GT40 and Endlessseason powpiggin in Big Sky, Moonlight, JH, and Targhee

[Endlessseason]

Ski resort surveys mean nothing to me. I don't need some respondent's disappointment in her less-than-perfect latte subconsciously spilling over to her opinion about the ski slopes. I also don't need a resort's amenities, or lack thereof, factoring into a total score. I don't care if there's a nursery, a winery, or a 4-star restaurant. I'm there to ski. I've noticed that expert skiers tend to agree on the same types of ski areas because they love the SKIING experience.

Name the parameters that make a winter mountain experience memorable. Steeps, features, length of runs, vertical, lack of crowds? Glades, long cruisers, fast chairs, hidden secrets, untracked areas for exploring? Stuff steep enough to bring back that sphincter-tightening feeling you haven't felt in a while? Wide open bowls where you can go as fast as well....old Montana without a speed limit? Whatever you are seeking you will find it at Big Sky.

Our group of a dozen riders from all over the US experienced every one of these and more this last week at BigSky/Moonlight Basin. After receiving an additional 18 inches on top of an already bottomless base, most every other steep resort in the country would close their terrain and limit riding to a few select, lower angle slopes ala Snowbird, Alta, Taos, Aspen, Killington, Mammoth, Crested Butte, etc., etc. Not Big Sky. Even their burliest, steepest terrain was open for days despite round the clock snow: Castro's, The Gully's, A-Z Chutes, North Summit Headwall, The Dictator's, Big Couloir, Pinnacles, etc., etc. We did as many as we could fit in. And it was good. Unbelievably good.

With daytime temperatures cold enough to flash-freeze your face, stop up your camelback, and burst the soda in your jacket, what it meant to savvy riders hearty enough to be out on such days was the skiing equivalent of "Groundhog Day." Countless runs, conditions frozen in time, tracks perfectly refilled and rebuffed for a virgin run experience round after round.

This was one of those trips where even time-honored traditions like waiting to regroup after runs and lunch stops were discarded as easily as the wrappers from our pockets.

GT was a blast to hang out with for the week. I know we'll be doing more of this again. Between the two of us we took well over one thousand photos. We'll be posting a number of them, but here is one he took of me the day before yesterday:

[PulverSchwein]

wootwoot here we go!! this sounds like it should be a good one.

[Bunion 2020]

Endless, you were in town and didn't post the fact???? Wheres the love.
Sounds like you all did just fine witout a tour guide. Still snowing a bit here today. Looks like we are going into a bit of high pressure for the week. I can honestly say I will be happy to see the sun for a while. We are tired. But happy!

[Bum Z]

I'm anticipating a quality thread right here. Post those pics!

[Jumper Bones]

damn they kept Big Coolie open? I'm impressed.

[300hp]

oh.....my......god.....GT plus a crew of rippers, I can't wait. His first post got me totally stoked, I can't imagine what the rest will bring.

[Endlessseason]

Endless, you were in town and didn't post the fact???? Wheres the love.

Sorry, mang. I did. You must have missed it. Next time.

GT is skiing Basin today & I just finished the radio show and headed up to the Bird. We'll start posting pics after a little skiing. We're selfish that way.

[bcrider]

GREAT photo!

[vinzclortho]

sweet photo!

I gotta say, and I'm sure I'm not alone on this, I ALWAYS look at GT40's threads because the pics he takes are really, really great. He's just got money consistency with the quality, the stoke and the desire to shoot tons and tons of shots. Good on ya mate. You....you've earned it---->


(yes, I know this isn't a thread started by GT40, but his name is in the title and I got all reminiscant and misty eyed.)

[weibo]

You can tell it's cold and deep because you are wearing goggles.

[Crinkle]

HOLY.........smokes........lets get it started. Sweet pic, pre-emting a 4star rating.

[criscam]

if the rest of the pics are anything like the first...well, we're in for a treat.

[spanky]

Nice writeup Endless. But one pic out of a thousand? What a tease! Come on, spill the goods.

[Trackhead]

Bring on the photos!!!!!!!!!!

[sculhane]

This was one of those trips where even time-honored traditions like waiting to regroup after runs and lunch stops were discarded as easily as the wrappers from our pockets.

What??? No buffalo burgers?

Glad to see you had a good time and hopefully the gang is doing well. Did you get to ski Big Couloir?

Steve

[Rusty Nails]

That first photo was such a freakin tease!!! Post 'em up!!! Hatin' the anticpatin'.

[Son1cdeth]

FKNA...if the rest of the photos you guys took are half as good as that one, we're in for a hell of a report! Can't wait to see them.

[Trackhead]

Endless,

That photo makes the snow look like a big Santa Claus beard.

[Benny Profane]

werd, werd, werd. Show it, please. Expedia awaits, also.

[splat]

Neck deep in angel shit.

nice.

[meatdrink9]

Sweet. I can't wait to get the stories and photos from this trip. It sounds like you guys scored.

[jibij]

Nice writeup, endless. That picture is m-o-n-e-y. Sounds like a great time.

[cuzinick]

Great 4play! Now on with the main event already.

[Endlessseason]

Here are a couple dozen of my pics. All my shots were taken with my new A620. I'm still learning it. GT's got a much nicer camera. You'll be able to tell the difference right away when he posts his flat light shots. http://www.skistreak.com/2006/jan/ja...d_targhee.html

[GT40]

I'll have some pics up this afternoon. Sorry for the delay. I think some of the pics are worth the wait.