Uncategorized
Finding flow at Big Sky Resort
Published
10 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersNew trails offer intermediate mountain biking options
By Tyler Allen Explore Big Sky Senior Editor
BIG SKY – If Pete Costain has his way, the Biggest Skiing in America could someday be the “Biggest Riding in America.” Big Sky Resort has a reputation as an expert-only downhill biking destination, but with the newly constructed Otter Way and Otter Slide flow trails, that reputation is beginning to change.
The 2.15-mile Otter Way Trail was completed the first week of July, giving riders a multi-directional “flow” experience with berms and intermediate switchbacks. The 1.25-mile Otter Slide was finished the first week of August and offers a “downhill directional flow,” experience, according to the 48-year-old Costain. Both trails link the resort’s Moonlight Basin terrain and Mountain Mall base area, offering riders of all abilities an alternative to the steep and rocky downhill trails serviced by the Swift Current chairlift.
“What sells lift tickets is flow trails,” Costain said, after a late-July ride. Otter Slide was still a couple days from completion, but had already seen a number of local users. “It’s really satisfying as a trail builder making a lot of people happy,” he said. “I’ve gotten emails and texts saying, ‘This is the best flow trail Big Sky’s ever seen.’”
Costain, the Whitefish-based owner of Terraflow Trail Systems began mapping trails around the resort last fall and arrived in Big Sky this spring. Costain broke ground on Otter Way June 5 – earlier than he expected, given last winter’s heavy snow.
“Trail building season is short,” he said. “I got here in May and thought I wouldn’t be building until July.” Since construction began in earnest, Costain has employed six locals throughout the summer, a factor that should keep the trail network expanding well into the future.
“In three to four years [Big Sky Resort] will have a crew building trails that we’ve designed,” Costain said.
But if the resort is to become the mountain bike mecca Costain believes it could be, he thinks the infrastructure needs to expand to encourage users. He points to base area trails beneath the Mountain Mall and a skills course in the base area as ways to give exposure to mountain biking at the resort.
The resort is proud of the work Costain and the local workforce has accomplished, and according to management, these trails are some of the best in the area.
“Big Sky Resort is delighted to be working with such an amazing trail builder,” said Sheila Chapman, PR manager for the resort. “Our trail builders have been working with Pete, learning and building these great new trails at the resort.”
Chapman should know, as she rode Costain’s trails in Whitefish for nearly a decade before moving to Big Sky. “[Costain] builds trails so they’re sustainable,” she said. “They’re well built [and] speak volumes to his craftsmanship.”
It isn’t just Big Sky Resort that’s been impressed with Costain’s craftsmanship. The International Mountain Bicycling Association on Aug. 6 named Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Kashmir Trail – built by Terraflow last year – as one of 2014’s top four flow trails in the world.
While all the rock on Lone Mountain and the silt-type soils have presented some challenges this trail building season, Costain says he’s mitigated many of those issues using careful route finding. He’s also optimistic about the resort’s possibilities in coming years, especially on Andesite Mountain.
“I’m excited about the potential for lift accessed riding off of Andesite,” Costain said. “There’s excellent soil over there.”
Visit bigskyresort.com/things-to-do/activities/mountain-biking for more information about riding at the resort. Costain’s Terraflow Trail Systems is a member of the Professional Trail Builders Association, a global trail builders trade association. Visit terraflowtrails.com and trailbuilders.org for more information.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
18mar8:00 pm10:00 pmGays on Blades8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Event Type :SportsEvent City:Big Sky
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be hot cocoa donated by the Hungry Moose and pizza donated by Blue Moon Bakery. Ice skate rentals are available at East Slope Outdoors until 8pm.
Time
(Monday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm