Winter Carnival 2015

Red Lodge Mountain knows how to throw a good party! This year's Winter Carnival was a blast!

I skied like usual on Saturday - I skied hard all day long… Skied with friends, found stashes of untouched pow back in the beautiful Headwaters, basked on the lift in the sun, enjoyed the calm air… It was a really nice day. It was super busy - there were (I'm totally guessing) about 3,500+ people at the mountain. But the nice thing about RLM is that even though it's a smaller mountain, its big enough for everyone to spread out - I skied a ton of double-black, & single black runs - & usually had the entire run to myself! The snow was really good, fresh & powdery. Sunny skies & warm temps.

Last chair up Grizzly Peak. (elevation 9,416')
This was at about 7pm. See the sunset's afterglow lingering in the west along the horizon. 

Torches lit! Ready to descend! This was the COOLEST thing ever. About 100 people skied in the dark, down the mountain on ungroomed runs. Onlookers below got a show of glowing torches winding down the mountainside. As we (the torch holders) made it to the base of the mountain, there was a FANTASTIC fireworks show! So much stinkin' fun! 

Be sure to check out this video below - a friend made it; capturing parts of the Rail Jam, & the Torchlight Parade down the mountain. Enjoy! 

Look for the Winter Carnival in 2016! It's a lot of fun, a party ya don't wanna miss! Ski hard, have fun, & never stop exploring! See you on the mountain!

-GB 

Hot Laps in November

Red Lodge Mountain

"What good is the warmth of summer,
without the cold of winter to give it its sweetness." ~John Steinbeck

The first day of the 14-15 ski season has arrived! Waahooo! Its felt like winter for quite sometime, with snowstorms, icy roads, & sub zero temps - but now it truly feels like winter - because the lifts have started turning! Winter is the best! I am SO excited for ski season to finally be here & STOKED to be back on the mountain! Good people, good mountain vibes - fun snowy days - got my November shred in! (I skied 8 out of 12 months this year, was trying to get all 12 months in, but due to traveling it didn't work. Oh well, always next year, right?)

The snow is sparse this season (as of November 28th, the 1st day open; only lower mountain lifts are operating), & the weather forecast is not looking promising - EVERYONE: Pray for snow, okay?!! But, snow or not, I still love going up to the mountain & skiing. Early season is fun; you ski because you've been counting down the weeks, days, & hours till the season starts - Oh, & don't forget how you've been checking weather reports every chance you get, hoping for a snowy forecast. You ski when conditions aren't the greatest, because you love the sport. You ski to say you ski. You ski to hang out with friends & catch up how everyone's summers went. You ski to earn that drink at the end of the day. ;)

(To all of my rad snowboarding friends, you are okay too, I guess. hehe.) Early season skiing is like the hot laps of a nascar race - Everyone's stoke is getting built up, we're all getting ready, toned, & super excited. We can ski the off piste in the trees where there might be pow hiding. We can find bumps & give them a try. We can enjoy the sunshine & fresh air. We can work on improving our ski technique. Take a ski class or two - who's ready for Town Series?! Mostly, I'm just glad to be back on the mountain & have skis on my feet!

See ya on the mountain, & here's to a hopefully snowy season! Cheers!

-GB

Last run of the season —

Pooooof.  

Today was my last day for the season. It was an amazing snow-filled year for Red Lodge Mountain. I'm sad that the season is nearly over - it ends on the 13th. But I'm really thankful that I was able to ski as much as I did. Skiing made the winter fly by. Can you believe it's April?!

My last day on the mountain was spent skiing all my favorite runs, skiing hard and having fun, taking in the views I've grown so fond of, chatting with lifty workers & the locals that are always skiing. I took lots of pictures, & hung out at the Bierstube after the day was finished.

It was a fun day. This season I skied all the named runs (with the exception of one run called Jones Park, that I kinda forgot all about!) …And got in some really good skiing on the "unnamed" runs that are scattered throughout the mountain. The cliffs off of Boomerang, the Kitchen, trials through the trees above Hellroaring Traverse, shoots off of Upper Limited that go down the Drainage - there was some good unmarked powder hotspots in Palisades too. There were other favorite places, but they shall remain a secret.

