Since the subject came up in another thread, I'm wondering who is thinking seriously of going to the gathering at Big Sky in late March.

I was at a gathering of a different group last season for my first skiing at Big Sky and had a great time. Can't wait to return. Also enjoyed Bridger. Made for a great warm up day. It was in Feb and there was a bit of fresh snow mid-week. Having blue sky the first few days was fine since the views from the top of the Lone Peak were amazing. Hoping the rocks will be covered more this time.

A few pics from Feb 2012. No, that is not my camera at the top of Lone Mtn. Second and third pics from my first run down Liberty, the easiest way down after riding the tram up. After that day, there was too much snow and/or wind so never got back there. Trees on Andesite Mtn.

I'm a definite maybe.


(Before JohnL says it - I don't actually ski, I just post reasonable-sounding things online. And the proof is: of the 3 or 4 Gatherings we've both been at, he's never seen me ski).

I'm a maybe definite. (Missed last year, but hit three other Gatherings in the past.)

Definitly possible .

Hah! I'm not sure about posting reasonable-sounding things online.

I've actually skied at least part of one run with Djop (in his various incarnations.) Maybe a few more? I met him at The Canyons in Utah about six years ago; I was milking one more ski day after my group left, he was skiing with a bunch of his friends. In maybe our first run down, the group lost Djop. Per his group: this happens all the time. Ended up skiing most of the day with his friends, never skied another run with him. IIRC, we met El Crush later on that day.

I'll certainly say that I've drunk more beers and shots with him than have skied runs.

You should keep the annual Mid Atlantic DCSki/Epic Ski Gathering on your radar. In the past, it was the weekend after President's Day (last year the weekend before because of the timing of the Tahoe gathering.) Blue Knob most years, Timberline last year, this year ??? JimK and Laurie Hill Crazie are the brains behind the operation. Maybe they'll chime in?

Never too early to start planning ski trips.

The Big Sky event with Epicski is not in my 2013 plans, but might like to try something with them in a future season. They are a fun bunch.

Hope to participate in the DCSki Gathering again in 2013, but haven't had a meeting of the minds yet on where. The weekend either before or after Pres Weekend is the likely date unless the consensus is for something different. It's foremost about good people, with good skiing being a close second.

I've seen you ski - at Whitetail and at Breckenridge during the 2011 Gathering(for 1/2 of a run!)

Enjoyed skiing Big Sky last Feb. with you and that same group
marz!

I'm a definite maybe as well, particularly if I can share a ride with Johnl and Jimmy again!

I may make it. Plans are still hatching but I'm leaning toward devoting this season's western road trip to MT and interior BC. I may even fly to Spokane and rent a AWD for a month. Driving across the plains gets less interesting with each repetition. I am tired of fighting UT powder locusts and am searching for: little known places that have > ~ 2000 vertical, lots of powder, and cheap if possible. I am thinking the NW corner of MT with Turner Mtn, Lost Trail Powder Mtn. And Whitefish (formerly Big Mtn.). I would also cross the border to do Red Mtn. And Whitewater. Not as ceap there but I've skied them and love them. Big Sky is a long way south from there but still attractive.

Can anybody enlighten me about Epicski? I googled and looked around some. Saw posts by JohnL and Mephitblue. I gather there are instructional clinics. Any tele? I guess there are demo opportunities but I'm afraid I am out of the demo business, having gotten rid of my alpine boots in favor of Dynafit. They work in alpine bindings and many race coaches use them for the same reason I do, comfort, but nobody will indemnify their use in alpine bindings. So, aside from the company, which would be great, would there be anything in epic ski for me?

Some brainstorming I shared with PJ and Mary a few months ago. A lot of driving though. Makes more sense for a month or so. What's the skiny on Turner Mtn and Lost Trail Powder Mtn?

Long Linky
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Spokane,+WA&daddr=Rossland,+BC,+Canada+to:Nelson,+BC,+Canada+to:Fernie,+BC,+Canada+to:Whitefish,+MT+to:Bozeman,+MT&hl=en&sll=49.188884,-117.279053&sspn=2.419825,6.696167&geocode=FRw31wIdgTgA-Snl57swXBieVDGx2YQL1sn83Q%3BFX7f7AIdvIP6-CnT8P6jkdpiUzH5ICDzcZMpoQ%3BFUwz8wIdDjkC-SlxuGscH7R8UzHCvCAWhlQAbQ%3BFS1f8wId50Yk-Skv-jy7jmtlUzFnoXlNlGnI7Q%3BFcSx4gIdn1gv-Sm17K8Uq2lmUzE-RjeIa3rKzA%3BFQQTuQId_YBh-SkTiLpPTERFUzGqYDv3ZND1Yw&oq=boze&mra=ls&t=m&z=7

Spokane, WA to Rossland, BC (Red Mountain)
Rossland, BC to Nelson, BC (Whitewater)
Neslon, BC to Fernie, BC (Fernie)
Fernie, BC to Whitefish, MT (Whitefish)
Whitefish, MT to Bozemann, MT (start of Epic trip)

Island Lake Snowcats near Fernie

Some links,

http://www.losttrail.com/

This was the home base of one of my VT friends when he wasq doing a post doc with USGS. He was always posting trip reports with pics of deep untracked powder. It didn't seem to matter if it had been 2 days or 2 weeks since last storm.

http://www.skiturner.com/
http://www.skiturner.com/hill-info.php

Highly recommended by one of my Seattle/Mt hood friends. They will open on weekdays for a big dump, or if you want to buy the Mtn. For a day for yourself and a few friends $2500.

