Long time locals called it the best September skiing on record. The mountains around Big Sky, West Yellowstone and Cooke City also picked up significant early season snow. The snowpack at primary SNOTEL sites in our advisory contained the highest amount of
snow water equivalent
on record for each day from September 20th-26th. The rest of the season remained very above average for snowpack.
Articles
Displaying 11 - 20 of 110
Doug Chabot
On September 16th winter arrived with a foot of snow in the mountains. On the 17th a skier triggered the first avalanche of the season. On the 19th, after continued snowfall, Alex issued the first avalanche information bulletin, the earliest in 28 years of operation. This winter was the biggest snow year since 1996/97 in southwest Montana with snowpack depth averaging 120-160% of normal.
The Avalanche Review,
Doug Chabot
By Ron Simenhois, Doug Chabot, Karl Birkeland and Ethan Greene
The Avalanche Review,
Doug Chabot
By Ron Simenhois, Doug Chabot, Karl Birkeland and Ethan Greene
Explore Big Sky,
Eric Knoff
Impulse decision making may lead backcountry travelers into harm’s way. When riding in the backcountry, one bad decision can offset multiple good ones. Looking at avalanche accidents through this lens, a question arises: Were the decisions that contributed to an avalanche accident made with thought and measurable information, or were they made impulsively?
Explore Big Sky,
Eric Knoff
When skiing or riding in the backcountry, recognizing signs of instability
plays an important role in assessing snow safety. Cracking and collapsing of the
snowpack, along with recent avalanche activity, are Mother Nature’s clues that
the snowpack is unstable.
Carve,
Doug Chabot
Being prepared to play in the backcountry includes prepping your gear, your mind, and your partner. All are important and each requires separate actions. Many accidents result from a cascading failure stemming from a lack of preparation.
Explore Big Sky,
Eric Knoff
Backcountry skiing and snowmobiling has exploded in popularity over the past 10 years. Every winter more skiers and riders hit the backcountry in pursuit of steep faces and untracked powder. This type of riding has increased the inherent risk of being caught in an avalanche and on average, 30 people die in avalanches every year in the United States.
Explore Big Sky,
Eric Knoff
Backcountry skiing and snowmobiling has exploded in popularity over the past 10 years. Every winter more skiers and riders hit the backcountry in pursuit of steep faces and untracked powder. This type of riding has increased the inherent risk of being caught in an avalanche and on average, 30 people die in avalanches every year in the United States.