I've already bought my season pass for next year, while its on sale. Better get yours. ;)

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A SIDE NOTE: If you ski at RLM you had better check out the Turn, Petal & Burn Race. (If you haven't already!) It's an amazingly fun race that is about 12 miles long. A sort of triathlon adventure race, where you ski part way down the mountain, bike the rest of the way down, then run on foot to the finish line. This is the 4th year the race has been held. It was previously called "Grizzly Peak Adventure Race".  I competed solo in the past 3 races; getting 2nd place (in my age group) the first year, 5th place the next year, & 3rd place last year! Here's a link to something I wrote last year, about this race.

I had been planning to race again this year, but I'm going to be out of town… actually overseas, so I'm breaking a three year tradition! You had better go & race in my place. Not only is it an amazing race - it's the last chance to ride the lift up Grizzly Peak - on April 19th!

If you race, let me know how it goes!

Farewell Winter… Hello Spring

Ski days aren't like other holidays or sports. Once you've tried it, its hard to stop. Who would've thought that strapping planks of laminated wood, metal & fiberglass to your feet & diving downhill, could become an addiction? Ha! I love skiing. The Rocky Mountains are among the most awe-inspiring places you'll probably ever visit. When you are on the mountain skiing, you don't just stand & gawk at them, (or the amazing view), you engage with them; learning their many moods, testing your strength, & you develop a respect for the sheer power the mountains have…

A wonderful snow-filled winter has just ended. And an equally snowy spring has begun. Since January, 148" inches have fallen on Red Lodge Mountain. 38" of those inches fell since March 20th - the first day of spring. 15" of the 38" fell this past Sunday!

Bright & early, 5:58am Monday morning, my alarm started screaming at me. Most people dislike the startling "bbeeep! bbeeep!" noise the alarm clock makes. But I was glad to hear it. There was one thought on my mind: skiing! I was wide awake,  rolled out of bed, eager to start the day & excited to be skiing (& not working)! I got dressed, searched the pantry & raided fridge for food, grabbed my gear, hit the road, & got to the mountain around 8:45am… Skied all day long.

15" inches fresh pow followed by a bluebirdish day & 19 degrees is perfect.  

First tracks. 

Above the Palisades & clouds. 

Good 'ole E-4, back in Headwaters. 

This is me, from a different ski day. Photo taken by my friend Hannah. Thanks girl!

Dropping down into some pow.

By the end of the day, half my face & neck was sunburnt, my lips were chapped, my legs were generally tired, my bad knee was a little sore. Ha! 15" of powder is hard on the knees. I had skied hard all day Friday & Saturday. By Monday I was worn out. But it was totally worth it. ;)

All photos taken w/ 5th gen iPod. Edited on Snapseed. 

Observations made during ski season:

● Your hair never looks good on the weekends.
● The highway snow-plowers don't plow the road I live on.
● No friends on a powder day.
● Ski socks are a fashion statement.
● It's only cold if you are standing still - ski hard all day long.
● I don't always make a fool of myself, but when I do, it's under the chair lift.
● Always look one gate ahead of where you are, keep your upper body pointed downhill.
● All the good songs play while you are on the lift.
● Duct Tape can "fix" just about anything, but won't look very good.
● All my friends think I'm crazy because I spend all my free time outside in the cold.
● Hand warmers are like the most awesome thing ever.
● Getting sunburn while skiing is worse then burning in the summer.
● Double black diamonds are a girl's best friend.
● Snowboarders aren't cool when they're sitting on their bums in the middle of the run.
● My knees will be like those of a 80 year olds by the time I'm 30.
● Stairs & ski boots don't go together.
● The Thermos is an amazing invention. Keep it hot. Keep it cold.
● A simple hello can lead to a thousand things.

Ages 10 &  9 - my little brother & his friends were my skiing buddies for the day.

Close to Heaven, Down to Earth

Yet another amazing day at Red Lodge Mountain! An unexpected storm blew in & dumped 24" inches of POW. The skiing was fantastic; the snow was super light & over knee deep, (least for me it was, I'm 5"6).  Skiing in general, has been amazing this season. Red Lodge has the largest capacity snowmaking system in the Northern Rockies! Full coverage on 31% of trails. This season the snowmakers have had an easy job - because the mountain has had greater-then-average snowfall!

