Thread: 2012 SW Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

Ok; that's very good to hear. I don't know what you Americans call 'long'.
We in Europe are VERY spoiled when it comes to lifts. Pretty much only fast 6-seaters with a bubble and heated seats and awesome gondola's. Lift lines usually are less than a minute and rarely more than 10 minutes.

From all the movies I've been watching, it looks like American lifts are a little older; what is Bridger like? Good lifts? I see there's only 6 lifts in Bridger, whereas I'm used to lifts with 50+ lifts at the least (once again, spoiled European).
I plan on getting at least 4 days in a week, but don't have money to buy two season passes, so I'm not sure if skiing all the time at Bridger would get boring, especially if it would be a bad year like last ones, where I wouldn't be able to ski a lot of pow/terrain.

Yes, we Montanans are spoiled with the lift lines.

Yes, it's true; Bridger is much closer to Bozeman. You will find lines there, even on a weekday if there's been a storm that rolls through. The weekends almost always have a line due to the proximity of Bozeman. Terrain is good, but different than Big Sky.

Yes, Big Sky is farther, but all the lifts are faster and longer. There are some lines. As Bunion mentioned, the Tram line can get horrendously long and you'll inevitably have to put up with some jackwagon who's been in Big Sky two season, calls himself a local and is too cool for school.

Moonlight is also great. The Headwaters area is rad, but like most of Lone Peak, needs some snow pack to be decent. Rarely, are there lines. Though you may wait a bit on weekends at the bottom of Six Shooter, but it's all relative and that line isn't that long.

The bottom line is that whatever pass you choose, it will be a great choice. You have three world class ski areas within 45 miles of Bozeman. You can't go wrong.

Oh, and welcome to Big Sky Country.

IMO...college kid budget, you'll get more bang for your buck with a Moonlight pass, excluding the drive from Bozeman. However, there is cheap public transportation from Bozeman to Big Sky. Beg on this board and you may score day passes to each resort and decide for yourself before you buy. You asked about the Big Sky/Moonlight interconnect pass....cost $1,600...if you have that kind of Jack then no brainer...buy it and ski some of the best terrain in the country and deal with the ride from Boze. Cant speak for Bridger but lift lines are not a factor at Big Sky or Moonlight, plenty of other options when the tram is long.

Thanks for the info Bobcat and BigSkyfan.

I tried reading up on passes.
The 'Gold' pass for Big Sky is 599$, no Moonlight access.
Then I stumbled upon this:
http://www.bigskyresort.com/activiti...t_Sky_Card.asp
I don't understand it at all. Could someone explain?

College pass for Moonlight is 399$
Combined pass is 1016$ for the two.

580$ for a season pass at Bridger...

Wow, this is really a hard choice. One thing that's quite important is that I have NO clue where my friends will be skiing, something that's quite important too I guess. The only thing I know for sure is I won't have to decide until September, lucky me.

So far this is the way I feel:
- Moonlight: Sounds rad, but small, and like Bridger, very dependent on conditions.
- Bridger: Super close by, gnarly, gnarly terrain
- Big Sky: Good park, bigger than Bridger (but not that much)

How are the slack- and back-country options for both? Also, what would be the best way to being able to ski either. Season pass for one (main resort) and then day-passes or...? How do you guys do it? Do you hold seasons passes for all resorts, just one, or do you buy day tickets? Keep in mind I don't really have money and paying 50$ for a day of skiing when you already have a season pass sounds a bit stupid to me...

EDIT: Bobcat, when you say Bridger almost always has life lines, what does that mean? 1, 5 or 15 minutes (or even longer, god forbid).

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by TijmenDal

Thanks for the info Bobcat and BigSkyfan.

I tried reading up on passes.
The 'Gold' pass for Big Sky is 599$, no Moonlight access.
Then I stumbled upon this:
http://www.bigskyresort.com/activiti...t_Sky_Card.asp
I don't understand it at all. Could someone explain?

It's all written there, isn't it? The big thing is that you get the first and last week of the season free. You get some other discounts with it, but they aren't quite as worthwhile, I think. E.g., get a season pass at Bridger or Moonlight, and get this Frequent Sky Card to ski a few days at Big Sky early and late season. It is usually worth it for the price.

College pass for Moonlight is 399$
Combined pass is 1016$ for the two.

580$ for a season pass at Bridger...

Wow, this is really a hard choice. One thing that's quite important is that I have NO clue where my friends will be skiing, something that's quite important too I guess. The only thing I know for sure is I won't have to decide until September, lucky me.

