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

AFTER A BIG snow dump on Monday night and a bluebird powder day on Tuesday, conditions have stayed stellar all over the mountain.  Head to Challenger for smooth, wind-buffed powder, and hit the trees for fluffy stashes.

But for the best snow, sign out for the North Summit Snowfield – conditions have only improved since Tuesday’s powder day, with sometimes bony sections like Rips now nicely filled in with soft and creamy snow.  You’ll need a Biggest Skiing in America ticket (The run is technically on Moonlight terrain, but can only be accessed by Big Sky’s tram), but the upgrade is worth it for perfect turns on the north face of Lone Peak.

The forecast is calling for snow over the next three days with a total accumulation of about 12 inches.  Keep your entire quiver close at hand – all-mountain skis may be great for today, but you could need your pow skis at the drop of a hat.

-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.

Runs off of Challenger lift are smooth and wind-buffed.

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

HERE THEY GO again – Mother Nature and Old Man Winter pulling another switcheroo on us overnight!  The past five days have had full blown spring skiing conditions with warmer temps and bluebird skies.  Then this morning we woke up and WHAM!  Winter was back with nine inches of cold fluffy pow on the peak.

Ullr sure is keeping us on our toes – this is the second time this month we’ve done an extra early-week Ski Skinny post due to a big conditions shift.   But when it involves multiple bluebird powder days, we can’t complain.

Hit the mountain all over today – there’s powder everywhere and your fatty skis could use some exercise.

-  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.