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Get Outside! Avoiding the offseason doldrums
Published
10 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Katie Alvin
Explore Big Sky Contributor
Who in Big Sky doesn’t have a love-hate relationship with offseason? After an intense four months of playing hard, working hard and simply just living through winter, year-round residents get to unwind and regroup in the relative silence of our vacated community.
But May is a fickle friend. One day it’s 70 degrees and sunny, and the next it’s snow and mud again. For many people, this is crazy-making. Here are a few simple tips to help you make the most of offseason:
Proper gear is essential. Remember there is no such thing as bad weather – just bad gear. During spring and fall in Montana, this means tucking a packable set of rain gear and a down or synthetic insulating layer into your bag. Shoes that keep your feet warm and dry are essential too. Add a lightweight hat and gloves, and you’re set to do anything outside, no matter what the weather brings.
Watch the forecast. Know what to prepare for. Take advantage of upcoming good weather to sustain you through the cold gray days. Storms come and go quickly this time of year, so on nice days, plan short outings that make the most of the sunshine without leaving you deep in the backcountry or halfway up a major rock climb when weather moves in.
Seek lower elevations and open or southern exposures. Good standbys for hiking in Big Sky include Porcupine, Ousel Falls or Reflector. Further down the road, hit Castle Rock in the canyon, or get out on one of the great Gallatin Valley trails like Drinking Horse or Sourdough before grocery shopping.
Bike in the valley. The lower elevation means a few weeks’ jump on warm weather, so check with Bozeman bike shops about how their trails are shaping up, or spend a day on the city’s extensive urban trail system. Biking in Big Sky is a lot iffier. It is critical – and sometimes required by law – to stay off trails in spring to protect them from permanent damage. Stick to Big Sky Community Corp.’s paved or improved trails, or take advantage of offseason’s quieter streets and try some road biking.
Head to the Madison. While great for expert whitewater enthusiasts (and recommended for experienced or professional paddlers only) high water on the Gallatin River puts the kybosh on local big water fishing for a while. If you’re willing to make a day of it, to the fishing can still be great this time of year on the upper Madison between the lakes, or on the lower Madison below Ennis Lake. Starting the third Saturday in May, tributaries along the Gallatin open up, along with the rest of the Madison main stem. Small stream fishing with a lightweight rod is a blast. Stop into your favorite local fly shop for the latest on fishing closures and conditions.
Go bouldering. For novice to experienced climbers, the Big Sky Community Park’s artificial boulders provide a surprising challenge for every level of ability. Bouldering is a quick way to wake up those climbing muscles and get in shape for summer. Head out with a friend and refresh yourself on climbing commands and spotting too. Again, if you have a day, the lower Madison will deliver – take a trip to the Beartrap Canyon for an abundance of easily accessible boulder challenges.
This is merely scratching the surface of offseason easy-access outdoor ideas. There’s also disc golf, kite-flying, geocaching, bird-watching, outdoor photography, fort-building, rock-hounding and so much more. Nothing beats the mud season blues better than a couple hours of fresh air, so grab your rain gear, get off the couch and get outside!
Katie Alvin has lived in Big Sky for more than 20 years. With degrees in Environmental Studies and Soil Science, she has been involved with environmental and outdoor education for 25 years, and owns East Slope Outdoors with her husband Dave.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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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)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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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
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm