CARVE DECEMBER 2015
Y O U R G U I D E T O W I N T E R R E C R E AT I O N I N S O U T H W E S T M O N TA N A
RIDING OUT EL NINO PLUS
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TRACKING EL NINO’S UNPREDICTABLE INFLUENCE ON AREA SKI HILLS MOUNTAIN MANNERS: PROPER ETIQUETTE ON THE SKI HILL t CLASSIC LINE: TOPPING OUT ON BLACK MOUNTAIN t SAFETY FIRST: BRUSHING UP ON AVALANCHE SKILLS TO START THE SEASON t
A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E B O Z E M A N D A I LY C H R O N I C L E
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GET BACK TO YOUR LIFE
When it comes time to hit the slopes, it might become time for you to seek orthopedic care. Trust the pros at Bridger Orthopedic to get you back to your active, pain free life. At Bridger Orthopedic we have the best team of doctors you can nd; each board certi ed and sub-specialty trained to provide you with the best care. They are dedicated to getting you back to the Montana lifestyle you love! We strive to provide you with the best possible care so you can get back to your life— whether it’s on the slopes, on the job, or on the go.
Find us on Facebook at Bridger Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
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CARVE YOUR GUIDE TO SOUTHWEST MONTANA SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
EDITOR/DESIGN/PHOTOS Chris Kerr CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jason Bacaj, Doug Chabot, Terry Cunningham, Sean Forbes, Dr. Mike Ferrell, Parker Gabriel, Kim Ibes, Karin Kirk and Dr. Alex LeGrand
CARVE is published once a month from December to February by Big Sky Publishing. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION contact the Bozeman Daily Chronicle at 587-4491.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS are welcome and can be submitted to Chris Kerr at 582-2643 or ckerr@dailychronicle.com
ON THE COVER: A skier rips a turn down The Bowl at Big Sky in early December.
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FIRST TRACKS
WHAT’S YOUR ‘DREAM’ RUN? Often times if I’m having a hard time falling asleep, I’ll try and drift off while thinking of a “dream” ski run. It usually
starts by imagining a familiar snowfield. The air around me turns dead silent and everything is calm and still. Sitting below lies one of the most beautiful sights on Earth — a glistening field, blanketed with pristine snow waits beneath my ski tips. Usually these “dream” lines take me to the rolling terrain off the Bridger Ridge or the nearby slopes of Saddle Peak. Other times, I’ll skip over to Big Sky for some powdery Tram runs with a few friends. These Big Sky lines always come with “free refills” as wind-driven snow fills in our tracks from the previous run. Dozing off to the steady rhythm of cross-country skiing in Yellowstone National Park also works for me, too. Kicking and gliding down YNP trails is always an adventure, since you really never know what you may run into. Wolf tracks, bull elk and even the occasional fox can usually be found skirting the hillsides next to most ski trails. Other times bison are spotted, wallowing through the deep snow as they wander near hot springs or geysers misting their warm steam into the sub-zero air. All these real-life ski experiences can help make for some sweet dreams indeed. Getting back to reality, I recently asked a few employees at local ski shops to share their favorite ski lines and also their ‘dream’ gear choices as well. The question was pretty simple: If you could walk out of the store with any piece of gear you sell, what would you take and where would you go? Their selections can be found on the next few pages and who knows, hopefully some of that gear just may help you find your own “dream line” this season. u — Chris Kerr
Living the dream in Yellowstone National Park. CHRIS KERR/PHOTO
AWARD WINNING
HANDCRAFTED
BEERS
P R O U D LY E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 9 8
101 MARCUS | HAMILTON, MT | 406.363.7468
W W W. B I T T E R R O O T B R E W I N G . C O M
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Bindings-Rome Katana $319.95 Rome designed the Katana as a lightweight freeride binding that is comfortable and totally adjustable. The strap anchors swing on a cam for micro-adjustment and the padding can be flipped to alter stiffness. BRAAAPPPP!
SNOWBOARD GEAR
JAY MOORE WORLD BOARDS OWNER
Years riding: 32 Ski pass at: Bridger Bowl & Big Sky Favorite thing to do on a snowboard: FAST, BIG TURNS IN DEEP, STEEP POWDER!! Best/deepest run of your life: In late December 2003, at Bridger it snowed for 4 days straight. At one point, 2 days after the record 71”, 24 hour snowfall, Coops & I hiked and rode the 4th finger. At one point I was blind for 5 seconds. And watching Coops later that day “moleing,” like in the cartoons, under the snow disappearing and reappearing etc. Next level deep! What do you love most about riding: Being with family and friends enjoying this gift. Snowboard run on your bucket list? Something big in AK. What song would you listen to on your dream run? I like to be in the elements hearing and feeling them and talking with friends, so I ride without headphones. Favorite quote/words to live by: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” — Jesus
Mitts-Celtek Bitten by a Mitten Pink Floyd $54.95 Being comfortably numb is often painful. Whether a crispy day at Bridger or riding on the dark side of Big Sky (Moonlight) those digits can get chilly. The Pink Floyd colab graphic lets you know Gilmour and the boys approve.
