2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[climbgoon]

Thanks again , Excited for the trip,

[Bunion 2020]

7:08 in 4-corners and snowing.

[Bobcat Sig]

7:08 in 4-corners and snowing.

Drove up to Bridger last night; snowing. Flakes at my house in town, nothing sticking on the ground, yet. Giggity

[Bunion 2020]

Some interesting news from the Dark Side.

Paving of the access road to the Madison will start this week.

[rockcreek]

Some interesting news from the Dark Side.

Paving of the access road to the Madison will start this week.

Hmmmm, and do you think we'll ever see jack creek become public?

[Bunion 2020]

In all honesty, I don't know.

Many factors in play on that one.

[totaliboard]

Thank Ullr. jah bless the jobless.

[Boom Heir]

3" on the ground at my place up Trail Creek this morning.

[Bobcat Sig]

In all honesty, I don't know.

Many factors in play on that one.

Hmmmm, and do you think we'll ever see jack creek become public?

Interesting. Should that ever happen, it would make Ennis a really attractive place to live.

[Bunion 2020]

Interesting. Should that ever happen, it would make Ennis a really attractive place to live.

Possibly. Awful dry, and windy.

I don't think the people of the Madison Valley are too keen on the idea.

[yeahman]

Possibly. Awful dry, and windy.

I don't think the people of the Madison Valley are too keen on the idea.

Just out of curiosity, how long would the drive take from Ennis to Big Sky on a paved road? Assuming dry conditions.

[Bunion 2020]

Well, the existing route around 287 to 191 is close to 90 minutes same with 89 to 191 (maybe 2 hrs).

By way of a paved (and much improved to county spec.) Jack Creek rd is about 25 miles so maybe 35 minutes.

But you have to grasp the challenges.

Part of the route across the Madison bench is subject to extreme blowing and drifting conditions in the winter. The section from the bench up to the start of Moonlight/Jack Creek Preserve is very narrow, hemmed in by the creek on one side and a steep canyon on the other. There is a lot of private property that abuts the current alignment and those folks probably aren't too keen for more traffic of loss or property. And then there are two steep sections that would require a major re-alignment to be County Spec.

[yeahman]

If you can pardon the pun, who or what is the driving force behind this paving project? Will it be an official county road? Or is this privately funded?

I live out a dirt county road that gets lots of traffic and when I asked the county about paving it they just laughed at me, as if the idea of having any money to pave anything in this age of budget cuts was ludicrous.

[Bronco]

I don't know what county you're in but when we lived off of Trail Creek Rd in Gallatin Co, we had to have a majority of property owners agree to form a Rural Improvement District to fund paving of the first 4 miles of the road. The county basically added $200 per year to each parcel owner's tax bill for the next 20 years or so. This was 2006 or so when the economy was considered good and still caused a pretty good division among the neighborhood. I know the person who organized the RID took a huge amount of grief. I was impressed she was able to muster the votes to get it done.

Jack Creek Rd. has been talked about by every private and public entity around BS since the construction of the resort in the 70s.

[Bunion 2020]

You are over reading.

The paving project in progress (hah) is from the Entryway at Moonlight Basin to the Madison Base area, about 4.2 miles.

Currently there are no plans that I have heard of ( I no longer work for MLB except as a contractor) to do anything with Jack Creek other than maintain it in its current shape.

If you live over in pr past the Madison Valley you might be able to join the Ennis ski club and get access to Jack Creek. I do not know it that is still a reality though.

Jack Creek Rd. has been talked about by every private and public entity around BS since the construction of the resort in the 70s.

I do know for a fact that when Lee and Joe first bought the property that became MLB they were offered by the State of Montana a pretty sweet deal. If they would open JCR to the public the state would bring it to county spec. and install electricity and fiber optic up the entire length at no cost. They said no as they didn't want that level of development to take place on what was suppose to remain as unspoiled as possible considering that Plum Creek had clearcut the shit out of the place.

[RegCT]

For the 14-15 Winter
Restaurant and Bar unchanged and public. Deli and retail shop are getting turned into private members area.
Happy about the public bar.

My understanding is that the Jack Creek Grille is currently closed and will remain closed/private. Deli and retail will be private. Not sure why the bar would be open to the public if the surrounding entities are closed to the public. Also heard yesterday that the parking lot will be closed to the public and that condos will be built in its place. Hence, the paving of the Madison access road. Just what I heeerrd through sources at my place of employment.

[2FUNKY]

Going make the trip down to B.S this winter, hopefully a couple. I haven't skied there since I left a long time ago. Wondering if you need shovel/beacon to access the Big and A-Z's? Also looking into the SKy card. Not really sure it will pay off though. What kind of local discounts are to be had for lift tickets usually? Any idea of singe day pass prices this year with the Moonlight takover? Website does not have prices up yet, unless I missed it. I am going to wait until March to head down since that mountain needs a good chunk of snow to really open things up. Was also thinking about early April, used to be my favorite time to ski there, good snow and no crowds.

[RegCT]

Going make the trip down to B.S this winter, hopefully a couple. I haven't skied there since I left a long time ago. Wondering if you need shovel/beacon to access the Big and A-Z's? Also looking into the SKy card. Not really sure it will pay off though. What kind of local discounts are to be had for lift tickets usually? Any idea of singe day pass prices this year with the Moonlight takover? Website does not have prices up yet, unless I missed it. I am going to wait until March to head down since that mountain needs a good chunk of snow to really open things up. Was also thinking about early April, used to be my favorite time to ski there, good snow and no crowds.

Pack, gear, partner for the big but not A-Z's....not sure the logic behind that one.
No discounts
Somewhere around $100/day

[2FUNKY]

Pack, gear, partner for the big but not A-Z's....not sure the logic behind that one.
No discounts
Somewhere around $100/day

OK, nothings changed since I lived there, never understood that either, thought I heard about no gear to get into the big, must of been b.s.
One ticket to access B.S and the Moonlight terrain right for said price? Fucking expensive.

[RegCT]

Expensive yes. Sadly, in line with most other resorts with similarly expansive terrain. $100 would grant access to all of it. Not sure if they will offer MLB or BS side only lift tickets. Id say its worth a phone call closer to the season to inquire about multi-day deals, skycard, and the like.

[mntlion]

I'll be in bozeman on Wed, the 17th for the TGR movie, anyone avail for a ride that day? thinking of The Bangtail Divide Trail, but seems better with 2 cars, and I'm traveling solo.
or any options that you want to do?

[totaliboard]

You can pay (ski) off a frequency card by day two, as they're only about $80 if you buy them before October. Although that's before they bought the dark side last year.

[Harry]

"The Rut" today was very cool. 50K Ultrathon up and over Lone Peak. No, I was not a competitor... I am in awe of people who can do this sort of thing. Lots of people and a very cool vibe.

[Bronco]

I'll be in bozeman on Wed, the 17th for the TGR movie, anyone avail for a ride that day? thinking of The Bangtail Divide Trail, but seems better with 2 cars, and I'm traveling solo.
or any options that you want to do?

Beautiful ride, good timing for the aspen. Wish I was there. Rode BD couple of weeks ago with one vehicle, road ride was pretty quick, less than an hour.

[Bunion 2020]

"The Rut" today was very cool. 50K Ultrathon up and over Lone Peak. No, I was not a competitor... I am in awe of people who can do this sort of thing. Lots of people and a very cool vibe.

Amazing growth for an event that is just 1 year old.

Expensive yes. Sadly, in line with most other resorts with similarly expansive terrain.

Too bad the lift infrastructure isn't there to service that expansive terrain.