Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 56
Location: between a cube(icle) and a hard place
 Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject: TR- Steelemans's Free Big Sky Stoke |
 |
||||
| So, as the proud recepient of Steeleman's Complimentary Big Sky Getaway, I promised a detailed trip report of what was sure to be a great weekend of a dad hangin with his daughter.
Some of you purists on this forum may be disappointed at the fact this TR is soley about in-bounds skiing by a couple of folks who ski their tele gear in an alpine fashion. You will most likely be bored. To those who followed Steelemans "free stuff for deserving telehead" post 3 weeks ago, following is an photo account of our truly excellent weekend. When we won this trip and found the first weekend of April to be the time we would utilize it, I had a few goals in mind: 1) Hopefully get decent snow, of course powder preferred, but corn would be fine, just no frozen mess under grey skies. 2) Live up to the Steeleman's description of us "oldphart with rippin telechick daughter." I would have hated to let anyone who cast their vote for us down. 3) I felt to really fulfill the deal, we would pull the feat of skiing "The Big Couloir", one of the most challenging and visually appelling in- bounds chutes ANYWHERE, at least from what I have seen in my many years partaking in the great pastime of skiing. This was the biggest stretch of my whishes, as the one time I had skied the fore-mentioned run, it was rock hard in a whiteout, and I was basically petrified during the duration of the run, as scared as I had ever been on skis. So we set out Friday evening, arriving in BZN and fetched a car for the 50 drive. By the time we got to Big Sky, it was lightly snowing, surely a good sign! We got all checked in to the Huntley Lodge, sip a few cold bevees and hit the hay. When we awoke, the report was saying 2" of new overnight, hey, we'll take it. Savanna's "friends" were wondering waht the hell they gave us a "grooming report" for at breakfast: 
These seasoned travel veterns thought this quite odd, who goes on vacation to ski groomed runs???? Packed them up and loaded up on the Gondola, nice to still see vintage transportation in the mountains. The new quad right next to it is way more efficient, but not nearly as cool 
Ok, so it is snowing, but where is everybody. We thought it may be an April Fool's joke! 
The Lone Peak Tram is about the coolest thing you will ever find at a ski area, 1500 ft in 4 minutes serving exclussively "double black" terrrain, and heaps of it. No joke, there is no "easy" way down. Liberty bowl, the "easiest" way, is a consistant 35 degrees for 2,000 vert. No shit, that's the honest truth. Welcome to the world of Big Sky, king of the big steep hills. To reach our goal of the Big Couloir, I figured two things could stop us, Slide for Life Conditions and the patrol saying sorry to a 10 year old, even if she did have the mandatory pieps shovel and partner. First taste was "the Gullies", man it's good, nice and soft with the typical crappy vis. The Lone Peak Triple lurks far below 
No need to worry about the hard snow! Now for the patrol... We check in they say "yup, she can go" so we proceed back to grab beacons, etc. By the time we return, the vis is horendous and the timeslots are all taken for the remainder of the day. Bummer, yet there is always tomorrow. So, time to hit the vast expanse of the South Face. 
The run is Liberty Bowl, you can strecth it out for 3K, going all the way down to the Shedhorn lift. That's the YellowStone club in the backround, the world's only private ski area. Savanna is down with the whole program heavy. Kid is soaking it up at this point. The last 1,000 flattens a bit,
The view up the south face towards the top of the tram. The wall on the left approachs 50 degrees, and it was all soft windblown delight. Its about 2K to the top from here. 
Seal, Sloth Aphid & Bryce taking in the day. Our next goal was the "Pinnacles" visible directly above Aphid. 
So, off we went..here's the exit 
We milked it till Beer 30, then mingled with the locals for a bit before hitting the 'tub. Those who saw us in the patrol shack inquiring about the Big Couloir thought it was way cool that she wanted to ski it, they all were quite confident she'd be the youngest female to do it! 
As we were in Montana, the Friends opted for some 5 card stud 
A well earned dinner was in order, so we headed for MR Hummers. That about did it, we were beat, and the weather was calling for snow... 
We awoke to this view, from our window at the Huntley, doesn't get much better...Pick up the phone to check the report, 9" and light winds. Were they kidding, is this all a dream???? 
No joke.. After horsing around with checkout and settling up for a whopping $21.70 (  ), I decided I could afford the upgrade ticket to Moonlight Basin. Gotta love the 10 year old skiing free everywhere! This was about the only mistake we made the whole trip, should have started earlier as we didn't get on the chair till 9:30.Oh well, didn't look like we missed to much..
JUst a little different than the traverses in the Cottonwoods back home on a powder day.. 
Droppin in' 
Thought we'd better leave some 8's. Never skied 8's with someone on 130's !! 
Now it was time for business after our untracked warm up.The objective is right above her head. We checked in with the patrol, had to haggle to convince dude that his boss had ok'd a trip into the Couloir by a 10 year old the day before. A phone call and equipment check and we were good to go, but our time slot was not for another hour. Damn, I HATE when I have to ski more untracked powder to kill time. Back to the South Face, Communist Region, this time on Marx. 1500 vert, basically untracked. The kid is really grasping the idea of consistant turns at this point. 
So it was out time, we checked out and side slipped down the top of the peak to the top of the chute. They insist on 1 at at time, so in she went. It's about 500' vert and 45 degrees to the 1st rendevouz point. No hesitation on her behalf. Couldn't have been prouder. Felt like she was really a lot older than hers years at this point. Most people who have ever put skis on would never consider skiing into a situation like this. What a self esteem builder this must have been, although I don't think she even thinks like that, it just the way she approaches things. Thinking about how scared I was the last time I skied this thing, and about my new friends Sarah & Edgar, would have been classic could they have joined us. 
