Skiing

Have you ever awoke from a dream that was jam packed full of fall line sensations? Have you ever driven down the road and only focused on distant snow fields somewhere in your imagination? Or how about this one: ever thought that the right side of your brain was somehow mystically connected to the base of your skis, and therefore could create magic with the slightest creative thought? Now this one is the kicker....did you ever once believe that you were wasting your time breathing, eating, even fantasizing about skiing......
...I didn't think so.


	Places I've made turns..




	First and for most is The Big Mountain, MT. This may be biased since I live in Whitefish (13 minutes from the high speed quad), however, as far as I'm concerned, this is the place to be. The sun has known to disappear

for over a week, but when the sky is dumping flakes, I could give 2 hoots about the sun. It has ultimately the smallest lift lines and enough terrain to make you disappear. Views of Glacier Park from the Summit House are remarkable and expansion is in the works to include detachable lifts on the back side and more of the famed deep and steep. For a list of conditions the last time I skied The Big Mountain, try the Ski Fact. Oh yeah, The Big Mountain will be hosting the Telemark Nationals this year (97-98).

With a pair of K2 Stingers (70cm) on my shoulder, I started skiing at Steamboat Springs when I was seven. If you salivate at the flavor of champagne powder, Steamboat will quench your thirst. Of course, plan on getting up early because the freshies go quick. At one time Steamboat was off the beaten track, however, now with it being a premier resort, attention has been given to the parallel lifts diminishing the skier/sq. ft. ratio.




	Jackson Hole may not have the greatest vertical drop in the US anymore, but lets not get to concerned with resort data (well, except the ski report). I know an ex GP Express Captain that was based just minutes from Jackson Hole. He got a job as a Flight Engineer with United and bailed to Denver. What would you have done....Hmmmmmmm.

Living in northwest Montana, I cannot help but go to Big Sky and check out
the new tram up Lone Mountain. It was an oversized beer can when I first saw it. However, it did take you to the gnarly goods of Lone Peak. I would
recommend that you bring your rock skis if you want to take the tram, though. There were many times I felt as if my edges were going to be ripped from my sticks.

If you find yourself closer to Bozeman, take a trip up the ridge at Bridger
Bowl (home of the Ridge Hippie). I have not had a chance due to the required materials, but it just makes you drool as you ride the Challenger lift. (Required materials for the ridge are a partner, shovel, and Pieps)

	Less then two hours away up into Canada lies Fernie, British Columbia. Once above the treeline, all that is available are surface lifts, however, I had one of my best powder days there last year. So, in a nutshell, keep the legs in shape, because choking from a face shot is not such a bad thing. Another side light, the famed Island Lake Lodge that has been receiving its fair share of press is just a stones throw away.


	While temporarily bummed out that the US was without snow, I went up to Lake Louise the second week in November. The back side bowls were nothing short of incredible. Imagine an entire day of pogo stick powder turns, and you just created a pretty rosy picture of the weekends events. When in doubt, take off to the Great White North.


	Sunshine Village is between Lake Louise and Calgary. To get up the the base you have to take a gondola which is always a treat ;-) The weird thing about Sunshine is that on the same lift you will see a sign that says "Welcome to BC", and then two towers later you see another sign that says "Welcome to Alberta". Trippy?!


	Web Site ©1998 Jeffrey Scholl