2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[axebiker]

https://unofficialnetworks.com/2023/...ry-ski-resort/

Split it with ya?

[tmokes]

I’m visiting whitefish this weekend with the family. 2yr old isn’t quite there yet to ride so we’ll be taking turns babysitting/riding. Do they use RFID and we can swap it out between us easily? I’m assuming that shuttle is free, but how frequently do they run? Any betas around town/non skiing activities? Also how many dispensaries are there? Do I need to bring enough to not run out or can I expect to taste something local? And lastly, if any mags want to show me around the mountain, I don’t know if/when I have time but it would be cool to get a general tour of the area.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[toastybroski]

14 million for 48 acres. That is insane.

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

The idiots parking at the end of the rows at BB are really starting to push it.

If I had a buck buster on the front of my truck the temptation to make some more room would be unbearable.

[Norseman]

The idiots parking at the end of the rows at BB are really starting to push it.

If I had a buck buster on the front of my truck the temptation to make some more room would be unbearable.

Pull em out with your tow strap and/or take out all their valve cores.

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

Unscrewing valve cores takes too much time

[toast2266]

I’m visiting whitefish this weekend with the family. 2yr old isn’t quite there yet to ride so we’ll be taking turns babysitting/riding. Do they use RFID and we can swap it out between us easily? I’m assuming that shuttle is free, but how frequently do they run? Any betas around town/non skiing activities? Also how many dispensaries are there? Do I need to bring enough to not run out or can I expect to taste something local? And lastly, if any mags want to show me around the mountain, I don’t know if/when I have time but it would be cool to get a general tour of the area.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

No RFID at Whitefish - it's still paper tickets that they scan. So just put the paper ticket on a key ring or something so it's removable.

Snow bus from town to the resort is free. Schedule is here: https://www.bigmtncommercial.org/snow-bus-schedule

Plenty of dispensaries, most of which are on the outskirts of town. I think you'll probably be fine.

Other things to do in town: nordic skiing, if you're into that sort of thing. You can rent gear at the golf course. Backslope in Columbia Falls is probably the best brewery at the moment. Jeremiah Johnson brewery in Whitefish is mediocre, but there's a lot of space so it's relatively easy with kids.

I'm out of town this weekend, so unfortunately can't show you around. But we just picked up a decent amount of snow for a much needed reset, so conditions should be decent. Bring you low light lenses.

[The AD]

I would have suggested visiting Glacier National Park as a possibility, but looks like the Going to the Sun Road is closed at Apgar this winter, so basically you could go and see Lake McDonald from the west side, but that's about it. I wouldn't say that's worth the trip from Whitefish.

[S_jenks]

I would have suggested visiting Glacier National Park as a possibility, but looks like the Going to the Sun Road is closed at Apgar this winter, so basically you could go and see Lake McDonald from the west side, but that's about it. I wouldn't say that's worth the trip from Whitefish.

Unless you are ready and willing to make the trek, most of Glacier is locked up in snow and ice throughout the winter.

If the weather is decent though, they definitely could swing up with West Glacier and take in the views from the end of Lake McDonald. Can be a very cool wintry feeling up there, and the family could have some fun with the side trip on a non-skiing day.

[SUPERIOR]

https://unofficialnetworks.com/2023/...ry-ski-resort/

I don’t see this being viable or acceptable by the USFS. They weigh user traffic and impacts in the area, and doubt there would be permits issued outside the 48 acres… and let’s be honest, that’s just a bit of the lower elevation hillside.

[tmokes]

Thanks guys! This is info I was looking for. My gf’s first real “ski vacation”. I took her to banff years ago when she was learning but she never been to the destination ski resort…. And I got 5 and 2 years old with me so I got my hands full. I plan on leaving Spokane Friday afternoon and get to kalispell to spend the night and get to whitefish Saturday morning, and leave there after riding Sunday. I’m excited for the first family vacation with my baby girl.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[singlesline]

Whitefish was an epic clusterfuck today.

Chair 2 was announced as down for the day, and then the new 6pack chair 4 stops running at about 9:40 and requires a full evac. They learned their lesson when they had to evac chair 1 in December, so they closed off most of the terrain to divert staff (first Hellroaring and the NW-side of the backside, then the rest of the backside, and eventually the T-bar area as well).

The bit of skiing I got in was great though. They had the T-bar spinning at open (doesn't usually run on weekdays) which led to a couple runs of untracked snow and then a delightful run down the backside...only to discover that it was already closed and we just didn't see any signage since we came from the T-bar. Chair 5 was still spinning and still had some nice pockets on offer.