I was talking with another local ski bum, & he said that Red Lodge hasn't had this much snow, since 1977. (I'm not positive if thats true, just thought it was interesting.) Red Lodge usually sees their best snow late in March, when the spring storms come through, but this season has been different - already have over 191" inches (that's over 15 feet of snow)! The average snowfall for Red Lodge is 250", but the mountain hasn't been up to its average in a number of years. 

24" fresh (& falling) pow! 

Everything was perfectly blanketed in the white stuff. It was so quite, & cold - 8'F degrees! I'm an experienced skier, & faithfully ski two days a week Nov-April. My legs are really toned, but after two days skiing in deep pow, my legs muscles were pretty tired. I can ski hard all day without falling, but when it comes to powder, I haven't had as much practice. I crashed 3 times, but it was so soft & deep, that it was actually fun falling. hehe.  

Here's a funny quote: "Skiing is the art of catching cold and going broke while rapidly heading nowhere at great personal risk." - Henry Beard 

This always makes me laugh, because that is exactly what skiing is! I dearly love mountains & snow. I love the fellowship aspect of skiing too. Skiing with friends is fun. I love the challenge of skiing. I like doing moguls, catching air, carving edges in groomers, & exploring through trees. It's exhilarating. Skiing is a mode of living in the moment: heart pounding, legs burning, lungs gulping down pine scented air. Flying down the mountain, with a vast expanse of earth stretched out below, you become one with your equipment. Skis are like wings on my feet. It's more then sport, it's a passion. ♦♦ 

Can't wait to see what the remainder of the season brings! Here's to LOTS more snow! Cheers!

-GB

P.S. Here's a National Geographic article featuring the top 10 emerging ski towns. Red Lodge is there.  And you'd better take a look at the Red Lodge Trail Map while your at it - there's a run for you. 

The Wonder of Skiing

LIVE.  BREATH.  SKI.

The wonder of skiing,

surly it is here;

the downhill dare -

& feeling truly alive,

with the sent of pine in the air.

The wonder of skiing,

racing onwards;

wild & free -

time is in motion,

with the sweet embrace of gravity. 

The wonder of skiing, 

standing tall,

wind in my hair -

it's a mode of living, 

with senses sharp & eyes aware. 

The wonder of skiing, 

a vast expanse;

stretching out far below -

earth glistening brightly,

cold & silent, blanketed in snow. 

-GB

Favorite pastime: SKIING

The snow is around 4 feet deep here.

Winters in Montana can be rather long, windy, cold, dark, & did I mention windy? The roads have stayed covered in a sheet of ice. This winter it has snowed often, almost weekly, with a nearly ever-present gale force wind blowing across the valley… The tempature has dropped down to negative 32 degrees. & there was a spell that lasted for nearly three weeks, when the temperature never rose above 20 degrees. Brrrr.

…But I really don't mind too much - because I LOVE skiing! (If I didn't ski, I'm sure I'd have a bad case of cabin fever or something.)  I try to ski on a weekly basis, while the ski season lasts. (It starts late November & goes through early April.) I love skiing because it is really, really fun; it's challenging & exhilarating - a fantastic way to get out-of-doors during the winter time. It's something nearly all ages can do - from little kiddos to grandparents - everyone can at least hang out in the lodge & fellowship together.

Red Lodge Mountain is a delightful ski resort - in their own words "Red Lodge Mountain is Montana skiing, pure and simple. No lift lines, no attitude, no big prices. Just great snow, great people and an authentic experience in Montana’s Rocky Mountains."  - That is 100% accurate & why I love skiing here. There's a great range of terrain too - There's 65 ski runs & a vertical drop of 2400 feet, based on the highest & lowest points of the skiable terrain. Everything from beginner runs to expert - there's a trail for you! 

I like skiing with people; friends, co-workers, folks I meet just for the day - Skiing is a surprisingly social activity. I also greatly enjoy skiing solo. When I ski alone, I ski hard - double black diamonds & moguls nearly all day, with maybe a quick 20 minute break for lunch - then I ski till the lifts close.

