2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[stalefish3169]

The GNFAC report is crazy today. Forecaster Erik Knoff was on site and participated in the rescue (body recovery). -> "Eric and his partner witnessed the avalanche and assisted in the rescue." That's crazy. Vibes to everyone involved, especially Eric. Still shocking to see people going out and pushing it in these kinds of conditions even though it seems way too common. I was out with another GNFAC forecaster the last time I think they actually put out an avalanche warning for the entire zone 2 years ago. We were skinning through trees near the Throne(s?)and heard sleds brapping our way. A few minutes later we heard trees snapping and saw a huge powder cloud rising. We went down quickly but luckily nobody was caught. About an hour later, a father and two high schoolers came into the zone and one of the kids high marked up into the path right next to the one that had just slid huge (R3-D2.5), same aspect steepness etc. We watched in terror, but it didn't go. I asked what my partner thought the chances of that path sliding on the kid and he replied he would've bet the farm.

Please be careful out there everyone!!!

[Bobcat Sig]

That's a real bummer to hear about the two sledders in Cooke and the death in the Canyon. That many people and that much snow with the season we've had all leads up to not good things.

Big Sky was great on NYE. Sure, the lines were long and the tourons were many, but I was just damn happy to be out and making some turns with friends. I heard 5k people in Big Sky and a record weekend. Definitely the longest lift lines off Swifty I've seen in the decade and a half I've skied around here. Nonetheless, great to see so many people pouring their money into our region. We all may not like the gape-fest that ensues, but all those dollars help keep good folks like us employed and the lifts spinning.

Oh, and to the d-bag, entitled asshole local snowboarder bitching about Challenger not being open soon enough and yelling at the people getting out of line; karma is mofo. Don't be such a dick. It almost killed my stoke for the day. Almost.

Oh, and next time you monkeys are on the hill, holler. I'm usually in a light gray FlyLow shell, red pants and I'll either be on my orange/black XXLs or my 11/12 Bibby Pros.

Happy New Year! Here's to 2012 being that much better than 2011.

[tone capone]

Nice tease^^^. Tough to motivate myself or others right now for touring with all the high winds and general bad news, but it's nice to see some decent snow to be found. I would really like to hook up with people interested in exploring up there^^^and seizing the windows of opportunity.

Didn't make it down to Moonlight today as I finally got the leg burn I've been overdue for at Bridger the last two days. I think two good days in a row is about the limit for the knee right now too. Stoked that it works pretty good while I'm out there though. I could actually ski the crud half the time yesterday, I can't believe it.

Lets hope this warm spell only has it's way with us for a week.

[mnskier]

Anybody up at BS yesterday? Dakota opened up. Only 15-20 people on the lift total, untracked almost all afternoon, a nice change considering the tram hasn't been open the past 2 days due to the avalanche danger and patrol trying to get liberty to slide

[montanaskier]

so may try to get up to Big Sky the week of the 15th. They are offering free skiing for epic pass holders if you get lodging from them. I could stay at the Whitewater if we can bring 3 couples for 3 nights for 220 per couple then ski free. I've got a hut trip planned that week down here, but I could probably walk to the hut in my sneakers, thus not stoked.

[Bobcat Sig]

so may try to get up to Big Sky the week of the 15th. They are offering free skiing for epic pass holders if you get lodging from them. I could stay at the Whitewater if we can bring 3 couples for 3 nights for 220 per couple then ski free. I've got a hut trip planned that week down here, but I could probably walk to the hut in my sneakers, thus not stoked.

Do it. Though be warned, the Whitewater is a kind of a dump that overcharges for a busted-ass, clapped out shell of a hotel. To be fair, I did stay in it over New Year's Eve two years ago for a buddy's wedding. Who gets married on New Year's Day?

[montanaskier]

I've stayed at the White Water a few times when it was the comfort inn...that water slide is great when you're hammered.

[.jon.]

ya gotta be kidding me... this fucking sucks: http://www.powdermag.com/latest-news...medium=twitter

[montanaskier]

why does that suck? more money for your local economy

[tone capone]

Got down to Moonlight today and man was I stoked. Not only were the groomers of Lone Tree absolutey perfect and empty, the skiing right off Lone Tree were some of the most beautiful steep chalk lanes I have ever skied. You could totally avoid the rocks and take that shit like a GS course, couldn't get bored or tired, it was so smooth and consistant. Thank you to whoever carves in those perfect chalk lanes near the lift, I was very happy with your fine work.

If any Bridger peeps are desperate and depressed, go to Moonlight, you will not be dissapointed. Didn't get warm down there at all today except maybe a little near the very bottom. Thanks again Bunion, I more than got my money's worth.

[Bobcat Sig]

Got down to Moonlight today and man was I stoked. Not only were the groomers of Lone Tree absolutey perfect and empty, the skiing right off Lone Tree were some of the most beautiful steep chalk lanes I have ever skied. You could totally avoid the rocks and take that shit like a GS course, couldn't get bored or tired, it was so smooth and consistant. Thank you to whoever carves in those perfect chalk lanes near the lift, I was very happy with your fine work.

If any Bridger peeps are desperate and depressed, go to Moonlight, you will not be dissapointed. Didn't get warm down there at all today except maybe a little near the very bottom. Thanks again Bunion, I more than got my money's worth.

Glad to hear Moonlight is skiing well. Lone Tree is still some of my favorite terrain on all of Lone Peak. So much of those trails off that ridge run have my grinning for days.

Now, to bring the un-stoke:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/product...ge/fxus07.html

Looks like this high pressure, warm trend will be continuing for the next week or so. And the other goodie from that article? Precip for January looks to be below normal. Super.

Maybe with all this warmness, a little pedaling out at Lewis & Clark is in order ...

[.jon.]

i suppose i'm being overly-negative. just the thought of crowds on top of an already lackluster snow year doesn't get me too pumped. neither does the fact that the peak of big sky is supposed to be in the 40's soon. oh well... i'll get over it once i'm out there and still having a good time despite the conditions and potential crowds.

why does that suck? more money for your local economy

[Eleventy]

TONE: Good to hear MLB was skiing well.. Marx was chalky but soft, early.. before the Tramline took-off.

As for that Epic-Pass noise, I would rather know that my mountain is the one with snow and be bitching about tourons, than vice versa.

Rumor is that the NSS is skiing decent, except for a few terrifying turns here and there.. Northside snow, what there is of it, stays cold and sticks around - wind permitting.

Brace for tomorrow (or more appropriately, Thursday) as there are record high temps coming our way.

[baseWeldr]

whoever posted about the crowds above was likely on the front lines with powstarved locals, sunnyday skiers and holiday might as wells, bs can absorb some peeps and other than tramlaps on a powday don't think youll have any elbowroom issues, tone just reported moonlight as empty and buffed -I wanna ski their longchalk myself soon call the summit bitches :beer hoist...

bridger's Nfacing skiin pretty decent off bridgerlift I havenot stumbled to ridge yet, drcs very buff 2day with good vis, avygulch center, exit had nice cold snow...however grooming is limited always and especially with lack of $now this yr so no chillin like yer on a lonepeak boulevard back to a highspeed :wink- the variable keeps it interesting to the very last turn lolz...

[Bunion 2020]

Good to here that pass was well used. Things are a tad bit thin in places but that northerly aspect that is usually so cruel this time of year is saving our snow right now.


Probably going to shut down the NSS for a day or so to let things heal. The route down Direct is pretty well done right now.

We skied close to 200 folks through over the past 3 days.

Headwaters is skiing well right now however.