Winter Calendar

January
2-6 Half-priced ticket days, Big Sky Resort. 995-5000.
5 Franklin's Fat Ass 50K. winddrinkers.org.
5-6 Yellowstone Institute class, "Wilderness First Aid." (307) 344-2293.
5-20 Community Race Series—Alpine and Telemark, Bridger Bowl. 587-2111.
6 Nordic Fest, Bohart Ranch., 586-9070.
10 Avalanche Awareness Lecture, Lincoln School in Livingston. 587-6984.
11 Bridger Bowl 53rd Birthday, $10 lift tickets. 587-2111.
11-13 Yellowstone Institute class, "The Buffalo Story." (307) 344-2293.
12 Big Sky Sno-Ball. 995-5000.
12 Bohart Ranch 20th Anniversary Birthday Bash. 586-9070.
12 XL Country Barn Dance, Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 8-12 pm. 582-3270.
15-17 Yellowstone Institute class, "The Wolves of Yellowstone." (307) 344-2293.
17 Moonlight Kids Entertainment, Moonlight Basin. 993-6000.
19 Montana Senior Olympic Winter Games/Nordic Event, Bohart Ranch. 586-5543.
20 Gallatin Gallop snowshoe race, Bohart Ranch. 586-5543.
23-24 ASMSU Basic Avalanche Workshop, 7-9:30 pm. 994-3621.
25 2008 Microbrew Review and Cool Dog Ball, 6-11 pm, Helena. racetothesky.org.
26 GVLT Make Track for Trails/Ski-a-thon. 587-8404.
31-February 2 Avalanche class, Moonlight Basin. 993-6000.

February
1-3 Yellowstone Institute class, "Exciting Horizons for Wolves." (307) 344-2293.
2 Skin to Win Randonnee Festival, Bridger Bowl. 587-2111.
3 34th One Hour Run., winddrinkers.org.
6 Avalanche lecture, Museum of the Rockies, 7-8 pm. 587-6984.
8-10 Great Rocky Mountain Sport Show, Fairgrounds. 580-3907.
8-13 Race to the Sky,. racetothesky.org.
9 Big Sky Dummy Jump. 995-5000.
9 Volcom Peanut Butter and Rail Jam, Moonlight Basin. volcom.com. 993-6000.
9 Big Hair, Big Air Competition, Bridger Bowl. 587-2111.
9 Sacagawea Ski Classic, Bohart Ranch. 585-9235.
9 Museum Masquerade Ball, Museum of the Rockies. 994-DINO.
9-10 Yellowstone Institute Class, "Cougars, Ghosts of the Rockies." (307) 344-2293.
12 XL Country Barn Dance, Gallatin County Fairgrounds,. 8-12 pm. 582-3270.
14 Moonlight Kids Entertainment, Moonlight Basin. 993-6000.
15-16 Deep Freeze Days, downtown Bozeman. 586-4008.
15-17 Wild West Winterfest, fairgrounds. 582-3270.
15-17 Yellowstone Institute Class, "The Yellowstone Volcano." (307) 344-2293.
16 King and Queen of the Ridge Community Race, Bridger Bowl. 586-1518.
16 31st Froze Nose run., winddrinkers.org.
16 Valentine Scramble, Bohart Ranch. 586-5543.
17-18 Yellowstone Institute class, "The Birds of Winter." (307) 344-2293.
22-24 Red Lodge Winter Carnival. (406) 446-2610.
22-24 Yellowstone Institute class, "Watching Winter Wildlife." (307) 344-2293.
23 Bridger Gully Freeride Competition, Bridger Bowl. 586-1518.
23 Yellowstone Rendezvous Marathon Ski Race, Rendezvous Ski Trails. rendezvousrace.com.
23 Heart of the Valley Howlin' at the Moon Snowshoe Shuffle, Moonlight Basin. montanapets.org.
24 West Yellowstone Youth Festival. (406) 646-7097.


