Sunshine skiing in Big Sky! January 20, 2009

Wacky weather doesn’t even begin to explain it! After a rather cold December with plentiful snow we have experienced a week of blue bird skies and sunshine skiing here in Big Sky. The temperatures have risen and skiers have traded in their goose down and face masks for light shells and Ray Ban sunglasses. Looking around the mountain today I could have mistaken it for 1987 at times. I spotted a man on a mono board with a bright, multi-colored neon jacket and Ray Bans, a gal with permed hair and a headband and the ever so popular stretch pants with a puffy colorful jacket look. It was a nostalgic blast from the past, and a welcome one at that. It seems the sunshine always encourages skiers to dress a little wacky and act a little crazy too. It must be the correlation between spring skiing parties and festivals and the warm weather that excites them.

Today I took out a friend’s telemark skis to try them out and see how they performed. They answer to my question was that they performed great, Atomic Teledaddy’s. I started the day by lapping the wind groomed and ever-so-smooth bowl. It was the best bowl skiing I have done all year. I didn’t even feel as if the skis were gliding across the ground as I sailed on what felt like air all the way down to lift again. I am pretty sure skiers and snowboarders were clocking record times today all over the mountain. It was fast and smooth! Next I headed up the Lone Peak tram to Marx, which was skiing similar to the bowl. I am not a telemark skier, but skiing Marx in such ideal conditions made me feel like an old pro.

Although I think everybody in Big Sky enjoyed the break from winter storms, cloudy days and vicious winds; we are ready for more! And it looks as if we are going to get it. The weather report shows that the clouds will be rolling in Thursday and temperatures begin to drop little by little starting tomorrow. Snow is in the forecast in the upcoming week!

Here’s to Ullr…

Erin

 

“Powder & Wine”; Steele Winemaker’s Dinner at Buck’s T-4. Snow Continues to Fall in Big Sky. January 13, 2009

 

I’ve heard the expression, “Montana Cold Smoke” to describe the beautiful quality snow we are lucky enough to get here in Big Sky. Montana Cold Smoke is powder so light that when your rip through it and it flies in the air it turns into smoke, it is so weightless. I have also heard “Champagne Powder” used to describe the same idyllic phenomenon. But have you ever heard of “Wine and Powder”?

“Wine and Powder” is certainly a non-traditional pairing, not like Cabernet and Steak. “Wine and Powder” is a new wine pairing that is quickly generating a large fan base and I am one of them.

Sunday began as spectacular as many days have in Big Sky this winter.  After calling 995-5900 (Big Sky) and 993-6666 (Moonlight) I heard the cheerful voice of the snow reporters; “Good morning Big Sky, this is your 6 a.m. snow report for Sunday, January 11 and there is plenty to report. It’s going to be another powder day…”

I leaped out of bed and grabbed my long johns, capeline and fleece, none of which have been washed in nearly a week. Un-washed ski clothing that reeks of long days spend enjoying steep slopes and sacred snowflakes can make you dizzy that early in the morning, but there is no time to worry about it on a powder day.

The higher I rose on the mountain the deeper the snow became. I lapped the dictator chutes at Big Sky, which I found to be ideal with their steep beginnings and thigh deep turns towards the end. First transition was skiing as good as I have ever seen it, and escorted me to a glorious apron of virgin snow, a powder skiing dream.

But the day was going to get even better, yes it can get better. After getting my fill (if that is ever possible) of superb Montana skiing, I hurried off to Buck’s T-4 for the annual Steele Winemaker’s Dinner.

Jed Steel the owner and winemaker of Steele Winery was at Buck’s for a special 6 course meal paired with his very fine wines. Jed Steele began his wine career in the early 70’s and is one of the biggest names in the industry. Over the years many big name wine makers have gone to him for advice. Jed Steele himself if a quiet, shy and humble man. His winery produces small batches of good wine. But there is not a hint of pretentiousness in Jed. He is a kind and down to earth man who happens to be an extremely talented winemaker.  

The new Executive Chef at Buck’s, Todd Christensen whose vast culinary experience is only out-weighed by his creativity in the kitchen created a nothing less than impressive menu for the dinner. Todd who is somewhat of a history buff, themed the dinner around Lewis and Clark’s journey. Highlights of the dinner included a grilled Rocky Mountain venison chop with huckleberry sauce served with a bacon, morel mushroom and goat cheese potato gratin. This course was served with Steel Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon.

