Category Archives: Skiing

Ryan Walters’ journey through the Freeskiing World Tour

By Ryan Walters | Published April 6, 2011

“Freeskiing” started in the 80’s as a way to defy the rules, take the sport in new directions, and generally have a blast. Not much has changed in 31 years, and skiing is progressing faster than ever, thanks in part to contests and the development of freeskiing as a professional sport. The Freeskiing World Tour is one such arena, and one way that I enjoy my winter. The tour comprises of a South American leg in our summer, then the North American leg in our winter. This season I hit the three largest stops.

Revelstoke, BC kicks off the North American Leg with the Canadian Freeskiing Championships. After several powder days and 30 in of snow the competition got under way. Here Athletes got heli rides to the top of this peak for the finals day. The resort offers an incredible amount of skiing, I cannot wait to get back here to do more exploring.

The drive to Lake Tahoe from Bozeman is brutal, even stopping in SLC for mexican food, wannabe beers, and a place to crash. Upon arriving in Kirkwood for the North American Freeskiing Championships we found sunny skies, the next day however brought almost 5’ of … READ MORE >

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Winners Announced!!! 2011 Mystery Ranch Photo and Video Contest

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By Kyle Christenson | Published April 1, 2011

The entries have been received, the chads dimpled, ties settled with sewing machines at 20 paces and recounts recounted. We are proud to announce and showcase the winners of the 2011 Mystery Ranch photo and video contest. Congratulations to grand prize winners Ryan Krueger, Matthew Irving and KGB Productions and thanks to everyone who entered your unbelievably awesome photos and videos.… READ MORE >

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Cooke Pt. 2

By Ben Nobel | Published March 29, 2011

After spending a long weekend in Cooke, I was beckoned once again by the scale and availability of its spectacular objectives.

I couldn’t get the images of some of those lines out of my head and was fortunate enough to be able to load up, once again, and drive south.  This time, with a solid crew from Salt Lake City, including my good amigo Jay Beyer.

We had decided to spend a few days camped up where I had spent the previous weekend, to put us in good position for a solid assault on some big lines at a moment’s notice.  I took a scouting lap on my sled into the basin and found a stellar campsite in the trees located right below the immense wall, that I am nostalgically referring to as Churchbells.  After a few laps of running the boys into camp, we set out to see if anything was moving, and show the SLC crew the spectacular arena surrounding us.  I think they were impressed.

We got back to camp and, after a few bouts of the Old Crow, we attempted sleep amongst the titans that surrounded us.  Morning 1; quick breakfast to ease the angst … READ MORE >

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Cooke Pt. 1

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By Ben Nobel | Published March 17, 2011
Featuring: FuzeSaddle Peak

If there is a heaven, I think it might be near the NE entrance to Yellowstone..

On another random Wednesday evening, Brad and I planned a quick and dirty trip south to rip big lines in classic Montana fashion.  The Tacoma adorned with my old Summit 700, a case of PBR, winter bags and a tarp, we blazed through the park, losing count of the numerous close calls with various hoofed animals.

We had some big missions in mind, and thankfully, the snowpack in the region has been very conducive.  With no consistent weak layers, and a minor threat of wind slabs, our confidence in some of the bigger objectives started to overbear any fear of strength, ability or prowess.  We toured around day 1 ripping some beautiful east facing lines only to be blindsided by one of winter’s deadliest predators.  Skirting along a knife edge ridge, making it a point to stay as close to the windward side of the ridge as possible, Brad stepped just far enough to make everything go BOOM!!  Scrambling to secure himself back into terra firma, a truck sized cornice ripped itself loose and tomahawked downward.  Usually the best sign of instability, proved itself … READ MORE >

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Sorry Bro

By Kenny Andersen | Published March 15, 2011

Something awesome happens when you finally decide to go for something you’re really passionate about.

Starting President’s day weekend, I embarked on the best vacation of my life…snowboarding for 3 weeks straight.  Equipped with my new fuze pack, along with a demo blackjack avy bag from Mystery Ranch, I began my assault at Snowbowl in Missoula.  Running into my buddy Tanner C was great, considering he was one of the first people to show me how to really shred.  (By the way, the ‘out of bounds’ cliffs…..not really out of bounds….whoopsy!)

Back home at Bridger Bowl, 13” fell on day two of my vacation which signified to me I was in Ullr’s good graces.  Madman’s, Psychopath, Cuckoos nest, and the plethora of lines at Schlashmans were enough to keep me choking on powder for the first few days, and since I was finally riding mid-week it was like having the Bridger’s to myself.

