Big Sky Montana

Deep Powder Skiing

Chelsea and I waving at Mom as she glides over all that powder! It is difficult to adjust one's snowboarding riding stance to clumps of fresh powder, but once you adjust, riding becomes fun again. We had some initial issues dealing with snow that deep, and each of us had different issues, as Celeste and I were on our snowboards and Chelsea was on skis.

For Celeste and me, adjusting our snowboarding stance to handle the clumps of fresh, deep powder was definitely a challenge. Unlike the firm, groomed trails we were used to, powder riding requires a completely different technique. You have to shift your weight, keep your board’s nose up, and adopt a more fluid, flexible approach to avoid sinking in. It took some trial and error — and more than a few wipeouts — to find our rhythm. But once we adjusted, it became so much fun. There’s a unique, almost weightless sensation when you’re riding through powder, like you’re floating on clouds of snow, and it’s incredibly rewarding when you finally get it right.

Chelsea, on the other hand, had a different experience on her skis. Deep powder requires skiers to lean back more than usual to keep their tips from diving under, and Chelsea had to make a few adjustments of her own to stay on top of the snow. She had some spills along the way too, but she tackled the challenge head-on, and before long, she was gliding through the powder with confidence.

Deep Powder Skiing Discussion

Chelsea is explaing to everone how much work it is to ski on fresh powder. Celeste and I were on snowboards, and we had some difficulty with it at first too, but soon found a rhythm.

Deep Powder Everywhere!

Just look at how deep the powder is on the table tops! The snow had stacked up everywhere — on the tables, railings, benches, and even the signs, creating a pristine blanket of white that seemed untouched and endless. It was the kind of powder that skiers and snowboarders dream about, but it also served as a reminder of just how cold it was that morning.

With temperatures well below freezing, that icy chill cut through the air, making every breath feel crisp and invigorating. As beautiful as the snow was, there was no denying the need for something warm to take the edge off the cold. A steaming cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or even tea hit the spot perfectly, warming us from the inside out as we admired the winter wonderland around us.

There’s something special about those moments — standing in the stillness of a snow-covered landscape, wrapped in layers to fend off the chill, hands curled around a hot drink. It makes you slow down, take it all in, and appreciate the magic of winter. The way the powder piled so high on every surface was a clear sign of the fresh snowfall we’d been lucky to experience. It was a picture-perfect morning, made even better by that simple comfort of something warm in hand and the anticipation of another unforgettable day on the slopes.

Thawing out in the Snack Bar!

It was such a beautiful day, that we wound up taking a lot of pictures. As this picture shows, it did remain cold outside which made the occasional hot cocoa feel really good! You can see by the crowd that most people felt the same way.

Gondola was Warmer than Outside!

I think Chelsea and Jeremy were laughing because, let’s be honest, it was so much warmer inside the cable car compared to the freezing conditions outside! The wind was howling, and you could feel the chill in your bones whenever you stepped out onto the slopes. But inside the gondola? It was pure comfort — warm, cozy, and completely shielded from the biting cold.

Seriously though, as we sat there enjoying the warmth, the big question hit us: Why on earth had we ever bothered with those 2- or 3-person chairlifts when we could’ve been riding in this luxury all along? The chairlifts are open to the elements, and when it’s that cold and the wind is whipping round, every second spent dangling in the air feels like an eternity. Your face gets numb, your hands freeze, and you’re left counting down the minutes until you can get off and head back to the lodge.

But the gondola? That’s a completely different experience. It’s like having a little break between runs — a chance to warm up, chat, and even snap a few photos without worrying about frostbite. Sitting inside, sipping on something warm, and watching the snow-covered landscape glide by through the windows made us feel like we were in our own little bubble of comfort.

The best part? No awkward moments trying to shuffle your gear on and off the chairlift while the wind threatens to knock you sideways. Instead, you step into the gondola, settle in, and enjoy the ride. It was the perfect way to recharge between runs and gave us just enough warmth to tackle the cold slopes again.

Yellowstone National Park

We took a day off from skiing, and drove down to Yellowstone Park. Here we are after waiting for a new snow cat to come and get us. The one we were on for our tour of the park, broke down and we had to wait for an hour for a new cat to arrive.

Because Yellowstone was so interesting, we placed that content onto it's own page, click here to go to our Yellowstone Page.