WHILE THE REST of the country prayed for snow this season, Big Sky was rolling in the powder. But awesome snow was just part of what made the '11/'12 winter season at Big Sky so rad. Check out what season highlights made our top ten:
10) Spring Powder and Corn Snow. Intermixed with several epic pow days, warm temperatures in March and April made for the best spring corn snow in years.
9) Christmas Present Powder. While Colorado and California resorts thirsted for snow, Big Sky got dumped on right before Christmas, making for an epic holiday week.
8) The Glade-iators. New glades Shady Chute, Wolf Den, Wolverine, Congo Line, and Madagascar upped the anti for tree skiing on Andesite mountain.
7) Cole Bixby’s Mullet. Enough said.
6) Tim Cowie rips a bulletproof Big Couloir. Just watch how fast he goes… (1:26)
5) Dave Stergar’s 26 Tram Laps. Stergar took full advantage of being stranded on Tram Island when the Triple chair went on wind hold one day, and clocked it with his Big Sky Replay app.
Big Sky Resort had consistently good snow conditions throughout the 11/12 season, leading to a record number of skier visits.
IN JANUARY, the ski landscape across the west looked bleak. The snow wasn’t falling. Resorts struggled to open on time. Photos of still grassy bowls at Vail circulated on Facebook.
But at Big Sky Resort, the snow came in on time and kept falling all season long. Powder was consistent and good, and snowfall numbers were right on target.
The good snow translated to visitor numbers, and skiers flocked to Big Sky’s snowy slopes. In January, Big Sky extended an offer to deprived Colorado and California skiers and riders – free lift tickets at Big Sky when they booked in Big Sky’s lodging. The deal did not go unnoticed.
Big powder dumps before Christmas and Presidents’ weekend brought in record holiday skier visits. On Sunday, February 19th Big Sky Resort recorded its highest number of skiers in one day with an increase of 6% over the previous record day during the April 2011 Pond Skim.
And the final tally is in – the exceptional snow and deals meant a record season for Big Sky, even while other ski resorts coast to coast saw a nearly 20 percent drop in skier volume. With a season two week’s shorter than the previous record season in 2010/11, Big Sky still drew in more skiers than ever before.
“The consistently good snow at Big Sky is key,” said Taylor Middleton, Big Sky Resort’s General Manager. “Skiers go where there’s snow.”
The uptick is good for the resort as well as the entire Big Sky community, Middleton said. “More skier visits means more business.”
But the best part? While more skier visits equal more business, it doesn’t equal crowds, said Big Sky PR Manager Chad Jones. “Our massive terrain and lift capacity maintain one of Big Sky’s best assets: virtually no lift lines!”
- Greer
Big Sky had big powder in December while other resorts struggled to open terrain. Snowfall stayed consistent at Big Sky throughout the entire 2011/12 season.
NOW THAT THE SLOPES are closed, BSPN creator Chris Kamman and I are putting together a season recap – highlights from Big Sky's 2011/12 season. But wading through ski footage – Big Sky’s and otherwise – on YouTube, I realized some of the most entertaining ski moments caught on film weren’t of pros ripping sweet lines. They were of kids sending it, eating it, pizza and frenchfrying it - all on skis and snowboards. Check out the best of skiing’s ankle biters.
What happens when a small fry frenchfries... when he should've pizza-ed:
The upside of ski boots? After a long day on the slopes, you can sleep standing up.
POND SKIMS HAVE become a spring staple at many winter resorts – skiers and riders try their luck gliding down a ski slope and then across an icy pond.
But at Big Sky Resort, the annual Pond Skim is a ritual in creativity and daring, pushing the boundaries of a ski culture classic. Last weekend, Big Sky pulled it off again, with these key ingredients for the perfect Pond Skim.
Power Ponds: Big Sky’s pond is never just a pond. Every year the shape and approach are a surprise - participants tackle double ponds, giant kicker entries, and s-curves. 2012 brought the most elaborate pond yet: a tetris-piece shaped pond with two separate entry points, a jump, and endless skimming path combinations.
Crazy Costumes: Ballerina, banana, giant ape, beach babe – skimmers don’t skimp on wild attire. And neither does the crowd.
Skim Strategy: Rules are, there are no rules - Big Sky encourages the unexpected. Daffys, 360s, ski and water ballet moves are all fair game.
Sheer Volume: Over 100 skiers and riders skimmed to the tune of thousands of cheering spectators this year. And every spring it gets bigger and crazier. There’s just something about standing in a sea of neon onesies that makes you feel like you're part of something bigger.
- Greer
Photo courtesy of Barb Rooney
Photo by Michel Tallichet
Photo by Michel Tallichet
Photo by Michel Tallichet
Photo by Miche Tallichet
Photo courtesy of Milton Menasco and the Big Fiasco (on stage)
BREAK OUT YOUR onesie, daisy dukes, bikini, and skis - the most anticipated event of the year, Big Sky Resorts Pond Skim, is tomorrow. Double pond, entry jump, s-curve - Big Sky's Skim has extra twists and obstacles revealed Pond Skim morning as the terrain park crew chips ice off of the freezing water and skiers survey their course.
What will tomorrow bring? Certainly beer, crazy costumes, and wild wipeouts. As for the pond, you'll have to see for yourself at 3pm tomorrow when the first skiers and riders hit the water.
WE'VE BEEN WRITING about spring skiing a lot lately - with an amazing mix of blue skies, warm temperatures, and powder days, it's hard not to rave about conditions. But a picture is worth a thousand words, and with the season wrapping up on Sunday, we asked local photographer and Lone Peak High School student Anna Middleton for a spring recap.
Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in Donkey Basketball to benefit the Lone Peak High Booster Club. Photo by Sarah Blechta.
