The Magic of the Big Horns

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

Six years ago I first kited the Big Horns and experienced a mind-blowing five days of snow, wind, and snowkite freedom. Every year since, I have come back. Sometimes I come back in spring, sometimes in winter, sometimes in autumn. It really doesn’t matter. Every time the kiting has been phenomenal. This same opinion is echoed by every kiter I know. Everyone agrees: There are few places that rival the Big Horns. First you can drive to 9500 feet. Next, the place is a magnet for storms. Third, it’s no wheat field, these are real mountains. Add to that the Bear Lodge Resort (hot tub, pool, lodging, bar…), the Big Horns are hard to beat in the lower 48.

Here it is mid-October and I can’t believe that the winter of 2012 has begun. It’s only been a scant 3 and a half months since I left the snow in mid-June (for work) and now I’m back in the Biggies ripping soft fall chowder, fully lit on my 9m Frenzy, snowkite season is ON!

Our first day we had warm, spring-like temps. It was a great start to the season. The second day was stormy and everyone bailed. That left me for a solo session on Lil Baldy. On Monday, the third day, I awoke to 4” of fresh pow, blue sky, and wind. As I made the morning commute from the Bear Lodge I’m awestruck with the beauty and magic of the Big Horns. Best of all the wind is from the NW allowing me to easily climb both Bald and Lil Bald Mtns. On both peaks I made tracks in soft, fluffy powder and made repeated laps wherever I found it deep. Fresh powder, sunshine, wind made for a perfect day in the mountains of Wyoming.

Thanks for reading and see ya out there,

Noah

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

looks sik out there.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 597 Posts Addicted

what a dik! im packing the car right now

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2614 Posts The 503 METAL

Very inspiring as always Noah!

So I take it there is a lot of 'park and ride' around there?

How far from the lodge to the launch sites?

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

Way to share the early snowkite season STOKE.

Got me fully fired up to get out there....now we just need some snow!!

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2100 Posts PNW Bigfoot

dpow · Since 13 May 2011 83 Posts Seattle, WA

what is the best way to forecast this area, thinking about heading out there this weekend after seeing these pictures.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Bigger

Kite cronic · Since 03 Oct 2011 2 Posts New Member

Noah forgot to mention the Kunters that were out in full force!

http://vimeo.com/30768838

lewmt · Since 04 Aug 2010 182 Posts MT Stoked

The only thing missing from the video is a beer in his off-hand while he shoots. That'd make it full-on Wyokunting.

Can't believe I was cutting firewood all weekend while you boys were scoring this

Sella · Tue Oct 18, 11 7:10 pm

Noah that is just filthy good. Looks like a solid sledding area too based on the lodge website. http://www.bearlodgeresort.com/default.aspx

In your opinion what do we need to plan for to hit this shit consistently? This ties into Slither's questions. Very Happy

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

Slither you wanted to know about park-n-ride spots in the Big Horns: The area between Bald Mtn and Lil Bald Mtn (Dayton Gulch turnoff) on hwy 14A is ground zero for early season sessions. If you want to, search on any of my earlier year's posts on the Big Horns @ kiteforum you will see all, including maps. This road stays plowed well into November. Plus the lodge's rates drop 50% in a few days due to it being the shoulder season.

Sella, yea, sledding here is amazing. I have had so many great days sledding and kiting here. Not just around Baldy, lots of spots have delivered great snow, wind and huge, huge features to me and friends in years past.

Its a big place. The range goes for many miles and there is still much to discover...

Hell, check out last April: http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2369918

Noah