2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[Norseman]

Bradley's and The Ramp/patrol lifts have been in the plans since at least 2006. Wonder if they'll allow a second public ridge bootpack adjacent? All those ballin lines in Wolverine are gonna be in plain sight to a lot of folks, but a long walk via standard hike.

Terrain park in old Upper Porcupine is interesting... its rope tow will lead lil tricksters right to my low-angle stash in old Mike's Mambo, drat!

New Snowflake gonna be a great addition to the beginner pod.

Best part of new PK2 maybe: enabling the longgg BC meadowskips on the ch9 boundary and Saddle return.

[Trackhead]

Sorry, more snowcat stoke. I’ve worked it pretty hard plowing a million driveways and nothing has broke. Might be in the mountains soon.


Short vid:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Hsf4gCXra...wquPt13F2xKQxC


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[singlesline]

Crazy, 79 year old lost overnight at Blacktail of all places:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Az2r...ibextid=wwXIfr

On February 17th, our office was notified of a missing 79-year-old skier who was last seen at the top of Emmon’s Run in the Blacktail Ski area but never made it to the bottom. His friend reported him missing around 4:30 PM, and Blacktail Ski Patrol contacted us for assistance. Flathead Search and Rescue (SAR) was activated, and Two Bear Air attempted to fly but had to turn back due to poor visibility. Ground search efforts continued until 1:00 AM before pausing until daylight.

On the morning of February 18th, additional SAR teams and Two Bear Air resumed the search, focusing on possible out-of-bounds areas using cell phone forensics. Around 3:00 PM, Two Bear Air spotted the skier signaling for help. He was safely hoisted out and flown to Blacktail Lodge for a medical check, where he was cleared.

The skier had gone off-trail and became disoriented. He spent the night in a tree well, using pine boughs for warmth and making a small fire to stay warm. Thanks to his survival efforts and the dedicated search teams, he was found safe.

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank Flathead North Valley Search and Rescue,Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol,
Big Mountain Ski Patrol, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area,
Two Bear Air Rescue and Flathead County Search and Rescue for their support in this mission.

[singlesline]

Here we go - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collect...7723dc1?item=1
Bradley Meadows lift was a given, but it looks like a hook up with crosscut is off the table.
Surprised at the PK2 lift, I can see it for better return access, but the upper south side terrain gets pretty sun baked.
Night skiing sounds fun, but wasted students driving the canyon back home at night doesn't.
Overall I like it, although I will probably be gone before they break ground.

As every Midwesterner knows…terrain park rope tows are the way to go.

[Iowagriz]

Re: Blacktail lost skier

I saw that story on the local news tonight. Crazy that he was able to start a small fire to keep somewhat warm.

[swimmy]

[shroom]

I can taste it

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

It's so good when it hits your lips.

[Mantana1]

Posted this the other day but it got drowned out by all the well justified powder stoke so reposting:

Considering a little one night/one day trip up to Big Sky in early March, last time I was there maybe 2 years ago overnight camping was fine and I was not the only one (levinsky lot i think?) but I see on the website that overnight parking/camping is technically not allowed. Can anyone shed light on the current ability for a one night stay in a lot? Thanks.

[Bunion 2020]

Better to ask forgiveness than permission. And if questions arise, the answer is, huh? didn't visit your website, sorry

[RegCT]

There are so many vehicles buried in the levinski lot. If you aren't actually setting up camp and just sleeping in your vehicle, I can't imagine you'll have any problems.

[Mantana1]

Better to ask forgiveness than permission. And if questions arise, the answer is, huh? didn't visit your website, sorry

There are so many vehicles buried in the levinski lot. If you aren't actually setting up camp and just sleeping in your vehicle, I can't imagine you'll have any problems.

Figured that was the case, just wanted to check, thanks!

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

There are at least 3 or 4 slide ins/vans in Lev lot at all times. I've camped there. There are several there right now. Be chill and it's not a big deal.