So far this is the way I feel:
- Moonlight: Sounds rad, but small, and like Bridger, very dependent on conditions.
- Bridger: Super close by, gnarly, gnarly terrain
- Big Sky: Good park, bigger than Bridger (but not that much)

Big Sky is quite a bit bigger than both Moonlight and Bridger. And I am not a park skier, but the park at Moonlight looks pretty good, too.

Of course Bridger has no lift lines when it hasn't snowed in weeks. Any decent pow day though and it's a frenzy up there. Slushmans can have up to an hour lift line, and inbounds gets tracked out very fast on these days. On big days when Slushmans is closed, it's nose to but going up the ridge hike for fresh lines. You can make this cluster fuck more tolerable by following (if you can keep up) a rare Bridger female. It can take time to get to know where to go and when, but the greatest thing about Bridger is getting to know your own nooks and crannies to hit first on a pow day. There is nothing better than when it all comes together for you at Bridger, which is why the locals are such degenerate dirtbags. The best strategy is to make the most of the 2-5 inch days and just mentally prepare for the shitshow that always accompanies big dumps. If it snows more than 5 inches any day of the season, everyone takes off work and school and you drive up there among a train of cars that can stretch for miles.

^^^That there is the truth.

Originally Posted by tone capone

Of course Bridger has no lift lines when it hasn't snowed in weeks. Any decent pow day though and it's a frenzy up there. Slushmans can have up to an hour lift line, and inbounds gets tracked out very fast on these days. On big days when Slushmans is closed, it's nose to but going up the ridge hike for fresh lines. You can make this cluster fuck more tolerable by following (if you can keep up) a rare Bridger female. It can take time to get to know where to go and when, but the greatest thing about Bridger is getting to know your own nooks and crannies to hit first on a pow day. There is nothing better than when it all comes together for you at Bridger, which is why the locals are such degenerate dirtbags. The best strategy is to make the most of the 2-5 inch days and just mentally prepare for the shitshow that always accompanies big dumps. If it snows more than 5 inches any day of the season, everyone takes off work and school and you drive up there among a train of cars that can stretch for miles.

Holy shit. Sounds like a fucking nightmare. An hour! Damn... That blows....

When Slushmans opens on a big day you can go against the flow and skin up Bradleys Meadow or ski trees off the Alpine lift and you will have lots of elbow room. Or hike da Ridge.
It would take more than one season to find all Big Sky has to offer.

Tijmendal, yer gonna have fun no matter where ya go, i promise.

Skied some beautiful corn down the 4th of July couloir in Beehive this am, was ripe for the harvest just before 10. The snow actually froze last night and I had the basin all to myself. Smile.

Originally Posted by tone capone

Of course Bridger has no lift lines when it hasn't snowed in weeks. Any decent pow day though and it's a frenzy up there. Slushmans can have up to an hour lift line, and inbounds gets tracked out very fast on these days. On big days when Slushmans is closed, it's nose to but going up the ridge hike for fresh lines. You can make this cluster fuck more tolerable by following (if you can keep up) a rare Bridger female. It can take time to get to know where to go and when, but the greatest thing about Bridger is getting to know your own nooks and crannies to hit first on a pow day. There is nothing better than when it all comes together for you at Bridger, which is why the locals are such degenerate dirtbags. The best strategy is to make the most of the 2-5 inch days and just mentally prepare for the shitshow that always accompanies big dumps. If it snows more than 5 inches any day of the season, everyone takes off work and school and you drive up there among a train of cars that can stretch for miles.

That's the cold hard truth right there. I will say though, that waiting in the Slushman's line is still worth it on big days. Likewise, you'll have just as long of a wait up Big Sky on a big day. Moonlight? Not so much.

It's important to note that with the exception of the Slushman's lift, most of the gnar terrain you see at Bridger is only accessible if you hike. Big Sky, almost all is lift-served. Moonlight is almost all lift-served, as well.

I'm probably not the expert on resort slackcountry around here, but my impression is that there isn't much, especially when measured up against places like Jackson Hole. At Bridger, you head south out Saddle Peak and take your own life in your hands; in short, it's not recommended. There is some to the north in Frazier Basin and such, but I've never accessed it from Bridger.

At Big Sky and Moonlight, there is some slackcountry, but combined, that area is so huge that you honestly don't need it. There is so much to explore at both places that I find it unlikely that in your first season you will get bored inbounds.

All in all, you're coming to a rad place to ski.

To answer your question, I usually buy a frequency card at all three places and wait to see what the snow reports say. That usually means skipping work on the weekdays to hit it at Bridger and doing up Big Sky and Moonlight on the weekends. Works out pretty well and you still maintain some flexibility.

Yes, fun will be had no matter what lifts you ride.


My humble experience, for what it's worth...

