DON’T MISS: The Headwaters lift ac- cesses 1,000 ft. chutes that aver- age 40 degrees and range in width from John Goodman to Nicole Richie. www.moonlightbasin.com
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT WHERE: SIZE:
Whitefish # LIFTS:
2,353 ft, 93 trails 9
TERRAIN: u20% n50% l30% SNOWFALL: 300” VIBE: Whitefish (formerly known as Big Mountain) is laid back and unpretentious, hosting an average of 2,500 skiers per day. While this may sound like a lot compared some of the areas listed here, these skiers are spread out over 3,000 acres—more than one per skier.
In the trees, you can find
powder days after a dump. DON’T MISS: Feel like an X-Games superstar night riding in the lighted Fishbowl Terrain Park. www.skiwhitefish.com
BRIDGER BOWL WHERE: Bozeman
SIZE: # LIFTS:
2,000 ft, 71 trails 7
TERRAIN: u25% n35% l40% SNOWFALL: 350” VIBE:The scene at Bridger Bowl is representative of the cultural hodgepodge seen around Bozeman. You can find ridge hippies as well as kids and 80-year-olds. Bridger is primarily an area for advanced skiers, with notoriously poor grooming, but who needs that when the gnarliest inbounds skiing in the world is just 600 feet above you? DON’T MISS: The Ridge. www.bridgerbowl.com
Alex Yudell moved to Bozeman from Chicago in 2004 for engineering school and to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing. A frequent contributor to the Exponent, now he lives in Minnesota.
ASPEN/SNOWMASS •BRECKENRIDGE/KEYSTONE/COPPER • CRESTED BUTTE • MAMMOTH • BIG SKY/MOONLIGHT BASIN • NORTH LAKE TAHOE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE • PARK CITY/DEER VALLEY/THE CANYONS • STEAMBOAT • TELLURIDE • VAIL/BEAVER CREEK • WHISTLER • WINTER PARK
www.distinctlymontana.com 63
