Montana ski and ice?

[Jim]

I off to Whitefish MT for work and play next week via a stop in Bend (long story). I've never skied at Big Mt. and would appreciate any info on BC routes off the chairs - I have tele gear and don't mind a good tromp to get to good powder. Also - I've never been to this part of MT so if I'm there a week is it worth taking the ice gear to hunt something up within a couple hours of Whitefish?

[specialed]

From what I've heard there isn't much snow or ice up there yet. Probably more ice than snow. There's world class ice in Glacier NP but most of it requires long approaches and is fairly committing. Low snow year means good access though. Check out the Big Sky Ice book by Ron Brunckhort. Its got a bunch of glacier ice and other stuff. Have fun bro, Whitefish is a good time all people do there is ski and drink. And go to the Great Northern bar.

[jdog]

Grew up in Whitefish. Place rules. Heading back there in a couple of weeks myself. I just talked to the family last night and there currently is a lack of snow. The only thing open on the mountain is the backside. You better have your rockers if you want to be doing some skiing. If you are interested in some in bounds skiing that is always good, head to east rim and stay high, dropping off the backside of east rim. There are plenty of other good stashes as well in bounds. Or if want you can head out of bounds over in the west bowl area. There are so few people skiing at the big that I would say it is not worth hiking for turns because it never gets skied out if you know where to go. If you want some more info pm me and i will try to set you up. If they don't get a dump soon though you will be SOL. Sorry don't have any info on ice climbing up in the park.

 

For sure hit the Northern while you are there. Place is always rockin on the weekends.