39 Search Results for ""big sky resort""
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Through the Lens: Jason Thomps Through the Lens: Jason Thompson
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:Words by Kim Havell and Jason ThompsonImages by Jason ThompsonUpon graduating from Montana State University in 2004, photographer Jason Thompson joined Big Sky’s Ski Patrol and also worked as a mountain guide in Washington and Alaska, steadily building a career in adventure photography. His focus is on creating skiing and climbing imagery that captures the essence of action adventure.With a style that Thompson describes as “raw and unposed”, he strives for simplicity. His images are the product of his lifestyle, telling stories inspired by nature, adventure, and the human experience. At twelve years of age, Thompson decided to pursue photography with an old-school Olympus camera. He took photography classes in high school while shooting action photos of skiing, backpacking, and soccer.Thompson is currently on an expedition to University Peak in Alaska with friend and ski partner, Forrest Coots. When asked about Thompson, Coots shares, “JT has a strong skill set built from years of guiding. He is comfortable climbing and skiing big lines, while also shooting, which allows him to capture that raw-feeling. His images reflect his travels through the mountains via ice climbing and ski mountaineering in iconic locations around the world.”The Start—Insights from JasonAs a kid, I was drawn to the mountains and loved the winter months. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I was exposed to some of the finest mountain terrain in the lower 48. The Olympic Mountains served as my launching point for adventuring as well as capturing the escapades with my camera. The Washington experience extended from childhood through high school.A high school friend gave me a flyer for Montana State University. That was the first time I realized the power of marketing; there was a skier on the front page of the flyer. I was sold. I had also seen many of Kris Erickson's pictures and read many of Hans Saari's words. It was an easy move to a place where two creative adventurers that I had looked up to had made their home base. In the fall of 1999, I moved to Bozeman, without ever having been there, two days before classes started. Five years later I graduated with a degree in photography. The community in Bozeman welcomed me and it’s been home ever since.Breaking ThroughFor me, the photography process has more been a series of ups and downs with a continual ebb and flow. There have also been great moments that have provided me with bigger surges.In 2008, Tyler Jones, Seth Waterfall, and I received a Hans Saari Ski Exploration grant for a trip to Mount Shkhara in the Republic of Georgia, located in the Svaneti Region. I had to plan a major trip from a climbing/skiing perspective as well as from a photography perspective. It was a great learning exercise. The expedition was powerful for the three of us, visiting a place that we knew little about. It left a mark on me in my young photography career.In issue #36 of Alpinist Magazine I had a double page spread. The article, written by Joe Josephson, was about ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon here in Bozeman, Montana. I was humbled and thrilled at this incredible opportunity to be involved.InspirationDuring my junior year of university, Kris Erickson came in and gave a talk to my photography business class. It was groundbreaking for me. I remember being blown away by the images he was showing, the adventures he had been on, and the people and places he had seen. It was an inspiring forty minutes for me. I remember thinking that, yep, I could do that for work.Since then I have had a chance to get to know Kris better. The insight he provided that day and since then has motivated me to follow suit in many ways and has helped me to carefully evaluate how I mold and shape my photography and my brand. I have heard Kris mention so many nuggets of wisdom over the years. When I used to shoot slides, I built myself a light table, made of out of cheap plywood and plexiglass. I would write quotes or ideas that I had heard which inspired me or had caused me to take pause. Some of my favorite nuggets written on that light table were from Kris. I wish I had kept that light table—somewhere during the many moves I lost it.SafetyI have always wanted to be a photographer and that has always been my number one goal. But, I tactically decided early on to pursue ski patrolling and guiding in order to give me a solid foundation of management, in particular from a safety standpoint. I heard Will Gadd explain his philosophy and outlook on life as a “positive, negative outlook.” Meaning, the universe is out to kill us. As Will put it, if you get hit with that piece of ice that is your fault. No one else can be blamed for that. He preached personal responsibility. I agree.As a ski patroller at Big Sky Ski Resort, I learned a lot over the years about avalanches and helping others with medical incidents and avalanche mitigation. I also started mountain guiding, spending time in the Alaska Range and on Mt Rainier.I have a very open dialogue with athletes with whom I am shooting. Safety is number one. Just because there is a camera does not mean that you have to accept a risk that you wouldn't normally take. The industry trend is to make everything look very sexy. Often times the careful calculations are not shown or exposed. That is one of the things I want to bring to the table as a photographer. Showing the process of how the hazard is being evaluated and what steps are being taken in order to minimize “our” exposure to that risk or hazard.The Creative ProcessThe creative visual