I had to go home and get back to work, but it sounds like they got everyone safely lowered off Chair 4 (pretty quickly too!) and reopened the rest of the terrain--I bet hellroaring is real nice right now.

[singlesline]

Thanks guys! This is info I was looking for. My gf’s first real “ski vacation”. I took her to banff years ago when she was learning but she never been to the destination ski resort…. And I got 5 and 2 years old with me so I got my hands full. I plan on leaving Spokane Friday afternoon and get to kalispell to spend the night and get to whitefish Saturday morning, and leave there after riding Sunday. I’m excited for the first family vacation with my baby girl.

Sounds like you've probably got your hands full, but I might be around--got a bunch of balls in the air right now, but I usually ski Saturday and Sunday.

[total_immortal]

Anyone with an inside scoop on why Schlasman's still isn't open? This is the longest post-storm closure I've ever witnessed (I know they opened for an hour yesterday). Until I hear otherwise I'm blaming the new GM. The limited terrain during and after the storm was pretty unusual, but a week to re-open 9 is ridiculous, glad I have to work this week.

[Norseman]

Anyone with an inside scoop on why Schlasman's still isn't open? This is the longest post-storm closure I've ever witnessed (I know they opened for an hour yesterday). Until I hear otherwise I'm blaming the new GM. The limited terrain during and after the storm was pretty unusual, but a week to re-open 9 is ridiculous, glad I have to work this week.

Quote from fam who skied the brief opening:

"Could use some spatulas yesterday at Bridger. The wind nuked the new into stiff slabby merengue that was still knee deep on slushman's. Skied one run there and retreated back to bridger lift!"

Patrol bombed the S boundary and got the football field to slide. Just sounds funky and I bet patrol just doesn't trust the pack yet. No real scoop but that's my guess.

[toast2266]

Whitefish was an epic clusterfuck today.

Chair 2 was announced as down for the day, and then the new 6pack chair 4 stops running at about 9:40 and requires a full evac. They learned their lesson when they had to evac chair 1 in December, so they closed off most of the terrain to divert staff (first Hellroaring and the NW-side of the backside, then the rest of the backside, and eventually the T-bar area as well).

The bit of skiing I got in was great though. They had the T-bar spinning at open (doesn't usually run on weekdays) which led to a couple runs of untracked snow and then a delightful run down the backside...only to discover that it was already closed and we just didn't see any signage since we came from the T-bar. Chair 5 was still spinning and still had some nice pockets on offer.

I had to go home and get back to work, but it sounds like they got everyone safely lowered off Chair 4 (pretty quickly too!) and reopened the rest of the terrain--I bet hellroaring is real nice right now.

Kind of a bummer that WMR spent all that money on a chair that doesn't work when it's cold or snowy. (Kidding. Sort of).

Glad the mountain is getting a reset though. It needed it.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Anyone with an inside scoop on why Schlasman's still isn't open? This is the longest post-storm closure I've ever witnessed (I know they opened for an hour yesterday). Until I hear otherwise I'm blaming the new GM. The limited terrain during and after the storm was pretty unusual, but a week to re-open 9 is ridiculous, glad I have to work this week.

It was open briefly yesterday and my buddy's son got an untracked Boundary Chute lap that was not mank/merengue but quite blowery. Today we thought for sure it was gonna open, but by the afternoon one of the whiteboards said it was closed for a mechanical. Hidden > Outer was skiing really good though.

[skaredshtles]

It was open briefly yesterday and my buddy's son got an untracked Boundary Chute lap that was not mank/merengue but quite blowery. Today we thought for sure it was gonna open, but by the afternoon one of the whiteboards said it was closed for a mechanical. Hidden > Outer was skiing really good though.

My kid provided the same information to me: lift is broked.

[Norseman]

Dang. Details?

[HobieTony]

Anyone with an inside scoop on why Schlasman's still isn't open? This is the longest post-storm closure I've ever witnessed (I know they opened for an hour yesterday). Until I hear otherwise I'm blaming the new GM. The limited terrain during and after the storm was pretty unusual, but a week to re-open 9 is ridiculous, glad I have to work this week.

Just got back, chatted with a couple patrollers in the Alpine lodge that stated that 'It was mechanical" - they said they didn't know the nature of the mechanical problem. It wasn't (yet) a patrol delay. Rest of the place skied really well.

Edit - Everyone beat me to it

[Eluder]

Whitefish was an epic clusterfuck today.

