Bio:  In 1991, my wife and I decided we wanted to buy some retirement property in the Mountains of Montana.  We arrived in the flathead valley at 1pm and by 7 pm had located and purchased some property in paradise.  In 1997, I retired from the Los Angles Police Department after 31 years and made the move to our new home in Bigfork.  After our first summer my wife asked what I planned to do during the winter.  I advised her I was going to become a ski instructor.  She just wanted to know how I was going to be a ski instructor since I did not know how to ski.  I thought that was a good point. Therefore, I became an Ambassador and started honing my skiing skills.  Now 8 years later I am on my way with another career as a Big Mountain ski Ambassador.  With many lessons and over one hundred days of skiing a year I think I have learned to ski adequately.  However, I am still improving my skiing skills and find the challenge exciting.  I have found that introducing guests to the Flathead Valley, Whitefish and the Big Mountain is very fulfilling.  The guests who take Mountain tours are always so appreciative regardless of their skill level.  Showing off this area is so easy because of the natural beauty and the friendly people

Favorite run:  Mark and I led 3 advanced skiers down Bad Rock through 12 inches of fresh powder that had not been touched.  As I watched from the top all I could see was snow flying all over the place as the people disappeared in a mystic way covered by white powder.  I knew my turn was coming.  Floating through all the snow was extremely satisfying and exhilarating.  I felt like I had also disappeared for a short time in the white powder.

Big Mtn Wisdom:   Big Mountain is very big.  With as much skiing I have done for the past 8 years, I still find places I have not been.  Everyday is a new experience.  The conditions on the mountain are always changing so do not put anything off for another time.  Skiing and the mountain experience is for the here and now

Bio:  First, saw the light of day in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, in November 1941.  Married to Nancy; we have five Children, 1 girl, 4 boys, 4 grandchildren.  They all ski and do their part to continue the family love affair with Big Mountain.  I have been skiing at Big Mountain for 45 years and always knew that when I finished my career, I would retire to the Flathead Valley.  In 1999, I was finally able to escape  34 years of servitude in the Dental Industry and the Canadian Gulag, and  Nancy and I were able move  to Montana where I  could indulge my adolescent fantasies of spending the winter skiing and the summer fly fishing.  Sometimes dreams do come true and this one  was realized.
 
Favorite Run:  The best run I have had this year was a run down Moose shared with Bert Manzari; the first run of a January day.  Moose was groomed, but when the groomers left, Ulnar, the Norse snow god and patron of all skiers and snowshoers, graciously gave 4 inches of fresh dry powder on top of the grooming. Only one other person had left his or her tracks for us to follow as we blasted down the hill hooting and hollering.  It was a super clean run, and we made the transitions with a pure smoothness that surprised, elated and filled us with joy.  When we stopped to savor the moment at the bottom of Momentum, Bert remarked, "That's one for the books".

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Big Mountain has been a featured player in my life and my family's life, and is still ongoing.  This past summer, while hiking and looking for Huckleberries on her slopes,  our 8 year old grand-daughter made the remark, "Big Mountain is always here and she never changes."  I think in her childish observation,  she hit on something very profound.  Big Mountain does rule over the Flathead Valley.  She definitely has a permanence  that transcends our brief time  on earth,  and in that  she embodies all the qualities that we  alpine types hold dear.

Bio:  I consider myself one of the very lucky few, I was born here, grew up on a farm in North central Mt. and started skiing Big Mtn in 1965. Since then all of my kids and grand kids have learned to ski here giving us countless days of fun on the mtn. After trying to retire from the farm in 2000 I joined the Ambassadors and tried to pursue my life long dream of becoming a ski bum. From my own experience becoming an Ambassador was an easy choice because Big Mtn covers a large area and some of the runs can be hard to find and everyone’s first day is much improved if you know your way around and I also wanted to share it with our guests. I will ski almost anything but after all those years of skiing I have learned that keeping my skis on the snow is usually the best choice. I’m also told that if I say this could get a little tricky you may want to ask why, but I personally don’t think I have ever said that.

Favorite Run:  Picking a favorite run is difficult because there are so many to choose from but if I have to choose it would be flower point on a powder day. Other than that, any powder run off groom with friends.   

                                                                                                            Big Mtn Wisdom:  Ski until you drop or the powder is all tracked up, which ever comes first. Everyone needs a secret spot, they are like the favorite fishing spot, you don’t tell. However, the best advice I can give anyone is always ski with a buddy off groom, a tree well is very dangerous and scary place to be alone. 

Montana wisdom:  Never squat in the woods with your spurs on.

Bio:  A native Montanan, retired mechanical engineer, and avid skier who chose the Flathead Valley for its beauty, year-round recreation, and laid-back lifestyle.
 
Favorite Run:  First tracks in Heep Steep powder in the sun light (a rare combination).
 