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Helmet-Bern Watts $119.95 The Bern Watts helmet is chosen by many since it is a dependable helmet for the money. PROTECT YOUR HEAD!! Board-Loaded Algernon $669.95 A secret no longer, the Loaded Algernon is a product of 10 years research and building. The bamboo core and sidewalls render this deck snappy. With innovative cork sheets at the feet under bindings this freeride gem smoothes out the chatter. Try our demo.
Goggles-Dragon X2 $219.95 The Dragon DX2 goggle works in all conditions. The rimless design sheds snow easily so wipers from multiple face shots are not needed.
Neck Gator-Avalon 7 & World Boards colab $19.95 Avalon 7 is an extension of the heart and soul of Rob Kingwill, US Open and North Face Masters champion and World Boards longest-standing team rider and friend. Headwear and facemasks are the specialty and Avalon 7 shows off his artistic abilities and flair. This simple neck tube has a design collaboration with our store including our logo and the Bridger Mountains.
WORLD BOARDS STOCKING STUFFERS
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SNOWBOARD TUNE KIT 1. Burton Tri Scraper 2. SVST Arkansas Stone 3. One Ball Dude Wax
4. DaKine Torque Driver 5. One Ball Flouro Wax 6. World Boards State outline sticker 7. One Ball Brass finishing brush
Boots-Nitro Select TLS $349.95 Nitro boots fit great out of the box. With a Vibram sole and removable tongue stiffener the Select has versatility that until now was only dreamt about.
Backpack-DaKine Baker $79.95 The Baker pack by DaKine is the go to daily driver. It has a lightweight yet durable build and enough size at 16 liters to hold BC gear, water, a layer and some lunch. It is exactly what many Bridger and Big Sky riders want.
Pants- Volcom Rain Gore Bibs $379.95 Jacket-Volcom Guide Gore jacket $499.95 The Volcom Guide jacket and bibs have a great fit since they were designed by professional guides who practically live in their gear. The Gore Tex fabric and build ensures the most waterproof yet durable garment possible.
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WOMEN’S DOWNHILL SKI GEAR
MICHELLE POTTS
Oakley Airbrake, Prizm Rose lens $240 Prizm lenses are the new way to see everything you DON’T want to hit ... comes in various frame options!
ROUND HOUSE SOFT GOODS BUYER/MANAGER
Smith Vantage $219.95 Wear a helmet! It’s the cheapest form of insurance!
Salomon Q-103 Stella $599.95 I've skied on a variety of different skis and have found these to be the most versatile, all day, everyday ski ... and the prettiest top sheet! Demo them at the Mountain Round House. Suggested bindng: Salomon Z-12 TI $179.95
Years riding: 17 Ski pass at: Bridger Bowl Favorite terrain to ski: Big mountain Best/deepest run of your life: Last winter, I skied with my little brother (while he was home from college) four days before Christmas. We made our way to the end of Hidden Gully (he typically doesn’t like to hike, mind you), skied down a super icy Hidden, headed into The Apron, and skied waist-deep powder, whoopin’ and hollerin’ the entire way down. Definitely a highlight to my years of skiing!
Mammut Nirvana Flip 18L $119.95 Patagonia Piolet Jacket $299.95 Two-Layer breathable Gore Tex option, built with a quiet, soft-hand outer shell. Perfect for layering down or synthetic jackets and toasty baselayers underneath.
What do you love most about riding? The community of skiers and snowboarders that’s created Ski run on your bucket list? Vallee Blanch in Chamonix, France
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Favorite quote: “Never tell me the odds.” — Han Solo
STOCKING STUFFERS FOR MOGUL MITES
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Black Diamond Ankhiale Mitt $139.95 These are the warmest mittens I have ever put my hands in. You could be comfortable on the slopes in these or even walking your dog!
Patagonia Down Sweater $229.95 This is the perfect and one of our best selling 800-fill down options for keeping the heat in on those frigid Montana days. It is also a lighter, more packable option for those of us that tour in the backcountry.
Patagonia Powder Bowl Pant $299.95
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Two-layer breathable Gore Tex option, with an articulated fit for movement up and down the slopes. Perfect match with the Piolet Jacket.
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1. Darn Tough Kids Socks 2. Phunkshun Fleece Face Mask 3. Turtle Fur Balaclava
Salomon X Max 110 $599.95 Best out of the box fitting boot, with the option to mold the liner and lower shell. Add a footbed and light weight Darn Tough sock, and you’ve got your perfect set-up!
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MEN’S DOWNHILL SKI GEAR Giro Seam $159.95 Giro Contact $239.95 Great clarity and the ability to change lens to appropriately match conditions.
JUSTIN HARDINE
Volkl 100 Eight $699.95 Suggested binding: Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Binding $229.95 The 100 eight is a light yet very stable ski with 3-d technology increasing energy transfer to the edge.
ROUND HOUSE MANAGER
Years riding: 21 Ski pass at: Bridger Bowl Favorite terrain to ski: Big mountain Best/deepest run of your life: A few years back I found myself in the heart of the Rocky Mountains backcountry near Frisco, Colorado. On this day the planets aligned with a super stable snowpack and a storm that dropped a large amount of snow overnight giving way to a bluebird day. The entire area was skiing great but one line just begged to be ripped. It started in the trees with big pillow drops, proceeded by a tight squeeze through a few remaining trees, and finished out by spitting you into a perfect apron of absolute blower pow all the way to the bottom.
