Powder + Blue Skies = Love at Big Sky
AT THE TOP of Lone Peak, the wind hummed gently like an idling car. The sun was bright and some people were on the summit solely to take in the clear, expansive views. But I was there to ski. I had just signed in with patrol for the North Summit Snowfield, yet I found myself gaping too as I stepped into my bindings. From behind me I recognized a deep, brisk voice call my name. Derek Leonard, dedicated snow rider, and guest writer for TWISI, was commenting on my last run.
"You just skied The Big Couloir and now North Summit," he pointed out. "I guess you'll be writing The Way I Ski It?"
"Huh-uh," I said as I shrugged him off. There was no way I'd have the time. Definitely not on this Sunday night, I thought. As the Senior Sales Manager for Big Sky Resort, I’d have to give orientation speeches to two newly arrived ski clubs that evening, visit a convention banquet, and make sure my other guests were comfortable. As fun as it all may be, it takes time, and any extra should be spent on the slopes, not dreaming or writing about them. Add emails, dinner, and laundry, and there was no way I would be able to tell anyone about my day. I was too busy living it. So I scooted away and dropped in to the North Side with two buddies.
As usual, we were the only three on the run—a snow-filled basin bigger than entire resorts. It was all ours. The snow was dry and surrounded us with each turn. In the Big Couloir I had found its classic dense, slough-smoothed powder—every turn identical in knee deep. And there was more: the southerly exposed A-Z Chutes were a consistent, untouched moist cream until I scribbled my own tracks. Liberty Bowl to Dakota, Shedhorn, and over to Challenger, every run was in the sunshine. How fortunate I am that this is how I spend my free time.
By evening, I’d thought about Derek’s suggestion. Sure, we all have our tasks that take our time. But if we don’t make it on the ski hill, or we are too busy meeting obligations, we have no stories to tell. I’d lived my ski story for the day, and it was too good not to share.
I hope you're living your own ski stories too.
- Victor, Big Sky Senior Sales Manager and TWISI guest writer