It was way soft debris, maybe 10 people had been in before us (2 people every 15 minutes), and while it wasn't true powder skiing, it was way enjoyable. 
Looking up from the meeting spot. This is a place you will remember your whole life if you ever have a chance to ski this thing. 500' down , 900' to go... Just one of those spots memories are made of. And I am standing here with my 10 year old? 
Looking down from the same point at the apron below 
Her and the friends at the conclusion. She said she talked to them the whole way down! We did it, still in shock over the whole ordeal. 
After 6 tram laps in 2 days, we figured we best go check out Moonlight and the Headwaters, chutes I had thought unskibale on my last visit, boy how soft snow makes a difference. First we observed this guy telemarking thry the fineness of the middle A-Z chutes. 
Grabbed some grub, and hiked up the ridge to an easy traverse into the "FireHole". Should have gone further, but legs were getting tired.. 
The Headwaters Area is amazing, about 800' vert of 45 degree chutes that all pinch off real tight, some for longer distances than others. Add the north facing aspect, and 14" in 36 hours, and you get the picture. It looked skied out from the below, but it was just a series of 14" pillows the whole way down. Visible at the bottom is a group of patrolers admiring their control work. This is about the finest in-bounds terrain I have ever seen, however on a thin year it is most likely horrible. 
Looking back up, the Firehole is host left of the one about Savanna (Hellroaring). 
Wow, after skiing the Big, we know have exceeded my goals for the trip, what a joke... So we still had 2 hours left, no time to waste, here Savanna samples another fine Moonlight line "Obsidian" 
We finished the deal up with a few non-stop laps on Challenger back at Big Sky, here it was 4:00, and she says "Dad, I want to ski the whole run without stopping" Whatever, it's only 1800 ft. That was it, packed up (not even time for a beer, damn it) and headed back to town for our 7:00 flight back to SLC. What a weekend this was, just to hang out with my kid is special enough, but to have Steeleman donate this experience is beyond words. Dude, I think we did your charity contribution proud. We succeded at all our goals and then some, Sunday was truly amazing in all aspects. Any of you looking for a great in-bounds destination, I cannot say enough about BigSky/Moonlight, this is simply the best ski area in America, and must rank near the top in the world. SOme will disagree, but in my mind, this is how it is..
AMEN BROTHER! Steeleman, check is in the mail, although I can only give you 5K in the first installment. Please next time you have something like this, screw the online poll, just send the certificate straight to us, we won't let you down 
Thanks to all who voted for us in the intial poll. Hats off to all of you![/img] Last edited by oldfart on Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:32 pm; edited 4 times in total |
|||||
  |
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 1695
Location: To the stars on the wings of a pig.
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject: |
|
| very cool
props to you and your daughter and steeleman _________________ Ad Astra Per Alia Porci |
|
 |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 3084
Location: Boulder
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject: |
|
| That is most excellent. _________________ anecdotes are fine assbaggery is not |
|
| |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 289
Location: Meyers, CA
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject: |
|
| This is unbelievable. Steeleman and voting tipsters - you made an awesome selection! Way better than the dude jonesing for Michigan Powder (my vote). Your daughter destroyed it!
I'm showing this one to my daughters tonight... _________________ Mangos and Pineapples - Tahoe's next hot market. |
|
| |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Denver
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
Wow, nice report, and Savanna's got moxie! Way to go girl! 
Glad I voted for you two! |
|
| |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 395
Location: Between Surf and Snow
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
||
| BRAVO!!!!! [sound of ten thousand hands clapping]
most excellent use of the trip. I would not have done it the justice that you guys did. Unreal! And I have to add:
this is a ridiculous photo. looks like some pro skiing a big line in argentina or alaska. that's a ten year old? RIGHTEOUS!!! You've just inspired me to head out there in 2012 when my oldest turns 10 so we can repeat the feat. |
|||
| |
Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 1602
Location: The Wasatch
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
Top notch TR! Thanks! ... now I gotta borrow my friends' ten year olds ... 
(Dirty little secret: some of the rippingest pinners in the Wasatch never drop a knee.) |
|
 |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 417
Location: Front Ranger
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject: |
|
| Awesome TR! Thanks for showing me around Big Sky, I've got a new destination rising to the top of my list. What a great sense of adventure your daughter has, you're going to have some very fun times in the years ahead. Steeleman, you gotta be proud, we've all really enjoyed what went on here. | |
| |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 1283
Location: Vermont
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
THAT IS AWESOME, OLDFART 
Thanks for sharing. And thanks to Steeleman for a very cool offering. _________________ I can gather all the news I need on the weather report - P. Simon |
|
| |
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Location: California
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
| Cool TR. Your daughter rips. Hope my kid will too one day. | |
| |
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 1591
Location: Somewhere Else
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject: |
|
| It looks like you two had a great time! _________________ Montani Semper Liberi Pride goeth before a face plant. |
|
| |
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 1282
Location: Ottawa
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject: |
|
| Very cool daughter you have there oldfart.
D |
|
 |
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 456
Location: bezerkeley, CA
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: |
|
| She ain't no "girly" girl!
Impressive ! |
|
| |
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 47
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject: |
|
| This whole thing has been too cool.
Good job, all of you! |
|
| |
Joined: 31 Jan 2006
Posts: 110
Location: Burlington VT
| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject: well done!!! |
|
| Bravo Bravo Bravo!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for the TR on this one. As someone who spent a good portion of the winter converting my 9 y/o nefue into the best kid ripper at Bolton Valley. He has a ways to go, and you and shredgar have set the bar verry high. thanks for the TR and keep the shredding alive! | |
| |