Grew up in Bozeman, had a season pass at Bridger Bowl starting at age five in 1992 through 2011, my last year of college. Skied at Big Sky quite a bit as a kid, but was satisfied with the Frequency card later on. Skied a handful of days at Moonlight. I think for regular skiing from Bozeman, especially as a college student, Bridger is without question the way to go. If you have three hours between classes, you can get two solid hours of skiing since the hill is 20 minutes away. Made it through 5 years of college with no fewer than 85 days per season.

My personal impressions of the three, not including observations on clientele (best reserved for oneself)--

-Big Sky: Big and fast, with a few high-class lines and some decent tree skiing. The high terrain is rad with good viz, but sucks when its in the clouds. My only big gripe is that there's not much lappable expert terrain, with the exception of Challenger lift. Doesn't hold my attention like the Bridgers.

-Moonlight: Quiet, very good steeps (though short), lame lower down, decent park. Snowfield and headwaters are rad. Cold and shady. Wish I would have explored to there more.

-Bridger Bowl: Most technical and interesting terrain... infinite variations. Good slackcountry to the North as far as you wanna walk, potentially dangerous slackcountry South as bobcat notes. Busiest on big days. Big dumps. Expert terrain very lappable.



Bridger has definitely become way more crowded, especially in the last five years or so. If you ski with the powderpussy sheeple, you'll see liftlines regularly... but they are easily avoided as you learn the patterns and ski when others don't. Weekday skiing as a student is the very best thing ever.

Hope that helps your decision, and welcome to a rad zone for skiing and being outdoors in general.

-S

Originally Posted by Bunion

Look into Moonlight Basin, inexpensive pass, excellent steeps, best park in the area, usually non-existent lines and I work there!

Also hiring new COO?

When Slushmans opens on a big day you can go against the flow and skin up Bradleys Meadow or ski trees off the Alpine lift and you will have lots of elbow room. Or hike da Ridge.

Bridger has definitely become way more crowded, especially in the last five years or so. If you ski with the powderpussy sheeple, you'll see liftlines regularly... but they are easily avoided as you learn the patterns and ski when others don't. Weekday skiing as a student is the very best thing ever.

Hope that helps your decision, and welcome to a rad zone for skiing and being outdoors in general.

Word. Follow this advice and you will be happy. Just don't forget to study hard on weekdays too! The best time to study is when everyone else is at the hill and campus is deserted.

Originally Posted by Bobcat Sig

To answer your question, I usually buy a frequency card at all three places and wait to see what the snow reports say. That usually means skipping work on the weekdays to hit it at Bridger and doing up Big Sky and Moonlight on the weekends. Works out pretty well and you still maintain some flexibility.

Thanks. Sounds like an idea.

Well... still not an easy decision. If only Bridger wouldn't have park that's incredibly shitty it would be much easier. Pow over park any day, but when there's nothing to do besides park, it's a nice option to have... Bridger sounds like the way to go, because it's so close and because I can probably ski a LOT more than I would be able to at Big Sky/Moonlight because I can just go up the mountain for several hours.

Norseman makes the best point..."Bridger is without question the way to go. If you have three hours between classes, you can get two solid hours of skiing since the hill is 20 minutes away. Made it through 5 years of college with no fewer than 85 days per season".
Your not going to be able to do that with a Big Sky or Moonlight pass.

Originally Posted by BigSkyfan

Norseman makes the best point..."Bridger is without question the way to go. If you have three hours between classes, you can get two solid hours of skiing since the hill is 20 minutes away. Made it through 5 years of college with no fewer than 85 days per season".
Your not going to be able to do that with a Big Sky or Moonlight pass.

Yeah, but definitely get the Big Sky Frequent Sky card and get a few days in at Moonlight as well, they are all worth it.

Truly dirtbaging involves a midweek Bridger Pass, a Frequency Card, that new card Moonlight has and either a splitboard/AT setup or a severe drinking problem, for the weekends. You can get alot of days in for fairly cheap and can learn some of the skin-to haunts on the weekends, if you can keep up. Or you can just recover on Saturday and Sunday. Either way you avoid thr weekend rush at Bridger.

Originally Posted by tone capone

Of course Bridger has no lift lines when it hasn't snowed in weeks. Any decent pow day though and it's a frenzy up there. Slushmans can have up to an hour lift line, and inbounds gets tracked out very fast on these days. On big days when Slushmans is closed, it's nose to but going up the ridge hike for fresh lines. You can make this cluster fuck more tolerable by following (if you can keep up) a rare Bridger female. It can take time to get to know where to go and when, but the greatest thing about Bridger is getting to know your own nooks and crannies to hit first on a pow day. There is nothing better than when it all comes together for you at Bridger, which is why the locals are such degenerate dirtbags. The best strategy is to make the most of the 2-5 inch days and just mentally prepare for the shitshow that always accompanies big dumps. If it snows more than 5 inches any day of the season, everyone takes off work and school and you drive up there among a train of cars that can stretch for miles.

