Big Sky and Bridger Feb. 3-13, 2012

[marzski]

Had a good time in Montana. Nine days of skiing. A day warming up and acclimating at Bridger (20 min north of Bozeman), a week at Big Sky (an hour away from the Bozeman airport), and a final weekend at Bridger just after more than 4-6 inches of fresh powder. Met up with a couple ski buddies as well as Ski Divas and friends. Blue bird skies on decent snow from the small storms the week before for the first half of the week, then fresh snow but no visibility for the top of the mountain at Big Sky, good visibility and fresh snow at Bridger to finish. All in all, I'd love to go back again.



Big Sky is . . . well, big. About 7000 to 11,000 ft, over 4000 vertical, over 5000 skiable acres. Highly recommend the mountain tour given for free at 10:45 and 1:00. The 15-person tram to the top of Lone Peak gives access to great views (can go up without skis and ride down), some very extreme chutes, as well as some relatively accessible big bowls on the back side. There are two smaller mountains in addition that provide plenty of fun when visibility or wind is an issue higher up. Andesite Mtn has a bunch of glades that were cleared even more last summer. Plus a great huge meadow between groomers for those just starting to play with bumps or powder. When it snows, Big Sky grooms a few green runs but leaves the rest alone for several days.



My ski buddies and I did Liberty Bowl the afternoon before the snow started. JC did it the day before with some Divas. The clouds cleared shortly after lunch so we went for it. Glad I did.



Big Sky Mountain Village base





Tram to the top of Lone Peak viewed from the triple - look for the two trams in the center of the pic in front of the ridge line)









Lower Lone Peak and Andesite Mtn (right side)





The Bowl off Lone Peak Triple . . . lots of fun in the sun!





Lone Peak late afternoon





Liberty Bowl - take tram up, work down backside while watching out for rocks, ski the steeper top carefully, enjoy the rest of the bowl, end up above Dakota and Shedhorn lifts; in theory can keep going all the way to the base for a run that's 6 miles long but includes a cat track in the middle









Looking up Liberty - it's big, some of those dots are skiers!





For other pics, look here

http://photobucket.com/BigSkyDivaPlus2012

[marzski]

Bridger Bowl is a very different type of ski place than Big Sky. It's a non-profit. Only 20 min from Bozeman. A full day lift ticket is $48, compared to $87 at Big Sky. So lots of families and local college students. 2000 acres, 2500 vertical, 8 chair lifts including Schlasman that only goes to terrain that requires avy gear. Great place to get acclimated when coming from the flatlands since about 6000 at the base and just under 9000 without any hiking up to the ridge top.



I took advantage of the lower price for private lessons. $90 for 1.5 hours at Bridger compared to $260 for 2 hours at Big Sky. Also then a lift ticket is only $39. Got a recommendation that turned out to be perfect. Got a great drill for fundamentals on Day 1, then had something to build on Day 8 after getting back into big mountain form at Big Sky.



For those of you familiar with Solitude, Bridger has a similar feel. Plenty of extreme terrain for those interested in hiking up and along the ridge, with great blue groomers and trees to be found. Plus a couple little bowls and fun gullies. Skiing at Bridger for a few hours on arrival or departure day might be like Mt. Rose.



Day 1 at Bridger - 10 degrees at 8:30am, 34 by noon







Views after snow on Thu-Fri

[pagamony]

hey, that's a pretty good trip. i think i could be pretty happy at bridger.

[marzski]

New snow at Big Sky and Bridger . . . can you tell which is which? It did keep snowing more at Big Sky after Friday while it was pretty clear at Bridger for the weekend.

[marzski]

Forgot to include the great t-shirt that raises funds for the avalanche dogs at Big Sky. Got one for me and one for Marz Jr. Hersey was in the Patrol Shack when we stopped in to make the purchase. Very friendly chocolate labradoodle.

[ROYMERCER]

what a view ! pics are off the chain. good stuff, I really enjoyed your TR

[swamphox]

awesome

[skipink]

Score one for the Divas!

[RMacSki]

That's awesome, nice TR! I was talking with some friends about going up to bridger next season because it's relatively cheap. This is very convincing.

[marzski]

@pagamony 271459 wrote:hey, that's a pretty good trip. i think i could be pretty happy at bridger.



There are trees at Big Sky you would have a very good time skiing. JC warmed up fast. We went up the Challenger lift to do a long bump run on his first afternoon (my 3rd ski day). I'd heard it was nice from the Host the day before. She was right. But a bit unnerving to have to watch out for rocks on the traverse around the top after getting off the lift.