I love the feeling of speeding down the mountain, the rush of air, the sent of pine, the sight of the earth's horizon stretching far into the distance…When I ski alone it is quite. Time spent alone, time spent reflecting, time spent pondering, & sometimes just absent-mindedly skiing downhill. When I ski, I feel truly alive - with my heart pounding, legs burning, lungs gulping in the fresh air… Excited feelings mixed with adrenaline & joy.  I always find each day far too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the places I want to go, all the books I want to read, all the friends I want to see. My week is usually busy & full; skiing is the break I'm always looking forward to. I love skiing. I could ski 7 days a week if I could. *winks*

The mountain views are breathtaking; I always feel very small when standing on top of the mountain. The world is a big place, I'm truly blessed to live where I do, in the heart of Big Sky County, next to a beautiful range of the Rockie Mountains.

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you. Because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." -R.Dahl 

             Here's some recent pics that I've taken while skiing up at Red Lodge. 

Sluice Box ♦♦ double black -

Looking down on the Palisades - 

Somewhere down in Drainage ♦♦

A Red-breasted Nuthatch -

Freezing on a lift in a cloud, in the snow. 

If you liked these pictures, check out these skiing pictures from last season, that I took with my T1i.

-GB

My 3rd Triathlon: Skiing, Biking & Running —

I just raced in my 3rd Grizzly Peak Adventure Race! I skied, biked and ran 11.5 miles in 00:45:07. The race was a blast, I loved the excitement of seeing everyone out having fun. 

The very first race Griz Race in '11 was put on by amazing volunteers & fun people. It inspired me to run, race & do more with myself. It was the first race I'd ever really competed in. After the race I spontaneously ran through the summer of '11. I competed & placed in a couple little races.  Then I skied all winter, & continued to run. Last year in April 2012 I raced in the Grizzly Peak Adventure Race. I placed 5th in my age group, with a total time of 0:45:40. Overall took 99th place, out of 240 soloists. 

Through the summer (2012) I became an weekend warrior. September came, & I still was running some. My average time was slower, but if I really wanted to, I could do a 7 minute mile. When I was running a lot, my fastest miles were in the 6:30min family. During the 2011-2-12 ski season I injured my knee, during a ski race - tearing the ligaments that hold the kneecap in place and giving me a bad knee for life. My knee has since healed, but it's always gonna hurt, because it healed funky with scar tissue & muscle tension.

During the fall I became an every-other weekend runner. My miles taking anywhere from 7:45 - 10 minutes. Then when winter came again, I only went running (wearing a knee brace) whenever the roads weren't iced over, or in other words, not very often.

Bikes from this year's race! 

I skied this past season of 2012-13 about 20 times. Not as much as the 2011-12 season, but I had therapy for my bum knee or out was of town, 2 of 5 months for the season. I had a BLAST this season, even though my knee was weak & the snow conditions were kinda crummy up on the mountain. I love skiing! It's not just a sport, it's a passion.

I started running just a little February & found that after a couple months of not running, I was out of shape as far as stamina went. So I went running during the winter as much as I could, though not really very much. I got my average time to around 8 minutes. 

On the 2nd to last week of ski season in April '13 I badly sprained my right ankle (same leg as the bad knee). It was annoying - I while skiing only fell like 7 times all season. But I didn't quite land a jump & sprained my ankle… Had to end the ski day early, because it swelled up so much, & it was painful too. :P

But I went back up next week to ski, with an ankle brace on, & skied that last day of the season really easy & slow. Thankfully three weeks after spraining it, my ankle was feeling some better, but I was still hesitant about running…. But by then, the big race was upon me & I had no time left to train!

Somehow I managed to get 3rd place in my age group 20-29 females, with a time of 0:45:07 -for 2.5 mile ski, 6 mile bike, 2.5 mile run! Overall in the female division I placed 11th out of 71. Ultimately I placed 65th out of 173 soloists. (Top half, at least!) I might add that there were only 71 women soloists racing, the rest were men. 

For just the skiing part, I placed 9th out of 228 skiers, male/female. There were 173 soloists, but there was a large number of team racers, that raced as well. (With the team racers the total skiers numbered about 350. I placed 11th out of them!!)  I skied 2.5 miles in 0:01:50! My average speed was 81mph! 