Another great highlight of the evening was a Portable Oxtail Soup with cornmeal and caramelized onion dumpling. This was paired with Steele Black Bubbles which is a sparkling Syrah.

My personal favorite of the evening is when Jed brought out a 97 Late Harvest Steele Chardonnay desert wine. This was truly a divine experience.

I enjoy coming to these dinners so much, not just to be able to speak with a winemaker and taste exceptional quality food and wine, but also to see friends I already know in the community and make new ones.

I was lucky enough to sit with a couple that just happened to be in town this week. They have been to Montana before and always return to Buck’s whenever they are in town. We appreciate them coming in each year to Buck’s and are always happy to welcome them. The couple also stayed at Chico Hot Springs which is a few hours away. They stayed in a cabin which has been dedicated to Steele Wines, called the Shooting Star cabin. After their stay at Chico they have become fans of Steele wines and have been wanting to learn more about the label. The couple was ecstatic to learn of Buck’s T-4’s Steele wine dinner.

I printed extra flyers and menus for them as they wanted to frame them. I was so pleased to see how happy they were and everybody else in the community Sunday night.

“Wine and Powder” an un-beatable combination. Sunday, January 11, 2009 will go down in the history books as an enormously remarkable day.

Cheers,

Erin

Old Man Winter Sighted at Big Sky, Montana! January 6, 2009

The elusive, sometimes ruthless and certainly infamous Old Man Winter has been sighted spending his days in Big Sky, Montana. Old Man Winter has been known to blow some wind around the beautiful and immense Lone Mountain. “The winds tend to vary quite a bit from one area of the mountain to another”, reports Ski Bunny, a regular local skier at Big Sky. “Over all the skiing is magnificent, but I recommend a neck gator or face mask” she adds. Luckily for skiers, cold weather brings in light and fluffy snow ideal for powder skiing, which Big Sky and Moonlight skiers have been doing a lot of so far this year. “Montana Cold Smoke is what we call that light powder snow” Ski Bunny explains.

Temperatures have begun to rise, but skiers are still experiencing cold days. “There is no doubt that Old Man Winter is here!” exclaimed skiers as they bundled up for the day. Old Man Winter is certainly being blamed for such unrelenting low temperatures. The general sentiment in Big Sky is that they love winter, but wish that Old Man Winter would lighten up on the wind and freezing cold weather. On the contrary Frosty the Snowman raves about Old Man Winter’s visit to Big Sky. “I am his biggest fan! I hope he never leaves, melting is such a drag” says Frosty.

The weather has created high avalanche danger. Be very careful if you decide to venture beyond controlled areas. The skiers at both Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin are very lucky to have a well trained, experienced and a meticulous ski patrol staff making the mountain safe for all skiers. “Patrol has been painstakingly thorough making sure every aspect of this mountain is secure, I have seen them digging multiple pits and the bombing has been plentiful” says Ski Bunny.

“Despite the wintry weather, I have had a great time skiing in Big Sky this year. Overall I have to say these are some of the best ski conditions I have seen during Christmas in years” says Joe Skier, who has been visiting Big Sky for over 19 years.

When Old Man Winter was approached with questions about the extreme temperatures and profuse winds,  he woefully explained that his job is much harder than most people realize, and making the weather ideal for all is an intricate balance with many uncontrollable factors. “I am doing the best I can, but with global warming and Mother Nature on my back all the time I can only do so much. I am only one mythical man!” he stammered. ”Has anybody thought to blame Jack Frost?” Old Man Winter asks.

Jack Frost has been alleged to be skiing Moonlight Basin and Big Sky. Rumors of his presence have not been confirmed. 

Overall skiers are happy to be out on the Mountain and with the right gear and generous layers, everybody seems to be having a great time. M.R. Hummers is full of chilly skiers warming up. “Just the other day I saw Old Man Winter himself enjoying a Hummer shot and an Irish Coffee” says Ski Bunny. Seems as if even Old Man Winter enjoys a break from the cold.

Stay warm,

Erin