The Last Day of Winter

noah · Since 19 Oct 2006 173 Posts Bozeman, Montana Stoked

With a foot of fresh in town and high winds raking across the northern Rockies it was hard to believe that yesterday was the last official day of winter. Snowkiters around the area were chomping at the bit to chase yesterday’s storm and get in a day of powder. I heard reports from in town, from Island Park, Great Falls, and two kiters who went as far as Gilmore Summit, Idaho. Everywhere there was snow, there was wind: Perfect!

For JJ and me it was off to the Big Hole Valley and up the North Fork where we found ripping winds and soft snow for miles and miles. This spot ranks as one of the best park-n-ride spots in the region with small gliding hills, big gliding hills and dozens of soft wind lips spread out over 5 square miles. While we flew 10 and 11m kites, respectively, we should have been out on nines. We both had to tune our wings for the strong winds that were flowing out of the Pintler Mountains.

While spring officially begins today, I know that for the die hards we will be snowkiting for a couple more months. Thanks for reading and see ya out there,

Noah