process has only begun to take shape in the vertical terrain. I think that we have just seen the beginning. As a visual adventure artist I try and pre-visualize how an athlete will ski a certain line or climb a certain line. I use the athlete as my brush stroke on a blank canvas to generate the exclamation point to the already stunning landscape.Hans Saari stated this idea beautifully: “ The vibrancy of the line means everything. Like a cello, there is no sound until the string is taut. The more you struggle, the tighter the string, the greater the music.”The BusinessWith the current status of the industry, it takes creativity to approach the visual side of things and to see things from new angles. If I use a business model that my mentors used previously, chances are that I probably will not last too long in this industry.The digital age has shifted many things. But, I believe that relationships propel us forward. It’s the human connection. As a viewer of images, you are drawn to the content that captures that soul. One of the quotes that I had written on my plywood light table twelve years ago was from Kris Erickson—“It’s about the relationships.“Just like any business that is starting out, a plan of action has to be put into place. Still, taking that first step into the unknown is still probably one of the biggest adventures upon which I have embarked. But just like climbing or skiing a big objective, after the first few pitches your nerves calm down. I have been able to realize that “yeah, I can do this.” It’s something that you have to commit to. It’s a lifestyle. Creative artists pour their lives into doing what makes them passionate.PartnershipsTime spent with friends exploring and adventuring inspires me the most. I've found a greater personal joy in the expedition style shooting versus the one-day shoots. It is a chance to get to know my subjects in greater detail and see more of their personalities shine.There are several folks with whom I really love working:- Ice climber Andres Marin has been a great friend of mine for a very long time. His energy is contagious. Andres has a drive for perfection and professionalism that is very admirable.- Forrest Coots and I met for the first time while in Chile during the fall of 2011 on a ski trip. We meshed right away. I enjoy Forrest's desire to take trips to places that require some thoughtful planning. Forrest and I have sat in our tents during storms and shoot texts back and forth dreaming about trips and different ideas that spark our passions for skiing in the mountains.- Tyler Jones and I met in 2005 while we were guiding for the same company. Tyler has since gone on to finish his AMGA guiding certifications as the youngest American to complete the process. His meticulous attention to detail is somewhat astonishing. Tyler is one of my best friends. From the Republic of Georgia, Montana, Alaska and La Grave, our mountain time has played a huge role in our friendship. I've learned a ton from Tyler in regards to hazard mitigation.- I was recently on a shoot with Conrad Anker. His vision, dedication and outlook on life is inspiring. He would prefer to talk about his new route the “Nutcracker” than talk about his last summit on Everest without oxygen. His psych for climbing is contagious, his energy transcends generations, his talents are inspiring to watch, and his mentorship helps many. Conrad never stops learning and he is a proponent for adaptation. That’s just rad.The Future of the IndustryI believe the future involves a lot of creative collaboration. Sharing ideas and collaborating can be very rewarding. It will most likely evolve and morph on a much larger scale. I know of some climbing projects that are in the works based on wide scale submissions from climbers willing to submit content from a whole season’s worth of footage from one location. So instead of one or even five filmers being involved, there will be fifty contributing work.Career Highlights- Every year I make a little more money than the previous year as a photographer.- Having my first image published in a Patagonia catalog and then having them re-license it for a store display in the Seattle store—that was a goal of mine that year and it felt really good to nail it.- Being awarded the Hans Saari Ski Exploration Grant for a Ski trip to Mt Shkhara in the Republic of Georgia.- Double page spread in Alpinist Magazine #36- The moment I realized that I actually had an audience that was listening to me and actively following my work. It was a moment that shifted my mindset and challenged me to work even harder. It wasn't just my mom who was looking at my pictures anymore.- Being asked to give a talk at Montana State University in the same business photography class in which I had heard Kris Erickson give his talk.- The friends I have made and the many interesting people that I have been fortunate to meet over the years because of photography.- Being invited on the Cerro Castillo ski trip in Patagonia with Drew Stoecklein, Chuck “The Pit Viper King” Mumford and Forrest Coots to work on and create the short film “Take The Ride.”To view more of Jason's work, drop into http://www.jthompsonphotography.com
- Blog post
- 4 weeks ago
- Views: 175
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Resort Review: Vail Colorado C Resort Review: Vail Colorado Celebrates 50 Years of Skiing
- From: drewrouse
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Description:
Vail has quite the reputation with out me writing one word about it as a subject you probably already have an opinion on the place. However after living here for 15 years and growing up skiing this place with my family before that I know some of its secrets so perhaps I can add some perspective both as a former gaper and a long time local.