For sure.

The thing I most love about Slushmans: its weakened the the vast majority of BB skiers hiking legs. It used to be that a majority of the regulars would crush numerous hikes at mach speed. Now they just sit in line at Slushmans re-adjusting their POVs, dreaming of AK, and wondering if they've achieved minor-legend status at Bridger yet. Plus, the ridge hippie crew lives over there.

I'm pretty sure it'd take a bit to get from BB to Frazier Basin on skis.

There is NO sidecountry at BB.

I'd get a pass at Big Sky/Moonlight...way more Euro, plus they need the business. I'm sure your budget can handle it.

Amsterdam eh? Isn't that right by Manhattan?

Originally Posted by BigSkyfan

Norseman makes the best point..."Bridger is without question the way to go. If you have three hours between classes, you can get two solid hours of skiing since the hill is 20 minutes away. Made it through 5 years of college with no fewer than 85 days per season".
Your not going to be able to do that with a Big Sky or Moonlight pass.

I think this is what is most important really. Being able to ski pretty much everyday. Sounds too good.

Originally Posted by Al Mondbrot

Yeah, but definitely get the Big Sky Frequent Sky card and get a few days in at Moonlight as well, they are all worth it.

For sure I would like to check all resorts out.

Originally Posted by Boom Heir

Truly dirtbaging involves a midweek Bridger Pass, a Frequency Card, that new card Moonlight has and either a splitboard/AT setup or a severe drinking problem, for the weekends. You can get alot of days in for fairly cheap and can learn some of the skin-to haunts on the weekends, if you can keep up. Or you can just recover on Saturday and Sunday. Either way you avoid thr weekend rush at Bridger.

Thought about this. Bridger sounds like an excellent mid-week resort (does that include friday's?). And in the weekends when I have time I can ski Big Sky/Moonlight.

Originally Posted by ecowhit

There is NO sidecountry at BB.

I'd get a pass at Big Sky/Moonlight...way more Euro, plus they need the business. I'm sure your budget can handle it.

Amsterdam eh? Isn't that right by Manhattan?

Manhattan? I'm probably missing something here...

And how is Big Sky more Euro?
Also: no side-country at BB sound meh...



Thanks a lot for the info everyone. I love how this thread is just all about my decision now, haha. Keep the input coming, really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by TijmenDal

Manhattan? I'm probably missing something here...

Lol. Amsterdam's a tiny town about 20 miles west of Bozeman, and a few miles south of Manhattan.

Thanks a lot for the info everyone. I love how this thread is just all about my decision now, haha. Keep the input coming, really appreciate it![/QUOTE]

We are a great bunch here in Montana. I doubt if you would get this much advice from any other big time ski area nuts. And all good advice, you cant go wrong. We live in a great place.

Originally Posted by AustinFromSA

Lol. Amsterdam's a tiny town about 20 miles west of Bozeman, and a few miles south of Manhattan.

Haha, no. I'm from the REAL Amsterdam.
The one with no mountains, or anything that slightly resembles that within a 700km radius.

If value for your buck is the main priority get a Moonlight Pass. At least when you hike there your not hiking to moguls. When the winds blowing right you can be hiking to fresh tracks at 2:00. Bridger has sweet terrain, but you have to hike to all of it and unless it's before 11:00 on a pow day it is usually pretty tracked. Both mountains are awesome either way, just different styles of riding. Big Sky/Moonlight is more wide open haul ass big mountain terrain and Bridger is more featured lots of little diving boards and and short little pinches mini golf type shit everywhere. In my opinion you just get way more vertical in on Lone peak, and the snow on the high elevation north facing shit just stays good longer in those famous MT droughts. If you wanna hike all day go to the backcountry where there are no tracks. It's a matter of preference.

Speaking of the backcountry holy shit how about that memorial day storm at least 3+ feet up high in the Taylor Peaks. Rode both sides of the Notch in Koch on Wed and it was thick and deep pretty fun on a board. We'll be riding up there for a while longer thanks to that dump.

It definetly includes Fridays. I've been going that route for a few years now and it seems to work well. Get a few days in at BS and MB and it makes taking roadtrips to the smaller resorts more justified in my mind, as i'd be buying passes anyways. Seems to always work out and i rarely kick myself for missing a weekend pow day at Bridger.

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