4/25/2012 9:51:00 AM

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.

9) Christmas Present Powder. While Colorado and California resorts thirsted for snow, Big Sky got dumped on right before Christmas, making for an epic holiday week.

8) The Glade-iators. New glades Shady Chute, Wolf Den, Wolverine, Congo Line, and Madagascar upped the anti for tree skiing on Andesite mountain.

7) Cole Bixby’s Mullet. Enough said.

6) Tim Cowie rips a bulletproof Big Couloir. Just watch how fast he goes… (1:26)

5) Dave Stergar’s 26 Tram Laps. Stergar took full advantage of being stranded on Tram Island when the Triple chair went on wind hold one day, and clocked it with his Big Sky Replay app.

Big Sky Replay Screen Shot Dave Stergar 2

4) Chamberlin Rail Jam. The Crystal Method and Atmosphere rocked Big Sky in two consecutive outdoor concerts.

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?

1) Pond Skim. A tetris-piece-shaped pond, bluebird skies, and 100 costumed skimmers. Best Pond Skim ever.

- Greer

Tags: top ten, big sky resort top 10, big sky season highlights, big sky resort top ten season highlights, big sky resort, pond skim, big sky pond skim, big sky 80s ski, big couloir, face shots, corn snow, mullet, cole bixby, cole bixby's mullet, tim cowie, dave stergar, lone peak tram, chamberlin rail jam,

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Secrets of the Skim: Big Sky's 2012 Pond Skim Goes All Out

4/17/2012 2:45:00 PM

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 Miche Tallichet

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

Tags: pond skim, big sky resort, big sky pond skim, double pond skim, closing weekend, big sky resort closing weekend

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Endless Winter - Snow Sticks in Big Sky

3/28/2012 4:34:00 PM

Lone Peak is still heavily snow-covered in March and April.

FROM NOVEMBER to April in a ski town, the population becomes overcome with thoughts of skiing and snowboarding. Visions of freeskiers dance in local’s heads, and every conversation revolves around sick lines and snowpack. All talk turns to turns, and people talk skiing non-stop everywhere - In a house, with a mouse, in a box, with a fox. In the Hungry Moose, like Dr. Seuss: Would you ski here or there? I would ski anywhere! Do you like to ride the tram? Yes, I love it, Sam I Am!

Just don’t pull a real Green Eggs and Ham – if you’re secretly excited for spring, you sure as heck better not admit it! You’ll risk blank stares and long silences until you break the ice by mentioning the snow forecast and the fact that winter is still in full swing up on Lone Peak.

Because though it may be 60 degrees in Bozeman and unseasonably warm across the country, yesterday Big Sky received 9 inches of snow. With three weeks left in the ski season, there’s still time for winter fun – on and off the slopes. But you better get it in now, before lifts stop turning and temps start climbing.

Skiing and Snowboarding: There’s a reason Big Sky locals are obsessed with skiing: it’s really, really fun. Especially when temperatures are comfortable enough to take off your gloves on the chairlift and enjoy beers in the base-area.

Pond Skimming: The perfect winter-meets-spring activity for skiers, riders, and swimmers. Sign up for Big Sky’s annual Pond Skim on April 14th.

Snowshoeing: Mountain trails stay snowy up high - strap into a pair of shoes the size of tennis rackets and start hiking.

Ziplining: Not many ziplines are open in the winter, but at Big Sky it’s an all-season affair.

Nordic Skiing: Trails are melting in the meadow, but higher up you can still skate and classic ski routes at Lone Mountain Ranch.

Running: That’s what YakTrax are for!

- Greer