Big Sky

Big Sky Resort
Madison Range, Big Sky, MT
12/28/09 - 1/1/10

Lone Peak

Don't hit the resorts much, but this time of year, with the avi conditions always prime- and my ski legs not quite as prime, I'm getting to where I'm not so opposed to it. This spring my sister conned us into planning a week long vacation at Big Sky. I don't get to see her much, and skiing a week long with the kiddos and family along, I figured it might be fun to try the resort. Then I looked at their website and some picture and saw Lone Peak, and a tram that went to the top of it. Wow! Looked like there'd be some excellent terrain. There was. There's actually two resorts on the mountain. Moonlight Basin is on the other side of the ridge to the looker's right. You can get a pass to ski both resorts. There was tons to ski, and pretty decent snow for early season this year- everything lift-wise was open. I was impressed. It was a fun outing!

Looking up the Tram line to Lone Peak Summit (The Big Couloir just to the right).

The view from the summit of Lone Peak (looking down on A-Z ridge).

Looking down the Liberty Bowl run off the summit.

Looking south towards Wyoming and the Tetons, a few turns down from the summit.

Looking down a run from the top called Lenin.

Looking back up towards the top after skiing Lenin.

Looking down at the A-Z ridge and the challenger lift- my next destination.

A-Z Ridge (that many chutes I guess).

The arrow point and one of the chutes I decided to ski (click to enlarge).

The boot pack/ hike up A-Z ridge start at the top of the Challenger Lift. Even at a resort, I can find a way to earn my turns. Ha!

Looking down at my brother-in-law, David, as he makes his way up the ridge.

The boot pack traverse along the backside of A-Z ridge, or the top of the Headwaters. Kind of steep and exposed in places.

So much so (steep and exposed) that David decided to bail- he couldn't stomach the vertigo. Doesn't get much practive with this kind of stuff living in Washington D.C. - like maybe none. See the video if you'd like to see the whole adventure with him.

Looking down a chute I decided was rip enough (I think it was called Little Fatty or something).

Locked and loaded gettin' ready to get my hop turns in.

Looking back up after a few turns down it. Woowee! Good stuff! Soft, a little warm- stable and no bones in the gut.

Looking down it from about halfway.

All done. Yummy fun!!

Wearin' the grin!

A couple of days later I skied over to the other side of the mountain (Moonlight Basin) and played on the other side of the ridge- they call it The Headwaters, and it has just as many chutes- pretty much like a candy land for me. Ha!

The Headwaters Ridge/ Bowl (arrow indicates the chute I skied).

Looking down the Cold Springs chute on Headwaters.

Five inches of powder fell the day before, the snow was nice.

The view from about halfway down.

Looking back.

More grin. More good stuff!

A look at the North Face snow field and some more interesting routes down from the summit. Unfortunately, the gates to this side of the mountain weren't open yet.

Shad and Dave's Awsome Adventure Hike!

Mandy poses, at the base of the "Big Couloir" and runs from the summit of Lone Peak. She was super bummed that it was closed all week.

Mandy skis out of the bowl at the base of Lone Peak.

I rode my board some too- finding a nice little steep shot for it. Lone Peak Trip Chair lift in the background.

My sister Hope harvests a little fresh pow.

Her husband David goes for a face shot!

Looking back once more at Lone Peak

What a terrific way to spend the Holidays. Worth every cent saved up for it (it did cost some pennies). Hope and David helped more than they should have with the lodging- thanks a bunch! I'm already dreaming of spending entire days on the AZ or Headwaters Ridge- trying to see how many chutes I could get in in one day. Most days I only had a few hours before I had to go swap out with Mandy for kiddo duty or something. Definitely will have to get back up there!