Essentially a 5 mile by 5 mile expanse of ridges and huge open bowls that happen to sit at the south end of the Gore Range which creates a jagged cloud trap to catch any precipitation and funnel it towards Vail. It is the reason that there can be 5 inches on the report at mid vail but the back bowls and Blue Sky basin will receive feet as happened just this last storm cycle. On a good year well over 400 inches of super light Colorado fluff fall back there a few miles from the village.
The terrain here is mostly mellow but trust me there are some steeps and cliffs if that your thing. I spoke with young big mtn up and comer Christian Nichols formerly of Ski Club Vail’s Big Mtn Team and he told me that its legit terrain for him and the rest of the team to have to train on to prepare for contests at mountains that are much more highly regarded as steep and technical. The terrain parks at Vail are looking better than ever with a brand new 22 foot super pipe this season and always innovative rails and eagle counties little secret, lots of log slides in the trees if jibbing lumber is your thing.
Lines can be long on weekends or big powder days but there are ways to get away from the crowds. Show up early with a plan and get ahead of everyone and you will be lapping untracked powder for hours or show up late when its dumping and go seek out some stashes. Ptarmigan cornice and the ends of the ridges in the bowls are some of my favorite places to look for super deep wind-loaded leftovers. As a kid I can remember loving to go out to inner and outer Mongolia bowls just because there was no one ever out there and there was a lot of terrain to explore. Its not that steep but it is always worth a look if you want to find some solitutde.
The resort has a bunch of easily accessible side-country, which means you can usually find fresh snow even weeks after a storm if you know where to look. East Vail, The Minturn Mile, West vail trees…. It would take you years and years to ride all of the lines located a short walk from Vail’s ropes. Just remember here in Eagle County more often than not we have a sketchy snow pack with lots of depth hoar and a recipe for slabs that step down into bigger slides so use good sense and remember your Avalanche gear if you are wanting to venture out. Seems almost every year someone is lost in an avalanche around here and its definitely something that’s always in the back of my mind.
The snow is not the only attraction here, Vail does a pretty good job of putting on events and concerts all year long almost. With the Burton U.S open making its Vail debut, this coming weekend it looks like they are just stepping it up. Things have never been better as far as nightlife goes and bridge street, will keep even the most seasoned partiers happy. Check out the George if you want to chill or Samana Lounge to get your groove on.
Some of the things I have heard is that Vail is flat and its crowded, full of gapers, extremely corporate, expensive, my aspen friends call it a truck stop and yada yada yada. So what, a lot of negative things are true about this place and people always hate on the biggest for whatever reason but subtract that and what do you have. A huge expansive mountain with a pretty fun town, pretty easy access from Denver, via a very well maintained highway that doesn’t close often enough for my liking. Check Vail out, you may have the time of your life here whether it’s a deep pow day or a night out on the town, I know I have.Skier Drew Rouse
Photo Ben KoelkerVail Lodging Sale, book online through Mountain Reservations.
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Views: 99
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News: Second Annual Smash Life News: Second Annual Smash Life! Banked Slalom Jan. 6 At Big Sky
- From: TetonGravityResearch
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Description:
The second annual Smash Life! Banked Slalom snowboard race is once again taking place at Big Sky Resort in Montana on Saturday January 6th celebrating the life of Aaron Robinson. Last years race had close to 100 riders and raised over $1800 for the Aaron Robinson Plant-A-Seed Project.
Aaron Robinson was a two-time winner of the North Face Masters of Snowboarding Tour, one of the best freeriders on the planet and friend to everyone on snow. Aaron’s time with us was cut short after a snowboard accident in Chile that took his life in the summer of 2011.Details on the Smash Life! Banked Slalom are as follows:
Date:
January 6th, 2012
Cost:
$10 pre registration (emailsmashlifebankedslalom@gmail.com)
$15 day-of registration
Discounted Lift Tickets will be available to riders.
Registration:
From 7:30am-9:00am at the Mountain Mall
Contest Start Time:
10:00am Top of the Triple Chair
Divisions:
Groms: 13 & Under
Youth: 14 -17
Adult: 18 -39
Masters: 40+
Why:
Come out for a fun day of shredding, lots of high fives and mandatory smiles, Proceeds go to the Aaron Robinson Plant a Seed Foundation
Heading to Montana for your next ski or snowboard vacation, buy your lift tickets in advance and save big.
Click Here for Montana Lift Ticket Deals. - Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Views: 152
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Mountain Biking At Big Sky Res Mountain Biking At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Mountain biking in and around the Big Sky area means miles of back country scenery, wildflowers, wildlife, and few human encounters. Big Sky Resort offers the areas only lift accessible downhill trails from the Swift Current lift right here in the Mountain Village. The chairlift operates from 10:00am - 3:30pm everyday, weather permitting.