No Big Sky Epic Gathering for me. My family is headed for Summit County, Co in early March, rooms and plane already booked. As for our local gathering. I think we should go back to the weekend after Presidents but I think we should start a new thread to discuss the details.

Me too. Still waiting for a few schedules to come out. I have a bit of a road trip in mind for the beginning of April if things line up.

These EpicSki "destination" gatherings are more about the people, the skiing and having fun. Last one in Tahoe there was a demo day, six peeps participated in a two day clinic, the rest of us skied. You'll find skiers from solid on mid-atlantic blues all the way up to OMG experts like JohnL and djop. No one skis alone though.

Thanks for the invite but that weekend I'm always busy setting up for the book fair at my daughter's school as the Co-Chair. Maybe in 2014 . . . she will be changing schools after this school year.

The default is -no- clinics. Structured clinics are based on proven demand (i.e. we know for a fact we will go and we want to work on xyz) and instructor availability. Informal tips and discussion are based on just showing up.

BTW - teleing in Dynafits - I see what you did there.

To further clarify what PJ wrote. In recent years, the Gathering group has been pretty large (~30+ each day, with ~70 attending at least one day during the Gathering.) Each day, the gang breaks up into smaller groups, generally 5-10 per group. Some of the attendees (/leaders) are among the most serious skiers you'll ever encounter. Many are instructors/coaches (some pretty high up) or otherwise work in the ski industry. For a lot of the non-industry folks like myself, skiing 40+ days a year is normal. So even without formal clinics, there is some serious talk about skis, skiing, technique, terrain, adventures, etc. Along with some serious talk on non-serious stuff. Plenty of happy hours, dinners, etc. Very, very good times.

But sometimes some impromptu coaching happens. The group I skied with @Breck two winters ago got treated to some guiding by Bob Barnes (PSIA Examiner), some videotaping, and some video analysis over beers at Happy Hour. Not a stick up his @$$ PSIA type, he can really rip and is incredibly graceful.

I'd say the main age range is 30 - 55, give or take. It is an older crowd, i.e. the real young hot shots who think they can appear on film generally don't bother hanging out with us "older" folks.

For those not following the updates in EpicSki about Big Sky, the latest news is that discounted lift tickets will be available for 3 days before and 3 days after the March 25-29 Gathering dates. $55 vs $89 regular window rate. But have to pre-pay in advance.

Also will have pre-paid discounted lifties for Bridger (25Mar) and Moonlight Basin (27Mar).

My travel plans are done. Adding a day at Grand Targhee on the way north from SLC. Starting in SLC because after Big Sky I'll be meeting up with my daughter at Alta Lodge for her spring break. Also, I'm going with a friend who lives in SLC.

I'll definitely be there!!! Patrolling at Big Sky this winter

How did you make that happen?

and to continue the clarification, Bob Barnes, mentioned above and Bud Heishman of Snowwind Sports conducted a "synergy" clinic during the first two days of this gathering for six of the attendees. MephitBlue took this clinic and i think he would agree that he changed his skiing more in those two days than in the four years we have skied together. Don't know if they'll do this in Big Sky or not but that's the other end of the spectrum as far as "coaching or clinics" goes.

Yes, I can confirm that those two days changed my skiing more than anything had changed it in 4 years. If you ever yet a chance to do a clinic with Bob and Bud, you should definitely do it.

For several beers this winter, I'll tell you one of the coaches who instructed Bob Barnes.

Heh. What would you reveal for brandy*?






*birth certificates on file in head office.

brandy- candy ina flask

Well, yeah.

I don't know if I could handle your brandy.

Well I think that's what he's counting on

I'm only on volunteer patrol. It was pretty easy. Just need your EMT-B certification.

Aah. Have fun!

Deadline for the pre-paid discounted lift tickets is March 1. Great deals if the Gathering week fits in your schedule.

Big Sky Ticket, per day March 22-April 1: $53 ($89)
Bridger Bowl Ticket for March 25: $41 ($49)
Moonlight Basin Ticket for March 27: $51 ($64)

Senior rate:
65+ at Moonlight
70+ Big Sky
70+ Bridger

For those flying into Bozeman, there is a special rate at a new La Quinta for Sat, Sun nights the weekend before Bears ski at Bridger on March 25.

Possible to get a 1-stop flight to Bozeman from DCA for $491 on Delta as of Nov. 3. Just for fun I checked a trip leaving Sun, March 24, returning Fri, March 29. That seems like a pretty good deal. Next price on Travelocity was over $600.