Montana Snowkite Rodeo - 2011 Gathering in the Big Hole
The Snowkite Rodeo has carried on a legacy in Western Montana for nearly a decade. From a humble gathering, to pioneering Kiter-Cross races and exploring the nearby mountain ranges, the Rodeo has evolved annually and seems to always be a step ahead in guiding the Snowkite culture in the right direction. This year held up to the standard, with a positive vibe, a skilled and dedicated group of Snowkiters, and plenty of adventure.
Recent History:
For the past 3 years the Rodeo has been relocated in the Big Hole Valley, offering easier access to Mt. Hagin and the opportunity to explore the surrounding mountains. It also brought on a new mindset to the event, leaving competitive races behind, and focusing on discovering and enjoying the mountains with the soul purpose of freeriding. As always, more kiters concentrating on one area always leads to covering more ground and discovering better locations. This has been the case for the past 3 years at the Rodeo.
The first year based at the Soup Shack near the Mt. Hagin riding area, opened the opportunity to hit the Big Hole Pass at the southern end of the valley. The next 2 years would place Big Hole Pass as the primary destination for the Rodeo, base camping at the nearby Jackson Hot Springs Lodge. More areas at the pass and around the region have been discovered each year. Last winter an area west of Clarks Reservoir was found, called Bannock Pass. This year even more riders converged on that elusive Mecca. And once again, while taking back roads, even more riding options were found on the Idaho side of the Big Hole.
Our trip with the Windzup crew was off to a great start early in the week, rolling on the reports of fresh deep powder. Although warm temps and rain along the drive from Utah to Wyoming would change those plans. Arriving to Bondurant early Thursday in a drizzle, we pressed on northward to the next spot. After visiting the J-Hole crew, and stopping for Pizza in Driggs at Tony’s, we were on our way again. Wind meters were showing strong wind in Montana and clear skies so we put the peddle down.
Arriving at Monida Pass in the early afternoon, we found the winds had switched to North West, perfect for lighting up the cornices and wind lips. While moist from the recent warm spell, the snow was still soft, fresh & creamy. We pulled off I-15 at the town of Monida and parked roadside on the west side of the freeway. What a playground Monida is. Gully’s that resemble super-pipes, wind lip kickers, small hills, big hills, and bare mountains for miles. There is so much potential for epic rides here, we must come back and stay. I would learn later that riders were hitting Big Hole Pass and Bannock Pass at the same time with much gustier winds. I wonder how many Truck drivers saw me riding near I-15, that would pass by Kite-Buggiers at NABX along that same route?
On to the Big Hole and Jackson Hot Springs. We arrived to meet Cy and Bridgette from Northern Idaho, they had been sessioning the region all week, and watching the snow disappear as it got warmer. We checked out the accommodation options, which reminded me of Goldy Locks and the 3 Bears. The first room was $40, and had less room than the van (literally a cabin the size of a bed). The next room was bigger for $70 a night, but was basically a converted single wide trailer. The third room was really nice for $120, but it was too big. Or for $20 a night, you can get an RV space with plug in power, and includes unlimited access to the Hot Pool. As the caravan piled in that night, we realized that most of the kiters at this event were self sufficient and ready to camp on location, where ever that may be. Check out the images with all the trailers, campers, RV’s and vans, it’s righteous.
The Lodge itself is awesome, including a giant hall with a full service bar, room for bands, and an upper deck with seating and changing rooms. You can order drinks and walk out the door and directly into 104 degree water. The tub is basically a giant swimming pool, very Roman Bath style. The restaurant at the Lodge is the only food in town, so bring your own back up if you have specific food preferences. I don’t think the word vegetarian is in the Montana dictionary yet… but strong ales are!
Friday brought on two completely opposite sessions. The morning session found the Hot Springs caravan on site while the snow was still cold and almost creamy, almost. Mostly fresh tracks, and perfect wind for exploring to the west. Really a fun session, with fast runs, predictable jumps and some carving turns on the first ridge. Some riders ventured farther, hopping fences and sage to score a nice gliding hill with a perfect slope facing the wind. As afternoon rolled in, so did another caravan of Snowkiters. Only now the snow had deteriorated to mash potatoes, heavy taters at that. Still the second session was a lot of fun with everyone smiling in the sun. The occasional tip would bury in the hollowed sage, only to be redeemed with a nice boost in the thick snow followed by an even softer landing.
With a keg of SKA Beer waiting to be tapped, it was time to start the weekend festivities. Well, those already started, but it was still time to party… Montana Style! More Hot Srings action, more beer, more wind, it was all coming together. Except mother nature had a different plan for round 2 on Saturday. She brought stiff winds, predicted to gust in the high 30’s, that actually hit the 40 mph range. The gust front was to be followed with a white out that would send us all back to the Hot Spings mid day. In the morning, looking at mashed potatoes and fluky wind, many riders were still debating wither to ride or not when the gust front arrived and knocked every kite out of the sky. Safety’s were pulled, and even a bar snapped…at that moment I heard someone quote Cypress Hill… “When the shit goes down, you better be ready”.
The afternoon opened up to clear skies, and left small powder patches that had been blown in by the wind. It was an alright afternoon, at least for me, I stayed at the Spring soaking up the good energy of the place.
If the first couple of days were Good, and Saturday was Bad, then Sunday was the UGLY. With half of the tribe staying at Big Hole, we followed the others north for a session at Hagin. The wind was perfectly powered for my 13m Zulu, and I cruised across the flats and up to the cornice. Now, if it was powder snow, this could have been the best day ever. However, the temps had dropped last night, and the snow was bullet proof. Frozen solid. The session went from fun to dangerous quickly. Logged some runs, chased the blown in powder pockets, and then called it an early day. Tony, organizer of the event and owner of Montana Kite Sports, led the charge for the soul session, busting thru the cornice and enticing Julian to follow him out on a long downwinder. By the time the boys made it back to the cars, most of us were packed and draining the remnants of the SKA keg into random water bottles. Sad goodbyes were said, along with plans for warmer rendezvous this summer.
The grey Windzup van was on the road again, and heading south bound. As always, we take the road less traveled, and were rewarded. Not this round, but with the discovery of a new area that will keep us busy next winter. There is a highway I have not been on until this trek that leads from Salmon Idaho to Idaho Falls, and follows the range that divides Idaho from the Big Hole Valley. All along this highway are potential park and ride spots, sled accessed spots, and easy access to some Septic Riding (that is Sick and Epic for you non-Rodeo folks).
Today we are back at Skyline, 20mph SW winds with over a foot of snow in the forecast. Got to love April in the mountains.
Windzup,
Brian Schenck
Gallery Images:
