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Winter 2011-12

Features

  • Activities: Miscellaneous

    Wings on the Wind

    With the blinding sun streaming through my frosted windshield, I drove toward the M trailhead early on a cold morning. Just to be prepared, nearly every piece of skiing equipment I owned was packed into the trunk of my car…
  • snowboarding, avalanche, Mt. Blackmore
    Activities: Backcountry Skiing

    The Road of Excess

    Avalanches and aphorisms on Mount Blackmore.“If you get buried down there and die,” Kent asks, “what do you want inscribed on your tombstone?”Right now, my friend’s question—and his matter-of-fact tone—couldn’t be more…
  • Activities: Skiing

    Up and Over Lone Mountain

    On a Friday morning in early February, 1971, George Claggett called up from Bozeman, just over the hill from where I lived in Ennis, to inform me that we were getting too fat from sitting behind our desks all winter and it…

Departments

  • beer, illustration, bull and beer
    Activities: Skiing

    A Bull and Beer Market

    Debts paid properly.There’s no such thing as a free lunch. So in the interest of preserving karmic balance, if a buddy does you a solid and saves you from a long afternoon of sitting in the lodge—say, fixes your bindings,…
  • Activities: Ice Climbing

    Frozen Fun

    Once the domain of hardened alpinists, ice climbing has come a long way in its evolution and now anyone (thanks largely to modern equipment and Gallatin County snowplows) can enjoy a sense of adventure, complete with…
  • Culture: Food & Drink

    Dutch Lovin'

    Between Yellowstone Park in the south, Ted Turner in the middle, the National Bison refuge at Moiese in the northwest, and all of the smaller bison-ranching operations in between, Montana has become a virtual bison factory…
  • Activities: Camping

    Cabin Fever

    For the average outdoor enthusiast, winter can be a difficult time to squeeze in a fun-filled overnight or multiday adventure without freezing your buns off or breaking the family budget. Sure, a few days and nights in a…
  • Activities: Miscellaneous

    Big Fun

    Beyond the slopes at Big Sky.Stretching a cavernous 1,500 feet from the top of Chet’s Knob to Tippy’s Tumble, Big Sky Resort’s Twin Zip spans the entire base area. But such sprawling magnitude isn’t the only bennie of this…
  • Activities: Backcountry Skiing

    Tree Skiing

    Snow fell late in the season last year. So in spite of the nearing arrival of spring with pleasant dreams of sunshine and warm rock, there were untouched fields of snow demanding attention.With the sun just starting to…
  • Activities: Skiing

    Sidecountry Silliness

    The greatest gift given to Bozeman-area skiers since the Lone Peak Tram has certainly endured some growing pains during its infant years. When the Slushman’s lift started turning three seasons ago, it immediately opened…
  • Places: Cities & Towns

    Powdery Playground

    East has it, too. Bozeman insiders know that for those of us who love the great outdoors—especially in the winter—the Gallatin Valley’s offerings can’t be beat. But, hey, sometimes you just need to get away. We live in a…
  • Activities: Miscellaneous

    Winter Wonderland

    Want to ride like the wind across a frozen wonderland? Jump in the car and head south. Situated high in the mountains at an elevation of 6,667 feet and in the center of a 400-mile snowmobile trail system that spans three…
  • Culture: Family Time

    Powder Parenting

    For the past two seasons, I’ve been taking my four-year-old up to Bridger for laps on the Snowflake chair. I’m sure there are plenty of other Bozemanites out there who, like me, are making the sometimes-painful transition…
  • Activities: Miscellaneous

    Snow Days

    In some places, staying inside during winter is standard procedure—but not in Bozeman. Snow, hail, whipping winds, or below-freezing temperatures? Bring it on! And just like us, our kids don’t let a little snow stop them…
  • Culture: Family Time

    Fathers, Sons, & Ski Days

    It’s late November. It’s dumping—the first good snow of the season. I’m standing on my porch watching the white flakes fall seamlessly out of the darkness above, letting them gather in my hair, on my jacket, on my eyelashes…
  • Training: Workouts

