Day 4 Bozeman / Bridger Bowl Snowboard Trip

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After hiking up to the ridge the day before, we took 1 run in the resort and prepared for the hike up to the top of the Ridge.

The Ridge is within the boundaries of Bridger Bowl. The requirements are that you must have an avalanche transceiver on, a shovel and a partner to climb to the top. It is another 600 feet of elevation above the top ski lifts. There are 2 gates to access the ridge and then you are on your own. When one descends from the top there are many challenges. The top of the mountain is full of cliffs, steep chutes and you have to be aware of what is below you so that you don't get trapped. This area received over 4 feet of snow the week before so there was good coverage in the chutes.

Here are a few pictures of our final day at Bridger Bowl. It was a very good day on the snowboards. With the high winds and a bit of new snow overnight, there was good snow on the north facing chutes and in the trees. 

 We hiked to the top and strapped into the boards. I dropped in first and got some good turns, then waited for Weez to snowboard down.

 Weez went past me and hunkered down behind some trees. Then I dropped down the chute.

 Weez dropped into a bowl to finish the snowboard run from the top.

 After a lunch break, it was into the trees we go. The trees on the south end of Bridger are spaced apart and are at a good steepness so that it is a blast to weave through them at speed. With the high winds from the night before, there was a nice layer of fresh snow.

Fun to whip through the trees.

 With the sun setting in the west and the winds kicking up, it was a great visual of the ridge line. The sun was lighting up the blowing snow. It gave the effect of fire and smoke above the mountain.

It was a rewarding trip to Montana. Several hikes up above the lifts toward the Ridge and some challenging steep snowboarding. Bridger Bowl is a resort with many challenges. Steeps, cliffs, trees and much natural terrain.

It is always...Good Times!!

Day 3 Bozeman / Bridger Bowl Snowboarding Trip

Day 2 Snowboarding @ Bridger Bowl, Montana

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Tearing down the mountain at Bridger Bowl.

 Riding the edge of the bowl having fun.

Weez giving me the eye for chasing her down the mountain.

Day 1 of Bozeman, Montana Snowboard / Snowmobile Trip --> Load Em Up...

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Sled in the box with the snowboard rack mounted.

 Looking at the top rack.

2 snowboard carrier rack. Rocket Box filled with 2 snowboards, 2 sets of snowshoes and Black Diamond ski poles. On the far right is the snowmobile ramp to load the snowmobile into the box of the truck.

It was a tight fit for everything up top, now I have it set up for future trips. The rack was put to the test with 1000 miles overnight in a snow storm with 30-40 mph headwinds and speeds up to 85 mph. Set it up right and you eliminate problems on the road.

 8:00 pm, everything loaded as the snow fell and and ready to take-off on a 1000 mile overnight trip to Bozeman, Montana.

 This is a shot of the truck at a wayside rest stop in the middle of North Dakota. Temp was -10 degrees. Caught a 2 hour nap at 5:00 am in the truck and then continued on. Snow and sub-zero temps with 30-40 mph winds made the travel challenging.

 Shortly after daylight in North Dakota with cold temps snow and wind.

 More Snow and wind.

Then the temps started to rise and the roads really started to ice up and became totally snow and ice covered. Shortly after we traveled through North Dakota, the Highway Patrol closed part of I-94. The highways became solid ice and numerous cars in the ditch.

We were able to keep moving and arrived in Bozeman, Montana in the afternoon. Snowboarding tomorrow at Bridger Bowl. Snow conditions should be very good with over 3 feet of new snow last week.

Bridger Bowl Daily Video 01-29-2013

Traveling to Bozeman, Montana on Friday, They got over 2 feet of snow today and expecting more snow over the next couple days. It's 4:04am as I post this, spent the night preparing the truck for the trip. Taking the snowmobile, snowboards and snowshoes, gonna be a good adventure...An all night drive Friday, 1000 miles and arrive in Bozeman, Montana on Saturday. Maybe get a half day of snowboarding on Saturday if it works out

Good Night...

Last Week of January in Review / Snow & Ski Patrol

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Weez doing the snow dance before a hike along the river, seems to be working very well. An afternoon of hiking in the falling snow and some hill climbing will prepare us for our trip to Montana at the end of the week. This trip will be snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Snow is the common word for the upcoming trip.

 Views along the river framed with the trees.

 Climbing across the icy stone wall, just messing around.

 Looking up the River Birch Trees in the falling snow.

 Earlier in the Week / Ski Patrol Chairlift Evac Refresher

 The idea is to lower people down from the ski chairlift in case of a power failure using rope and harness. It was a good cold winter night to pratice.

 Everybody works together as a team to safely lower the skiers down. It all worked as it was designed.

Looking forward to snowboarding tomorrow on the fresh snow.

Second Day of Snowboard Ski Patroling in Sub Zero Temps

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The view from the board on a crisp winter afternoon about -8 degrees F. Ski Patrol 2 days in a row with sub zero temps.

Minnesotans are becoming soft, the media must be scaring them and they don't come outside to enjoy the winter. The snow is great and with all the snow making there is even some soft snow to carve up on the snowboard. It's great to be out making turns on the board.

 The transition from daylight to dark.

 It's a good feeling to be on the hill as a Ski Patrol, not having any calls is good. Last night we were needed 3 times to help with medical emergencies.

I take pride in the fact that we are prepared for any medical situation that may arise. I am in radio contact with the patrol room any time it is needed. We can respond with a snowmobile and toboggan or a first aid toboggan located at the top of many of the hills to transport a patient to the Ski Patrol room. We have access to ambulance or even a helicopter if it is needed. When the weather is bitter cold, it is not only the injury we deal with, but also the effects of the cold on an injured skier or snowboarder. Speed of transport is very important to get the patient to the warm patrol room and then deal with the injury.

I really enjoy all the aspects of being a Snowboarding Ski Patrol. The bonus is improving my personal snowboarding and first aid responding skills.

GOOD TIMES!!

A Sunday Night at the Resort on Ski Patrol @ -2 Degrees

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Sunday night with extreme temps and winds makes for a classic mid-winter night. I make a sweep of the resort at the end of the night on the snowmobile and park it on the top hill. It gives me one last snowboard run down the frontside through the bowl. With temps below zero the snow machines are making plenty of new snow. 

A cold winter night with the moon overhead.