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

THE ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN is not only a final reminder that warm weather is on the way out and winter is right around the corner, but it's also another one of the many reasons Montanans proudly boast that Montana is the “Last Best Place.” In addition to fly fishing, day hikes, and all-around outdoor fun; here are a few other ideas to get you outside enjoying the Big Sky State.

Horseback Riding – Fall is an amazing time of year to saddle up a horse and explore some of Montana’s remote wilderness areas. With miles upon miles of trail to cover there is nearly no limit to the amount of country you can take in. Here in Big Sky there are quite a few quality outfitters and ranches that offer a wide array of trail ride options from short 2 hour rides to longer full day and overnight pack trips. A few notable ones in the area are 320 Ranch, Lone Mountain Ranch, and Jakes Horses. Using an outfitter like 320 Ranch is a great way to take advantage of Montana’s beauty since their guided rides take you to secluded destinations like Ramshorn Lake (picture below). Add a few cowboys/cowgirls as your guides and you’re sure to be thoroughly entertained.

Football – While beautiful fall foliage and autumn go hand in hand, autumn for many marks the beginning of football season, tailgating, and cool weather fun. With 2 major in-state rivals just 3 hours apart, you’re sure to find a great game most any Saturday during the fall. The Montana State Bobcats located in beautiful Bozeman, MT (currently ranked #2 in the country in FCS rankings), have the reputation of being ferocious competitors. Further west down I-90, the University of Montana Grizzlies call Missoula home. Touting recent conference titles, the Grizzlies are a perennial powerhouse which always adds a little something extra to the annual in-state rivalry game “Cat/Griz” at the end of every season. This year the Grizzlies are hosting the matchup on November 17th, so watch out if you’re in Missoula that weekend, it can get pretty crazy.

Mountain Biking – The arrival of cooler temps and morning frosts, autumn is a spectacular time of year to get out on your bike and explore some of Montana’s amazing trails. When hitting the trails in the fall you’ll benefit from the cool crisp air and tacky trails on the descent. Don’t worry if the uphill pedaling part is a slight deterrent; Big Sky Resort has you covered with miles of lift accessed downhill mountain biking to keep you occupied for days. But if cross-country riding is your cup of tea, check in with a local shop like Big Sky Sports for tips on what trails are riding well or for an assortment of great maps detailing different rides in the area. And if you’re looking to end your season on a strong note, there are quite a few longer rides in the area to meet your needs. 320 Ranch to Porcupine Creek is an amazing 16 mile shuttle ride that takes you deep into the backcountry and offers not only an amazing destination, Ramshorn Lake (as mentioned above), but over 7 miles of unbelievable downhill single track that will have you planning your return as soon as you finish.

-Kipp Proctor 

MONTANA'S FALL FAVORITES are in full swing with the arrival of autumn and cooler temps. Fly fishing, day hikes, and all-around outdoor fun should be on everyone’s agenda. So here’s a quick guide to some of our favorite fall activities.

Fly Fishing – When the weather cools down and the rivers clear up, there’s no better time to get out on the water and cast a few flies. Fall is arguably the best time of year to head to your local river or embark on a short trip to a nearby river destination, according to many guides in the area. The fish are more active in the cool waters plus you're less likely to bump into other anglers out on the water with the busy tourism months behind us. In addition to the increased likelihood of landing a big hog; the crisp fall air and gorgeous Montana landscape make getting out for a good fly fishing session a guaranteed pleasure.

Day Hike – A favorite activity for most all Montanans and visitors; a scenic day hike on one of our beautiful mountain trails offers the opportunity to take in some of the magnificent fall beauty across the Big Sky state. But the beautiful fall foliage isn’t all there is to take in. Catch a glimpse of a bull moose or a heard of elk as the graze on the mountain side but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for bears since they usually don’t begin to hibernate until after the first snow and the temperature really drops. Some notable hikes to check out in the area would be Lava Lake in Gallatin Canyon, Ousel Falls in Big Sky, or summit Lone Peak and take in the view of 3 states along with countless peaks in the greater Big Sky area.

Basecamp to Yellowstone – Don’t get caught thinking that Big Sky Resort only offers world class skiing and an amazing spa to escape to and relax in; because Basecamp to Yellowstone is sure to have an activity to meet everyone’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a fun competitive family outing on the Paintball course, high speed fun on the Zipline canopy tour, or the scenic and exciting Lone Peak Tram Expedition; Basecamp has you covered. Located right at the base of Big Sky Resort, Basecamp offers a full menu of great family fun. With just a few weeks remaining until the resort closes for the summer season, there’s no better time to book an activity. Contact Basecamp at 995-5769 to book a fun adventure or to hear about all they have to offer.

For more ideas on fun fall activities around Big Sky, check back next week for another quick list and a few more ideas to check off your fall lists. There’s always something fun to do around Big Sky Resort and we’ve got you covered. Happy fall frolicking!

