Winter 2022-23

Reminisces of the early days at Bridger Bowl. There are a myriad of reasons why Bozeman is a great place to raise kids. Having your children grow up skiing at Bridger Bowl is one of them—a real-life alpine version of…

In Big Sky, runaway development is putting the Gallatin River at risk. Here’s how one local law firm is holding today’s Copper Kings accountable. Two security guards barked into their walkie-talkies and watched helplessly…

Climbers come from near and far to revel in the stunning ice formations of Hyalite Canyon. The hallowed halls of Hyalite hold some of the most spectacular ice climbing in the Lower 48. With over 300 routes spanning three…

The ever-inspiring Tony Chiariello. One of the great questions in life, for those of us who love the outdoors, is the amount of time we will be able to keep going. How long will we preserve our bodies, push through aches…

Rediscovering the simple splendor of skiing on small-town slopes. Location, location, location—a common saying among both realtors and ski bums. And for the latter, a place like Bozeman is prime real estate, lending skiers…

Wintertime temperature inversions explained. You’ve seen it before: on the morning after a cold, calm winter night with glistening stars, a flat layer of clouds forms above the valley. The temperature is frigid—well below…

Paddling the Bear Trap mid-winter. As winter rolls in and the snow begins to pile up, the high-flowing rivers we saw in spring and summer become skeletons of what they once were. Low flows and chilly weather are the signs…

Moon risen, full, fish-colored High in the sea of stars over Livingston Montana. The numb night echoes. Tires squeal down Lagoon Way. And then quiet. The world spinning, I walk on... Inside the bars. Nattering women,…

A guide to the Bozone's most coveted ski stashes. As Bozeman’s population burgeons alongside the increased participation in backcountry skiing, many of the locals’ favorite ski-touring spots have been overrun. And Outside…

Pointers for XC skiers. With beautifully groomed trails at Sunset Hills, Sourdough, and Crosscut, it’s no surprise that cross-country skiing has become one of Bozeman’s favorite pastimes. And I always appreciate seeing…

The lost spirit of Big Sky. It’s a tale that’s become all too common among western ski towns: resort monopolies and the ultra-wealthy gulp up property and businesses, resulting in unalterable changes to beloved towns, ski…

Paying homage to the outdoor code. In Bozeman, we all strive for greatness, but—let’s be honest—we have our shortcomings. There’s an honor system for every season, every sport, every single time we go outside. And we’ve…

Going light and safe in the backcountry. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” —Confucius Nowadays, the outdoor-goods market is flooded with high-tech products designed to keep you from being…

The progression of Big Sky losing its spirit. 1968 – Chet Huntley, an NBC journalist, conceptualizes Big Sky Resort1973 – Big Sky opens1976 – Big Sky purchased by Boyne Resorts for $8.5 million1978 – Mad Wolf lift…

A new method to reduce elk damge. Next time you’re driving through Montana’s wide-open ranchlands, you might see something peculiar waving in the distance. Getting closer, you make out a large cylindrical object flapping…

Avoiding catastrophe on snowmobiles. Some level of risk is assumed when taking to Montana’s snow-covered mountains. When it comes to snowmobiling, consider your physical limits, be prepared for cold, and expect the…

Gardiner is open for business. Gardiner has taken a lot of hits lately. Around 3am on July 14, 2020, a fire broke out in the downtown area of this gateway town to Yellowstone Park. By the time firefighters gained control…

New West winter showdown. From time immemorial, there’s been an unwritten animosity between skiers and snowboarders. If skiing were the Beatles, snowboarding would be the Rolling Stones. If skiing were Moose Tracks ice…

A close-up look at small but mighty snow-crawlers. As I skinned up a slope on a warm late-winter day, I looked down at my skin track and noticed countless tiny blue-black bugs, just a few millimeters long, were suddenly…

Q&A with the new manager of Bridger Bowl. There’s a new face in town, and apparently, he likes big dumps. This winter, Bridger Bowl will operate under new management. Hiram Towle joins us from small-town Oregon after…

I. Snow slips down my face when would I ever freeze from gentle icicles? II. Icicles hanging from everything it seems like those hanging bats III. Frosty firs shrouded by winter’s hurtling ice stars or that frigid mist…

Tying the Perdi-Midge. Winter can be some of the best fishing in Montana, if you’re searching for solitude and scenery. While dry-fly and streamer fishing tend to be the most popular ways to catch trout, nymphing is…

Eagles flock to the Logan Landfill. As I entered the Logan Landfill, my adrenaline spiked when I espied a large number of bald eagles spiraling above the trash. Getting an “okay” to photograph from the pleasant women at…

The bounty of the BBC. “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” —Rachel Carson Winter is a special time in mountain…

Is it fat enough? It’s easy to imagine the allure of winter fat-biking: keep the pedals turning, even after snow takes hold for the season. Go out and get some hard-earned cardio; satisfy the fix that only a day in the…

Peering into Bozeman’s crystal ball. From Nostradamus to Miss Cleo, history is filled with clairvoyant exemplars. Nostradamus especially possessed a gift for prophecy, correctly predicting the French Revolution, Hitler’s…

