Oronaut

I haven’t been doing much backcountry skiing this season - for a number of reasons - but I got out for a nice (if short) day up Beehive Basin a few weeks ago. Beehive Basin is the actually the first place I ever went on a backcountry ski tour! It’s a favorite spot for locals because of it’s easy access and short ski approach. It’s about an hour drive from Bozeman, and you can be skiing in less than an hour from the trailhead. It’s something of a unique “backcountry” experience, though, in that you have to drive right past the hustle and bustle of Big Sky on your way to the trailhead, and the first mile of skin you are surrounded by huge second homes. You have to be careful on the ski in, actually: if you veer from the trail too soon on to an inviting looking slope backyard you might find yourself talking to the police! Also, being so accessible, the area gets a lot of traffic so be prepared for some company on the slopes. But all told it’s a fine spot to tour. It’s still not as crowded as Teton Pass! Just resist the urge to ski off decks and poach hot tubs. :P

Despite the houses and grand views of the nearby Big Sky complex, it is still backcountry skiing. You cross into a Wilderness area, and avalanches do occur here. Last year an MSU student was caught and killed in a avalanche in Beehive, not far from the houses (more here). And so with the sketch snow conditions this season I’ve stayed away from Beehive as much as anywhere. But on this beautiful sunny Sunday the snowpack was behaving well enough and I was excited to get out in the mountains with friends. Be careful and avalanche aware - as always! And enjoy the wonderful snow and solitude of our Montana mountains.

Tags: Backcountry Skiing, Bear Basin, Beehive Basin, Big Sky, Gallatin Canyon, Madison Range, Middle Basin, Spanish Peaks
Posted in Backcountry Skiing, Madison Range, Montana, Skiing, Spanish Peaks |