-Kipp Proctor 

SKI MOVIE PREMIER season is in full swing which is also one of the first signs that ski season is right around the corner. Lovingly referred to as “Ski Porn” in the world of skiing, ski film premiers offer an experience that every snowsport enthusiast should partake in at least once during their ski careers. Accessing one is probably easier than you think too. Most major film companies lineup national tours that hit major ski towns and larger metropolitan areas all across the country, and trust me, being part of one is an experience all in itself. I can vividly remember my first when I was just a lowly freshman at Montana State and how it’s now turned into an experience I seek out every year.

Last night I had the opportunity to represent Big Sky Resort and attend the Bozeman premier of The Dream Factory at the Emerson Cultural Center. As an avid skier, nothing is quite as inspiring as watching the world’s best pros skiing huge, epic lines in Alaska and skiing them at a level most of us can only imagine. The Dream Factory is the newest release from the seasoned and veteran team at Teton Gravity Research (TGR). Based in Jackson, WY, TGR has become synonymous in the ski industry for putting out some of the most progressive yet grass roots driven footage. While many of their films have large segments filmed around Jackson, The Dream Factory focused on skiing in the great state of Alaska.

The Dream Factory was no let down either; TGR produced yet another great film that took you on not only a tour of Alaska’s breathtaking and exhilarating peaks but also gave you an interesting journey through Alaska’s famed history in heli-skiing. Broken into segments, the filmed offered a bit of background on the major turning points and a look back at archival footage from some of AK’s first major descents. The history portions then lead into clips of today’s pros revisiting these same lines and ripping them all over again. It was a great way to draw on the similarities between todays sport of skiing and how yesterday’s pioneers lead the revolution of big mountain freeskiing.

While not all ski films are created equal, there is one overwhelmingly unifying similarity, and that’s the all-around amazing vibe and high level of excitement throughout the audience. This electrifying energy radiates through the crowd and becomes heightened even more by the film’s soundtrack. Huge smiles, high fives, hoots, hollers, oohs, and ahhs are to be expected throughout the film as the crowd cheers on their heroes and dreams of the day when they might get the opportunity to drop into a legendary AK line.

Don’t fret if you’re a local Bozeman/Big Sky resident and missed The Dream Factory premier; here’s a list of few other notable ski film premiers dropping the next few months in Bozeman:

Poor Boyz Productions – Triple Threat – September 19th
Level 1 Productions – Sunny – September 27th
Match Stick Productions – Super Heroes of Stoke – October 10th
Teton Gravity Research – Further (snowboard film) – October 25th

-Kipp Proctor

THIS PAST WEEKEND while reading the Sunday New York Times, I found an article on Destination Weddings that referred to a Jamaican resort’s “romance director.”  I stopped reading immediately, started the paragraph over to be sure I understood the context correctly, and again had to pause in the same place.  How had I never heard of such a job before?  What exactly is a romance director?  What sort of training and experience is needed to hold such an esteemed title?   As the Wedding Sales Manager, am I, in fact, Big Sky Resort’s Romance Director?
Almost immediately, I turned to Google as I was literally bursting with curiosity.  As I pored over the search results, I was amazed to find out that not only do Romance Directors exist, but also Romance Concierges, Chief Romance Officers (I would only assume CRO’s, for short), and even entire Romance DEPARTMENTS in resorts across the globe. 

Take The Canyons in Park City, for example, where you call or e-mail their “Romance Specialist” in order to find out about their “extra touch.”  Or 70 Park Avenue in Manhattan, where the tony hotel’s “Romance Sommelier” is “on hand to arrange specialty diva-worthy services” such as rose petals on your bed or a private helicopter tour of the city that never sleeps.

But perhaps my favorite find was Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix.  This resort’s Director of Romance, Robert Vickrey, has a bio online stating that his role “goes way beyond ordering flowers and making dinner reservations; it’s more that of a personal romance coach, especially to the ‘romantically challenged.’” Royal Palms also has an online Guide to Romance & Chivalry – a must see for anyone, no matter what your relationship status.  Among my personal favorites are number 41 (“Never wait for nightfall - Romance should live at all hours”), 33 (“Present her with an heirloom as rich in its pricelessness as her beauty”) and of course, the tried-and-true number 3 (“At the first shiver, wrap her up in your coat”).

Which got me thinking, here at Big Sky Resort we are wrapping up our busiest wedding season ever, and offer the perfect setting & amenities for a romantic honeymoon or weekend getaway – why don’t we have our own?  So, I got to work, and here it is:

Guide to Romance under the Big Sky

1. Hold hands at 11,166 ft – summer or winter, ride our Lone Peak Tram together and watch your love reach new heights as you peer down at the endless mountain peaks below you.
2. Relax & rejuvenate together with a couples massage at the newly renovated Solace Spa & Salon.
3. Trade bites of authentic Italian spaghetti & meatballs (Lady & the Tramp, anyone??) at Andiamo Italian Grill.
4. Tap into your youthful side with a thrilling ride through the trees on Big Sky Resort’s Yellowstone Zipline Tour.
5. Cuddle together in front of your very own private fireplace in the Village Center.
6. Have a bottle of wine from our award-winning Peaks Wine List delivered to your room, with two glasses of course.
7. Stargaze – escape from the city lights and see how much brighter the Big Dipper is in Big Sky Country.
8. Show your love by purchasing gifts for each other at Big Sky Sports and Provisions.
9. Tee off together on our 18-hole, par 72 golf course, making sure to let her win.
10. Finish the day with a soak in your private Jacuzzi.  Rose petals optional.