You know we've been spoiled when the boot deep recycled pow was "not skiing that great" today lol. Oh, and it's already spring break? LOTS of people standing around and/or making crazy cross slope turns that make no sense today.

[jdub1313]

Heading to Red Lodge this weekend for a little stay-cation. Just me and the dog. Rented a cabin near town. It's my FIRST TIME other than driving through in the summer. ISO rec's for skiing the mountain, food and beers, and I'll probably bring my touring gear just in case.

Well how was it? Impressions of the mountain? Where did you eat? Give us the TR. Love a little Red Lodge discussion every once in a while


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[RegCT]

<p>
^It was fun! The drive from Big Sky on Saturday night and the return on Monday afternoon was FUBAR. I90 is terrifying. Only skied on Sunday. The mountain is a cool vibe. 99% of the skiers DGAF. Not an ego in sight. Camo, jeans, starter jackets, jerseys, gaiters, I loved that. Just people out there having fun with it. Conditions were meh, but it was fun to ski around and just see the hill. Took me a bit to wrap my head around the lift layout, but eventually made my way out to Coal Creek chair and skied all those gullies and bebopped around some of the steeper trees in that area. Had a couple Ceasars at the bar (Bierstube?) in the base area around noon that were very tasty. Bar tenders and locals were all super friendly, and not afraid to strike up conversation. Back in town I hung out at the...stag (or something?), which was equally cool. If I was with friends I would have sent it into the night but didn&#39;t get too rowdy. I was impressed. I went in search of a disappearing culture and can confirm that it is alive and well in the right spots. Also on the hit list is Lost Trail, Showdown, and Teton Pass.</p>

[lifelinksplit]

Small hill vibes rule. Crushing some groomers and enjoying the sun. I can see my house from here.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[RegCT]

OH I also smoked myself over a bunch of barely covered up rocks and nearly shit my pants. Literally to the point where I had to drop the bibs and wipe my ass with a snowball to make sure.

[Shredeagle]

Nice man. Was just talking about those groomers first thing on a sunny cold morning on granite chair. Steep cold magical chalk groom.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lifelinksplit]

Nice man. Was just talking about those groomers first thing on a sunny cold morning on granite chair. Steep cold magical chalk groom.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah man. You know. Ripped perfect corduroy down winning ridge to warm up and then hit the stashes of good snow between granite and limelight. Also only one person has poached the rock face above lower limelight and it's pretty prime(windloaded) I'm not cool enough but someone should get it. Depending on the warm weather I might be hitting the old stomping grounds at Bridger this coming week.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[Bunion 2020]

Beautiful day at BS yesterday but WRG is right, too crowded for my tastes. Meanwhile:

A Madison County commissioner has floated possible eminent domain for the seizure of the privately held Jack Creek Road that connects Ennis and the Madison Valley to the peaks of Big Sky as a fight between the two communities heats up. County commissioner Bill Todd made the comment at a recent state Senate taxation committee hearing on a bill that could potentially be detrimental to the county. Still, the threat of eminent domain may be nothing more than a political flex since, according to at least one legal expert, it would likely cast Madison County into a tedious and expensive legal battle against one of Montana&rsquo;s wealthiest communities. &ldquo;We are going to explore eminent domain of that road to ensure that there are no artificial restrictions on access within a geographical area,&rdquo; Todd said at the Feb. 12 hearing. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve just begun to address the concept. I could say that any remedy and solution is on the table as far as Madison County is concerned.

Another commissioner, Duke Gilman, said he wasn&rsquo;t aware of any eminent domain conversation until it was mentioned at the Senate Bill 260 hearing. I am more interested in hearing what is presented to us about the process than in seriously applying it to the Jack Creek Road, he said. At this point I do not think it would really benefit anyone.

