BIG SNOW IN BIG SKY!!! December 24, 2008

Big Sky, Montana has the best snow regionally. Almost all of Big Sky resort’s lifts are up and running, including the famous Lone Peak Tram which brings skiers to the summit of Lone Peak at 11,166 feet. Skiers have the choice to ski down world class expert terrain, which is skiing fantastic right now, or they can ride back down the tram after experiencing once-in-a-lifetime views. Big Sky and Moonlight Basin have a wide variety of fun groomers and cruiser runs for those not wanting to “show off” their extreme skiing skills.

We have had several powder days so far making the 08-09 winter season start with a bang! Apparently Mother Nature hasn’t heard that this is a year of “meager spending”. Mother Nature has been more than generous with the heaps of snow she has delivered to us, here in Big Sky, MT.

The other day I began by day early with a piping hot cup of coffee in the Mountain Mall. I sauntered up to the Swift Current lift and gained my position for first chair. There is nothing quite like first chair on a powder day. Despite the cold spell we have been having, it was particularly warm that day, another charitable gift from Mother Nature. Once the tram opened and I skied down Marx. This run is the most perfect run for a powder day, it nice and steep at the top and then mellows as it widens. To be the first skier down Marx on a powder day is truly an un-matched experience. Typically this run has a small rock band at the top, which is easy to maneuver around, however with this year’s fantastic snow condition the rock band is barely visible. The locals are all amazed how incredibly well the mountain is covered so early in the season.

I went up the tram again, and decided to take Lenin down this time around. Lenin is very similar to Marx, but I can tell you it may have been even better than the first run of the day. Especially towards the bottom of the run, the snow was piled high and the wind groomed base below was smooth. This allowed for ideal ski conditions the whole way down. What a fabulous experience. I was giddy with delight and I sped onto the duck walk and headed back for more.

The lower mountain was also fantastic, I noticed many people exploring lines through the glades and reappearing with ear to ear smiles.

There is big snow in Big Sky! I highly recommend that you come and visit us this winter. Times may be tight, but nothing puts a smile on somebody’s face like skiing the most fantastic mountain in the country. If you want to save a few bucks, book a reservation at Buck’s T-4 (www.buckst4.com or 1-888-822-4484) in Big Sky. All rooms include a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. There are two large hot tubs to warm up in after a day on the slopes, a large game room and two fantastic restaurants. Call and let them know Erin sent you!

Also, January 2, 2009 “On the One” will play a live show at Buck’s T-4 in Big Sky. This will definitely be one of the best shows in Big Sky this winter. “On the One” is a well known funk, jazz and hip hop band. Tickets are only $10 and are available at Cactus Records in Bozeman, Buck’s T-4 Lodge in Big Sky, the Conoco Station in Big Sky or the Smoke N Wino in Big Sky. There is a complimentary shuttle after the show to take you home, or you can book a room at Buck’s T-4 for a special discounted rate.

I hope to see you all on the lifts, enjoying some play time in the powder and at the “On the One” show.

All yours until it snows again,

Erin

 

Big Sky Montana, the land of powder, and holiday cheer! December 17, 2008

The Holiday season is always fun in Big Sky, MT. I remember coming here to visit as a kid and watching the torch-light parade at Big Sky Resort. This popular annual event still takes place on the mountain each year. The ski school skis down a head wall towards the Huntley Dining Room where hundreds of onlookers peer out the large glass windows at the army of skiers carrying torches in the dark.

Big Sky has grown since those days and with growth has come many new events that make the Holiday season special.

The 12th Annual Madrigal Dinner was held at Buck’s as it is every year. This event is very popular among locals and many make it an annual tradition. The Montana State University Choir performs beautiful madrigal music, dressed in renaissance costumes. They put on a fantastic performance complete with a wassail toast and flaming pudding. The meal served was prime pork rib served with an elegantly prepared sliced apple sauce and pureed potatoes. This year’s Madrigal Dinner was a great success and we are already looking forward to next year.