Black Diamond Guide Finger Gloves $169.95 Super warm glove with “lobster” style claw for increased mobility.
Ski run on your bucket list? Too many to list! What do I love most about riding: Time spent with friends. What song would you listen to on your dream run? Don’t listen to music while I’m skiing. Favorite quote/words to live by: “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” — Abraham Lincoln (But a pow day can sure make you forget about it!)
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DOWNHILL SKIING STOCKING STUFFERS 1. BCA Tracker 2 Transceiver $299.95 2. Mammut T-Peak Headlamp $49.95 3. Stanley Food Jar $34.95
Mammut Lanin $424.95 Two-layer shell with “Gore-Tex Active” the keep the warmth in and the cold out.
BCA Tech 27 Float Pack $599.95 Being prepared for whatever the mountain has to throw at you with snow safety equipment is crucial. Nothing beats training and practice but the tech 27 will increase your chances if you happen to become caught in a avalanche.
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Mammut Stoney HS $299.95 Lightly insulated pant with dry-tech premium waterproof membrane.
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Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 130 flex boot with walk mode making those ascents to The Ridge easier.
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BACKCOUNTRY SKI GEAR
ROB LAHREN TIMBER TRAILS/MANAGER • LIVINGSTON
Employee: Rob Lahren Years skiing: 20
Madshus Eon $259 The quintessential trail touring ski, waxless, full metal edge with a very stable, maneuverable profile.
Ski pass at: Showdown & Bridger Bowl Favorite place to ski: Yellowstone national Park Deepest/ best run of your life: Notell’em Bowl What do you love most about riding? Cold Smoke (The powder and the beer) Ski place on your bucket list? British Columbia backcountry
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Favorite quote/words to live by: “You don’t know if you don’t go.”
BACKCOUNTRY STOCKING 2 STUFFERS
Voile V8 $649 The ultra-wide shovel and hybrid rocker makes this ski the legendary powder hog. For its size the V8 is incredibly lightweight due to carbon and aspen construction. Handmade a few hours south of us in Salt Lake City. Dynafit Speed Radical $399 (Suggested bindings) Bread and butter, nothing fancy, just lightweight, reliable Dynafit performance.
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Outdoor Research Cirque Pants $150 Great softshell pant that moves and stretches with you wherever you go. Tour, ride, climb, or sledding with the kids, this pant will do it all.
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1. Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book 2. BCA slopemeter 3. Sunscreen 4. Voile Straps 5. Stanley flask 6. Black Diamond headlamp
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7. Black Diamond probe 8. Pieps dps sport transceiver 9. G3 climbing skins 10. Black Diamond shovel 11. First Aid Kit
Dynafit TLT 6 Mountain $639 The best boot available for backcountry touring. The cuff design affords a ridiculous amount of movement which is great for the UP, lock it down for loads of power for your descent.
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C R O S S - CO U N T RY S K I G E A R Hat: Smartwool beanie $24.99 Glasses: Bliz Rapid (white/pink) $119.99
AMBER HOADLEY B A N G TA I L B I K E A N D S K I E M P L O Y E E ( P I C T U R E D )
Name: Alex Worthington/ski technician Years cross-country skiing: 30
Rossignol XIUM Classic ski $250
X/C/ Ski pass at: Bohart Ranch Favorite place to ski: Yellowstone National Park Longest ski outing of your life: 5 hours What do you love most about X/c skiing? It’s low-impact exercise
Gloves: SWIX XC sport : $35
Ski trail on your bucket list? Anywhere in the Swiss Alps Favorite quote/words to live by: “You only get one life, so enjoy it as much as you can and do what you love.” — Shane McConkey
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Skis: Rossignol BC 65 waxless metal edge touring ski $210
BANGTAIL STOCKING STUFFERS
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Pants: SWIX Oppdal Womens Pant. $130
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1 2 1. Smartwool headband 2. Assorted ski waxes 3. Bangtail T-shirt 4. Madshus X/C touring ski pack
Boots: Rossignol X-5 combi boot: for light touring or classic.$130
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S TO R Y B Y PA R K E R G A B R I E L
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P H OTO S B Y C H R I S K E R R
RIDING OUT
EL NINO TRACKING EL NINO’S UNPREDICTABLE INFLUENCE ON AREA SKI HILLS
A snowboarder carves a turn down Upper Morningstar early this season at Big Sky.
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hen Big Sky Resort received 30 inches of snow early in November, it made the decision to open for one day, and area skiers and riders rejoiced. The snow has since been more difficult to come by — until the storm that arrived Dec. 14, at least. During one period spanning the end of November and beginning of December, Weather Underground’s data shows no precipitation on 12 of 13 days at Big Sky. Both it and Bridger Bowl had significantly limited access upon opening in late November and early December, respectively.
