2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

^^^ Nice shot!

And all it really takes is ONE oversized load of lumber or a crane truck who doesn't use a pullout and it backs up 500 vehicles. Other than that is wasn't even really that busy on the ski hill.

[Bunion 2020]

^^^ Nice shot!

And all it really takes is ONE oversized load of lumber or a crane truck who doesn't use a pullout and it backs up 500 vehicles. Other than that is wasn't even really that busy on the ski hill.

Ah yes, my neighbor.

[waxloaf]

Hey MT Mags - I'll be skiing Big Sky with some old friends at the end of next week (3/22-24). Looks like its gonna be pretty dry, but a hell of a lot better than what we've been getting in Maine this season (sorry in advance if I'm bringing shitty conditions with me). I'm noodling on what skis to bring and figured yall might be able to help. I'm gonna bring two pairs. No plans for any touring, and I expect we'll be skiing a mix of groomers and off-piste - blues and up, but probably not a ton of the gnarly stuff since we have some intermediate-ish folks in our group. Options are:

- 183 hot shots - will almost certainly bring these as they're my fave DD right now
- 184 devastators - my rock skis. If things are pretty bony and there's a chance I might leave MT with some core shots or a blown-edge these would be my go-to. Hopefully there's enough coverage there that I won't need em?
- 178 HL FL105s - my "hate ski the mountain" sticks. Given that my boys and I will presumably being having some long fun nights I'm not sure whether I need a ski with this much backbone, but they are damn fun when the conditions are firm.
- 186 HL FR110s - if the forecast changes and we are gonna get some snow days I'd bring these. Should I still plan to bring them even if the forecast looks dry? Is there enough soft snow (or chance of sneaky pow days) to still enjoy them?

Thanks fellas

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Hey MT Mags - I'll be skiing Big Sky with some old friends at the end of next week (3/22-24). Looks like its gonna be pretty dry, but a hell of a lot better than what we've been getting in Maine this season (sorry in advance if I'm bringing shitty conditions with me). I'm noodling on what skis to bring and figured yall might be able to help. I'm gonna bring two pairs. No plans for any touring, and I expect we'll be skiing a mix of groomers and off-piste - blues and up, but probably not a ton of the gnarly stuff since we have some intermediate-ish folks in our group. Options are:

- 183 hot shots - will almost certainly bring these as they're my fave DD right now
- 184 devastators - my rock skis. If things are pretty bony and there's a chance I might leave MT with some core shots or a blown-edge these would be my go-to. Hopefully there's enough coverage there that I won't need em?
- 178 HL FL105s - my "hate ski the mountain" sticks. Given that my boys and I will presumably being having some long fun nights I'm not sure whether I need a ski with this much backbone, but they are damn fun when the conditions are firm.
- 186 HL FR110s - if the forecast changes and we are gonna get some snow days I'd bring these. Should I still plan to bring them even if the forecast looks dry? Is there enough soft snow (or chance of sneaky pow days) to still enjoy them?

Thanks fellas

Hey loaf, first rule of big sky: You will ski rocks. No matter what our snowpack is. Especially this year. Many of the better lines have traverses that require skiing over some rocks to get to. It's just the way it is. For instance even skiing the bowl right now off pow seeker = you will ski over some rocks.

I'd bring your favorite DD as mentioned. I daily ski the 186 HL FR110s at BS or 183 OG Metal Katanas. If I had HL105s I would probably ski those a bunch. It will be firm in the AMs and hopefully springlike if the sun is out. If it's cloudy at all it will stay pretty hard everywhere. Thing about Big Sky is it's pretty limiting to only stay on groomers, so bring something you like to ski bumps with for sure.

If we get a lucky random dump I'm sure someone in MT could style you out with a loaner ski. What BSL are you?

[waxloaf]

That's great intel - thanks WRG. I'll bring my hot shots for sure, and probably the FR110s as those are a blast in slushy bumps at the very least. And then if we get a pow day I'll be covered.

