2012 Gathering in Lake Tahoe 2/26-3/3/12 - Page 44

hmmm... if that's the destination, I might have a chance to make up for missing this year's gathering. I've already made a tentative plan (in the back of my head) to go to Yellowstone next winter. Could easily swing a partial attendance of the gathering (assuming it's around the same time frame)

I've looked into the flight arrangement for Big Sky, when it was first on the radar as an ESA venue. One obvious option is  fly into Bozeman, which typically involves a plane change, and drive the 2 (3?) hr there. That'll typically take a good part of the day for the entire travel. The less obvious option is fly to SLC the night before, ski Snowbasin or Powder Mountain till mid-afternoon and drive to Big Sky. It's a long'ish drive (5+ hr) but hey I do that every other weekend so can everyone else! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

I haven't checked on pricing, so you're probably correct on that point.  However, Big Sky/Bridger Bowl are on the bucket list for many Bears and this gives us(them) reason to make the trip.  I'm really looking forward to it.

 

Hear, hear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKI-3PO 

I'm pretty sure it's about an hour and a half from Bozeman airport to Big Sky - in good (driving) weather - and just under 2 hours from Big Sky to Bridger (again, see weather)...

And, financially speaking, flying into Bozeman is a no-brainer unless gasoline prices tumble last minute?

The closest airport to Big Sky with a good selection of flights, aside from Bozeman, is Billings, MT. It is 140 freeway miles from Bozeman. 

Besides Big Sky, Moonlight Basin & Bridger Bowl, Bozeman is a little over 2 hours from Discovery Basin, a truly wicked mountain to ski. Anyone coming here should try to make it there for a day.

Traffic (on the roads, not the slopes) is Tahoe's biggest challenge on weekends/holidays/powder days. It comes with the territory and most of my personal traffic snow horror stories involve I-80 or US50 into Tahoe even though Tahoe is less than 10% of my lifetime ski experience.

With respect to the snow we should count our blessings for that weather.  Conditions truly sucked on the weekend before the Gathering with boilerplate surfaces, thin cover and much advanced terrain closed or unsafe with those conditions.

With regard to Yellowstone, it is closed in March/April if that is important to people.  With respect to snow conditions Big Sky is definitely a core-of-the season (mid-January to mid-March) destination.  Lone Peak is a super steep rocky place, and mid-mountain snowfall is only 260 inches (over 30 years of data on that, don't believe the "brochure quote" of 400 inches).  Therefore you want to give the place some time to accumulate snow.  On the back end of the season Big Sky has a lot of south facing terrain, though that is now somewhat mitigated by Moonlight being there on the north side of Lone Peak.

If I were to choose a week to make the most people pleased, I'd choose a time similar to this year's Gathering, perhaps the last week Yellowstone is open.  If forced to go earlier or later than core of the season, I'd take my chances with later. My first visit was in late March 2001 and conditions were excellent.  A friend of mine was there 2 weeks before me and most of Lone Peak was a refrozen coral reef.

Another point of interest: You must have a transceiver to ride the new Schlasman's lift at Bridger or to ski from the top of Lone Peak into Big Couloir or into Moonlight via the North Snowfields. Someone needs to investigate where people can rent transceivers in Bozeman, because I don't think you can rent them at the ski areas.

FYI I suggest a moderator split  this thread between this year and next year topics.

There's already a Big Sky for next year thread. Just cut and paste your post over there to get the attention of the Gathermeister.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Crocker 

 

Traffic (on the roads, not the slopes) is Tahoe's biggest challenge on weekends/holidays/powder days. It comes with the territory and most of my personal traffic snow horror stories involve I-80 or US50 into Tahoe even though Tahoe is less than 10% of my lifetime ski experience.

 

With respect to the snow we should count our blessings for that weather.  Conditions truly sucked on the weekend before the Gathering with boilerplate surfaces, thin cover and much advanced terrain closed or unsafe with those conditions.

 

With regard to Yellowstone, it is closed in March/April if that is important to people.  With respect to snow conditions Big Sky is definitely a core-of-the season (mid-January to mid-March) destination.  Lone Peak is a super steep rocky place, and mid-mountain snowfall is only 260 inches (over 30 years of data on that, don't believe the "brochure quote" of 400 inches).  Therefore you want to give the place some time to accumulate snow.  On the back end of the season Big Sky has a lot of south facing terrain, though that is now somewhat mitigated by Moonlight being there on the north side of Lone Peak.

 

If I were to choose a week to make the most people pleased, I'd choose a time similar to this year's Gathering, perhaps the last week Yellowstone is open.  If forced to go earlier or later than core of the season, I'd take my chances with later. My first visit was in late March 2001 and conditions were excellent.  A friend of mine was there 2 weeks before me and most of Lone Peak was a refrozen coral reef.