March
1-2 Terrain Park Jam Snowboard/Skier, Bridger Bowl. 587-2111.
1-3 Yellowstone Institute class, "Yellowstone's Winter Explorers." (307) 344-2293.
2 Winterfest, Big Sky. 995-3000.
4-6 Yellowstone Institute class, "Yellowstone's Winter Serengeti." (307) 344-2293.
7 Friday Night Quarterpipe freestyle competition, Big Sky. 995-5000.
8 Dirtbag Day and Powder 8 Competition, Big Sky. 995-5000.
8 Cooke City Spring Fling & Hog Roast. (406) 838-2036.
8-9 Nationals Finals Ski-Joring Races, Red Lodge. (406) 446-3232.
9 West Entrance to Yellowstone closes to motorized travel.
10-12 Yellowstone Institute Class, "Skis Across Yellowstone." (307) 344-2293.
13 Moonlight Kids Entertainment, Moonlight Basin. 993-6000.
13-16 Yellowstone Institute Class, "Fang and Flesh: Hunter and Hunted in Yellowstone." (307) 344-2293.
15 Pinhead Classic, Bridger Bowl. 586-1518.



Gallatin Gallop Race
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and head to Bohart Ranch for your chance to compete in the third annual Gallatin Gallop Race on January 20, 2008. This race promises to be tough, but isn’t running in snowshoes in the middle of winter all about showing how tough you are anyway? Run either the 5K or the whopping 10K, which incidentally, is a qualifier for the U.S. Snowshoe Association National Championships, an event held in March 2008 at Snowbasin Resort in Utah. For more information, check out gallatingallop.com or call 587-9271.

-Erin Strickland


Wild West Winterfest
This is the sixth year you can celebrate winter in a “going to the fair” sort of way. The Gallatin County fairgrounds hosts all kinds of wintertime activities for all ages during the Wild West Winterfest February 15-17. Like any Montana fair, there are farm animals galore and even some dog races, including a Dog Keg Pull event (you’ll have to see it to believe it). There’s also art and photography exhibits, wagon rides, a kid’s rodeo, plenty of food to enjoy, and a plethora of other family events. The Winterfest also has live entertainment. So saddle up the ol’ SUV and head to the fairgrounds!

-Amber Patterson


Rally the Bowl
With Bridger Bowl's projected April 6 closing date, there's only so much time to ski. Here's where you need to be.

January 5, 12, and, 19 and March 16 and 23 are the Alpine Community Race Series. The races are open to all and there will be medals for individual events. The three-part Telemark Community Race Series takes place January 6 with the Class Telemark Race, January 13 is the Apron Challenge, and the Dual Giant Slalom rounds it off on January 20.

February 2 is the Skin to Win Randonee Rally. There is a pro course and a recreational course, and all competitors must meet equipment guidelines. February 9 is Big Hair Big Air—skiers and riders unite for an 80s-themed terrain-park competition. The Ridge hiking fundraiser dubbed King and Queen of the Ridge takes place on February 16. The hike-a-thon has raised over $31,000 to educate the public on avalanche safety through the Avalanche Center. The Bridger Gully Free Ride Community Race Series is February 23. Alpine and telemark skiers and snowboarders are all welcome to compete in this judged event.

The 27th annual Pinhead Classic is March 15. March 23 the Bridger Ski Foundation is once again hosting the Bump-Off. The Bump-Off has been happening for over 30 years, and as always costumes are encouraged. The mogul contest takes place on Bronco Face and is open to all ages and categories, including snowboarding and telemarking. There is a $15 entry fee, but all proceeds go to benefit the Bridger Ski Foundation.

Call 587-2111 or visit bridgerbowl.com/events for more information.

-Amber Patterson


Pinhead Classic
Get ready for another round of raucous free-heelin’ revelry at the 27th annual Pinhead Classic, held at Bridger Bowl on March 15, 2008. Costumed telemark “racers” vie for glory on the downhill course, with prizes awarded for everything but fastest time—best wreck, biggest air (intentional or inadvertent), and coolest costume are among the most coveted accolades. Stay tuned for this year’s theme; check out pinheadclassic.com or bridgerbowl.com. The after-party includes beer, food, live music, prizes galore, and a live auction. All proceeds benefit the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

-Mike England