Jan 17-19 Silver Run BC, Montana (Red Lodge)

Did some great BC in Montana over a long weekend vacation.  Montana's snowpack is infamous for zero stability until late March and this was no exception.  My solution?  Ski grassy foothills with 3-15in. of snow.  What I got was faceshots, powder, and mostly safe BC skiing for three days on multiple 700-1000 vertical descents.  Still, had there been more snow, I'd have to say things would be scary.  When I did ski some windloaded areas there were dozens of creepy-loud WHOMMPH sounds as the snow colapsed on weaker lower layers.  Cracks would spider out for sometimes 200ft and when the cracks hit trees, the trees would shake.  I would have been more concerned if said snow patch wasn't anchored by exposed sage-brush, or more often than not snow depth of any consequence ended two or three feet to my right or left.  Still, lots of fun in Montana sun for three days.  Bunny rabbits, foxes, and deer were all part of the everyday BC and in town experience.

Video of one of my runs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yofNmB0crZc

Pictures of my tracks:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jaymehelgeson/12008?feat=directlink