Friday, December 12 Big Sky held it’s annual Christmas Stroll in the meadow village and Big Sky town center. Businesses served food, coktails and refreshments to hundreds of stollers. Special discounts and deals were offered at retail stores just for the night of the Christmas Stoll as well. It was so lovely watching as big snowflakes drifted down from the night sky and friends, neighbors and co-workers sauntered through the beautifully decorated streets and sidewalks in Big Sky. There was a large bonfire and a movie playing outside for everybody to watch. Teton Gravity Research’s latest film was featured. After the stroll, a funky and upbeat band called Archer’s Mobb played at Choppers and the adult crowd danced the night away. This event is truley gaining in popularity and it wonderful because it pleases people of all ages. This is my favorite Christmas event.

The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce held it’s annual fundraiser, The Boots and Belles Ball (formerly called the Cowboy Christmas Ball) on Saturday, December 13. Several local restaurants contributed to the delectable potluck buffet dinner. Afterwards 10 foot Tall and 80 Proof played for a dancin’, two-steppin’ crowd! The band was fantastic and definitly made everybody want to cut a rug on the dance floor.

Buck’s T-4 held it’s annual Community Holiday Party Tuesday evening, December 16. Many Big Sky locals showed up to meet our new Executive Chef, Todd Christensen. All were amazed by the delicious food he prepared. Todd created a beatuiful display of hors d’oeuvres including house smoked shellfish and fresh water fish with croustades and grain mustard aioli, brown sugar cured side of salmon with pine nuts and citrus butter, sliced pork loin with peaches & cream sauce, pot raost pasties with ginger (which were to die for) and for desert; truffles, red velvet cake and Russian Creme with raspberries. Everybody was impressed with Todd’s delicious cusisine. The party was a wonderful opportunity to meet members of the community and a chance to showcase Buck’s.

Enough about Holiday events…let’s get to the real good stuff….skiing!

We have had three wonderful powder days so far since our season began. There is nothing that makes me happier than stepping out of my front door and into a foot of fresh in my driveway. I walked up to the bearback Poma lift Saturday morning, which conveniently opens at 8:30 a.m. and skied down towards the base area. I was running late and got to the lifts 10 minutes before they opened. But I still had plenty of time to secure a prime position in line at the Swift Current lift. I loaded just a few chairs back from the first chair and opted to wait in line at the Triple lift.

As most of you powder skiers know, it is always a gamble on a powder day, you have to choose where to make thos first few precious runs. There is much to be taken into account when deciding.

Saturday morning the Lone Peak Tram was promised to open. Local skiers turned out for the event. Many of us raced to the triple lift immediately after unloading swift current. There was about a 20 – 30 minute wait at the triple that morning. I could have gone and skied the lower mountain first thing, but decided to wait at the triple because I felt my reward would be greater. Once the triple lift opened the weather had started to become frigid, which marked the begining of a rather  chilly spell. (Which we are still experiencing). Most people headed off directly to the Lone Peak Tram, but I decided to ski the Bowl and get in some quality powder skiing. I didn’t wait for the tram because on the first day, you never know how long it will take. Also the weather was so severely cold that I couldn’t stand in the elements without moving around and keeping warm.

My decisions paid off, I made an incredible first few runs in the Bowl carving out fresh tracks through the virgin snow. Next I scooted over to the Challenger lift, where I was far from disappointed. I was greeted by still un-tracked snow and perfect conditions. By the time I took a run over there I was thoroughly frozen so I sped back to the Mountain Mall where I met up with some friends and quickly warmed up. We headed back up the mountain to the Tram which had just opened. As we popped on our skis on at 11,166 feet on top of Lone Peak we noticed how wonderfully everything was covered. We skied Liberty Bowl without a hitch and managed not to hit any rocks. It was amazing coverage for early season, or mid-season for that matter. There was an intense inversion, so skiing the tram was the warmest run I took all day. Afterwards we hit the middle road and skated back to the base area. Despite the cardio-vascular work-out down middle road, we were all freezing cold once we reached teh base area, so we went inside to MR Hummers for some delicioius soup for lunch, and of course, Hummers shots!

After lunch we skied some more runs and the snow remained fun, and in great condiditon. Eventually the cold chased us back inside. We once again found ourselves at Hummers drinking Baileys and coffee, draught beers and cocktails!

What a fantastic pow day. I look forward to the many more to come.

Happy Holidays and Happy Winter!

