BIG
SKY
Montana
sure has a lot of BIG..BLUE SKY. And all those news clips of Denver
drowning in snow would make you think the Rockies are currently a
bright, white delight for skiers. NOT. Crystal Mountain has twice the
base we met when we reached Big Sky (and Vail is fairing no better.)
But thirteen SkiHawks, under the able leadership of Raunie Grottolo,
hit the slopes at Big Sky with gusto anyway, January 27 through 31.
Al,
the Iceman, Erlandsen won the prize for the most guts. He got off the
tram at the top of Lone Peak, skied right past the sign that warned
Slide for your life because of ice-covered runs and got to the bottom
in good enough shape to tell about it. Other than that, the challenge
for the group was to find the runs with the best snow, the tastiest
meals, and most fun entertainment. (The Crazy Austrians win again!) And
to have a great time in the process.
With
snow conditions less than prime, Yellowstone National Park beckoned
even more enticingly. The views were glorious and the wildlife
plentiful. Frosty-coated bison, pairs of coyotes, trumpeter swans, and
elk all made the trip magical for SkiHawks who ventured in via snow
coach. Those who planned to snowshoe were told not to bother to put
them on. Hiking boots and ski poles worked fine. The cross-country
skiers were in for a treat when they had to navigate the ice-crusted
boardwalks, but they pulled it off without falling into something hot
and smelly, so it was all part of the fun.
It
was sort of a family kind of trip. We celebrated Susan Becklund's
birthday with Phillippe, a newfound friend from Brazil (who swore he
was 24 but looked more like he was 12). We shared meals, colds and cold
remedies, and names. (Bob..no... Al..Al..un unh, Bob,
Susan...Nope...Mary!)
Definitely
a fun
trip.
Submitted by Mary Lloyd
Photo's courtesy of Susan Becklund