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Normal early season variability is always a factor — the early November snow actually pushed Big Sky past its monthly precipitation average — but a much larger, infamous weather occurrence has some in the area worried about an abnormally warm, dry season. That’s El Nino, of course, and it’s shaping up to be a major event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration first announced this El Nino in March, and, in its latest update, said it expects the system to remain strong through the winter and then gradually weaken through the spring of 2016. “The current September through November (Oceanic Nino Index) currently ranks second, behind only 1997,” said Mike Halpert, the deputy director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, on a Dec. 10 media call. “So we are not calling this a record today, but are looking at a potential record event.” That year was the beginning of the most recent El Nino to be considered “strong” by the NOAA. The 1997-98 El Nino contributed to climate anomalies, natural disasters and other occurrences around the globe, and is considered the strongest on record. According to the CPC’s forecast this fall, the current El Nino has a chance to be similar in intensity. The ONI shows water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific in rolling three-month averages based on how close to normal they are. The 1997-98 El Nino remained warmer than the threshold for a “strong” event for seven consecutive months. The current El Nino recently measured above the threshold for the third straight month and has steadily increased for the past eight. The CPC’s fall forecast estimated the current El Nino would peak near the same level as 1997-98. However, some other indicators, like tropical rainfall, have been weaker than that event so far, according to Halpert. In the Northern Rockies, El Nino years are associated with warmer temperatures, while the southern United States typically sees higher precipitation amounts. Though the last strong El Nino came in the late-90s, there have been four other instances since — 2002-03, 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2009-10. In three of those four, Bridger Bowl has had seasonal (mid-November through midApril) snowfall lower than its 20-year average of 268 inches, according to data provided by Bridger personnel.
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Feast or famine: Skiers in southwest Montana make due, regardless the condition
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Plowing through the pow, a skier gets first tracks on Bronco Face at Bridger Bowl in this February 2014 photo.
Interestingly, the ski area received 286 inches in its 199798 season. While a powerful El Nino doesn’t guarantee dramatic changes for the area this winter, it does increase the likelihood that some impact will be felt. The CPC forecasts western Montana and much the Northern Rockies have a 50 percent chance that this winter will be among the 10 driest of the past 30 years. The same odds apply to this area that the season will be among the 10 warmest over the same span. “It’s early yet … and the key season really is still to come,” Halpert said of the impact, noting El Nino is normally felt most between January and March. Bridger Bowl, like most ski areas, has plenty of yearto-year volatility regardless of El Nino’s impact. Its lowest recorded total in the past 20 years, 182 inches, came in 2000-01, while the highest (397) came in 2007-08. Neither of those were El Nino years. u
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406.333.4383
LIVINGSTON, MONTANA WARMSTONE.COM
WHAT IS EL NINO? El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean that occurs along the equator between South America and the International Date Line and can influence the storm track over the West. El Nino conditions do not cause individual storms but rather influence their frequency and characteristics. … Impacts usually include: Warmer than average temperatures over western and central Canada, and over the western and northern United States. Wetter than average conditions are likely over portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, while drier than average conditions can be expected in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest. The presence of El Nino can significantly influence weather patterns, ocean conditions, and marine fisheries across large portions of the globe for an extended period of time. — Information from the NOAA
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1. BRIDGER BOWL
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Vertical rise ................................ .. 2,600 feet Skiable acreage ........................ 2,000 feet Top elevation ............................. 8,800 feet Base elevation ........................... 6,100 feet Highest lift served elevation ... 8,700 feet Trails ............................................. 75 Longest run ................................ 3 miles Lifts 1 Quad- 5 Triples - 2 Doubles Terrain Park Average snowfall ...................... 350 inches Snow phone ............................... 406.586.2389
7. RED LODGE MOUNTAIN
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MONTANA SKI AREA STATISTICS
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2. BIG SKY Summit ......................................... 11,166 feet Base ............................................... 7,500 feet Skiable acreage ........................ 5,800 acres 300 named runs on 4 connected mountains Vertical drop ............................... 4,350 feet Lifts Chairlifts: 23 Surface lifts: 11 Longest Run Liberty Bowl to base 6 miles Number of Terrain Parks ....... 7 Average snowfall ...................... 400-plus inches Snow Conditions ...................... (406) 995-5900
3. WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN Skiable acreage 3,000 acres on 105 marked trails Longest run ................................. 3.3 miles (Hellfire) 5 terrain parks, skier/boarder cross course Summit elevation ..................... 6,817 feet Base elevation ............................ 4,464 feet Vertical drop ............................... 2,353 feet Average snowfall....................... 300 inches
4. MAVERICK MOUNTAIN Vertical feet ................................ Trails .............................................. Skiable acreage ........................