Before I knew it the temps took a turn for the worse and dropped into the minus 10+ range.  Waking up one morning and discussing with my roommate how to layer for the day, continue to hike, and stay warm I panicked.  The last thing I wanted to … READ MORE >

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Sunday Funday

By Ben Nobel | Published February 25, 2011

Sometimes, something beautiful happens in this world…

In some cases that may mean falling in love, getting your dream job, or finding out that you didn’t actually break your back when you smoke a tree at 30 miles an hour…  On that note, the term Sunday Funday has a lot more credibility when the beauty of 2,500 foot faces littered with pillows, cliffs, and 2 feet of fresh are all of the sudden staring you in the face.

SW Montana can have a tough time staying consistent as far as snowpack goes.  The Bridgers can get pretty bad, pretty quickly, when 90 mph winds pillage any new snow that may have fallen in previous storms.  Gallatin Range, same thing…  And don’t get me started on the Crazies….  But fortunately, with a little exploring, some serious vert, and a couple hours trying to keep 4 wheels between the lines, something beautiful indeed, can happen.

A strong trio and a good sense of the terrain, Meg, Ryan and I cranked our way up switchbacks, through Cascade-esque pillows, perfectly spaced pines, and dozens of photo worthy cliffs.  It’s always a pleasure skiing with new people and I was stoked to get to be … READ MORE >

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High Wind Warning

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By Steven Drake | Published February 14, 2011

High Wind Warning – A statement issued by the National Weather Service for the entire state of Montana. A statement that should have been a consideration for my weekend plans.

With a strong wind straight out of the west I headed to my destination, a family cabin and acreage, in eastern Montana. A lengthy drive brought me to a blockage in the road, a massive snow drift, where I must ski the remaining two miles into the cabin. I parked right up next to the drift overlooking the possibility the road blowing shut behind me.  Overlooking the high wind warning was my first mistake. Parking where I did was my second.

Late that night, after watching a few movies in the comfort of the cabin, I was starting to question the integrity of the roof above my head. The wind was howling! My dad called to report a 114 mph gust was recorded in Choteau just before it destroyed the wind-measuring equipment. 80 mph gusts were recorded in Red Lodge and Livingston.

The next morning I awoke to a strong breeze and pleasant temps. There was no new drifting at the cabin. I felt assured the road, two miles away where I … READ MORE >

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The First Day of the Rest of the Season.

By Ben Nobel | Published February 1, 2011

So after a few injury laden weeks from an episode involving a stubborn tree and my hip, I finally made it back into the mountains.  Tradeshows brought me down to Denver for SIA and Salt Lake City for OR, to ride some pow with my good friend Jay Beyer (jaybeyer.com)  The Wasatch doesn’t disappoint even with an ice layer from a rain sequence the week prior, as we found good snow on the backside of Mt. Superior.  Sunny skies and decent wind deposited enough new snow to cover up parts of that ice layer and make for some good photo opportunities and easy skinning.

My Fuze and I are attached at the hip throughout most of the winter and finally got a chance to ride my new DPS Lotus 138′s after staring at them for weeks.  A few laps on the north side of Superior on wind affected, but silky smooth snow, and a final push back down to Little Cottonwood.  If you haven’t ridden in the Wasatch….  You know what exclamation comes next…

That night, forecast called for a mild storm to roll in and we aimed our sights at the Y-Not Couloir on the North side … READ MORE >

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Steven Drake’s 2010 Montana Hunting Season Slideshow

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By Steven Drake | Published December 9, 2010

 … READ MORE >

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Fire and Corn

By Steven Drake | Published July 7, 2010
Featuring: Saddle Peak

“We are having way more fun than they are,” said Jake. He wasn’t kidding!

On the 4th of July weekend, I found myself perusing through Yellowstone Park en-route to my family’s cabin just east of Cooke City. I had no expectations for the weekend and expected nothing more than a lackadaisical few days, all while enjoy the beautiful scenery that the Beartooths have to offer.

With that said, you’d be a fool to drive into the Beartooths not toting ski gear. I’m no fool! On the morning of the 4th I drove up to the Beartooth Plateau in search of snow. Things were looking grim at the Wyoming summit. After descending the last switchback before the Gardner Lake pull out, I turned around and was treated to a pleasurable sight. Gardner Headwall’s north and south lines were very skiable!

With my gear on in minutes, I hitched a ride back up the switchbacks to the summit and then anxiously trekked across the plateau to the top of the southern aspect of the headwall. The line hadn’t been skied for at least a week – I was more than happy to track it up with some big GS turns. Smooth, steep, … READ MORE >

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