 

Another point of interest: You must have a transceiver to ride the new Schlasman's lift at Bridger or to ski from the top of Lone Peak into Big Couloir or into Moonlight via the North Snowfields. Someone needs to investigate where people can rent transceivers in Bozeman, because I don't think you can rent them at the ski areas.

 

FYI I suggest a moderator split  this thread between this year and next year topics.

 

Tony, we are counting out blessings. 

We also had a great week, as did you.  I know this because I caught you smiling a couple times. 

I have a project for you in relation to the next gathering..........Be more like Tigger and less like Eyor.

If we hadn't gotten the snow that we were blessed with at the Tahoe Gathering, we still would have had a great time because the Gathering(as much as its about skiing) is about the people.  

See my earlier post(I'll repeat myself here);

In a discussion with Jimmy we talked about the things we would have changed for this gathering and it was ....

Uncle Louie would be here

Dsloan would be here

Finndog would be skiing with us

JohnL would have been here

Don Denver would be here

(among others)

^^^^Heal well to all of you^^^^

Big Sky promises to be a great venue, and IF the snow conditions aren't ideal, we will still have a great time, and call it EPIC!!!!

^^^^^ That's how we roll^^^^^^

Yet another another option is fly to Spokane.  It's a 6 hour drive to Bozeman on I-90 and there are several ski resorts right off the freeway (Silver Mt, Lookout Pass, Missoula Snowbowl).
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by at_nyc 

hmmm... if that's the destination, I might have a chance to make up for missing this year's gathering. I've already made a tentative plan (in the back of my head) to go to Yellowstone next winter. Could easily swing a partial attendance of the gathering (assuming it's around the same time frame)

 

I've looked into the flight arrangement for Big Sky, when it was first on the radar as an ESA venue. One obvious option is  fly into Bozeman, which typically involves a plane change, and drive the 2 (3?) hr there. That'll typically take a good part of the day for the entire travel. The less obvious option is fly to SLC the night before, ski Snowbasin or Powder Mountain till mid-afternoon and drive to Big Sky. It's a long'ish drive (5+ hr) but hey I do that every other weekend so can everyone else! ;)

Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana = Aryan Nation Gathering?

I think I'd have to skip that one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDad 

Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana = Aryan Nation Gathering?

 

I think I'd have to skip that one.

ROTFLMAO   

This of course has nothing to do with skiing!

I've had work trips to a lake 10 miles north of the huge Coeur de Arlene ID compound of these

nutcases.  I think the feds seized their property 10 years ago & run them out of town due

to nonpayment of taxes. MT -last stand of the unibomber who is now in a jail where they've thrown

the key away.

hth
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdskier 

ROTFLMAO   

This of course has nothing to do with skiing!

Are you sure about that?  I mean, we gather to worship the white stuff....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredUsername 

Yet another another option is fly to Spokane.  It's a 6 hour drive to Bozeman on I-90 and there are several ski resorts right off the freeway (Silver Mt, Lookout Pass, Missoula Snowbowl).
 

 

Interesting option!

Though not nearly as many flights to Spokane as to SLC. So fares are higher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

 

See my earlier post(I'll repeat myself here);

In a discussion with Jimmy we talked about the things we would have changed for this gathering and it was ....

Uncle Louie would be here

Dsloan would be here

Finndog would be skiing with us

JohnL would have been here

Don Denver would be here

(among others)

^^^^Heal well to all of you^^^^

 

 

Big Sky promises to be a great venue, and IF the snow conditions aren't ideal, we will still have a great time, and call it EPIC!!!!

 

^^^^^ That's how we roll^^^^^^

 

Ditto - great list, I've skied with all of them.

+

Add Veteran & Hairfarmr & Laurel Hill Crazie to this years injured reserve.

Hope I don't get hurt over the next week or so - I'm still in Tahoe.

We had  6-8 inches new at Northstar yesterday.

John
 

Yeah, the bruising now runs near the ankle and behind the knee. Bummer! But it's a bluebird day at Alpine while I sit here drinking my medication while watching 4 pals ski the hill. 

Hairfarmer is out on the low angle pow having a ball (I hate him too)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tromano 

 

.. Thursday everything was closed and on Friday after waiting for an he tried to go back to Squaw and after sitting for an hour in the worst traffic jam I have ever seen on rt. 89 we turned around packed our bags and went home. 