2,020 24 255
Vertical drop ........................... 2,400 feet Base elevation ........................ 7,016 feet Summit elevation .............. 9,416 feet Lifts 1 High-Speed Detachable Quad (plus 1 in Palisades Bonus Area - weather permitting) 3 Double Chair, 1 Triple Chai, 1 Magic Carpet 65 trails and groomed slopes (plus 6 in the Palisades Bonus Area — weather permitting) 1,600 acres on Custer National Forest Longest Run “Lazy M” — 2.5 miles long Average snowfall 250 inches
8. LOST TRAIL POWDER MOUNTAIN Base elevation ........................... 6,500 feet Summit elevation ..................... 8,520 feet Average snowfall....................... 250 inches
5. SHOWDOWN Lifts: One Triple Chair, Two Double Chairs, One Surface Conveyor Elevation 8,200 feet summit, 6,800 feet base, 36 Trails, 1,400 vertical feet, Skiable acreage .................... 640 Average snowfall ...................... 20 feet
6. TETON SKI AREA Lifts Double chair, tow, beginners conveyor Base elevation ........................... 6,190 feet Mid elevation ............................. 6,620 feet Top of lift elevation .................. 7,200 feet Summit elevation...................... 8,600 feet Skiable acreage ......................... 407 acres Vertical drop ............................... 1,000 feet Runs: 43 Lifts: 3 Average snowfall....................... 250 inches
Summit ........................................ 8,200 feet Lodge 7,000 feet – Base 6,400 feet Vertical drop ............................... 1,800 feet Lifts 5 double chairs & 3 rope tows Trails 50+ marked trails on 1,800 acres across two mountains. Longest Run ................................ 2.5 miles Average snowfall....................... 325 inches
9. LOOKOUT PASS Skiable acreage 540 acres with 34 named runs Lifts 3 double chairs and 1 triple chair Vertical drop ............................... 1,150 feet Base elevation ............................ 4,500 feet Summit elevation .....................5,650 feet Longest Run................................1.5 miles Average snowfall ......................400 inches
10. DISCOVERY SKI AREA Skiable acreage ......................... 2,200 acres Vertical drop ............................... 2,388 feet Summit elevation...................... 8,158 feet Longest run ........1.5 miles(Winning Ridge)
Number of Trails ........................ 67 Lifts 5 triples, 2 doubles, 1 Surface Terrain Park 2.5 acres (open Friday-Sunday) Cross Country 5k
11. MONTANA SNOWBOWL Elevation 7,600 feet Base ........ 5,000 feet Skiable acreage ......................... 950 acres Runs .............................................. 39 Longest run ................................ 3 miles Lifts 2 Doubles, 1 T-bar, 1 Rope Tow Average snowfall ...................... 300 inches
12. BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN Elevation 6,789 feet Base 5,236 feet Runs 24 Longest run ............... 1.75 miles Lifts 1 Triple, 2 Double, 1 Handle Tow Average snowfall ...................... 250 inches
13. GREAT DIVIDE Elevation 7,233 feet Base 5,730 feet Runs 140 Longest run 3 miles Lifts ................................................ 5 Double, 2 tows Average snowfall....................... 180 inches
14. BEAR PAW Elevation 5,280 feet Base 4,500 feet Runs 24 Longest run 1/2 mile Runs 20 Lifts 1 Double, 1 tow Average snowfall....................... 140 inches
15. TURNER MOUNTAIN Elevation 5,952 feet Base 3,842 feet Runs 20 Lifts 1 Double Average snowfall....................... 250 inches
Strengthen, restore and get back on the slopes. If injury or pain has kept you from hiking the Ridge or corralling kids on Snowflake, our expert physical therapists can help you get strong, healthy and ready for first chair. Book now to set up your best ski season yet.
Bozeman · 406.556.0562 www.excelptmt.com | |
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By Karin Kirk
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MIND YOUR MANNERS
Miss Mountain Manners: Illuminating your pressing etiquette questions Dear Miss Mountain Manners, On a powder morning, how long do I have to wait for my friend if she’s late? At what point can I ski away, in good faith that I waited long enough? Signed, Hungry for Pow Dear Hungry, It depends. What is the relationship between you two? Why do you ski together? Does she make every day more fun, take flattering photos of you, and show you cool lines on the Ridge? If so, she’s worth the wait and honestly you are lucky to have a friend like that, so don’t push it. On the other hand, if she is chronically late, forgets her beacon, eats half your French fries, and brings along uninvited partners, then you two might be better suited for other activities, like, say, sharing funny cat videos on Facebook. But that doesn’t mean you can ski away at 9:01. Wait 5 minutes (which will feel like an eternity while you watch powder getting gobbled up; I feel your pain) then send a text with a backup plan to meet later in the day. Next, head to the singles line and keep your eyes open for more compatible partners. The bigger lesson here is to put careful thought into your partner selection, especially on a powder day. Sharing big days with friends almost always makes them better. Ideally, both partners contribute to the fun in their own ways. You share your French fries, and I’ll show you cool stashes.