Downhill and cross-country mountain bike rentals are available at the Different Spokes Bike Shop, 406.995.5849 - 8 months ago
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Getting to Big Sky Resort in M Getting to Big Sky Resort in Montana
- From: ericseymour
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Description:Getting to Big Sky Resort in Montana
- 9 months ago
- Views: 161
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Epic Sturgis: 5 Athletes, 16 H Epic Sturgis: 5 Athletes, 16 Harleys, Dozens Of GoPros, 1 Hell Of A Ride
- From: ericseymour
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Description:
The author, Eric Seymour, rides a Harley Davidson Softtail Blackline toward Mount Rainier and, ultimately, to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Words by Eric Seymour.
Photos courtesy Harley Davidson and GoPro.
Passing a semi-truck, 100 miles from Sturgis, South Dakota, our 16 motorcycles were in a tight-staggered formation drafting one another at less than one car length. I looked down at my speedometer and the gauge read 120 mph. I was surprised at my speed. The Harley I was riding was ready to pull ahead even faster. Everyone always says, “it’s the journey, not the destination,” but pulling into the motorcycle rally, I thought it might be the destination in this circumstance.
TGR, GoPro and Harley Davidson rally through Mount Rainier National Park with five elite extreme sports athletes.
Teton Gravity Research was invited to cover an epic 1,500-mile motorcycle journey from Seattle, Washington, to Sturgis, South Dakota, sponsored by Harley Davidson and GoPro. The trip was in celebration of Harley Davidson’s 110th anniversary. Joining Max Kuszaj, one of the voices of the Freeskiing World Tour, and four other elite GoPro athletes including three-time X Games gold medalist BMX rider Chad Kagy, kayak freestyle champion and Olympian Eric Jackson, mountain bike film star Aaron Chase, and four-time world mountain bike champion Brian Lopes.
Starting in our hotel parking lot in Seattle, we began getting outfitted with our leathers and checking out our Harley motorcycles. We had 16 big, badass motorcycles that showcased the 2012 line.
I was anxious as I sat in the hotel parking lot getting ready to begin the ride. The mission encompassed riding 1,466 miles, 29 hours of saddle time, and four days to travel from Seattle to Sturgis. Could I ride a Harley? Could I ride this many miles? Was I crazy to embark on this journey with only dirt biking and commuting in Jackson, Wyoming, on a 650cc duel sport as my experience? All doubts vanished as I twisted the throttle on the1500cc Blackline in Mount Rainier National Park, heard the bike roar, and felt the bike accelerate. Riding the Harley was easy. The bikes are big, but they have a low center of gravity and a predictable clutch that instills confidence. I knew I was going to experience the trip of a lifetime.
Entering the Lochsa River Corridor.
The organizers of the journey planned a phenomenal route that took us through national parks, along river drainages, over mountain passes, and the majority of the ride was on two-lane twisty highways. I cannot think of a better way to see the country. Riding by bison in Yellowstone National Park made me feel so small and at the same time very alive. My highlight of the trip was riding over Beartooth Pass in Montana. The road is magnificent with tight turns that zig and zag for a perceived eternity. Huge drop-offs exist on the edge of the road. I was able to release my aggressive nature as I pushed the Harley Sportster in and out of curves with speed and a determination to go faster. At the end of the day, feeling a release of endorphins, I was content knowing that I am going to be a motorcycle rider for life.
Max Kuszaj of the Freeskiing World Tour loves to ride.
Riding a motorcycle gives a person a sense of freedom that is very comparable to skiing. The wind is in your face and accelerating through a corner feels like railing a turn.
“The nicest thing about motorcycles is that it allows me to clear my mind and get on the road,” Max Kuszaj said. “A lot of my ski friends are now getting Harleys. It’s great to get on the road, clear your mind and just ride.”
Before heading to South America to go skiing, Max has another 2500-mile motorcycle ride planned out with his buddies. Max really likes motorcycles.
Riding through a wheat field as the sun sets in Idaho.
Getting to Big Sky, Montana.
Trading our Harleys for downhill mountain bikes at Big Sky.
Four-time world mountain bike champion Brian Lopes sending at Big Sky.
Wind in the face never felt so good. Riding the Sporster Seventy-Two.
The team goes for an early morning bridge jump into the Gallatin River in Montana.
Where the buffalo roam: Yellowstone National Park.
Riding out of Cooke City, Montana.
Beartooth Pass. The highlight of my trip.
Sunset on Beartooth Pass. Life never felt so good.