[Gaffney10]

[yeahman]

Looks like Big Sky is abandoning the tram upcharge for day-ticket buyers next season. Edit: posted at same time as Gaffney [emoji3]

[Gaffney10]

Am I reading this right? All tix will have Tram included???

[yeahman]

Am I reading this right? All tix will have Tram included???

Yep

[Gaffney10]

So obviously incoming price increases

[yeahman]

They probably figure they fixed the line problem with the bigger tram and they got tired of taking so much hate online about the upcharge. Now if they'd get rid of the bullshit early-access on Ramcharger for $40, that would really make me happy.

[byates1]

Huh gold pass not worth as much now. Was exclusive.

[yeahman]

Getting rid of the flex passes is lame. None of it matters to me though anyway, my kids are gone and as a family we are done with Big Sky. Sure glad I got to raise my kids during the 10-and-under ski free era.

[Harry]

Looks like Big Sky is abandoning the tram upcharge for day-ticket buyers next season. Edit: posted at same time as Gaffney [emoji3]

If I am reading their language correctly, people with IKON Pass will still be charged extra for the Tram. (???)


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[Gaffney10]

That will be a positive. Damn ikon

[Trackhead]

If I am reading their language correctly, people with IKON Pass will still be charged extra for the Tram. (???)


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That's good news. Wondering if they will just charge $50 more for a day ticket? Or if prices will be relatively unchanged.

[singlesline]

“ Tram Access is only included in Big Sky Resort Gold and Double Black passes, and next winter’s single-day or multi-day lift tickets purchased from the resort. Guests with other forms of access such as Ikon, Mountain Collective, or other Big Sky passes, will be able to access the Lone Peak tram via Autocharge on a per-ride cost basis.”

Still need gold if you want unlimited tram rides…and you’ll get more tourists with you in line.

Seems like a lose-lose for pass holders.

[Gaffney10]

Aren’t more tourists coming to BS with IKON and MC passes and not purchasing single or multi day lift tix?

[yeahman]

Aren’t more tourists coming to BS with IKON and MC passes and not purchasing single or multi day lift tix?

Definitely. I don't even know if the day-ticket people exist anymore. Been years since I saw any sort of a line at the ticket window. Anybody who would pay full price is either stupid or insane.

[Bunion 2020]

Show me the pass prices. The rest looks same/same.

[Trackhead]

Definitely. I don't even know if the day-ticket people exist anymore. Been years since I saw any sort of a line at the ticket window. Anybody who would pay full price is either stupid or insane.

How else would someone like myself ski there? I think the day prices are insane, but if they drop the tram fee I’d consider the day rate with my kid as a one-off.

[byates1]

Well ppl here would hook you up anytime you want to ski BS.

[Bunion 2020]

^^^ exactly. There are buddy passes for the asking. Still much cheaper than full boat.

Still have 1 up for grabs. The Big $ky experience for $ 109.00 and Resort taxes.

[yeahman]

Yeah I got eight buddy passes available to anybody who wants one.

Trackhead, to reply to your question on how to ski Big Sky without paying the full day rate, buddy passes from mags are one option, the cheap early/late season passes (which cost about as much as a day ticket except they include like 30+ days of skiing) are another option, the deal they offered last year for $60 (?) early/late season lift tickets is another option (I seem to recall you bought a couple of those cheap tickets?). I just can't imagine anybody walking up to the window and paying the full rate when so many cheaper options exist, unless they are somebody to whom money is no object.

[toastybroski]

Flex pass and weekday pass without early/late access in total BS and it sounds like it doesnt include tram either. It's cool everyone just buy both from us! We realized we had a good deal out there and had to squash it.

"When looking at passholder behavior from the past few seasons, it was clear very few were taking advantage of the unlimited early and late season access included with Flex passes. With that learning, to give our guests more options, we have split the former Flex Pass into two separate pass products – the choice of a 3-, 4- or 5-day Multi-Day Pass, and a separate Twin Tips Pass offering unlimited early and late season riding. Guests can combine a Multi-Day Pass and the Twin Tips Pass at checkout to achieve the same access as the former Flex Passes."