Dear Miss Mountain Manners, Is it OK to pee near the bootpack, if others have already done so? Thanks, Coffee Enthusiast Dear CE, Good God, no. This isn’t the dog park. I mean, you hiked all the way up the Ridge, or wherever, and you can’t muster the energy to walk 6 more steps to take care of your business? Please. Part of why we all like hiking for some turns is that we get to experience a taste of the raw Alpine environment. Don’t subject the rest of us to your hygiene deficiency. Rule of thumb: your pee should be invisible from the bootpack and the transition areas. Go behind a tree, behind a rock, or otherwise far away. As a last resort, cover up your mark with some fresh snow, like your wellmannered cat does. But really, your best bet is just to move out of range of where traffic flows. Just don’t fall off the backside of the Ridge however, as doing so with your pants down would be super awkward. Dear Miss Mountain Manners, Can you settle a debate for us? I would like to improve my skiing and my husband feels that he is the best person to teach me to ski better. He says it will be fun and it’s free. I, however, am not psyched for that prospect. Who’s right? Thank you, Carving Couple
Dear Couple, Thank you for asking that question. Now get ready for a rant, because this is a grave infraction of mountain manners. The answer is no, no, a thousand times no, your husband should not even consider teaching you to ski. I sincerely hope he’s a great cook or is ridiculously handsome, or has other amazing qualities because that is a terrible idea and he shouldn’t even suggest it, much less try to talk you into it. Here’s why: teaching skiing is a profession. Lots of people are great skiers, but don’t ask them to explain how to make a parallel turn or which foot to stand on or why hockey stops don’t work in powder. And even if they do know a few things about technique, it’s not likely that they can apply them in the right context or in a logical order. I’ve watched many a confident, well-meaning husband teaching the absolute wrong stuff to his poor wife. Wife is struggling. Why? Because she’s being taught the wrong stuff AND she’s skiing like crap and feeling awful about the whole thing. Husband tosses out helpful tidbits like “I TOLD you to keep your hands facing down the fall line.” Meanwhile what the wife would really like to be doing with her hands is placing them tightly around his throat. Bottom line: family members don’t teach other family members. Ski lessons are relatively cheap compared to the heavy toll of sucky relationships. So take a ski lesson, then celebrate your successes with a few victory laps together so you can show off your new moves. At which point your husband
says, “Nice job sweetie, you’re crushing it. I’m proud of you.” Period. No coaching, just cheerleading. Dear Miss Mountain Manners, My friends call me a gaper. How can I be a “cooler” skier? Does it have to do with how I ski, or my clothes, or what? Please help. Signed, Desperate Gaper Dear not-at-all-a-Gaper, Your first step is easy. Stop skiing with these socalled friends. Name calling is lame, period. If they are putting you down, it is only because they need to feel better about themselves at your expense. That is probably the least desirable quality you want in a ski partner. We all ski best when we feel confident and psyched. Second, in the Mountain Manners Handbook, the way to be a cool skier is to understand the flow of the ski area and the people in it. If you think about it, what a ski area really does is to move people around — up, down, and across. If you focus only on your own needs, you’ll stick out, you’ll be an annoyance to others, and you may put yourself in danger. Here are a few examples: u Don’t stop on traverses. Keep moving so you don’t hold up traffic behind you. If you want to stop, ski either above or below the traverse, then park in a place that doesn’t make everyone else wait while you adjust your boot buckle. u I’m sure you want to get huge air, but can you see the landing? Are there people there? Landing on someone else is not cool. Landing in the backseat and flailing your way into someone else’s line is also not cool. Keep yourself together. u I know you are excited to ride the lift with your friends ahead of you, but remember there are other people in the liftline too. u In Montana we do tend to drive big vehicles. But is your rig so big that it needs 2 parking places? Keep it tight; the parking lot is one of our most limiting resources. Be cool and make room for others. Are you seeing the theme? Skiing is a shared experience. Have you ever felt a happier vibe than the collective stoke of a powder day? That’s what we want to cultivate. We play best when we play well with others! u Karin Kirk talks with her mouth full and never returns phone calls. But on the hill, her manners are impeccable. She’s also a ski instructor and Ridge Guide at Bridger Bowl. She can be reached at karin@ kirkframeworks.com.
CHRIS KERR
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By Dr. Mike Ferrell
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SHOULDER INSTABILITY
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nother ski season is finally upon us! For many Montanans, this means getting back to our favorite activity at one of the state’s 15 ski areas. Unfortunately, the thrill of downhill skiing brings with it the risk of injury. Since many skiers put their arms out to lessen the impact in a fall, the shoulder is one of the most frequently injured joints in the body. One of the most common injuries is a shoulder dislocation or subluxation, which is a partial dislocation. A single shoulder dislocation can lead to long term or chronic shoulder instability. Chronic shoulder instability can not only end the ski season but, If left untreated, can lead to arthritis. A significant reason the shoulder is at such risk of injury is due to its anatomy and reliance primarily on soft tissue structures to maintain stability. In general, soft tissue structures are far easier to tear than bone is to break. The shoulder is a ball-in-socket joint like the hip, but it is more like a golf ball sitting on a golf tee. The shoulder is made up of the top of the arm bone, or humerus, and the shoulder blade, or scapula. The socket is a specific part of the scapula called the glenoid. The shoulder joint is stabilized by both dynamic and static soft tissue components. The dynamic components include the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff and the muscles that control scapula motion. The static stabilizers include the labrum, the capsule, and the ligaments. The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring that surrounds and deepens the relatively flat glenoid. The capsule is the soft tissue that surrounds the joint. The ligaments are thick bands that originate on the periphery of the glenoid and attach to the humeral head, serving as a tether to the ball. Most shoulder instability is anterior, or toward the front of the shoulder, meaning the humeral head dislocates out the front of the glenoid. The most common tear with an anterior shoulder dislocation is