Big Sky!

[ilikebass]

Going for the first time, will be there from this Saturday 2/25/12 to 3/2/12! I have a few questions about the trip, any info would be appreciated.

What are the conditions like this week?

Any new fluff, and if so will I be able to find any this weekend if it doesn't snow much before we get there?

Where can you generally find the most fresh powder? Can you still find some a while after it snows?

What are the MUST RIDE runs at Big Sky? I am an upper intermediate rider with others of the same skill level. I've hit Co many times, Vermont, Chile, and rode the hell out of Michigan! I want to step it up out there a little so let me know what to look for.

Anything else to know would be sweet too, thanks!

[ilikebass]

No one knows Big Sky?

[ilikecoupons]

ilike your name.

[I need a name]

Big Sky, Big Snow. I just came back. Right around 6" of fresh snow every night. Light snow during the day, right around 20 degrees with cloudy skies and sunshine rolling in occasionally.

First off, please live by this "motto". If there hasn't been a major dumping in the past few days, don't make your own tracks. Nobody left the powder for you, it will be a giant rock field underneath.

As for runs... Calamity Jane is a must do slope right at 9:00 AM. Long, groomed run that is loads of fun. Start off there and then take the other lift towards andesite. If you get some pow, head towards elk park ridge. It's a phenomenal slope for casual cruising. For green runs, Mr K is a great choice. Not steep, but has some EXCELLENT "unmarked" glades off the sides. Be careful in there though, lots of trees and branches. If you head over towards Shedhorn you have a good chance of getting some untouched pow. Slow lift, but fun area.

As for the peak, watch your timing and the weather conditions. It was COMPLETE fog when I went up. Very dangerous. The traverse up there is only a foot or two wide. Strap in when you get off the tram, climb up the little hill, and use your hands while riding goofy to push off the ground and get yourself to your desired slope. Do not unstrap as it gets very deep and steep, making it near impossible to strap in later. Marx/Lenin were fairly steep with waste deep powder. Watch for rocks and mini avalanches. I couldn't see anything up there due to the fog, but if you like long doubles, these are for you. Liberty bowl is a pain in the ass to find. I went down it once and it was chewed up, couldn't say I was a fan.

Like I said though, watch for conditions on lone peak. Fog rolls in and out within minutes, ruining your visibility.




For restaurants... Andiamos is great. Excellent lamb and relatively inexpensive pizza. Mr Hummers frequently runs specials on prime rib. Bucks t4 is pricey, but is worth it for game. Really, all of the restaurants are pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the bison burgers out there though, but they are worth a try.


Hopefully this helps. Make sure you check signs as you go, the trail maps suck.

[ilikebass]

Thanks for the reply! Some great info in there. Guess I'll just hope for good snow, but it sounds like if you get there early you can get some! How intense is the backside of Lone Peak? I have some experience doing some double blacks in Colorado, but not a ton.

[I need a name]

Not gonna lie, it's steep and intimidating looking. Makes Colorado doubles look like blues/single blacks. The back of lone peak extremely long for being so steep. I did a-z chutes on the front as well. Stay away from those... Narrow, steep, and you can easily get cliffed in if you don't carefully pick your line.