Hellroaring Basin

Skiing on the hill that you know like the back of your hand is always a pleasure. It's like getting on that favorite toy you're really good at.
Taking runs that take you back to high school when all the good skiers were guys and your girlfriends couldn't keep up.
Every year my dad would take me up to the ticketing office and get me a season pass to "The Big Mountain Ski Resort" then to the ski swap. I look back now and am really glad he did because now I have a deep rooted love for the sport. That and camping, hiking & backpacking.

Over the years I have visited my hometown many times. Mainly because my parents still resided there. Home for summers and holidays and if it was winter we would always be on the mountain skiing. It has changed over the years...new lifts, new runs...unfortunately big strips of trees gone but still the mountain I know and love.
This past month I was back home to take care of my brother who had had back surgery. I was able to get in a few ski days and ran into old friends who showed me the newest development on the mountain, West Bowl. Well at least that's what we used to call it. I never liked going back there because I was always afraid I would ski too far down the ravine and have to hike out for hours. Well now it has lift access! It's incredible! They cut a 3.3 mile long cat track that accesses' all the double diamonds. The only name that stayed the same (I believe) is "Picture Chutes"

And let's not forget the snow ghosts. Because it's snows a lot & because it stays so cold. Their beauty I have never seen anywhere else and this is what makes Big Mountain Big Mountain. My mountain.