Big Sky's Rock Garden.  Photo by Ken Lancey.

WHEN MOST people look at Lone Peak, they see a perfect ski mountain.  In winter, I do too.  But when the snow melts and the rugged rock and dirt is exposed, I see the potential of Lone Peak to lend its terrain to more than just skiing.  I see the perfect dirt biking mountain.

So do Joe Miller and Jamey Kabisch of Big Sky XC and the folks at KLIM, who put on the Big Sky XC motorcycle races each year.  Unlike many ski mountains that lease their land from the government, Big Sky Resort’s land is privately owned.  That means that while we’re always environmentally responsible, there are less restrictions on what we can do with our terrain.  It’s not every day that motor bikers can get access to the likes of Lone Peak with features like the gnarly Rock Garden, a steep grade of pure talus skree, long straight-a-ways, and an enduro-cross course .  So when they do, they bring it.

This year’s Big Sky XC was round 6 in the AMA West Hare Scramble Championship Series, and bikers tackled the technical mountain course like never before.  The sound of revving engines and cheering fans rang through the mountains.

For me, it was the sound of pure joy.  I’m slightly addicted to all things two-wheeled,  from my days spent as a mechanic at Scooterville in Missoula to afternoons taking my Triumph Trophy through Montana’s winding roads.  Add some handlebars and horsepower to the rear wheel and and I’m in heaven.  So each year I make sure to stick around for the Big Sky XC, when our mountain transforms into a biker’s paradise, and I’m never disappointed.  

Check out the fun in the photos below and get results here.

-  Chad

Get more details on the weekend's events from MotorcycleUSA.com: 

2011 Adventure Touring Day 6

Big Sky XC Photo Gallery

Big Sky XC Results

Photo by Ken Lancey


Photo by Ken Lancey

 
Photo by Joe Miller

 
Photo by Joe Miller