Montana Diary

Stories from the Road
March 12, 2017
Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky

The day was cold as we made our way across the ski area to Moonlight Basin, a vast ski area annexed by Big Sky a few years ago. Janet and Franck wanted to see all of the area, so we made the traverse. The snow was better there than at Big Sky, and we had some terrific runs. Janet continued to make great progress and enjoyed the trails.

Vicki, Dennis, janet, and Franck

At one point I took a side trail, which turned out to be a narrow, icy run. Everyone met the challenge and did well. We stopped for delicious burgers at Moonlight Lodge, before making a last run.  Then we headed back on the catwalk towards Big Sky. One part was very icy with pumped up, speeding skiers. Dennis labeled the section, “Suicide Alley.”

A few years ago we stayed in a cabin on the slopes at Moonlite. I skied by it today with fond memories. It was set back about 5 feet from the slope, which was always groomed. In the mornings we would ski down to the lift and head back up to Moonlight or ski over to Big Sky. At night we would cook dinner on our outdoor gas grill. It was a rustic home.

Buck'sT-4

Last night we went back to Buck’sT-4. Dennis had the pheasant and rabbit pot pie, which was excellent.  Janet’s pheasant quesadilla was very good as was Vicki’s short ribs. I had a steak and Franck the game quesadilla. My friend Nancy Leonard from Michigan had told me to listen to the ski workers because they knew a lot of good information. She was right.

Our driver was a retired man who worked part time for the ski patrol. One vignette stood out. A youth with a golf parker jumped off a lift as a stunt. The ski patrol found him and took his lift ticket, as not only could he have been hurt, but also he could have dislodged the chair lift.

He also gave us information of the 5 star Yellowstone Club, which adjoins Big Sky. People like Bill Gates own homes at the private club, which features a ski area and golf course. On the way home we saw a herd of elk near the road. That was a treat.

I see where Trump fired “the sheriff of Wall Street.” It reminds me of Nixon’s political firing of Archibald Cox and Elliot Richardson. That didn’t work out so well for Mr. Nixon.