Yes, it’s hard to believe, but four of our highonadventure.com owner/contributors, who are constantly going in seventeen different directions at any given moment, wound up this season on the same fabulous ski trip to Moonlight Basin and Big Sky. In an unusual, once-in-a-lifetime arrangement, they’ve put together a collective story in order to bring our readers a multi-faceted story with contributions from all.

Let’s kick off our adventure with a great photo of the four adventurers from Larry Turner who contributed most of the photos for our story (some by Steve Giordano). High On Adventure journalists visit Moonlight Basin and Big Sky Resorts, Montana—Steve Giordano, Lynn Rosen, Lee Juillerat and Larry Turner.

Moonlight Basin Ski Resort

The Larry Turner and Steve Giordano images in this story are from this 2011 season at Moonlight Basin Ski Resort and Big Sky Resort that share opposite sides of the spectacular 11,156 foot Lone Mountain in Big Sky, Montana.

Some of our days there were sunny, some were overcast and snowy, but no matter what the weather, the skiing was wonderful and so were the people—both staff and guests. Montana is a universally friendly place.

We all stayed at the legendary (Chet of NBC fame) Huntley Lodge www.huntleylodge.com at Big Sky’s base village and at East-West Resorts www.eastwestbigsky.com slope side mountain condos at Moonlight Basin...both big pieces of paradise. We had five inches of new powder our last day there and were out the door at the crack of light.

But back to our first night together at Big Sky. A welcoming reception at Basecamp, just down the heated walkway from the Huntley Lodge in the Village, provided us our first taste of Montana hospitality. Staff and guides shared not only wine and cheese treats, but also stories and opportunities for our group in the next four days of our visit.

Our lodging at the Huntley Lodge put us right in the center of what was happening: great access to our ski shop, the Performance Demo Center in the Snowcrest Lodge as well as all restaurants, spas and shopping. The Explorer lift is just out the back door. Did I mention there’s also free high-speed internet access at Huntley Lodge for those of you who need to stay connected?

The Huntley Lodge buffet breakfast in their dining room is another legend at Big Sky. Fabulous, fantastic, elegant, easy and so very convenient. You can get anything you want at “Chet’s Buffet Breakfast.” Especially fab are the made-to-order omlettes—even egg-white options for those of us watching the waistline and cholesterol.

For another dining must, visit Whiskey Jack’s right on the plaza with a southwestern twist and live music. THE place to meet for lunch and/or dinner. We had a most sumptuous lunch with Big Sky PR Manager, Chad Jones, of nachos, tamales, enchiladas, taco salads and so much more. We could hardly make it back to the ski slopes after such a repast.

For late night snack and emergencies, there is also a small grocery story in the Mountain Mall—C&P Grocery and pizzeria featuring food staples, beer and wine. Check with your concierge for hours.

Kid-friendly children’s programs, both lessons and childcare, operate out of the Snowsports Schools in the Snowcrest Lodge with a great staff of pros. Be sure to check out their programs in advance at 406.995.5847.

TIP—If it’s a clear day, take the Lone Peak Tram up to the very top of the Big Sky/Moonlight Basin World where you can see three states and eight mountain ranges from the top of Lone Peak Mountain. This is one way to access the Moonlight Basin Ski Resort that is on the other side of the mountain via double-black runs from the top. Then, after lots of amazing photography and video activity, if you’re not a double- blacker, you can always tram-it back down to Upper Morningstar and ski blues to the Big Sky base with all those memories on your data card.

So. Lunch at The Timbers Restaurant with the General Manager, Greg Pack, and his mountain “trail designer,” John K., offered an extensive and eclectic menu of items such as braised oxtail ravioli, braised lamb shank, grilled bison, pan-seared divers scallops…the menu goes on. The chef, Devin Clark can take credit for a “Deer Valley” experience in the wilds of Montana. Again, it was a tough decision to get back on the slopes after such a remarkable gustatory event.

Shuttle service at Moonlight Basin is complimentary, quick and full of courtesy. If you need to get from here to there and don’t want to ski, just pick up the phone and their van will fetch you in a heartbeat.

Our condos at East-West Resorts were three-level, four-bedroom luxe properties with commercial grade kitchens open to spacious living rooms with fireplaces next to dining rooms, where the tables served as computer central for everyone. Flat screen TVs were scattered throughout the compounds, and hot tub steamed on the decks. Stone and timber architecture fit right in with the mountain setting.

Following our last intense day of skiing (we never once waited in a lift line at Moonlight Basin!), we visited the Moonlight Spa www.moonlightbasin.com, 888.776.5724, at the Moonlight Lodge for welcomed deep tissue massages and relaxing steam baths. A fitness center next to the quiet sanctuary and treatment rooms played the guilty card and swims in the heated outdoor pool looked inviting, but après ski in the Timbers bar upstairs called, where we met with Dale Stetson, General Manager for East-West Resorts for a final farewell.

We were again delighted by a gaggle of guests who had gathered together for a girls reunion and all wore boots specially made for the occasion by one of the friends. That's the kind of people Montana's Big Sky and Moonlight Basin draw back again and again.

Getting there: The closest airport, Bozeman/Gallatin Field Airport is over an hour away. You’ll have to either rent a car or book a shuttle/taxi to get to the resorts. www.karststage.com or www.bigskytaxi.com. Many visitors rent cars.

For more information:
www.bigsky.com
www.moonlightbasin.com
www.eastwestbigsky.com
www.karststage.com
www.bigskytaxi.com