Editor's note: We love guest submissions, this one came from William visiting from North Dakota, we really appreciate hearing how others enjoy Big Sky just as much as we do!
Sun, snow, food, family, high-speed quads, and goggle tans. These were some of the highlights of my day at Big Sky on March 15, 2010. I came to Bozeman to visit Montana State University, but what trip to Bozeman is complete without spending a day at Big Sky? So at 8:00 am, we left our hotel for the amazing drive up Gallatin Canyon. It was just about nine when we turned the corner and Lone Mountain came into view. 11,166 feet of pure awesomeness waiting for me! 
After buying our tickets, my mom and I jumped on Swifty for a swift ride up the mountain. One of my favorite things about Big Sky is all the high-speed quads. I don’t feel like I spend more time going up than coming down the mountain. For our first run, we picked Calamity Jane. It was a perfect example of Big Sky’s excellent grooming. As much as I like pow skiing, getting first tracks on fresh corduroy is effortless and almost as fun.
Later, we checked out Elk Park Meadows. I still found some pow in my line, even though it had been a week since the last big storm. Big Sky is so huge it is never impossible to find a stash of fresh snow.
When it was time for lunch, we carried on another family tradition, lunch at The Pinnacle. The cool building, sick view, friendly people, and outstanding food all help to make lunch a highlight of the day. 
In the afternoon, I decided to go by myself and check out the terrain park and some harder runs. After meeting some friendly people on the chairlift, I dropped into the park. The rails and jumps were perfectly maintained as usual, but after a couple falls I decided to head to the bowl. The bowl is one of my favorite areas since there is no limit to what you can do. I could spend all day there. The South Wall snow was nice and buttery, but it was busy for a Monday. One of the great things about Big Sky is that you can always find somewhere completely deserted. For me, it was Shedhorn and Dakota. The bowl over there had hardly been skied and I only saw a few people. But 4:00 came too fast as usual, and it was time to leave.
Before going, I had a lemonade on the Summit patio and thought about the day. Whether I ski or snowboard, and whether it’s bluebird or dumping, Big Sky is a world class resort that’s hard to top. And if I go to Montana State University, I will be seeing a lot more of it next season!
Shred4Life,
William B.
Age 18
Bowbells, ND