Riding into the sun on Beartooth PassArriving at Sturgis, I was amazed at the pure magnitude of the festival with over 600,000 bikers the town was packed. We had arrived at the motorcycle version of Burning Man, a biker’s Shangri La. Zip lining over a massive crowd with Journey playing “Don’t Stop Believing,” and bikers revving their loud pipes, I felt like I had entered a new world.
“Sturgis is wild,” Max Kuszaj said, “I was not mentally prepared for the madness and the amount of people that are here. It’s something that you need to experience at least once in your lifetime. It’s the best people watching that I have ever seen in my life.”
For me, Sturgis is about seeing the culture and history that has encompassed Harley Davidson for so many years. I appreciated all walks of life. There is a new breed of Harley rider that is young, fit, and wants to ride. As fun as Sturgis was, it was not my highlight of the trip. The winding roads, amazing sunsets, and freedom felt on the bike were my Shangri La. It still is the journey not the destination.
The streets are lined with bikes in Sturgis, South Dakota.
X Games gold medalist Chad Kagy and pro mountain bike freerider, Aaron Chase check out the bikes in Sturgis.
Don’t stop believing. Journey rocks the house at Sturgis.
Get on the road and enjoy the ride.
"The top of the pinnacle is a Harley. It’s the American horse, the American legend.” - Max Kuszaj. - Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 609
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2011-12 Season Review - Big Sk 2011-12 Season Review - Big Sky Resort, Montana
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
While most of the country struggled through a dry winter, Big Sky Resort had another year with great snow conditions.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 410
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Pond Skim 2012 - Big Sky Resor Pond Skim 2012 - Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Big Sky Resort's Pond Skim is always the most popular event of the year. Every year the shape and approach are a surprise - participants tackle double ponds, giant kicker entries, and s-curves. 2012 brought the most elaborate pond yet: a tetris-piece shaped pond with two separate entry points, a jump, and endless skimming combinations.
Click Here To Watch More Big Sky Videos - 1 year ago
- Views: 1160
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Extreme Spring Skiing At Big S Extreme Spring Skiing At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
BSPN has always been ahead of the times. While digging through our video archives we found this episode of BSPN from the late 80's. Shredding the moguls with straight skis, neon and bikinis.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 645
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Late March 2012 - Big Sky Reso Late March 2012 - Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Plenty of pow and bluebird days have hit Big Sky, Montana this spring. So far the season is winding down in epic fashion.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 631
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Early March 2012 - Big Sky Res Early March 2012 - Big Sky Resort, Montana
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Big Sky Resort is still going strong in March!
Music by: The Knocks (Peter, Bjorn & John Remix)
http://www.facebook.com/theknocksnyc
- 1 year ago
- Views: 1122
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February 2012 - Big Sky Resort February 2012 - Big Sky Resort, Montana
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
A series of surprise storms hammered Lone Peak mid-February, bringing feet of snow when only inches were forecasted.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 9
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President's Day Weekend in Big President's Day Weekend in Big Sky
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
A few unexpected storms rolled through Big Sky, Montana over the days leading up to President's Day Weekend. With blue skies, deep pow and tons of live music, it was one of the best weekends so far.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 58
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Early December 2011 At Big Sky Early December 2011 At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Early December brought multiple snowstorms to Big Sky, Montana. All this new snow allowed for the opening of runs off Swift Current and The Lone Peak Triple Chair. A good mix of snow and clear days has made for a great start to the season.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 7
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Dummy Jump 2012 At Big Sky Res Dummy Jump 2012 At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Dummy Jump 2012 At Big Sky Resort
- 1 year ago
- Views: 74
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Full Moon At Big Sky Resort Full Moon At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Full moon over Big Sky Montana.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 12
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Smash Life Snowboard Banked Sl Smash Life Snowboard Banked Slalom Event At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
The first annual Smash Life Banked Slalom Snowboard Race took place Friday 1/6 near the top of the Lone Peak Triple. Nearly 100 participants showed up to race and help raise funds for A-Rob's Plant a Seed Foundation.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 21
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Welcome To 2012 At Big Sky Res Welcome To 2012 At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
2012 is off to great start with more terrain open off of the peak, including The Big Couloir, and a new 3 jump line on Ambush. The west may be mostly dry, but in Big Sky skiing is as good as ever.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 9
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Late December 2011 At Big Sky Late December 2011 At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
BSPN brings you a look at the excellent ski conditions over the holidays.
- 1 year ago
- Views: 8
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Mid December 2011 At Big Sky R Mid December 2011 At Big Sky Resort
- From: bigskyresort
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Description:
Mid December 2011 At Big Sky Resort
- 1 year ago
- Views: 5
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