What your skis say about you. Head to Bridger any day of the week and you’ll find the full gamut of skier types. Kids zig-zagging along, macho-bros hucking huge cliffs, silver foxes in spandex, a guy tucking into the woods…

Rearing a young winter-lover. Underneath the oversized parka that I got from the thrift store, a chest sling wraps my young daughter against my ribs like a second heart. Her earflaps snuggle cheek-pudge. She doesn’t look…

Show off your winter etiquette. The change in seasons brings changes to how we play in our back yard. And the hallmark of our back yard in winter is Hyalite Canyon. Trail shoes are traded for ski boots, mountain bikes for…

Throwing a post-ski tailgate party. “I drink to the general joy o’ the whole table.” —Macbeth The ski-resort tailgate: a tradition possibly as iconic as skiing itself. After a memorable day on the hill, continue the…

Flashy speckles in the winter sky. It was Walt Whitman—“America’s Poet”—who, after he’d heard the learned astronomer, went out and “look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.” In this season, that means the frosty stars of…

Are your kids ready to join you in more challenging places? Congratulations—shredding with your progeny is the whole reason you’ve been paying for lessons all these years. But before you go up for that first Ridge hike,…

A guide to wintertime exercise. You’re sitting on the couch; it’s cold outside and there’s snow on the ground. You woke up this morning telling yourself you’d go for a run. But surely this is a bad idea—it could be…

Dealing with cold fingers and toes. Raynaud’s disease can make getting outside in winter less desirable and more painful. It’s hard to have fun when your fingers and toes are in pain. I used to silently panic that a lack…

Support Bozeman's nordic trails. Most of the Nordic ski trails that mosey around Bozeman are free to use, but maintaining them is far from a cost-free endeavor. Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) takes care of these trails—…

Outdoor sign language, part two. Here in Montana, I think of winter as a season of big animals on big landscapes. All the large grazing species have migrated to critical windblown, low-elevation areas that characterize “…

An introduction to icy ascents. Ice climbing isn’t just for extreme alpinists anymore, as more climbers of all levels are staying in the harness come winter. And Hyalite Canyon is an excellent place to progress. Here are…

Snowmobilers top the charts for SAR calls. Few activities are more exciting than speeding across the snow on a snowmobile. Problem is, people often underestimate the power of snowmobiles and make assumptions about their…

A look at Bozeman’s changing climate. I lived in Bozeman from 1979 through 1984, moved back in the summer of 2020, and visited many times in between. I’ve sensed over time that this place is changing—not just the obvious…

What to do in this Yellowstone Gateway town. Loads of options exist for a day or weekend in Gardiner. Here’s an overview of where to go, what to do, and who to help out with a little business from the Bozone. Food &…

A snow-goer’s guide to Cooke City & Silver Gate. When the mercury drops and you’re itching to play in the snow, nothing can stop you—except lack of snow, that is. We know how hard it can be—weeks go by in mid-winter…

The white season in West Yellowstone. Every year, Montana seems to get a little less rugged—bumpy roads are paved over, remote outposts get modern amenities, and comforts increase across the board, eroding the romance of…

Bridger Bowl's flagship uphill race. If you’ve never heard of skimo racing, you’re not alone. Short for “ski mountaineering,” skimo is an event where competitors on skis race uphill, then down, and up again for hours on…

Coming to terms with a small town’s discovery. There was a morning this past winter that started gloriously. Following a routine we’d established of skiing lonely terrain nearly every day, we stepped into our skis and left…

Bozeman's groomed trails. Bozeman’s mountains and meadows are home to some of the best winter trails in the West. You can thank the terrain, local nonprofits, and the Forest Service for miles of groomed ski trails. The…

Winter camping, with and without a tent. When most people think of camping, they picture warm summer nights and grilled food around a campfire. That’s what I thought of, too, until my first winter-camping experience. I was…

Patience and partnership in the mountains. Jeannie Wall doesn’t shy away from a suffer-fest. To the contrary, she thrives on grueling endeavors, and has dedicated her life and career to moving fast in the mountains.…

The life of an MSU ski bum. There are a lot of universities across the nation, each possessing different traits that ultimately draw in high-schoolers. Some schools stress education, some are research-intensive, some…

A few years ago, I was descending the Grand Teton and it felt like my heavy pack was in control, pushing me down the mountain. It was a little scary. Then, my friend passed me a pair of trekking poles—and the difference was…

Fingerless gloves are great—or at least they should be. How many times have you bought a pair and been disappointed by a poor fit or lack of warmth? Rest assured, you won't find these or any other deficiencies in the Minus…

When it comes to portable power, there used to only be a couple options: fiddle around with a car battery and complicated inverters, or lug around a big gas generator. But it’s no shock that the current market is flowing…

With its flip-top cover and no-spill gimbal, the Beer Buddy PoleBag offers on-the-fly access to that most important of alpine accoutrements: cold beer. The insulated bag prevents freezing on cold days and keeps ’er cool on…