    Get Your Ass in Shape

    Between your job, family, and skiing as much powder as possible, there’s little time left for training. That’s where this workout comes in—you can do it anywhere and no weights are required. It will help you build leg and…
  • Culture

    And a Side of Gluten, Please

    I admit it—I love the free bread when dining out. At a restaurant the other night, and after the waiter returned with our drinks, I asked if we could have bread. He replied, “We have gluten-free sourdough or gluten-free…
  • Training: Workouts

    Balneotherapy

    Considered power spots in nature, hot springs have been utilized by cultures worldwide for meetings, sacred gatherings, purification, and healing. Today, in our scientific era, controlled studies are validating the health…
  • Training: Skills & Safety

    Survival with Style

    Owing to the fact that humans have two legs and two arms, many items come in pairs: gloves, socks, shoes, boots, crampons, poles, skis. Most of these items are nearly useless without their mate—just like your humble author.…
  • gopro skiing montana outside bozeman
    Activities: Skiing

    Head First

    How to shoot action sports like a pro.The use of wearable cameras is expanding rapidly in all action sports, and the technology is keeping up with it. Manufacturers are racing toward better resolution, higher frame rates,…
  • Activities: Hunting

    Wolves, Ducks, & Big Game

    Montana’s Second Wolf Hunting SeasonWith more than 16,000 wolf hunting licenses purchased, hunters had the opportunity to hunt in 14 wolf management units with an overall harvest quota of 220 wolves. As of November 8, a…
  • Training: Fly Tying

    The Double G

    The Double G is a sweet little pattern that can be used any time there are midges clustering up on the water. It is a must from late fall all the way through to late spring—with its simple materials, it floats well and,…
  • Activities: Skiing

    I Know What You Did Last Ski Run

    Andy Rooney nailed a verbal bulls-eye when he said, “Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don’t need to be done.”This is especially evident as I approach hour five…
  • Activities: Nordic Skiing

    Nordic Nut

    Do you like to sweat in cold weather? Do you like to wear tight clothing? Do you like to ski with great difficulty up hills before flailing down on flimsy gear? Do you know what lutefisk is, and how it’s made—and still eat…
  • Culture: Face-Off

    Bridger Bowl Vs. Arapahoe Basin

    Arapahoe Basin, otherwise known as “The Legend,” is a small resort hidden among giants in the Colorado Rockies, just outside Denver. Unlike its money-grubbing neighbors, A-Basin has remained humble. But how does it really…
  • Culture: Season Opener

    Risk Management

    “Living with the immediacy of death helps you sort out your priorities in life. It helps you to live a less trivial life.” —Sogyal Rinpoche, Buddhist teacher My femur couldn’t be broken. If the thick phonebook of ice had…

Gear Reviews

  • Gear: Misc

    Review: Princeton Tec Bot Headlamp

    If you’re sick of your kid stealing—and more often than not, losing—your headlamp, get the little rugrat a Bot, the new child’s headlamp from Princeton Tec. It’s got those cute colors and patterns that kids like (way neater…
  • Gear: Equipment

    Review: Ruffwear Omnijore

    Sick of trying in vain to tire out your hyperactive pup? Does she consider your five-mile hike a mere warm-up? Then click into your cross-country skis, slip on a Ruff Wear Omnijore, and give your pooch a workout while…
  • Gear: Company Profiles

    Virtue & Vice

    During winter, ski tuning gives me an excuse to grab a pint of Plum Street Porter, head out to the man-cave, and hone my ski edges while dreaming of the perfect waist-deep powder run. I love skiing but also have a wallet…
  • Gear: Apparel

    Review: Cabela's Thermal Zone

    Whether skiing, sledding, or ice climbing, a good base layer can turn the dreaded plea of “Can we go home?” into a euphoric “Let’s go again!” Utilizing its military-grade Extended Cold Weather Clothing System, Cabela’s now…
  • Gear: Misc

    Review: Breffo Spiderpodium

    Specialized camera mounts notwithstanding, there’s always that one time you just can’t get a stable base for hands-off shooting. Enter Spiderpodium, a weird-looking but surprisingly useful mounting tool, designed to secure…
  • Gear: Equipment