Big Mtn Wisdom:  I first skied The Big Mountain in the 50's and raced in the Doug Smith Memorial in the 60's.  The Big Mountain is a patient teacher of us humble skiers.  If you think “I’ve skied it all”, she’s going to blow you away with a new combination of snow conditions, lighting, and terrain.  Don’t believe it?   Try it!!!

Bio:  After 25 years of being a stuffy corporate banker, my husband introduced me to the incredible Flathead Valley.  We were in Whitefish once in July and it was a dismal, gray day.  At a restaurant I asked the server if there was any skiing near by.  Three years later we were living in Bigfork and I had my first taste of "groomer" skiing at The Big Mountain.  Then I was introduced to the Ambassadors and my skiing life was changed forever thanks to Bob and Alan.  It wasn't pretty at first, but my new found friends taught me what off piste was all about.  Thanks guys!!  I developed a trust and comradery with this group that will last the rest of my life.  On my birthday 17 years ago I promised I would be skiing on my 70th birthday....I have a few more years to go, but I will be there and with my fellow Ambassadors.

Favorite Run:  Inspiration on a clear day....it takes your breath away to look at the Flathead Valley all the way to Polson.  But then there is nothing like a perfect corduroy goomer on a cold morning.  But then again a few weeks ago, when it was reported that there had been no new snow,  we all jumped into Marmot and it was knee deep and a heavenly ski all the way to the bottom.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  I wanted to be a geography teacher, so anytime I have a family on tour I love to show the children about glaciers, Lake Missoula, the native animals...especially the grizzly bears.  I love to tell the children about how fast a grizzly runs...40 miles per hour, and they always say how they could out ski them.  Ah, the innocence of children, they are our future skiers and leaders.

Bio:  My wife and I hopped on a wagon train in 2001 after 25 years in the medical profession in Norfolk, Virginia and settled in on The Big Mountain. Our love of the mountains and the need to be near water brought us here. Since then we have tackled many tasks with The Whitefish Theatre Company and I have volunteered as a fireman and board member with the Big Mountain Fire Department. A love of education and the outdoors lead me to The Glacier Institute where I have served on the  Board of Trustees and Chairman of the facilities committee.

Favorite Run:  One of may favorite runs is to take a tour down Moose when it's been freshly groomed and the visibility allows the cliffs above and the valley beyond to be seen.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  A bit of Wednesday advice: be careful of doing anything foolish as Ski Patrol is on the look for the object of that evening's Frabert award.

Bio: I have been skiing Big Mtn for over 30 years and have been part of the Ambassadors for 6.  I really enjoy taking people one step beyond their own comfort zone.  The ‘thrill’ comes back into skiing for them.  That’s the best part of Big Mtn.   

Favorite Run:  A few year’s ago with 16” new snow, I took a run down Kodiak.  With every turn, snow was billowing over my head.  6 turns into the run I can’t breathe.  The light snow was going down my throat and gagging me.  I ended up sitting in the middle of the run, coughing up snow trying to recover.  Definitely a snorkel day. 

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Never follow Alan into any run that he calls “a little tricky.”

Bio: I moved to the Flathead Valley in 1995 with my husband Clifford.  After many years of wet, gray winters in Olympia, Washington, we decided to move to a place that gets most of its precipitation as SNOW and has a great ski hill!  I work year round at Glacier National Park as a computer specialist but still manage to volunteer 2 days a week to be a Big Mountain Ambassador.  You can join me on Thursdays and Sundays for a great time skiing the Big Mountain.

Favorite Run:  It has been several years since we could really enjoy Hellfire but this season has brought plenty of snow!  The snow ghosts are great on the trek out to the top of Hellfire, the terrain is varied and the bottom has great packed powder.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  I like to take my first run-of-the-day down Inspiration.  If I can do this in the fog, with wind drifts, and fresh snow, I figure I can ski anywhere on the mountain that day!  Seeing is overrated... the snow is what counts!

Bio:  I grew up in the Midwest and came to Montana in the 60’s to attend Forestry School at University of Montana in Missoula.  After College, I was a Lt in the Army Corps of Engineers for a couple of years in Germany then came back to Montana and worked for the Montana DNRC for 25 years.   I worked mostly as a fire management officer and retired as the Department’s regional manager for NW Mt in ’98.  At that time Beverly (also an ambassador) and I had two boys aged 5 (boarder) and 8 (skier) at home and I got to be the one to retire and stay home with the kids.  Beverly retired this year and is finally able to get her fill of the hill.  I still help out some during tough fire seasons and do temporary disaster recovery assignments for FEMA.  The boys are now 14 and 17 and only one of them is in trouble with the ski patrol.