TEN PLAYERS, eight donkeys, one basketball. Last Friday, Big Sky Resort and The Yellowstone Club faced off in one of the most intense games of Donkey Basketball the state of Montana has ever seen. With a final score of 20-2, Big Sky Resort dominated with a steady stream of baskets while the Yellowstone Club struggled, making just two points with 10 seconds left on the clock.
But the win didn’t come without hemming and hee-hawing – the donkeys on both teams paid no heed to their riders, breaking into spontaneous sprints right as players tried to make baskets and stubbornly refusing to move when de-mounted players attempted to retrieve loose balls. Some players spent most of the game trying to get back on their animal, while others held on for dear life as donkeys kicked and ran.
But Mike Unruh, Big Sky Mountain Manager and secret Donkey Whisperer worked his donkey magic to gain surprising control, catching the Yellowstone Club off guard and scoring several baskets for Big Sky. Big Sky’s teamwork skills paid off with long passing sequences and steady scoring.
The event benefitted the Lone Peak High Booster Club, raising significant funds with a packed house, and settled a long and heated donkey basketball rival between two major Big Sky organizations.
- Greer
Team Big Sky used exceptional teamwork and donkey whispering skills to score 20 points
Big Sky's Chad Jones tries to tame his Donkey as it heads directly into the stands. Photo by Sarah Blechta.
Team Big Sky wins!
Team Big Sky and Team Yellowstone Club put aside their differences for a joint photo post-game
Spring powder and blue skies are filling the last few weeks of Big Sky's ski season, which ends April 15th. Photo by Michael James Seale.
WITH A STORM rolling in today and then clearing up to blue skies by Monday, it looks like the last week of the season is going to be the best kind: bluebird powder spring ski days.
With seven inches of snow in the last 48 hours and snow accumulating all day today, there’s plenty of powder to be found right now, especially on the peak. Anything North-facing is skiing especially nicely - check out Rice Bowl and Crazy Horse for the good stuff.
Get the skinny on all things snow with the weekly Ski Skinny on The Way I Ski It. It’s a special conditions report with intel on snow quality, where to head on the hill, and expert advice on what to pull from your quiver to get the most out of your day on the slopes. Fatty pow skis or groomer go-tos? Get the skinny here.
Margo Humphries rips the North Summit Snowfield on Thursday, April 5th. Get in your last turns there this weekend: While Big Sky stays open through the 15th, Moonlight Basin closes after April 8th. Photo by Emily Stifler of Outlaw Partners.
Local ladies brave low visibility on the peak for powder rewards below. Photo be Emily Stifler of Outlaw Partners.
Cruising onto the tram - come mid week for shorter wait-times. Photo by Emily Stifler of Outlaw Partners.
ANY SKI TOWN LOCAL knows spring skiing means one thing. And it’s not bluebird days, warm temps, or beers in the plaza. OK, it means all that too. But it also means this: Deals.
Jackets, goggles, skis, season passes – now’s the time to buy your gear for next season. As long as you’re OK with wearing last season’s magenta instead of next season’s fuchsia on the slopes come November, planning ahead is totally worth it.
The Setup:
A whole ski setup with skis, boots, and bindings might cost you upwards of two grand come fall. Right now at Big Sky Sports, you’ll get everything at under 1,000 bucks, no problem. Super bargain hunters might even pull of a package at under $700.
Skis:
Demos are an even better option. Sure they’ve been skied, but you can get a super sick pair of Rossi Super 7s for $550 with bindings at the Big Sky Demo Center. It’s a screamin' deal, considering those babies go retail for over $900 bucks without bindings.
Outerwear:
Outerwear can cost hundreds of dollars. At Big Sky Sports this spring, jackets are 40% off, and Grizzly Outfitters and Gallatin Alpine Sports are having super end-of-season sales as well. Now’s the time to pull the trigger on that pair of pink Patagonia pants you’ve been eyeing all winter – they’re almost half the price.
Season passes:
Lots of locals score a pass by working for the Resort – it’s a benefit for full time seasonal employees. But weekend warriors know to buy early – before April 30th – for 40% off. Adult passes are on sale now for $799.
Conditions on the North Summit have been stellar all week.
AFTER A BIG snow dump on Monday night and a bluebird powder day on Tuesday, conditions have stayed stellar all over the mountain. Head to Challenger for smooth, wind-buffed powder, and hit the trees for fluffy stashes.
But for the best snow, sign out for the North Summit Snowfield – conditions have only improved since Tuesday’s powder day, with sometimes bony sections like Rips now nicely filled in with soft and creamy snow. You’ll need a Biggest Skiing in America ticket (The run is technically on Moonlight terrain, but can only be accessed by Big Sky’s tram), but the upgrade is worth it for perfect turns on the north face of Lone Peak.
The forecast is calling for snow over the next three days with a total accumulation of about 12 inches. Keep your entire quiver close at hand – all-mountain skis may be great for today, but you could need your pow skis at the drop of a hat.
-Greer
Check out the Big Sky Snow Report and the 7-day forecast from NOAA to stay updated on conditions.
Get the skinny on all things snow with the weekly Ski Skinny on The Way I Ski It. It’s a special conditions report with intel on snow quality, where to head on the hill, and expert advice on what to pull from your quiver to get the most out of your day on the slopes. Fatty pow skis or groomer go-tos? Get the skinny here.
Runs off of Challenger lift are smooth and wind-buffed.
Use the “My Favorites” section of our website to keep track of properties that are of interest to you. You can choose to be notified by e-mail when significant changes to a property are made as well as request in-depth information from our sales professionals.
Click the Add to Favorites button next to any property to add it to your list.
![IMG_5962[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7064812647_6398b47982_z.jpg)
