Discovery Basin, MT 2024

Early season here was an absolute disaster as it was for many in the state. They got a big storm pre season of around 20" and my buddies feel that this made for a decent base on Limelight.

Not much snow until Feb rolled around and Limelight only got going maybe a couple weeks back but is now all open bar Russell. The coverage is a lot better than I've seen on many other years with much more snowfall and the rock bands that are often visible above Christmas Park are covered. You can ski most places without worry of hitting too much rocks etc and front side groomers have been superb.


Fingers


Fingers from East Bowl


West Bowl Glades


Stellar Blue Jay - My Whisky Box


Jack - Outta Bounds

We skied a few laps in bounds and a lot of the afternoon lapping out of bounds in a secret stash. Don't think anyone had ventured out until we did yesterday. We then met Art who invited us to his house nearby which sits on an old ski hill to ski some laps on his ski jeep. He lost his keys and after 40 minutes we were giving up on the idea when he found them in his trouser pocket!

4 700ft laps with boot top powder was the best I've skied in 3 attempts there.


Jack and I in the Jeep


Yours Truly at Wraith Hill

Warmer next couple days and I've a 6 mile running race on Saturday that I finished 2nd in last year to look forward to.

The virtues of low skier density! I'm sure it helped that Limelight was closed until February and not skied down to the rocks. Discovery's website season to date snowfall is still only 75 inches. I suspect that is measured near the base.

Bluebird Friday

Friday I was helping out a friend scouting for ski shots for an upcoming visit southwest Montana photo shoot which was fun in the sun.

Hunter, Ray and Q

Saturday I tool on the Ancient Order of Hibernians St Paddy's Day 6 Mile race for the 3rd time. 7th in 2019 in 45 mins, 2nd last year in 42+ I was not feeling all that fit.

A guy I know of entered late so knew I couldn't win realistically but I led through a mile. Out and back race the first half is uphill and it was great to get a cheer twice towards the turn by my friend Kathy at her house!

I upped the pace downhill finishing in 40:38, and place, 1st M40 and a course PB of 88 seconds. Hunter won the 3 mile, Ray who won last years 6 was 6th in the e mile as he returns from injury. Ozzie Rosenleaf won the 6 about 90 seconds ahead of me.