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

Big Sky's Top 10 Season Highlights

4/25/2012 9:51:00 AM
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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.

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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.

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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?

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

-  Greer

 

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Free Fast Pass Delivers Walk-On Tram Laps

2/29/2012 1:46:00 PM
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The Lone Peak Tram is the one spot at Big Sky known to have to occasional line.  With the free Fast Pass, season pass holders and day ticket purchasers reserve a time to walk on. 

 

THIS WEEKEND BIG SKY is rolling out the Fast Pass program, where guests can reserve a timeslot for a walk-on ride up the Lone Peak Tram.

With an average of 2,000 skiers per day spread out over 3,832 acres of the Biggest Skiing in America, Big Sky skiers know that waiting in lift lines isn’t an issue. 

The one caveat has been the Lone Peak Tram, where arriving at the peak with a mere 14 other skiers for endless fresh lines on a powder day makes a couple of tram cars well worth the wait.

But even a wait that’s worth it is too long for Big Sky, and the Resort is working to mitigate wait time with the new Fast Pass program.  With a free Fast Pass, guests can reserve one Tram timeslot per day, making sure they get one walk-on experience for Big Sky’s most iconic views and expert runs.

This, is a Big Deal. 

Since the Tram was built in ’96, the only way to guarantee a walk-on Tram has been to join Ski Patrol or set your alarm for first chair, racing to the Triple and then Tram to hopefully grab an early car.  Every other walk-on was just dumb luck – Dave Stergar being in the right place during a wind-hold on the Triple, William Bryan landing 8 freak walk-ons during a random Wednesday.

Now, no one needs to leave a Tram lap to chance.  And the program won’t compromise unscheduled Tram laps either -  Fast Pass timeslots will take up 1/3 of available Tram capacity, ensuring both Fast Pass holders and skiers without a reserved timeslot will be able to get on the Tram quickly and efficiently.

The program is taking a pilot run during weekends throughout this March, when guests can show their season pass or lift ticket at a Fast Pass window to reserve a timeslot from 10:45am through 3:00pm, running in 15-minute increments, weather depending. 

So hit the Tram this weekend – Fast Pass or no, you’ll reach 11,166-feet in record time.

-  Greer

 

How does Fast Pass work?  Check out this video and these FAQs. Need more details?  See the official press release.

 

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