May the Force be with you,

Erin

Lifts Open at Big Sky – Buck’s T-4 offers KILLER Deals! December 2, 2008

Welcome back to the Buck’s Blog. I am happy to be back writing about the Big Sky area and everything going on around here. Since the month of December brings so many events, I will try to keep my chatter to a minimum.

Big Sky Resort opened the Swift Current and Explorer lifts November 27 on Thanksgiving Day. Early season conditions exist, but that didn’t stop all the local skiers. Everybody seemed overjoyed to be back on the mountain skiing and seeing friends again. Lift tickets are $39.

I decided to take advantage of the backcountry on Thursday. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I couldn’t pass up an invitation to ski Beehive Basin with some friends. We headed out early when the thermometer read only 11 degrees. It didn’t take long for the sun to warm the earth and before I knew it I was stripped down to just my thermal shirt and snow pants. We had about a 2 hour skin up to the top of the ridge between Beehive and Middle Basin. We took a fantastic run through what felt like mid-winter powder snow into Middle Basin. Then hiked back up to ski a couloir that lead us back into Beehive. We certainly earned our Thanksgiving dinners that night. I could not have asked for a more spectacular holiday.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday I skied Big Sky Resort. It was wonderful to talk to everybody on the lifts and in the bar about the skiing. I can’t tell you that I was skiing the best powder of my life, but I was having almost as much fun. The whole mountain seemed to buzz with ecstatic skiers and snowboarders just happy to be back on snow.

The free week for Big Sky Frequent Sky Card holders began Sunday, November 30 and will go through Saturday December 6, 2008. Buck’s T-4 offers $99/night for single or double occupancy for all Big Sky Frequent Sky Card holders. So if any of you don’t feel like driving back to Bozeman, Livingston, Butte, Gardiner, Bismark or any of the other surrounding areas, we invite you to be our guest! Also all winter long any Big Sky Resort lift ticket holder receives a 15% discount on lodging here at Buck’s.

Don’t feel left out if you are a Moonlight Basin skier. Moonlight Basin is scheduled to open December 12, 2008. Buck’s offers fantastic ski & stay packages for Moonlight, as low as $79 per night per person.

Here is my ‘dirtbag skier tip of the day’; If you are a college student log onto www.buckst4.comand check out some student discounts offered for both lodging and food for you at Buck’s. If you are a MSU student (or even if you are a student elsewhere) get a hold of that MSU Pocket Guide and clip the coupons for DIRT CHEAP DEALS!!!

December holds so many events in Big Sky. I personally am looking forward to attending a wine tasting with gourmet hors d’oeuvres this Friday at Buck’s. It’s only $15 per person and is a screaming deal for 6 wines paired with elegant food.

Also on Friday, December 5 it is $20 day at Big Sky Resort. This is the cheapest day to ski all season long!

The ever so popular Madrigal Dinner will be held at Buck’s on December 8, 2008. This is a holiday tradition in Big Sky. The MSU choir sings, there is a fantastic plated dinner, wasail toast and more. This is one of the more elegant events happening this December.

One of my favorite Christmas events is the Christmas Stroll around BIg Sky. Local businesses offer spectacular deal, there are activities for kids, and a beer stroll for adults. It is a great time to meet and greet friends and neighbors. I even heard a rumor that Santa will be there!!!!

Also the Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday ball, the Boots and Belles Ball is December 13, 2008. This is a fantastic event that proves to be even better this year. Not only will there be the buffet dinner which features dishes from many local restaurants, but ‘10 Foot Tall and 80 Proof’ will be playing. I can’t wait to dance by boots right off my feet! The Boots and Belles Ball will be held at Buck’s T-4.

The Buck’s T-4 Community Holiday Party is December 16, 2008. This is a fabulous event, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and tons of Big Sky locals. I got a sneak peak at the menu and I have to tell you it looks delectable. I can’t wait. Every year is so much fun seeing friends I haven’t seen since last winter. The best part is the free food!

December 20 Big Sky Resort has a rail jam called R.U.S.T.

Buck’s T-4 offers a $99/night rate (single or double occupancy) for anybody attending any special events in Big Sky through the month of December. All the events are listed on our website www.buckst4.com

Sorry to sound so much like a marketing girl! But I just had to let everybody know what is going on this month in Big Sky.

Think snow! I will see you on the slopes.