Dec 30, 2012, Flatiron Mtn. Montucky

Life in North Idaho panhandle looking for backcountry access without a snowmobile will make anyone appreciate the road access in Washington state. Long, long approaches (to skiable snow and summit bowls in Boundary County). There is a pass on Highway 3 in B.C. with awesome access to great skiing, but you have all the hassles that come with an international border crossing for just a few hours. So yesterday morning brother in law Steve said lets go over to Montana and ski Flat Iron Mtn. on the pass between Yak and Troy. OK. 

We skied there once last Feb and found the snow down low to be crusty and unforgiving. However, the top 1,200 feet were good to go. At about 5,800 feet tall, I didn't expect to see enough snow to cover much of the mountain in December but was pleasantly surprised to find very skiable snow down the east face into glades. We lapped the top 1,000 feet before heading into the tree lined ski trail out.

It's a great place to make a full day lap session on the various aspects or even a overnight. There is a mountain top yurt platform, but the yurt kit is buried in snow about 800 feet below the top. However, there is a hobbit-hole-tree-cave-snow-house at the top and it contains a cooking device, two folding chairs and a tribute to Craig Kelly.

If you find yourself in the area of Yak or Troy, Montana then this is a place to find some turns all along the east facing and some on the west side.