Weather was perfect with highs in the mid to low 30s and blue skies, except for a mid-week storm that delivered four inches of fresh powder. The lifts with heated seats and bubbles were great at keeping you cozy traveling uphill.
The morning after the snowfall
Will and
Chuck Smith headed over to the southern bowl where the Shedhorn 4 and Dakota 3 lifts operated. Arriving at the lift we discovered the resort operators cleaning the snow off the chair seats because the area had been closed the day before. The lifts were old, without safety bars. We noticed mostly untracked powder everywhere as we rode to the top. All runs were black diamond but the snow was so deep that a fall wasn’t any worry. In fact, one had to lean back upon the skis (or board in my case) and head nearly straight down to avoid bogging down in the powder. Completing three runs, we headed over to the Dakota lift. After our third return to the lift we discovered the line backed up 100 deep onto the adjoining hill. We made that our last run before heading back to the main resort area. We were toast!
Ronnie Triplett thought the skiing at Big Sky Resort was an A+, especially the Challenger, Shedhorn and Dakota lift areas. The Bowl at top of the Powder Seeker lift was pretty good also and enjoyed by a number of our group.
On Monday, The Spirit of the North Company picked up the
Roybals, the
Griffiths, and the
Longs from the Huntley for an afternoon of dog sledding. Each sled received 10 very energetic dogs, a quick lesson, and off we went! Half-way through, we stopped to give the dogs (and the mushers!) a rest break and were offered hot chocolate and cookies. It was a wonderful experience.
On Tuesday,
Jeannette,
Fred, the Longs, and the Griffiths went snowmobiling with Canyon Adventures on a bluebird day! It was a fun, basically uneventful day except when
Kevin Long got stuck in the snow, going up a hill. There is a video circulating around that you need to see to believe. Another group went on the same excursion a day later.
Teresa Lewin got too close to a tree and had to be dug out that day.
On Tuesday evening, our trip captain planned an elegant three course catered group dinner in one of the conference rooms at the Huntley. There was lots of chatting and laughter as we all assembled together and shared our trip experiences over a delicious dinner and dessert. Afterwards
Diana Roybal led the group in a fun "Left-Right" game, where everybody received a prize!
On Wednesday night, the Roybals, the Longs, and the Griffiths rode a snowcat up the mountain to a heated Yurt and enjoyed live music and a three course dinner. It snowed on the way up and the stars came out on the way back....a magical night!!
The last non-ski activity of the week was celebrating Diana Roybal's birthday on Friday February 10th, with a sleigh ride dinner through the woods to a cabin on Lone Mountain Ranch. There, the Roybals, the Griffiths, and the Longs were treated to a delicious three course meal and entertained by a singing cowboy!
The Huntley lodge offered several activities to enoy throughout the week, such as S'mores at the Huntley Mountain Side Patio, catching a movie, listening to live music at Montana Jack's or Carabiner Lounge, watching kids doing crafts at the Huntley Sunken Lobby, or participating in an Avalanche Dog Meet and Greet.
Big Sky Resort offered fantastic opportunities for boarders and skiers of all abilities. And snow, there was lots of it. The powder dump on Wednesday resulted in quite a rigorous workout for those who ventured out on the boards. Big Sky is a new favorite for many—it’s beautiful and there’s so much terrain.
The Huntley was enjoyed by all. The ski in/ski out option just out the side door to the Explorer 2 lift was convenient. You had plenty to eat at the buffet breakfast each morning to fuel up for the day’s activities. And who didn’t love the hot tubs and heated pool! Jeannette Carter even met a Miami Dolphins tackle one day in the hot tub. While dining options were fairly limited and expensive at the resort, a number of people reported very delicious and enjoyable dinners.
There were a couple knee injuries.
Leonard Credeur’s was minor, thankfully.
Tia Molchan, however, ended up on crutches for her trip home. She is healing well and as of this writing hasn’t needed any surgery.
Dorsey Wittig thought it was a great trip—great mountain, great snow, great ski valet, great lodging and great breakfasts. But he also pointed out there is a twinge of sadness as this trip ended. The club is of course aging and that was most evident as
Danny Taylor announced it was likely his last trip. It seems plausible that others may join him. While we are saddened with that announcement, the memories of all of the good years with him and others cannot be erased.
Of course the trip couldn’t run without something going wrong. The bus was late picking up the main group for the trip to the airport and the bus driver was clueless about how and where to load the mountain of luggage. (It was his first day on the job.) Thankfully our group were experienced travelers and pitched in to get it loaded. Also, Ronnie announced in the hotel lobby the morning we were departing for home that he had lost his wallet the night before. Jeanette was helpful in suggesting Ronnie find a prescription bottle with his name on it, which he did. With that and his IKON pass, Ronnie made it through TSA security! He arrived home to find his wallet in his luggage.
Overall, Big Sky was a great trip for all and a new favorite for many! Friends old and new enjoyed this trip.