a tear of the labrum at the front and bottom of the glenoid and an injury to a ligament called the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL), specifically the anterior band of the IGHL. The other common pathology with an anterior dislocation is an impaction fracture to the back of the humeral head that occurs when the head strikes the glenoid rim as it dislocates. This is called a Hill-Sachs lesion. Imagine taking an ice cream scoop of bone, or a divot to continue the golf theme, out of the back of the humeral head. These scoops or divots can be small and of little clinical consequence. However, sometimes they can be quite large and are a major factor in destabilizing the shoulder. Sometimes when the shoulder dislocates either once in a first-time dislocation or numerous times with chronic instability, there can be an injury to the glenoid bone as well as the humeral bone. There can be a fracture in which there is a broken fragment of bone at the front and bottom of the glenoid, or there can be attritional loss of bone from numerous dislocations where the humeral head wears down the front of the glenoid. The glenoid is normally shaped like a pear. With attritional bone loss, the bone wears down in the front of the glenoid until the shape of the glenoid can look like an upside down pear. In the scenario where there is a broken fragment of bone, there are several techniques both
arthroscopic and open to repair or fix the bone fragment back to the glenoid. In the attritional bone loss scenario, there is no bone to fix. Imagine again the golf ball and golf tee analogy. If a piece of the top of the tee is absent, there will be no way for the ball to sit on top of the tee, or it will do so precariously. This same problem happens in the shoulder if the glenoid bone loss is significant. In that setting, the surgeon has to restore the tee, placing new bone to make up for the deficiency. There are several ways to restore the attritional bone loss. This can be done by taking bone from a cadaver, or by transferring bone from the patient to the front of the glenoid. This is most commonly done by moving the coracoid which is a normal bony prominence that projects from the front of the scapula in close proximity to the glenoid. This procedure is called a Laterjet procedure. This is most commonly done through an open procedure. Posterior instability is instability in which the humeral head dislocates or subluxes out the back of the glenoid. In general, this is more subtle than anterior instability. Patients with posterior instability complain of pain more commonly than a feeling that the shoulder is slipping out the back. Posterior instability is seen more commonly in patients who have a blow to the front of the shoulder. The classic mechanism for posterior instability occurs in an offensive lineman in football who spends the entire game with his hands in front of his chest blocking a defensive lineman. In addition, bone loss is less common with posterior instability. An unstable shoulder is painful, and patients feel apprehensive when the shoulder moves in a position where it may potentially sublux or dislocate. Due to this pain and apprehension, patients will typically restrict their own
d HEALTH CHECK
shoulder movement to guard against this. This limits their activity level and ability to do the things they want to do in life. Patients with an unstable shoulder will often report that the instability is worsening, meaning that the frequency of dislocations or subluxations is increasing or that the mechanism producing the dislocation is becoming more and more innocuous. For example, the first dislocation might occur with a high-energy collision or fall, but the subsequent dislocations or subluxations might occur at night while sleeping, donning clothes, or reaching behind them into the backseat of a car from the front seat. How is shoulder instability treated then? In general, most first-time dislocators with only soft tissue injury and no large bony defects are treated non-operatively initially. This typically consists of a short period of immobilization in a sling followed by physical therapy to regain shoulder motion and strengthen the rotator cuff and muscles around the scapula. The failure rate of non-operative treatment has been reported between 33 percent and 66 percent depending on the study. Failure is defined as another shoulder dislocation or subluxation. That number is higher in young male athletes in contact sports with some studies showing failure rates approaching 90 percent. This high failure rate has led many surgeons to recommend surgery as a first line of treatment in young men who play contact sports. Rehabilitation after shoulder stabilization surgery usually involves 4-6 weeks in sling immobilization to protect the repair. Pendulum exercises and isometric exercises begin at 2-3 weeks depending on whether it was an anterior or posterior stabilization. Active and active-assisted range of motion exercises begin after the sling is discontinued with the goal of regaining full motion by 12 weeks. Once motion is restored, most therapy protocols begin more aggressive strengthening of the rotator cuff and muscles which stabilize the scapula. In general, sport-specific activities begin at 4-6 months after surgery. In summary, ski season is back, bringing with it the risk of shoulder injury. The shoulder joint is dependent mostly on soft tissue structures to maintain stability. As a result, it is the most commonly dislocated major joint in the body. Shoulder instability is typically anterior and usually the results in an injury to the labrum and anterior band of the IGHL. In general, treatment begins non-operatively, but there is a high failure rate, especially in the young male who plays contact sports. Arthroscopic and open shoulder stabilization surgeries provide good outcomes with high rates of return to sport, but instability recurrence rates are in the 7 percent range. The decision of an open versus arthroscopic approach is highly patient specific and dependent on the pathology in the shoulder. Most are able to return to sport 4 to 6 months after surgery. Have a great ski season and see you on the slopes! u Dr. Ferrell is a U.S.Navy veteran who is board certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship trained in sports medicine. His practice focuses on sports medicine and hip arthroscopy.
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By Doug Chabot
SNOW SAFETY
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he first turns of the ski season can be dicey: the snowpack is thin, avalanche skills are rusty and we are itching to get out and play. This is a recipe for avalanches and injury, not success. Fortunately, our stoke and motivation can make us ready for better, deeper times. We wax skis, tune sleds and rip tags off new gear to get ready, but we are not done. What causes avalanches? You! More than 90 percent of fatal recreational avalanche are triggered by the people involved. To be safe and come back alive follow these five steps before loading up the vehicle, heading to the trailhead and entering avalanche terrain.
