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

WHILE THE REST of the country prayed for snow this season, Big Sky was rolling in the powder. But awesome snow was just part of what made the '11/'12 winter season at Big Sky so rad.  Check out what season highlights made our top ten:

10) Spring Powder and Corn Snow.  Intermixed with several epic pow days, warm temperatures in March and April made for the best spring corn snow in years.

3) Bikini Babes go Spring Skiing.  Sun’s out, guns out for Big Sky locals.

2) April 7 Surprise Powder Day – Chest deep on the North Summit and Liberty Bowl.  Can you say face shots?

-  Greer

IN JANUARY, the ski landscape across the west looked bleak.  The snow wasn’t falling.  Resorts struggled to open on time.  Photos of still grassy bowls at Vail circulated on Facebook.

But at Big Sky Resort, the snow came in on time and kept falling all season long.  Powder was consistent and good, and snowfall numbers were right on target.

The good snow translated to visitor numbers, and skiers flocked to Big Sky’s snowy slopes.  In January, Big Sky extended an offer to deprived Colorado and California skiers and riders – free lift tickets at Big Sky when they booked in Big Sky’s lodging.  The deal did not go unnoticed.

Big powder dumps before Christmas and Presidents’ weekend brought in record holiday skier visits.  On Sunday, February 19th Big Sky Resort recorded its highest number of skiers in one day with an increase of 6% over the previous record day during the April 2011 Pond Skim.

And the final tally is in – the exceptional snow and deals meant a record season for Big Sky, even while other ski resorts coast to coast saw a nearly 20 percent drop in skier volume.  With a season two week’s shorter than the previous record season in 2010/11, Big Sky still drew in more skiers than ever before.

“The consistently good snow at Big Sky is key,” said Taylor Middleton, Big Sky Resort’s General Manager.  “Skiers go where there’s snow.” 

The uptick is good for the resort as well as the entire Big Sky community, Middleton said.  “More skier visits means more business.”

But the best part?  While more skier visits equal more business, it doesn’t equal crowds, said Big Sky PR Manager Chad Jones. “Our massive terrain and lift capacity maintain one of Big Sky’s best assets: virtually no lift lines!”

-  Greer

Big Sky had big powder in December while other resorts struggled to open terrain.  Snowfall stayed consistent at Big Sky throughout the entire 2011/12 season.

What happens when a small fry frenchfries... when he should've pizza-ed:

The upside of ski boots?  After a long day on the slopes, you can sleep standing up.

Sometimes, there's just too much powder (see :47)

POND SKIMS HAVE become a spring staple at many winter resorts – skiers and riders try their luck gliding down a ski slope and then across an icy pond.
 
But at Big Sky Resort, the annual Pond Skim is a ritual in creativity and daring, pushing the boundaries of a ski culture classic.  Last weekend, Big Sky pulled it off again, with these key ingredients for the perfect Pond Skim.

Power Ponds:
Big Sky’s pond is never just a pond.  Every year the shape and approach are a surprise - participants tackle double ponds,  giant kicker entries, and s-curves.  2012 brought the most elaborate pond yet: a tetris-piece shaped pond with two separate entry points, a jump, and endless skimming path combinations.  

Crazy Costumes:
Ballerina, banana, giant ape, beach babe – skimmers don’t skimp on wild attire.  And neither does the crowd. 

Skim Strategy:
Rules are, there are no rules - Big Sky encourages the unexpected.  Daffys, 360s, ski and water ballet moves are all fair game. 

Sheer Volume:
Over 100 skiers and riders skimmed to the tune of thousands of cheering spectators this year.  And every spring it gets bigger and crazier.  There’s just something about standing in a sea of neon onesies that makes you feel like you're part of something bigger.

-  Greer

Photo courtesy of Barb Rooney

Photo by Michel Tallichet

Photo by Michel Tallichet

Photo by Michel Tallichet 

Photo by Miche Tallichet

Photo courtesy of Milton Menasco and the Big Fiasco (on stage)

WE'VE BEEN WRITING about spring skiing a lot lately - with an amazing mix of blue skies, warm temperatures, and powder days, it's hard not to rave about conditions.  But a picture is worth a thousand words, and with the season wrapping up on Sunday, we asked local photographer and Lone Peak High School student Anna Middleton for a spring recap. 



 





 

All photos by Anna Middleton

Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in Donkey Basketball to benefit the Lone Peak High Booster Club.  Photo by Sarah Blechta.



TEN PLAYERS, eight donkeys, one basketball.  Last Friday, Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in one of the most intense games of Donkey Basketball the state of Montana has ever seen.  With a final score of 20-2, Big Sky Resort dominated with a steady stream of baskets while the Yellowstone Club struggled, making just two points with 10 seconds left on the clock. 

But the win didn’t come without hemming and hee-hawing – the donkeys on both teams paid no heed to their riders, breaking into spontaneous sprints right as players tried to make baskets and stubbornly refusing to move when de-mounted players attempted to retrieve loose balls.  Some players spent most of the game trying to get back on their animal, while others held on for dear life as donkeys kicked and ran.

But Mike Unruh, Big Sky Mountain Manager and secret Donkey Whisperer worked his donkey magic to gain surprising control, catching the Yellowstone Club off guard and scoring several baskets for Big Sky.  Big Sky’s teamwork skills paid off with long passing sequences and steady scoring.

The event benefitted the Lone Peak High Booster Club, raising significant funds with a packed house, and settled a long and heated donkey basketball rival between two major Big Sky organizations. 

-  Greer

Team Big Sky used exceptional teamwork and donkey whispering skills to score 20 points


Big Sky's Chad Jones tries to tame his Donkey as it heads directly into the stands.  Photo by Sarah Blechta.




Team Big Sky wins!

 
Team Big Sky and Team Yellowstone Club put aside their differences for a joint photo post-game

WITH A STORM rolling in today and then clearing up to blue skies by Monday, it looks like the last week of the season is going to be the best kind: bluebird powder spring ski days.

With seven inches of snow in the last 48 hours and snow accumulating all day today, there’s plenty of powder to be found right now, especially on the peak.  Anything North-facing is skiing especially nicely - check out Rice Bowl and Crazy Horse for the good stuff.

So bring out the powder skis and hit the slopes– this coming week marks free skiing for Frequent Sky Card holders and two separate discount days (college students ski for $19 on April 10th and everyone skis for $29 on April 11th when they sign up online in advance).  Cheap powder skiing on bluebird days?  Looks like the season at Big Sky is going out with a bang.

- Greer


Check out the Big Sky Snow Report and the 7-day forecast from NOAA to stay updated on conditions.

Get the skinny on all things snow with the weekly Ski Skinny on The Way I Ski It.  It’s a special conditions report with intel on snow quality, where to head on the hill, and expert advice on what to pull from your quiver to get the most out of your day on the slopes.  Fatty pow skis or groomer go-tos?  Get the skinny here.