Big Sky

The day was spent at Big Sky Montana.  The best way to describe is you drive up a valley to Big Sky mountain and the ski resort surrounds the peak.  Just breath taking.  The ski resort is so huge.  At the end we did a mountain comparison criteria and scored all the mountains.  Since neither of us skied Snowbird we will say David and Logan felt it was for the serious and skilled skier and loved it a bunch.  View the results at the end of today's content.

The parking lot (free) was massive and they had a similar setup to Taos with a truck pulling a wagon.  So much easier to get on and off.  The base has a huge lodge and several lifts to take you different directions.  There are two smaller bases on the left and right side of the mountains as well.

We elected the super chair to the left for the blue runs we could see.  The middle was hard to tell and you can't even see the right side.  The lift fit 6 riders with a bubble cover, foot rests and very comfy seats.  All most like a sports car with head supports.

Best Lifts of all

Bottom of double blue steep and wide run

Before lunch pose with Big Sky peak in the background

We skied here all morning as long double blue groomers.  All about speed and carving.

Then we took of the back to check out the blue and green runs and after two decided this side needed more snow to ski.  In the picture above, you can't see it, but like Jackson Hole there is a Tram to the peak for triple diamond runs.  We captured in later pictures the view from the mid point of the bowl.

Jeff headed to get a seat at the lodge and Drake a couple more runs.  Every run just about had a bathroom (similar to Jackson Hole), which really made things easy.  Upon entering the lodge it was a totally different experience.  No fighting for seating as first come first serve or reservation type restaurant setup.  You had hooks and cubbies for all your gear and then seated with the couch having pillows!!!!

We are just blessed - waiting for food

After lunch of Bison Chili and Gourmet Burger with truffle fries (Coors light in a glass) we headed back out to explore the middle blue runs and bowl.  Then headed out to the right side of the mountain to find the lift we needed would take another 20 minutes to get too and it was 3 o'clock.  We opted back to the base and ski the morning runs a few more times.

Lift to below the triple diamond runs - tram on the left.

Yes, that is a skier doing the hop jumps to get down

Panorama Picture - 180 degree view

Lift to 1/4 point of bottom bowl

Finally we crapped out and headed down to get our stickers and head home.  After cleaning up we headed to Bozeman, which has a very happening downtown night life.  Being Valentines night everything was booked and starting to fill up.  We lucked into a seat at the Bar at Ted's Montana Steak House (the first in MT as they started in Columbus, OH).  Old Fashion with Black Berry and Chocolate Bitters, yum, a bottle of one of Drake's favorite wines and steaks.  What a way to end the day and last part of the trip.


Back to the VRBO for a night cap of our new Rye Wyoming Distillery purchase and the last episode of the Fifty released.  A couple more to go when available.

Off to bed so we can get up and start the trek home.  All in one day or two, TBD.  As the host of the Fifty would say, we've planned, discussed and time to go until we decide its not a good thing to do.

Mountain Evaluation

In the end all the mountains were great and we would ski any of them.  If we had another trip with family Big Sky comes out on top.  Telluride a close second.  If we were going with just buddies, Telluride, Alta and Big Sky all come to mind.  If better snow, Jackson Hole is probably a do again and the town of Jackson probably the most fun.

Criteria
Skiing Terrain
Scenic
Parking
Mtn Amenities
Snow

Overall equals average of all scores = 

Taos - 4, 3, 4, 3.5, 3 = 3.5
Telluride - 5, 5, 3.5, 4, 4 = 4.3
Alta - 4, 3, 2, 2.5, 5 = 3.3
Brighton - 3.5, 2.5, 3.5, ,5 = 3.4
Solitude - 3, 2, 3, 2.5, 5 = 3.1
Deer Valley - 4, 3, 2.5, 3, 3.5 = 3.2
Jackson Hole - 3, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 3 = 3.4
Big Sky - 5, 4.5, 5, 4, 3.5 = 4.4

Skiing focus average of Skiing, Snow and Scenic =

Taos - 4, 3, 3 = 3.33
Telluride - 5, 5, 4 = 4.6
Alta - 4, 3, 5 = 4.0
Brighton - 3.5, 2.5, 5 = 3.67
Solitude - 3, 2, 5 = 3.33
Deer Valley - 4, 3, 4 = 3.66
Jackson Hole - 3, 3, 3 = 3.0
Big Sky - 5, 4.5, 3.5 = 4.33

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