Ski Big Sky

Yesterday's fabulous ski trip to Hunter mountain was compounded by an invitation to Montana in Febuary to ski Big Sky country. I've never been out west and from what everyone tells me I'll never want to ski the northeast again - that is if I return. Hunter Mountain had 90 inches of packed powder surface, which is an impressive amount for a rainy season we're had in NY so far but the west gets into depths of 150 to 200+ inches by this time. The conditions are completely different and many granola heads have to relearn how to turn, navigate and descend a 2000-foot descent with fresh snow. If in doubt, be ready for a yard-sale! That's skier slang for a fall where skis and poles are stewn all over the hill. There might be plenty of that to write about when, or if, I return in one piece. Yesterday I worried about not having health insurance and taking hairpin diamond runs. I slowed myself down rememebering how irresponsible it would be if I crashed. How am I suppose to do the same skiing in places like Big Timber and Bridger Bowl? These are terrain parks with rails, jumps and half-pipes I've only dreamed about. Mountains in the west are the grandaddy of scenery, fast lifts and trend-setting European villages. Bumps, runs, groomed cruisers, glades, bowls - you name it, all awaits me in Montana next month.