota and Shedhorn where were royally treated to what seemed like our own private powder playground. First hitting up Dude Park before venturing to Dakota and Rockville, the lack of tracks we crossed 2 days after the storm only added to great terrain we had to play on.

Before parting ways and to finish the morning off on the right foot, we sought out Chicken Bowl and its untouched steep shots. The silky smooth powder was a treat and I gladly opened it up arcing a few big GS turns out the bottom before meeting up with rest of our crew. After exchanging high fives and pole taps we went our separate ways with emails and projects beckoning me back at the office.

Another great day skiing Big Sky’s many secrets.

-Kipp Proctor

REI Snowboard Shoot 3-18-13
Snowboarding the Bone Crusher trees
 
Parker sending it in Rockville 3-20-13
Parker about to send it in Rockville  

Sunset Poolside at the Huntley 3-21-13
Huntley Hot Tub: The ideal place to unwind after a day on the mountain

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Spring Skiing and Chasing the Sun

3/15/2013 9:52:00 AM
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EVERYONE LOOKS FORWARD to the joys of spring skiing. When tackling the Biggest Skiing in America there are multiple faces and aspects to deal with. Think about finding the good snow early and chasing the sun is key to having a great experience. While the weekend forecast is calling for more snow and cooler temps, the last few days of spring like weather encourage a quick overview of how to follow the sun around our giant Peak.

First thing in the morning (9-10:30am) seek out fresh groomers, head for either Southern Comfort or Mr. K and Upper and Lower Morning Star. These fresh groomed runs will offer a great opportunity to get your legs under you before heading elsewhere. The sun will be shining almost directly on the runs and the snow will still be fast, enjoy.

Mid-morning (10:30am-noon) start heading for more groomed runs down either Elk Park Ridge (off Ramcharger/Thunderwolf) or venturing into the Bowl/other off-piste areas around the Triple Chair. By this time, the sun  have softened the snow up enough to be playful and carvable and is the ideal spot to get your legs going just a bit more before venturing up the Tram.

Early afternoon (noon-2:30pm) is a great time of day to head for the The Lone Peak Tram or tackle some of the gladed/back bowls in the Shedhorn and Dakota areas. When the weather permits, the southern facing aspects off the tram will “corn up” and provide an unmatched soft snow experience with over 1,500 vertical feet of above tree line skiing.

Late afternoon (2:30-4 or on a Saturday, 5pm) head back to the lower mountain to finish the day off playing around once again on Andesite and Swift Current. Be sure to head for Andesite on Saturdays when you can ski Ramcharger until 5pm and celebrate the extra hour of daylight.

While spring kindly poked its head in to say hello, winter weather is once again in the forecast so pack some layers because she’s coming back for an encore. See you on the hill!

-Kipp Proctor

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Marcel Silhard - Dakota

Marcel Silhard - Challenger - 3-13-13
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Life Above the Clouds and Private Powder

1/14/2013 8:42:00 AM
Cedar Poking Through - 1-13-13

FRESH CORDUROY AND private powder were abundant on Sunday and while my friends and I got off to a late start, our experience wasn’t diminished. Wherever we headed we seemed to be rewared to something better at every turn.

We started our late morning (11:15) off by dropping into SoCo skiing fresh corduroy all the way down El Dorado. We continued to explore the lower mountain finding similarly fresh cord on Sacagawea, Big Horn, and Ambush before heading for the upper mountain.

The Tram was walk on so after waiting just 30 seconds for it to arrive back at the lower tram dock, my 3 friends and I loaded onto to our own private cabin. Once we reached the top, we got to see what life above the clouds was like. One of the only mountains poking through was Cedar and after snapping a few photos, we pushed off towards Liberty Bowl.

While the snow in Liberty left something more to be desired, the Dakota territory more than made up for it. The four of us and possibly just 5 other lucky skiers/boarders were treated to our own private powder stash. During our 5 laps on the Dakota lift, the only tracks we crossed were our own while we traversed to different untouched areas. We fell in love with the 5-6 inches of fresh creamy powder and found it difficult to leave when the lift finally had to close.

We finished our day with a great cruiser down Lower Morning Star but couldn’t shake the amazing turns we had just experienced in Dakota.

-Kipp Proctor

Poking Through - 1-13-13

Base Area Through the Clouds - 1-13-13
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