Happy Romancing! 

-Margo Humphries

FOREST SERVICE CABINS are hot-ticket items come June in Montana – the remote cabins are open for rent, and make for amazing weekend trips to remote and beautiful parts of forest service land.  Campers book months in advance to snag a reservation.
So when I was offered a last-minute chance to use a friend’s reservation at Windy Pass, I jumped on it. 

I rounded up a crew for the trip and we planned to leave that day after work.  Just a few miles from Big Sky, we’d need to take a high-clearance vehicle up a bumpy road to get to the head of the two-mile trail.  With the long summer Montana days, we knew we could make it before dark.

Finally hitting the trail at 8:30pm, the sun was still well above the horizon as we trekked up the fierce elevation gain.  Across streams and through the forest we climbed until the landscape opened up to a field of wildflowers and we saw the Windy Pass cabin perched near the ridge.

The view clearly called for a few verses from the Sound of Music, and my friend Tallie and I immediately broke into song.  This was truly a Maria moment – never had I seen such lush rolling hills surrounded by mountains outside of that classic musical.
The cabin was one small room with bunk beds and two more cots in a small loft above.  The moon was full and rising, and even as the sun vanished around 9:30pm, the moon lit up the night with an eerie silvery glow.  Somewhere not so far off, we heard coyotes howling.

We had packed in takeout pizza from big Sky’s newest joint, Ousel & Spur, and dug into Fig and Prosciutto slices around the small cabin table before topping it off with homemade gingerbread.  Not having to carry sleeping pads, pots, pans, or utensils – the cabin comes equipped with mattresses and cooking staples – we’d also been able to squeeze in a bottle of champagne, just in case the mood struck us.

At 5am, we woke and hiked another 15 minutes to the top of the highest ridge, and watched the sun come up over Paradise Valley below.  I couldn’t think of anything better to celebrate in life than a Montana sunrise, so we popped the Champagne and toasted to the Big Sky.

-  Greer

Photos by Anna Middleton-http://annamiddleton.wix.com/photography

THE WINDING MOUNTAIN road ends one hour north of Yellowstone National Park at the Summit Hotel, elevation 7,500 feet. Anchored in a window laden corner is the Carabiner Bar & Grill offering views of God’s country. As we stumbled in awe, gazing out at the stunning scenery we were greeted by warm smiles that lead us to a comfortable window seat for two.

The ziplining and whitewater rafting adventures from the day were enough to make me want to eat a horse, but luckily here Bison and Wagyu beef are the stars of Chef Michael Bockelman’s summer menu.  The carte du jour is traditional bar and grill; from lighter fare of salads, soups, sandwiches and burgers to Montana NY Strip and Alaskan Salmon as well as delectable plates of red quinoa salad, smoked tofu sandwiches or Moussaka for the discriminating vegetarian.  Plates ranged from $11-31, allowing for any range of budget.

Outside there is a terrace where vacationers and conference attendees (indicated by the square name tags on white lanyards around their necks) were enjoying the fresh mountain air as they dined.  While inside the room fashions mountain elegance with stone colored walls, black stone accents, vintage French ski resort art hanging on the walls and a cozy fireplace to water glasses with hand holds in them.

We decided to dive right into the local flavor with a small plate of the Bison Satay paired with a Monchoff Estate Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2010.   The grilled bison skirt steak was mounted on top of a cold chili and pineapple buckwheat noodle salad with rice pickled vegetables.  The warm tender bison was more sweet than spicy and disappeared rapidly between the two of us, one of us using silverware, the other opting to eat off the skewer.
  
As we continued on we chose the Montana Smokehouse Ribs with a glass of Zenaida Cabernet, Paso Robles 2009 and the Wagyu Noodle bowl with a glass of the Riesling again as recommended by the sommelier.  The ribs were-so-tender- juicy-meaty and covered in a naturally sweet huckleberry glaze with a side of fresh slaw. We had agreed to share, but I didn’t want to. The apex of the bowl of rice noodle was a delicately marbled Wagyu skirt steak that scored the heat of the spicy Vietnamese broth. This was served Montana style where the helping of beef overshadows the vegetables in the bowl.
 
Chocolate Fondue for Two- who could say no in this alpine environment?  With a glass of Dows 10 year tawny we sat grinning across the table at each other bite after bite of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and petit four sec dipped in warm Belgian chocolate ganache. The hedonists that we are, we also ordered a bowl of house made vanilla ice cream with season appropriate strawberry-rhubarb sauce.  Sharing is not so bad, as long as you can share two desserts.
 

Carabiner Bar & Grill, Summit Hotel
1 Lone Mountain Trail, Big Sky, Montana; (406) 995-8078
www.bigskyresort.com
Summer season open daily 11:00am – 11:00pm

Bon Appetit!
-Lyndsey Owens