Conditions Report
The Beartooth Summer Session has officially begun! This morning, forty or so hung-over campers reluctantly climbed out of their tents at a campsite near Red Lodge, Montana, and grimaced at the low-hanging fog. After a few cups of coffee and breakfast, nearly fifteen cars filled with anxious skiers caravanned up to Beartooth Basin, just across the border in Wyoming.
Around 9,000 feet the fog cleared providing a stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Beartooth Basin is a ski resort with two short T-bar lifts offering steep, gnarly skiing mixed with some rowdy park features. For the Beartooth Summer Session, the resort built a 50-foot jump and an impressive rail garden. ON3P Skis, a major event sponsor, set up a demo tent at the base of the resort and sent out durable, high quality skis all day.
The first few runs of the day the snow was hard and a little inconsistent. As the sun began to bake the basin, the snow got slushy and forgiving. Hooligans from all over the country ripped around smiling and yipping at the top of their lungs. Around 1pm the Rubber Ducky Backflip-off contest began and ON3P athletes and friends continuously backflipped the booter and nearby hip. For only $10, spectators could buy a backflip, with all proceeds benefitting the High Fives Foundation. Unfortunately, the fog returned around 2pm and Beartooth Basin closed the jump due to low visibility. The backflips will continue tomorrow!