My bike & run times were slower though. It took me 22min to run 2.5 miles, averaging 9 minute miles. If you have ever skied down a mountain, with the average speed of 81pmh, then ridden your bike as fast as you could for a number of miles, & then jump off to run up hill on a bum knee (or downhill for that matter) your legs will complain. My legs did, they felt quite heavy & jello like at the same time. My thighs were burning, and  I was huffing & puffing. ;)

Runners,  joggers and walkers racing their way up the hill. 

It was fun getting up on the mountain one last time for the season. Middle of April. Not too many people are still skiing then. The excitement of racing was great, I'm generally a pretty competitive person so getting through the race as fast as I could was fun. It's aways so beautiful & quite up there on top of the mountain. The views are amazing, I always feel so inspired & awestruck when looking down on the vast expanse of earth below.

I want to say just how thankful I am for good health! There are many people who don't have good health & are limited with what they can do. We should all be incredibly thankful for the abilities & heath that we all have. Talents great or small. Health poor or well. -Everything is ordained by God for our good, wether we see it or not. One day we all will see.

We can get out & do things, some things many people are unable to do. I love the outdoors. I love working hard. I love the feeling of the sun on my skin, dirt under my nails, an icy wind blowing in my face with the sent of pine in the air. To close one's eyes are listen to the sounds of birds singing their songs in the woods. Ahhh. We should all be thankful for our lives & for all that have & all that we can do. 

The time & freedom we have that allows us to get out & do the things we love, should never be taken for granted. The energy we burn running, cooking, skiing, gardening, biking, dancing, etc. is a blessing.  I'm thankful that I'm able to get out & take in the wonders of God's amazing creation! It's truly refreshing to know that we can rest in the strength & comfort that God will provide & sustain us through all things. Let Him have the glory & show Himself strong in your life. All strength comes from God - Remember your flesh & heart may fail, but God is the strength of your heart & our portion forever.  

So get out there & do what you love! Don't hold back. Stay strong, stay fit & remember always that Jesus is where your strength & life comes from. 

"He gives power to the faint & to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

"…Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." Ephesians 6:10 

-GB  

SKIING PICTURES 2013

A Mountain Chickadee. I love birds!  :) 

Black & white! Cole Creek Quad lift. My favorite! 

My good friend Audrey took this pic for me. :) This jump was huge. Did a 360.  Way fun. 

Had to hike off trail for this one. The snow was 3-4 feet deep! 

Soft morning light, looking up the run. 

The snow came late this season. Early on, lots of trails were closed.

This un's crazy steep. Cold shadows.  

Old wood, new growth. I love the gnarly trees up on the mountain… 

Breathtaking views, from atop Drifter Run. 

Sluice Box. Double Black Diamond.  - my favorite run! :D

This little guy found a seed or something. 

Looking over to the next ridge above the tree line.  Grizzly country. 

On top of Grizzly Peak; a skier's horizon.  Elevation 9,416 feet.

Not all days are bight & clear. Some days are dark & cold… oh so cold.

The Palisades.

The Beartooth Wilderness. 

I love the mountains & snow. I love the challenge of skiing. Doing moguls, jumps, speeding skiing, making trails winding through the trees... The sent of pine, the cold air blowing on my face, it's so peaceful, quite & inspiring up there. 

I've gone a total of skiing like 18 times so far this season. I know I already posted a bunch of ski pictures, but those were taken with my little ipod. These pictures were taken with my nicer camera, the rebel T1i. I'm really not much of a photographer at all, I mainly just love getting out there & taking them. Here are some of my favorite shots from this season…. Still got a couple more weeks of skiing left before it's too warm & the snow starts to soften. Gonna make the most out of it! Skiing is the best! 

Check out www.redlodgemountain.com - It's a wonderful ski resort that has a verity of terrain for all types of skiers - learning or advanced - there's a run for you here! From the magic carpet to the double-black diamond runs - to breathtaking views - to a toasty fire or a glass of Montana-made beer - you'll love it here. Skiing season starts late November and last through early April. Average snowfall is 250". 

Montana Skiing, Pure & Simple

 All photos taken on my 5th gen ipod. Instagram edited. :) 

www.redlodgemountain.com