Montana

sheet...i wish...how is it up there? what mountain?

We need a dump soon... when you heading out to bridger next MT?

Yarp

360 B-Town Washington

Originally posted by J_bell84 Booked a trip to Whitefish in Feb. I've heard from friends it awesome. Anyone else been? Are there some decent off trail/tree runs?

To be honest I've never really shopped around up there but the prices will definitely be better than what you are used to up in Canada... plus there is no sales tax.  I'm not really sure what the exchange rate is currently at either so that might be something you will want to look into.  From Kalispell up to the parking lot at the mountain is about a half hour I would say.  As far as bars go in Kalispell, i haven't really partied there too much.. don't think the scene is that great.  Downtown Whitefish is a blast however... lots of fun bars and a really good brewery.  

Hey Venom, how is Bridger for a snowboarder?  I've heard it's like SnowBowl, lots of flats connect the runs.

MT - What are some family-friendly resorts?  I have a 7 and 5 year old and we're looking at a ski/snowboard trip next year instead of DisneyWorld.  Especially now that I'm converting my wife from a life-long skier to snowboarding (she has experienced what she calls the "dark side" and likes it, win for me).

Ladies & Gentlemen, it is time to resurrect the Montana thread.  

Anyone hittin up pocket-park this year?

Thinking about a trip to Montana this winter, probably over the Feb school break.  I've never been to Montana, so any suggestions?

Night life is optional, ski-out condos are a must, and some terrain variety would be great.  Looking for good tree riding, don't care about the terrain park, and some laid-back groomers would be nice for the beginners in the group.

Would for sure be willing to meet up with people if there is interest but we won't have firm dates for a while until everyone gets their calendars organized.

Well, I use the term ski-out loosely...willing to walk a bit to the lifts, but having to drive to the hill just doesn't work well with a large group of people.

Originally posted by MTpow Originally posted by fishkur Well, I use the term ski-out loosely...willing to walk a bit to the lifts, but having to drive to the hill just doesn't work well with a large group of people. like i said... your options are very limited in montana as most places are more the mom n pop type...aside from big sky, moonlight, and whitefish.

Hmm, guess things are run differently there than I'm used to.  Thanks for the input.


While we're on the topic, if you had to pick a hidden gem out of the mom & pop hills, what would it be?

Originally posted by MTpow yah there isn't really much development at any of the resorts aside from those 3... Whitefish might be a good option for you as there is plenty of places to stay on the mtn..however you can also stay down in town and catch the bus up and back each day (10-15 minute ride)... works out pretty slick plus the lodging is cheaper in town.  Not sure how you were planning on getting here but flying into Spokane and renting a car will probably be cheaper than flying into Montana.. just something else for you to consider. With big sky and moonlight, once you are there you are kinda stuck as there isn't much around them outside the base areas.

For the big group trip we'd stick with one of the main resorts and stay on the hill.  We're driving from Saskatchewan, Canada.

I wouldn't be opposed to a second trip with a smaller group that is more mobile and able to drive from a nearby town...this option makes me curious about some of the smaller hills.

Originally posted by JDiggidy IMO, the smaller hills are where it's at.  Don't get me wrong, Big Sky & Big Mountain (whitefish), are huge and awesome... but it's the little guys that really shine out here.  For example: Bridger Bowl outside of Bozo is a non-profit, and it POOOOORS money back into itself.  Discovery (one of my favorites) outside of Anaconda and Georgetown Lake is a small locally owned hill that boasts some of the steepest and gnarliest double blacks you'll find.   It's one of the best things about riding in MT; no one with a brain hates on anyone else's mountain.  EDIT to clarify: Discovery is small as in no crowds, no fancy amenities, and cheap tickets.

Disco is super fun when they get snow.. its pretty low elevation but when its good..its really good.  Last year on Sunday of opening weekend I was crushing knee to waist deep runs all day long and there was NOONE there!  They just kept dropping the ropes on more and more terrain as the day went on.  The backside definitely boasts some of the steeper terrain in the state and they are looking to expand in the upcoming years.  Bridger is one of my favorite mtns in the state for sure... closer to Bozeman than big sky and a way chiller vibe.  Bridgers ''Cold Smoke'' will take you from 6 to midnight when you make your first slash.  Another fun small spot to check out is Lost Trail nestled right on the MT-ID border.  They get some amazing snow and the crowds are non-existent.. much like Disco.. hell.. much like every small hill in the state...

That being said... everyone should go ride in Utah, California and Colorado ;)

Originally posted by MTpow Disco is super fun when they get snow.. its pretty low elevation but when its good..its really good.  Last year on Sunday of opening weekend I was crushing knee to waist deep runs all day long and there was NOONE there!  They just kept dropping the ropes on more and more terrain as the day went on.  The backside definitely boasts some of the steeper terrain in the state and they are looking to expand in the upcoming years.  Bridger is one of my favorite mtns in the state for sure... closer to Bozeman than big sky and a way chiller vibe.  Bridgers ''Cold Smoke'' will take you from 6 to midnight when you make your first slash.  Another fun small spot to check out is Lost Trail nestled right on the MT-ID border.  They get some amazing snow and the crowds are non-existent.. much like Disco.. hell.. much like every small hill in the state... That being said... everyone should go ride in Utah, California and Colorado ;)

Great info!  We usually head to BC but some MT hills are roughly the same driving distance (10-12 hrs) so I'd like to try something different.

Bridger sounds perfect...and it helps that Bozeman seems to be one of the closest destinations too.  Definitely going to check into it some more so thanks for tips!

UT, Cali, and CO are on the "someday list"  Most of the group can't afford the extra cost of flights so we try to split costs as much as can.

New to the site and I had to post in the Montana thread. Transworld's top snow mountain list was hating on Montana so I had to say awesome, the best thing about Montana mountains is the lack of crowds and being off that list helps that fact that we don't even exist. Warren Miller knows what's up in Big Sky though. I'm a Big Mountain rider myself (Whitefish Mountain now). I'm glad to see it all over this thread. Still praying for snow like last year. Cheers.

Sniff- Man i shoulda looked in here recently.. was just up shredding in the fish over NYE... next time...

Originally posted by fishkur And to anyone that reads this: If you're in Bozeman Feb 19-23 feel free to msg me and meet up for a ride or a beer. Also, if any generous locals feel like guiding me around the ridge, the beer's on me!

They have piep testers hanging in the lift line and they make u beep them to your piep before they let you on the chair..so yea they check.  There's some gnarly shit up there so if you do end up up there and there aren't tracks in an area there's probably a good reason.. like a huge cliff out... i've got a buddy that teaches up there so maybe he'll be down to show u around if he doesn't have anything going on

you can hike it too but F that.

Originally posted by fishkur Hahaha...I'm no stranger to hiking but I gotta say that having a backcountry lift makes hoofing it seem like a helluva lotta work.

Sounds like an awesome time fishkur.  The only detail you left out was which Mt. you hit.

where is Montana anyway?

Isn't Montana part of Canada, eh?