1. GET THE GEAR
Every person needs avalanche rescue gear: an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe pole. These are not optional. Without them you cannot find and rescue your partner buried in an avalanche, nor, without the transceiver, can your partner find you. Put fresh batteries in the transceiver at the start of the season and check the power every time you strap it on. Then practice. While almost 80 percent of buried victims will survive the first 10 minutes, the odds quickly drop after that. By half an hour over 90 percent of buried victims have died. An avalanche airbag can increase these odds since it may keep you on top of the snow.
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GETTING IT TOGETHER or situational awareness, of the dangers they’ll face. Based on the day’s avalanche advisory, which includes danger rating and travel advice, a person at the trailhead will have a good idea of what to expect regarding avalanches. Gathering evidence about a slope’s stability is ongoing and requires looking for obvious clues. Luckily, when the snow is unstable Mother Nature gives us ample warning. Recent avalanche activity is the number one sign that slopes are dangerously unstable. If avalanches have occurred within 48 hours you need to avoid similar terrain. Another red flag of instability are audible whumphs or shooting cracks. These indicate that the snowpack is collapsing from our weight and slopes are ripe to avalanche. Standing or moving below steep slopes is dangerous in these conditions because it is possible to trigger avalanches from below. No kidding: a person standing on flat ground but in highly unstable conditions can trigger an avalanche far above. In the last two years,
three people have died in southwest Montana because they were under steep slopes when they avalanched. Another dangerous time is during a rain storm as water weakens the snowpack quickly and can produce widespread avalanche activity. A final warning sign of potentially dangerous conditions are rooster tails of snow blowing off ridges and peaks. Wind can move snow from one side of the mountain to the other incredibly fast, adding weight to the snowpack up to 10 times faster than heavy snowfall.
4. GET OUT OF HARM’S WAY
Avalanche slopes are any slope steeper than 30 degrees, including small slopes and those with trees. A hand held inclinometer is an essential tool to locate avalanche terrain. When there is avalanche danger staying off steep slopes may be the only safe option. However, even when we deemed a slope safe it’s important to ski or ride one at a time. This way, if we made a mistake in stability assessment only one person will
be caught, leaving the rest of the party as rescuers. It’s also not a good idea to park or gather in the runout zone where the avalanche ends and piles up debris. People have died below slopes from being unable to get out of the way of an avalanche barreling down on them.
5. GET THE TRAINING
Staying alive in avalanche terrain requires making good decisions for and about yourself, the group, the weather and, most importantly, the snowpack. In order to learn about avalanches and get the skills to do stability tests and perform a rescue, it’s essential to take an avalanche class with a field component. Books and online tutorials can supplement this learning but they cannot replace a good course. Luckily there are many classes in Bozeman. Check out our Education Calendar at mtavalanche. com for the latest listings. u Doug Chabot is director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
2. GET THE FORECAST (www.mtavalanche.com; 587-6981) Every morning by 7:30 a.m. the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center issues a daily avalanche advisory. You can read it online, hear it on the phone or receive it by email. It’s full of valuable weather and snowpack information to keep you avalanche aware. The advisory tells you where it’s safe and where it’s not, where it snowed and how much fell and reports avalanche activity and the likelihood of triggering one. GNFAC forecasters are in the field most days and will explain what we saw along with advice on where and how to travel safely. The advisory includes recent photos and short video clips explaining the avalanche danger and real, tangible evidence of the state of the snowpack.
3. GET THE PICTURE
Every person needs a mental picture,
GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST AVALANCHE CENTER
A specialist with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center examines an avalanche crown.
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CLASSIC LINE
BLACK MOUNTAIN
TEXT BY JASON BACA J u PHOTOS BY MAX TAYLOR
I
f you talk about it enough times over enough beers you’re finally going to do it. My friends and I pored over Thomas Turiano’s Select Peaks of the Greater Yellowstone last spring. We looked at lines skied in the past, pointed out ones to which we aspired. The three of us all were busy at our jobs, so we mostly weighed lines doable in a single push. We settled on Black Mountain’s Y Couloir. And naturally we didn’t fully commit to it until over drinks one night in May. Black Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Absaroka Mountains. Access is straightforward enough, as it’s located just southeast of Livingston with access from the popular Pine Creek Lake trailhead. The Y Couloir splits around a pyramidal rock below the peak, and is the most prominent line on the mountain. Its forks — the east fork has a 60-degree slope, the west a 50-degree — were pioneered by the likes of Doug Coombs, Hans Saari and Alex Lowe. It’s combination of aesthetics, history and accessibility make it a classic Montana backcountry line. We strapped skis to our backs and started the trek around dawn and hiked for about an hour before we breached the snowline. A hanging snowfield led us to Pine Creek Lake. From there we gained a ridgeline and followed it to the top of the couloir. One by one we savored our turns down the firm, yet edge-able, snow through the short couloir. Once reunited on the wide apron below, we clicked poles and together swooped down toward the lake, Canadian holiday style. u
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MOUNTAIN STATS Black Mountain: 10,941 feet Access: Pine Creek Lake trailhead Distance: 10 miles round-trip Elevation gain: Roughly 5,300 feet Slope: 60 degrees through the east fork crux, 50 degrees through the crux of the west fork
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WWW.BOBWARDS.COM BOZEMAN - 3011 Max Ave.