As winter wraps itself around our curvy natural state, we are compelled to accessorize with an arsenal of winter gear. Dusting off those Sorels gives me an odd sense of pleasure, as if I am unholstering a life saving piece of integral warfare. Thermal underwear and socks are searched for in the bottoms of dressers and bins, and upon being found, proudly take their places as body armor. A flurry of hats, scarves, and mittens take the front lines, almost as if they are trying to confuse the stone-cold winter rival with a variety of shapes and colors.

In all honesty, regardless of how prepared we are for winter here in Montana, it is rather daunting at times. Making its way effortlessly past our militant layers of fabric, the frigid air still finds our ears and whispers. Putting a metaphorical rhyme to winters cool breath may sound something like this:

“We are here together you and I,
that feverish summer well’s run dry.
She came in hot and went out cold,
Teased you a bit just like fools gold.

Now you’re left with me, my friend
With any season, I will gladly contend.
Tell me, what is your hearts delight,
And please, by all means, be forthright.

Is it weaving through a bed of trees
Bouncing off powder on two skis?
Maybe you prefer to ride a board
Shredding through terrain unexplored.

Either way, if that’s your love,
These types of things that I speak of,
Take my frosty hand and follow me,
Bundle up tight, and lets go ski.”

Bozeman, as most of us already know, has built a nice fat repertoire when it comes to voluptuous hillsides of powder. Our credentials are popping at the seams with magazines gleaming of our nationally top-ranked ski terrain.

So, excuses being for the birds, I would suggest making the most out of this ski-tropolis that calls itself Bozeman. If you don’t ski, pick it up this year. There’s no time like the present, right? If you don’t drive, be a bum! Don’t feel bad either, because Bozeman was declared as being the “best place to go if you’re a ski bum” by Powder Magazine. If you are strapped for cash, make some necessary cut backs and save for a day of rosy cheeked shredding by checking out local deals. You won’t be disappointed.

With all due respect, and unless you are a small child, lets keep those winter blues whines down to a small roar, shall we? I promise you that those sad nasal-pitched snivels are old news and taste just as bad as they sound. If you are seasonally affected, ahem, you my friend are in the wrong area code. With that being said, lets gear up for ski season, and find out for ourselves why we are ranked as one of the top ski towns in America.

Let me give you a run-down of all the nitty gritty morsels that you may want to chew on as the ski hills begin to open.

First up on Bozeman’s line of big triple threats is Bridger Bowl. Opening early this year the day after Thanksgiving, lift ticket prices for adults are $39/half day and $47/full day.  A standard season pass will run you $665 while a midweek season pass comes in at $465.  A couple deals to consider include the ten-time pass for $350 or look into MSU’s RIDE-ON card. This card is $30 and it allows MSU students to ski all season for $39/full day and provides many discounted and free days throughout the season as well. Over the past 50 years Bridger Bowl has grown from one rope-tow and a quonset hut to a major ski area with 2,000 acres of terrain, 8 chair lifts, 2,500 vertical feet, 3 lodges and recent expansion that makes it a continued major player in great Northwestern powder skiing. Check out more about Bozeman’s closest and most reasonably priced ski area at www.bridgerbowl.com.

Next up to the plate is Big Sky Resort. Open this season on Thanksgiving day, lift ticket prices for adults are $55/full day through December 10. After the 10th, lift ticket prices for adults are $81 at the window, $77 online, $71 for a half day, and $61/full day with valid MSU ID. A couple deals to consider are the Frequent Sky Card for $139 which offers you 14 free days of skiing and $20 off the regular season window rate, and the Powder Pak -10 transferable day tickets for $770. New this year Big Sky offers great benefits to students and educators with Project Excel for students in the Bozeman school district. The program provides a free Frequent Sky Card to students with a high GPA who have completed at least 10 hours of community service over the last semester. Kids 10 and under always ski free at Big Sky with a paying adult.

Ski 3800 acres, the most acres of rideable terrain you will find in the area, also boasting “almost twice as many acres as skiers.” The Lone Peak Tram sets Big Sky apart from nearly every other ski resort in America. The Tram transports technical skiers and riders to some of the most difficult terrain in the country and welcomes less advanced skiers and sightseers to 360 degree views of three states and two national parks. The four Terrain Parks at Big Sky are also a huge draw for the dare devil, parks include boxes, rails, jumps, bars and much more. For more info on events, activities, snow sport schools and more check out www.bigskyresort.com.

Last but not least we have our hidden gem, Moonlight Basin. Opening December 11th, lift ticket prices for adults are $58/full day and $49/half day, college students are $44/half day and $49/full day. Bozeman locals can get a $5/ticket discount by purchasing their tickets at local retailers before they head to the mountain. Check out http://www.moonlightbasin.com/site/ticket_deals.html for participating retailers. Kids 10 and under are always free and Moonlight also has an M-BAR-T program providing free skiing to students in 6th-12th grade, attending public, private, and home schools in Gallatin, Madison, Beaverhead, Park, and Sweet Grass counties. Moonlight will offer you beautiful uncrowded ski terrain and a truly unique experience. www.moonlightbasin.com

Combined Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin boast the Biggest Skiing in America™, one ticket, the Biggest Skiing in America™ pass, allows you access to the Moonlight Basin – Big Sky Resort interconnect for 5,512 acres of downhill terrain, 4,350 feet of vertical, 27 lifts and 220+ trails. The Biggest Skiing in America™ pass is available for $95/day for adults, $85/day for seniors and $75/day for college students.

Choose any of the three local mountains, set aside your excuses and lay down some tracks this season. Its time to play, happy trails everyone!