Why do we wear helmets? To protect our heads, obviously, but what we really want is peace of mind. With the Sweet Protection Switcher Mips Helmet, I get that and more. The design is snug but comfortable and includes a host…

The Rab Electron Pro is a down puffy that’s equally at home in the high mountains as it is around town on a brisk day. It’s definitely light, and easily stuffs into a small daypack full of ice-climbing gear, but the fabric…

Whether you’re skiing powder in arctic mid-winter conditions or busting out late-season corn-snow laps, the Outdoor Research Skyward II Pants won’t leave you wanting. The unique fabric is fully waterproof, but stretchier…

Form follows function, but style still counts for something. Blackstrap’s Summit Hooded Top not only performs out in the elements, but also comes in an array of eye-catching patterns (along with generic colors). Thicker…

Finding the right fit for a ski bib can be tough, which is why I’ve been wearing the same snow pants since I was 16. Black Diamond's Women's Recon Stretch Bib made my decision to hop on the bib bandwagon easy. Lightweight…

Fewer pieces of equipment, more adapters for different uses—that's the idea behind Petzl's latest crampon collection. The Vasak, for example, comes standard with a single binding system—either straps or bails, depending on…

After a particularly awful customer-service experience—you know, the kind that leaves you so incensed that you immediately draft a letter to the company president—I’d thought I’d sworn off Scarpa forever. Twenty-five years…

A universal truth: skiing ain’t cheap. A pair of ski boots for the resort is expensive, let alone two for your backcountry quiver. And if you spend your days lapping lifts and skinning switchbacks, you know that ski boots…

When a relentlessly hot summer coincides with early upland-bird season, overheating afield is a problem. Morning hunts are the best way to combat the heat, but sometimes it's hard to get out until later in the day. I’ve…

On those unpredictable fall days, when Mother Nature gets downright schizophrenic, nothing beats a good softshell—it's flexible and warm, it shucks light rain and driving snow, and it can be worn by itself in moderate…

If you’re anything like me, you drop, throw, step on, or somehow break your phone when you clumsily move through life. But unfortunately, most protective phone cases are made with bulky, unsustainable plastics that can’t be…

Duffel envy isn't pretty. An otherwise amiable fellow descends into a dark abyss of discontent, plotting against the bag-bearer, fabricating devious designs to pilfer the bag and dispatch its owner. Luckily, before any of…

We all have it: an innate attraction to cool new things. Some folks get excited by cars, some by gadgets, some by clothes. What excites me, more than other material objects, are edged weapons—knives, spears, swords, that…

Style matters. In life, and in skiing. And everyone knows that classics never go out of style. Take the Delaine & Co. Merino Ski Sweater. The clean lines and simple design will take you back a few decades, when skiing…

If you need to keep your noggin warm on frosty winter days—or just want to dress like a ninja and mess with your friends—pick up a Team Hood from BlackStrap. This full-coverage balaclava boasts a contoured design for…

Good liners can make or break a cold day outside, and with its warm merino wool and snug fit, the Ibex Glove Liner has made several of mine. The touchscreen-friendly thumb and index finger allowed me to manipulate my GPS on…

Ever have trouble finding the perfect fit in a winter coat? If so, check out Hexa Custom, which allows you to completely tailor a jacket to fit your preferences. You can customize a windbreaker, rain jacket, vest, or puffy…

For many years, I thought my hands were destined to be forever cold while skiing or climbing in the winter. It seemed that it was just part of the game, but when I tried the Cirque Gloves from Gordini I was introduced to a…

Locked and loaded. That’s exactly what I felt when I strapped on a set of Petzl’s Irvis Hybrid. These crampons are designed for ski mountaineering or approaches involving a lot of snow. With 10 razor-sharp points, the Irvis…

Winter in Montana means finding a way to pack a full day’s worth of activities into eight short hours of daylight, and the Classic Crew Alpaca Dress Socks from Alpacas of Montana are designed to keep up. I wore these socks…

Cold temps are here, and if your trail pal is a little light in the fur department, bundle him or her up with a Ruffwear Vert Jacket. It's got high-loft insulation for warmth, a waterproof shell to repel wet snow, and leg…

Ski gloves, climbing gloves, hunting gloves, work gloves... outdoor apparel is nothing if not specialized. Which is why the Outdoor Research Bitterblaze Aerogel Gloves are such a delight—they're designed for ice climbing,…

Just as a microscope or telescope reveals complexities invisible to the naked eye, so too does knowledge of the past bring forth a hitherto-unknown richness. In Meanings in the Mountains: Place Names in the Absaroka-…

What does a meteorologist have in common with an apocalyptic cult leader? He or she can, without losing credibility, repeatedly make predictions that don’t come true. Unfortunately, “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” made an early…

It’s said that within the birding community, everyone has a "spark bird"—the bird that initially sparked one’s interest in the field. In Mike Mctee’s case, it was the golden eagle that first piqued his interest in the avian…

A big part of nature photography is being in the right place at the right time. Which is exactly where Dave Peterson seems to be, over and over, given the impressive imagery inside his latest book, Wild Yellowstone: Land of…