Chair 2 was announced as down for the day, and then the new 6pack chair 4 stops running at about 9:40 and requires a full evac. They learned their lesson when they had to evac chair 1 in December, so they closed off most of the terrain to divert staff (first Hellroaring and the NW-side of the backside, then the rest of the backside, and eventually the T-bar area as well).

The bit of skiing I got in was great though. They had the T-bar spinning at open (doesn't usually run on weekdays) which led to a couple runs of untracked snow and then a delightful run down the backside...only to discover that it was already closed and we just didn't see any signage since we came from the T-bar. Chair 5 was still spinning and still had some nice pockets on offer.

I had to go home and get back to work, but it sounds like they got everyone safely lowered off Chair 4 (pretty quickly too!) and reopened the rest of the terrain--I bet hellroaring is real nice right now.

Chair 2 has been down for a couple of days now... again.

They closed Chair 5 about 15 minutes after they closed the T-bar, so they just had chair 1 running. This did seem to allow for a quicker evac than the Chair situation.

It was our first real powder skiing since before Christmas. Good skiing but a bit of a downer. At least I wasn't stuck on the lift I suppose.

Lots of rumors circling about what is wrong with both Chair 2 and Chair 4. Hopefully, they will put out some kind of a statement explaining the issues. It's been a tough go for operations this season.

[SUPERIOR]

Good skiing, but the ridge was a mess of avvy debris / windfuck / deep heavy snow. I’m sure I just missed the goods by a small window, but still had fun.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[yeahman]

Pretty much sounds like the same conditions on Lone Peak today, deep set up chop, wind affect, variable. A few good turns. I found it challenging. Still lapped the tram a bunch though because no line. Aaaand because it's Feb. 1 the tram stays open till 3 p.m. now. Woot!

[Bunion 2020]

Pretty much sounds like the same conditions on Lone Peak today, deep set up chop, wind affect, variable. A few good turns. I found it challenging. Still lapped the tram a bunch though because no line. Aaaand because it's Feb. 1 the tram stays open till 3 p.m. now. Woot!

^^^ The beauty of mid-fat, semi-soft, early rise skis.

RE: BB and chair 9, blaming the new GM is a wasted effort. If Randy was still running things that lift would have gotten controlled fast cause the guy is a machine and then it probably would have remained closed. The BBSP is a bit conservative when it comes to opening some avalanche terrain and the operating plan says in black and white that 9 takes lower priority.

They have been that way as long as I have known them and before 9 was built, there is nothing wrong with that. If there is a reason why #9 is closed I am pretty confident it is valid.

An explosive placed within Bridger Bowl Ski Area boundaries released an avalanche across most of the “Football Field” on Saddle Peak. The ski patrol DOES NOT mitigate avalanches outside ski area boundaries (i.e. Saddle Peak), conditions were such that inbounds mitigation also released an avalanche in the backcountry. This is the second large avalanche on Saddle Peak within a week; the first broke over 1000’ wide during last week’s storm (details). Skiers in the Flanders Drainage of Hyalite saw large natural avalanches that broke recently across ridgelines and through trees (details and photos). The Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered numerous hard-slab avalanches during their avalanche routes.

I will extend the patrols the benefit of the doubt, hard slab hunting is dangerous. I misread what looked like wind scoured snow at the top of Lenin's little gullies ( Otter Slide), pre-tram. It looked like the same strastrugi my partner and I had been booting up for the last hour and a half, scalloped and eroded and just more of the same. I skied out onto it and it felt solid enough that I was worried about edging. I made a kick turn and then a hop turn. When I finished the hop I felt like I was moving downhill even though my skis were across the fall line. That was when I saw I was on a small thin hard slab, 20 x 20' and maybe 8-10" deep. I skied over to the edge and off the slab and into a safe pile of rocks, The little slide went over the Lenin roller and in about 30 seconds a big dust cloud rolled out in front of us as most of Lenin proper went out 2' deep as a hard slab. We moved to the top of the Dictators and I put a double on a rope and lowered it while we stood on rock. It took all of #1 but 2A & B remained. They came out piecemeal and we were just about out of shots. We elected to pick our way down the bed surface in Lenin.


Hard slabs are freaking scary.

[singlesline]

They closed Chair 5 about 15 minutes after they closed the T-bar, so they just had chair 1 running. This did seem to allow for a quicker evac than the Chair situation.

That must have been a temporary stop (or they reversed the decision). My wife was in line for the T bar when it stopped and said she saw people skating away from 5 like it was closed on her way down (around 11:00), but I rode it a couple times between 11 and 12 and it was still running when I headed down.

And yeah...I was hearing that chair 2 might be down for the season which would be pretty rough, especially for the intermediate crowd.