2013 EpicSki Gathering: Big Sky Montana! - Page 12

 

It is going to be a big challenge! 

 

One of the fun things to look forward to: Genevive will get to try skiing this winter. 

Twins!!! When's the due date? I will definitely help out if you will let me!

They are due between thanksgiving and December first. Thanks for the offer. Madeline is so happy that you want to help out!

Tim, my congrats to you, Madeline, and Jenevive.

Gary

BIG SKY NEEDS YOUR HELP!


The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce is trying to raise money to erect an "entry monument" at the corner of 191 and the "Spur Road" (where the Conoco station sits), where you turn into the community of Big Sky. We have been working on the project for about two years and hope to receive funding through this grant to move us closer to the construction of the entry monument. Currently, there is virtually nothing to indicate the wonders that await - summer or winter - a mere nine miles up the winding road to the mountain.

An email has gone out asking Big Sky residents, friends, and friends of residents and friends, to send a copy of the letter below to the address given, by Friday, July 27th. If you are so inclined, please do us a huge favor and help with this project. Just cut and paste this:

Dear Montana Office of Tourism TIIP Grant Committee,

I strongly support the Big Sky Chamber's application for the Entry Monument Project. The entry monument infrastructure is a necessary piece to enhance tourism and economic development in the Big Sky area.

Thank you for your time.

NAME
XXXXXX

and send to:
marketing@bigskychamber.com

Thank you in advance and just maybe our new "entry monument" will be in place for the Gathering . . . If not, you'll still enjoy our slopes!

Do you know how this is going? 

The last day for submitting emails was just yesterday, so I doubt there will be any news for quite awhile. I'll try to keep you posted.

Funny thought: When Everett Kircher, founder of Boyne USA, which owns Big Sky, started his Boyne Mountain in Michigan, he used to drive a bus down to Detroit and back to bring skiers north for weekends at his new "resort".

Meaning that maybe we could interest John(his son) in driving the Bears from some 'Gathering' point (sorry) to Big Sky next March? Hmmmm . . . . It could work. That bus, full of cheering skiers, would be a great advertisement as it wended its way across the country.

Actually, I believe Big Sky is part of Boyne USA's eastern division, which is son Steven's domain. John's in Washington and oversees Brighton, Crystal, Cypress and Snoqualmie. At least that used to be the arrangement when I worked at Boyne in Michigan.

I don't think they need the bosses driving buses to entice customers any more.

We like being lonely at Big Sky. More for me!

Big sky or Jackson, either one, is a good plan!

???

 

 

March 25-29, 2013

March 25 - Bridger Bowl

March 26 - Big Sky

March 27 - Moonlight Basin

March 28 & 29 - Big Sky

 

More details in the Group threads:

http://www.epicski.com/groups/show/16/2013-epicski-gathering-big-sky-bridger-bowl-moonlight-basin-montana

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of driving from Salt Lake City to and from the Gathering?

 

Good question... I would be taking some of this path if I go (still waiting for wife to check on vacation). But I would also be driving to Big Sky, but from Boise. So here is what I`ve heard from a friend that goes to Montana frequently from Boise. You would drive the same road from Pocatello/ID all the way to Montana. He told me that the roads are not bad even during the winter if you go through Idaho instead of Wyoming. Wyoming would have a more beautiful drive through Grand Teton and Yellowstone but conditions maybe be worse and it`s also a longer drive. He said that it should be good if driving any car that does relatively well on winter/snow conditions, any 4WD/AWD not using summer tires should be okay and the roads usually don`t get close, he said this is more common to happen through Wyoming.

 

SO I would say you might be good unless you are driving a small/2wd car. It would be scary I guess :-)

A few years ago Phil was at a GTG in SLC and rented a car to do some more traveling.  He went to Big Sky during that trip. 

This was when he was a Hart Ski Rep. 

http://www.epicski.com/t/64690/philpugs-wild-western-tour-utah-boat-wy-id-march-08

This was Nolo's comment when the subject of driving from SLC came up in a travel thread in the Gathering Group.

 

"It is March 23-29 that we're talking about, so chances are the weather will be springlike. We live in Bozeman and often drive about the west in the wintertime for skiing. Oftentimes to SLC and Jackson, and we have made it back and forth without mishap so far. There are some skiers in Bozeman who consider Targhee a day trip. At one of our ESAs, Eric DesLauriers drove to Jackson after skiing Big Sky for his brother's birthday party and was back at Big Sky the next morning to meet his clinic group."

 

I'm planning on driving with a friend who lives in SLC.  Mainly because I'll be staying at Alta Lodge the week after the Gathering.  Plus we want to check out Grand Targhee on the way north.

It's a crap shoot. Late March roads off the mountain will probably be clear but wet from melting snow piled along the highways unless it snows a foot or two then there may be heavy wet snow in the valleys and awful driving conditions. The better the snow - the better the skiing - but worse the driving. Make sure you fill the windshield washer tank because either way your visibility may be awful.

During the Jackson Hole gathering some people drove from Salt Lake City (which is the first leg of the drive you'll be taking) and had a harrowing journey due to blowing snow. I came down from Bozeman via Big Sky and drove during the day both ways because of the same issue. Even if its not snowing that route can be tricky especially from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone. I highly recommend driving that stretch during the day if you can.

 

The advantage of driving from Salt Lake City is pass real close to Jackson Hole, close enough that it would be a shame not to stop by for a few turns.

What time of year was the Jackson Hole Gathering?  I understand that weather is not predictable.

Marznc

 

You wrote " I understand that weather is not predictable."  Correct.

It is my understanding that people who ski often encounter poor road conditions. 

Poor road conditions often lead to good skiing.

Soooo, I should drive from SLC so that I can encourage bad weather,on the roads and therefore....

Be sure to go early so that the weather clears by the weekend before the Gathering. 

 

Nah, please commute every day of the Gathering from SLC. I think you'll get a lot of contributions towards your gas expenses.

May drive up Friday/Saturday, ski Sunday thru Tues with my boy(s)?  If their grades are good to that point?  

 

Is there a place we can park our cabover camper to spend the nights without being hassled?

Hey Bud here you go DanoT 's got a pretty nice rig.

 

 

 

.

 

I'm not sure where i will be parking my pop-up diesel truck camper at The Gathering, but as far as parking goes i find that it usually works best to apologize after the fact rather than ask permission in advance.

 

I'm hoping we can park overnight right at Big Sky but if not then I guess somewhere in Bozeman. Tire shops, repair shops, RV sales places are good choices or just about any business where you can arrive after they close and leave before they open. A restaurant or any place where you've just done business also sometimes works.

Uhhh... Bozeman's not that close to Big Sky.  An hour away?   Unless I'm missing your intent, you're not going to want to be commuting back and forth to Bozeman.