For over a year, some residents in the Madison County section of Big Sky &mdash; which straddles Gallatin and Madison counties &mdash; have been attempting to switch out of the hospital and school districts, claiming they don&rsquo;t use them. Rather, because Big Sky has a medical center and schools on the Gallatin County side, they&rsquo;re arguing their tax dollars shouldn&rsquo;t be supporting districts in a valley 2,200 feet below only accessible by air, driving around the Madison Range or by using Jack Creek Road. To date, there have been two lawsuits, two failed attempts by Big Sky residents to leave the districts through a petition process, and the recently introduced SB260. That bill would make it easier for residents of a specific area to leave a district, bypassing local government and going straight to the voters of the same area.

The potential impact, however, could be detrimental to the rest of Madison County, likely resulting in increased taxes or fewer services. If the portion of Big Sky were to successfully leave both districts, 87% of the Ennis school district budget and close to $3 million of the hospital district&rsquo;s $3.4 million raised by taxes would vanish. The hospital district&rsquo;s overall budget is around $16.1 million. Jared Moretti, superintendent of Ennis Public Schools, said that once the Big Sky residents leave, remaining taxpayers would have to make up the difference. That would likely result in a 10-fold increase in school-related property taxes. Part of the conflict revolves around the gated 10-mile stretch of Jack Creek Road owned by Moonlight Basin. Whereas some say it&rsquo;s a well-maintained road that should be publicly accessible to allow Big Sky residents access to the services below, others, especially in Big Sky, say it&rsquo;s unrealistic. Those living in the Yellowstone Club or Moonlight Basin, both private clubs on the Madison County side of Big Sky, might have to drive 20 minutes to the resort area&rsquo;s town center to access the medical center. Accessing Ennis by car via Jack Creek Road, however, would be close to a 2.5-hour roundtrip. Moonlight Basin allows access to emergency services or using the road as an evacuation route. It also offers a pay-to-ride program for folks who live in Ennis and either work in Big Sky or have a Big Sky ski pass.

On Thursday, a Chronicle reporter drove the road in a Toyota Tacoma, averaging around 20 mph in four-wheel drive. Jack Creek Road is unpaved, with steep inclines, tight turns and, on Thursday, continuous snow coverage. Jennifer Boyer, one of the three Gallatin County commissioners, said she would run away screaming before ever considering mentioning the idea of eminent domain, or seizing private property. Todd declined to comment but Explore Big Sky reported that he reiterated the consideration via email, saying &ldquo;Madison County is actively exploring the seizure of Jack Creek Road via eminent domain.&rdquo;

Kevin Germain, vice president of Moonlight Basin and chair of the Big Sky Resort Area District, also declined to comment on whether the private club is prepared to litigate the issue, but said he doesn&rsquo;t believe it &ldquo;reflects the consensus of Madison County leadership.&rdquo; The topic will be discussed at a hearing at 10 a.m. Monday at the Madison County Commission meeting in Virginia City.

It is so sad when the rich folks want to fight.....

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

Provincial pieces of shit.

[Norseman]

[11xneilader]

Been following this thread for a decade, but do not think I have ever posted. Met some of you over the years. Quick question:

Does anyone have any history/stories about any previous ski descents of the Devils Slide geologic feature just North of Gardiner? It is cult property, but some shit went down with the recent low elevation snow....

[Gnar_Shralp406]

Been following this thread for a decade, but do not think I have ever posted. Met some of you over the years. Quick question:

Does anyone have any history/stories about any previous ski descents of the Devils Slide geologic feature just North of Gardiner? It is cult property, but some shit went down with the recent low elevation snow....

I think about it every time I drive by. Did you ski it? Would love to a see a pic!

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

[Trackhead]

Jack Creek Preserve Foundation And The 4,500 Acres That Make Up The Preserve Are Primarily Located On The Homelands Of The Salish, Shoshone-Bannock, Apsáalooke (Crow), Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Cayuse, Umatilla And Walla Walla Tribes.

We Acknowledge These Peoples As The Original Inhabitants And Stewards Of This Place, We Honor Their Continuing Relationship With This Land, And Express Our Gratitude For Their Past, Present And Future Roles As Caretakers Of These Lands.

Yeah but at least they have a land acknowledgment…..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk