Wander the West

Skiing Big Mountain

	It is BIG

February 2007

The bulk of my 2007 ski road trip was spent at Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana. I had selected this resort because of its propensity for daily new snow and the fact that it really is “big”. Whitefish has long been a skiing destination due largely to the fact that the Northern Pacific Railroad lines run smack through it. This has brought people to that area from as far away as southern California and makes an overnight trip from Oregon or Washington a piece of cake in a comfortable sleeper car. One can still board an Amtrak in Portland, OR or Seattle, WA and after a few cocktails in the bar car sleep through the night and wake to skiing the next day.

The mountain itself is amazing in its size. It is every bit the ‘big resort’ without the pretentious patrons. We skied 3 days mid-week and never waited in a lift line. The upper portion of the mountain opens up and presents you numerous opportunities for glade skiing like I’ve rarely seen. On a powder day I seriously doubt that anyone could ski all day and cut the same tracks twice. Unfortunately (as is my lot in life) the powder gods again frowned on me and I had to stick to the groomed runs as there had been no new snow in about 6 days. A mild freeze-thaw had occurred several days before our arrival and the off piste skiing was sketchy at best. But this is where I was surprised by Big Mountain. Of all the ski resorts I have ever been to (and there are a few) Big Mountain had the best grooming……by far. It was perfect. I’m talking peach skin perfect. Smooth IPA perfect. Grip it and rip it perfect. We spent about 15 hours total trying to rip the skin off of our faces using air molecules; it was that good. I highly recommend a trip to Big Mountain regardless of the conditions. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks Big Mountain for hiring cat drivers who care. Maybe next time I’ll get to try that endless powder thing I keep hearing about.

- Eric Davis