On Thursday, Northstar was 100% open with deeper, drier and more consistent powder than Wedesday with fewer obstacles found in the very skiable trees. I started a little later than Wed. (9 AM vs. 8:30 AM) due to a little late start and delay at chain control coming up from Reno. I skied with three snowboarding friends from Truckee, I had enough powder that I quit before 2:30 to re-locate to So. Tahoe where I had less than 5 minute drive to Heavenly on Friday. Of course on Thursday, I didn't take a long break for a (very nice) wedding. At Heavenly, I parked within 100 feet of where I could put on my skis and ski down to Gunbarrel lift. It was busy at Heavenly, mostly parking and first lift, but I think all the gatherers were able to avoid the crowds. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by veteran 

Yeah, the bruising now runs near the ankle and behind the knee. Bummer! But it's a bluebird day at Alpine while I sit here drinking my medication while watching 4 pals ski the hill. 

 

Hairfarmer is out on the low angle pow having a ball (I hate him too)

I'm healthy and happy, yet I'm trying to catch up on work since I got behind in the past couple weeks..

To you and Hairfarmer....

Heal well and ..........

Don't be a hater.

The Pale Ale is working miracles ..Lucky I'm licensed to drive on the wrong side of the road too

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaritamarcia 


Mike, it was a pleasure to meet you and Neil the other day. Sorry our paths will not meet again this trip. Next year at Big Sky? We had planned on Squaw yesterday but bailed and drove to Heavenly...probably arriving SOONER that we would have gotten to Squaw from Truckee given the traffic ALL the way from Donner Pass Rd. Best to Neil, too. Marcia

Marcia, indeed it was great hanging with you and the group in the "wrong" lodge, unknowingly missing out on the wedding event     but so great to meet everyone and put a few faces and names together.  Thanks to those involved with the demo day, apres ski gatherings, etc. The only way we wound up choosing this particular timeframe for Tahoe back in October is because I stumbled upon the Gathering thread, and clearly it took this group of EPIC people to bring the EPIC snow to the area!

Absolutely we are already planning Big Sky and more for next year!   To wrap up this trip, we did hit Kirkwood on Saturday (never did run across anyone near lift 5 at ~9am?), then back north to Alpine Meadow on Sunday.   Whew, both of those areas were BUSY BUSY BUSY but crazy good weather and decent skiing throughout.    Monday and Tuesday were both reserved for Heavenly, and boy was it ever!   Monday, despite the fact we were staying practically next door to the gondola, we drove down to the California lodge and as somebody else mentioned, parked almost in front of the lifts, amazing!   That was a good day since we started up top early and didn't have to deal with any shutdowns or wind delays during most of the day.  Of course Tuesday was another fantastic new powder day, as much fun as we had at Northstar with about equally limited visibility!

So, a big  to everyone and perhaps our New England paths will cross one of these days!

~M

Big Sky is a big time favorite.  And Bridger Bowl is great, as long as we aren't there on the weekend (as I've been told by my favorite locals).  If they aren't on a bucket list, they should be.  And Moonlight Basin, next to Big Sky is also terrific.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbinder 

Going anyplace from the East coast other than Denver or SLC involves committing a day to travel. Each time I have travelled to Bozeman there were plenty of options for flights. Once We arrived at Big Sky we did have to contend with lift lines that were really long -- like about 20 seconds.... Seriously, the place is really user friendly. Going to Bridger from Big Sky takes a little time, but the roads are great, and the skiing at Bridger is way worth it. Ski-3PIO can confirm that the drive is not too bad, even if one is following the mis-directed route of someone such as moi.

I beg to differ.....I recall the lift lines as a healthy 7 seconds, not 20,  at their longest.  13 seconds /lift line x approx. 10 lifts = 130 seconds or more than 2 mins you could have been making turns.   

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellside 

I hope you guys give storm day at Squaw a try.  The lower mountain is very good during storm. The difficult terrain become mush easier to navigate. There was only one day all lifts were closed at Squaw this season. I remember lifts were close at all other resorts too.

I was looking for something else and found this quote from early in the Tahoe Gathering thread and thought how funny it was, considering how we ended up spending the Squaw Day. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

I was looking for something else and found this quote from early in the Tahoe Gathering thread and thought how funny it was, considering how we ended up spending the Squaw Day. 

That was one of my best day's of the season... split between Alpine Meadows and Northstar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayT 

 

That was one of my best day's of the season... split between Alpine Meadows and Northstar.

you mean 'apart from the wedding'

Jay didn't make it to Northstar for the wedding day.  He was called to work.  We forgave him for missing it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekchick 

Jay didn't make it to Northstar for the wedding day.  He was called to work.  We forgave him for missing it. 

Yes, I missed the day at the resort I play ambassador for - pretty lame indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayT 

 

Yes, I missed the day at the resort I play ambassador for - pretty lame indeed.

Jay, no one called you lame.  Work is a necessary evil that we all have to embrace from time to time.  Glad you made it for part of the week. 

And you did get in on some of the good snow, eh?