    Review: Pelican1720 Long Case

    One of the hardest things on guns is getting banged around during transport. The best thing for your valuable firearms, then, is a sturdy case—and you won’t find anything tougher than the Pelican 1720 Long Case. This stout…
  • CamelBak Rogue Light Review
    Gear: Equipment

    Review: CamelBak Rogue Light

    Who needs water? Everyone, that’s who. And for outdoorsy folks who value hydration more than most, CamelBak’s Rogue Light is a welcome improvement from the classic Nalgene/carabiner combo. Stealth is this product’s strong…

Additional Articles

  • Activities: Skiing

    Winter Ski Races

    For exact dates, check out our Events page.JanuaryBridger Alpine Community Ski Race—Three-part race series for citizen racers of all ages. bridgerbowl.com/events.Youth Ski League—Bridger Bowl hosts a weekend of alpine races…
  • Places: Cities & Towns

    Red Lodge Events

    JanuaryNordic Moonlight Ski – ski along the shadow of the aspens then relax by a warm fire at the Red Lodge Nordic Center. beartoothtrails.org.Red Lodge Mountain Rail Jam – competitors perform tricks on rails and boxes in…
  • Culture: Arts & Culture

    Unfriending Winter

    Shakespeare wrote “thy breath be rude,” but I think thy breath has little attitude. Dullness, neglect, but not vulgarity— of emotions you haven’t even slight sincerity. While your chill betrays some tempered winds, your…
  • Culture: Arts & Culture

    Ski Tango

    Ahead of me Hardscrabble cracks knuckles against clouds. Behind the Bridgers splay crags in the oystery air. I move to a tango. Skies and poles glide, cut, break. I am partnered by the wind against whom I tangle, kick. A…
  • Culture: Conservation

    Winter Veggies in Montana

    When winter hits, trying to get vegetables locally becomes a seemingly grueling task, whereas eggs, dairy, grains, and meats may still be easy to find. So this winter, use these helpful tips for ways to keep your veggies…
  • hot springs, swimming

    Area Hot Springs

    Developed:Bozeman Hot Springs. 586-6492; bozemanhotsprings.coNorris Hot Springs. 685-3303; norrishotsprings.comChico Hot Springs. 333-4933; chicohotsprings.comYellowstone Hot Springs. 833-977-7464; yellowstonehotspringsmt.…
  • Culture: Around the Bozone

    Wild West Winterfest

    No matter how much our lives can revolve around snow, there comes a day when you just can’t take another minute of ass-freezing ski turns and you want to do something with the family. Fortunately for the residents of…
  • Culture: Letters & Rants

    Letters - Winter 2011-12

    Every season, we receive a few letters from our lovely readers around the Bozone. Sometimes they’re nice, sometimes they’re nasty. And sometimes they’re just plain silly, like this letter from longtime reader and fellow…

  • Outside Bozopedia

    Like a cooler version of your overzealous fifth-grade scout leader, the all-new, much-improved, and downright dashing outsidebozeman.com is here to save you from outdoor ignorance. Need downloadable maps? We’ve got ‘em.…
  • Culture

    Winter 2011-2012 What You Liked

    By now you’ve heard about our digital edition—a full-fledged, super-cool online version of Outside Bozeman. It’s getting a lot of traffic! Here were some visitor favorites.  1. How Far Will You Go? If you’ve ever doubted…

  • Winter 2011-2012 O/B Blunders

    Every so often, our attentive and meticulous readers catch an oversight—a proofreading or photo-editing gaffe committed by overworked O/B staff after one too many Chuggles (see Fall 2011, p. 91)—that puts us, quite…

Book Reviews

  • Culture: Books

    Reviews: Film & Fiction

    You might not believe it, but there will come a day when you don’t want to go skiing this winter. Either your quads will be too blasted or the thermometer won’t crawl above zero, but you’ll spend one day entirely in your…
Outside Bozeman Winter 2011-12

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