 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
hd, I thought I'd wait until someone more knowledgeable posted, but it looks like they're thin on the ground at the mo', so here goes...I've only skied one day in Big Mountain (a day trip from Fernie) and it was 6 or 7 years ago I think, but FWIW...
I really liked it there. It wasn't a massive area but it had a good feel to it with some nice terrain - the runs back down to the resort were mostly wide blues but with a relatively decent gradient I think. The sort of runs that it's really good to hack down on a quiet day. It was a fairly quiet area, but not deserted, so I wouldn't expect you to have the resort to yourselves unfortunately.
Over the back there were more trees and we did some good runs there but have absolutely no idea which ones! Nothing that struck me as too steep, but there may be some stuff if you look around. I've just had a quick look at the piste map and the best terrain looks to be off to the right and I have a vague recollection that this wasn't completely open when we were there, so it may be we missed some of the best bits.
We stopped in Whitefish for a few beers at the local microbrewery on the way home and that was really cool (on the corner at the end of the main street I think). Whitefish itself was pretty tiny but struck me as having a nice vibe to it - almost like a wild west feel. I remember it as having shops with swing doors and I could imagine gunfighters facing each other down the main street, but that may be my memory playing tricks on me!
Anyway, we liked it so much that we planned on going back the next year but it never happened and I guess we'll be waiting until the kids are older, or moved out. 
I'm sure you'll have a great time! Let us know what it was like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
alan empty, cheers for the info much appreciated. If you only spent a day there maybe you won't be able to advise but is it better to stay in Whitefish or up on the hill? How long is the drive between the two? Is there anywhere decent/cheap to stay in Whitefish?
Oh and it dumped 26 cm there last night and snowfall is still being reported as I write... 
http://bigmtn.com/index.php?a=sr/main
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
hd,
I learnt to ski on the Big Mountain! I'd love to go back now that I'm much more able to ski the tougher terrain.
The steep/deep terrain is on the back side. They've opened a new backside area called (I think) Hellroaring basin with trees and steeps that gets good reports.
You'll certainly have enough to ride if you're only staying for a couple of days. You will find that midweek is almost like having a private mountain. I stayed up at the resort base, and I have to say that after the immediate Apres when the lifts closed, nothing much happens up there. Whitefish however is a kicking town. If I recall correctly, it's only about a half-hour drive from Kalispell airport to the hill, and a 15 minute drive from Whitefish to the hill, (but there's no speed limit in Montana).
Sometimes it can be a bit of a lottery with the weather: they frequently get fog at the top of the mountain, which isn't a whole load of fun. On the other hand, when it's clear you get stunningviews over toward the Glacier National Park in one direction, and the Flathead valley in the other.
- Someone posted a whole load of photos over on Epic last year (can't remember exactly when), and I'd recommend doing a search to view them - they give you a pretty good feel for the hill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
hd, my impression gels with Acacia's experience. The resort base seemed pretty limited and I'd planned on staying in Whitefish if we ever went back. However, I guess it could have changed a lot in recent years. And yeah, Epic is probably the forum to check.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did a day in big mountain as a day trip from Fernie back in 2003, it was really hot and sunny and the snow was like skiing on icing IIRC it was 80 degrees or something like that ! the skiing was really nice but it was mainly wide groomers and one of the blacks I found the only reason for it being black was because it had a tree in the middle of it !
the stuff over the back was a little steeper and more fun 
the brewery and shopping was also pleasant and I am sure someone told me Robbie Williams had a house there ??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