We had not skied for several years but wanted to get our boys started skiing and boarding.  I eventually wanted to get to know some adult skiers and to improve my skiing.  I ran into some ambassadors and decided to join, primarily to meet some folks and learn more trails.  I have been with the program for about 6 seasons now and it has been great for me and my skiing, and I hope enjoyable and useful for the folks I have had the privilege to share the mountain with.

Favorite Run:  A Monday in February, when after several days of fairly heavy powder, we got some cold nights which allowed the snow to lighten up and “mellow out”.   The next day we had some great runs down through the Ptarmigan Bowl, then on down Langley to the bottom.  It was the kind of snow I can link turns in and it was great to get on one of the longest gladed runs on the mountain in great snow.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  It's almost always better skiing on the mountain than it is at home on the couch.  Regardless of how nasty it might look from the valley, it is almost always fun once you get on skis among good folks such as the current and retired Ambassadors and others I have met through the program.   (The huge chocolate chip cookie for a buck at the Alpine Glow is one of the best values on the Mountain.)

Bio:  Native Kentuckian, though it's obvious that I should have always been here. Notre Dame graduate and proud of my Irish heritage. Mostly retired general and vascular surgeon(still fill in occasionally). Enjoy northwest Montana outdoor activities, and still referee youth, high school, and college soccer. Enjoy Ambassador duty, as it provides a socially acceptable outlet for my blarney

Favorite Run:  Inspiration on a clear day, as it makes you realize how lucky you are to be here.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Big Mt is one of only 6 North American resorts to have snow ghosts. Also the first to have mountain hosts. Chair 1 was longest lift in North America when it opened in 1960.

Bio:  After retiring from our publishing company in San Diego I picked my brush and easel came to the Flathead to get serious about my painting and to experience the mountains, the water, and the wild lands. Sharing this special time of life with my wife Sharon, has truly become our great adventure.

Favorite Run:   The numerous runs off upper Hellfire offer me the greatest skiing challenge. They're steeper than a cow's face. The Good Medicine/Bad Medicine combo as well as the Enchanted Forest just off  Langley are always  "in the moment" experiences. Emerging from the "secret road" in anticipation of the  fresh snow on Hogan's East always enthralls my 'tour.' But it is the back side of the mountain which offers consistently superior snow conditions on the groomed runs or down through the trees...

Big Mtn Wisdom:  I'm convinced that heaven abounds with snow-covered peaks,and untracked snow-filled bowls. Bright skies, snow ghosts, challenging terrain and fresh powder. Skiing Big Mountain brings heaven to earth.

Bio:  After 35 years with a major oil company on the East coast we moved to Whitefish to enjoy the weather, skiing, golf, fly-fishing, and rafting.
 
Favorite Run: This year the most enjoyable run was on Feb. 1st. on the Big Mtn. Face. It was 2 pm , the temperature was 21 degrees, the sun was out , and the powder was deep. The most satisfying tour is on a sunny day after taking guest for a couple runs on the back side and you then head south of the summit and come out at the top of Tony Matt. The guest " gasp " at the site of the valley below. It is truly inspiring.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Always ski with a partner. If you can see it - ski it. Ski safe and above all HAVE FUN!

Bio:  Married to Betty. I work out of my home as counsel for a company based in Kansas. A native Montanan, born in Great Falls. We have been coming to the Flathead for 14 years visiting family and friends. We moved here in 2004 for the skiing, hiking, golf and friendly people. I started skiing the Big Mountain about 5 years ago, having done the majority of my skiing around Lake Tahoe. What first struck me about Whitefish Mtn Resort was the lack of lift lines and the value, in addition to the huge variety of terrain. I soon quit skiing in Tahoe all together, opting to get a years worth of skiing into a 7 - 10 day trip to Montana.
 
Favorite Run:  Prior to becoming an Ambassador, my off groom experience was limited to where my friends wanted to go, which was 100% groomed. Enter the Ambassadors. Bob Kimball, specifically, and others in general, have encouraged me to push myself, taking me into areas I never knew existed. My best and most uplifting run was on a Friday afternoon during a good snow fall, through deep (to me at least), untracked powder, starting at Ptarmagen Bowl, through Larch, Corkscrew and Bad Rock. I was actually floating. Put a huge smile on my face.
 
Big Mtn Wisdom:  The only bit of information, call it wisdom if you will, is to get to know the Mountain. Whitefish Mtn Resort offers what many other resorts do not, 360 degrees of skiing, through a vast and varied terrain, for every level of skier. I am still learning of new runs. If someone suggests they want to go into an area you have never heard of, just reply, "lets go". You will discover something new to pass on to others.

Bio:  My husband and I moved to Whitefish when Steve took a job with Plum Creek Corp. Since we enjoyed living in Montana years ago, we jumped at the chance to move back to the shining mountains. Our lives revolve around the ski season each year, so Big Mountain is a great place to spend our days sliding down the mountain. When I am not on the mountain, I work as a graphic designer in Whitefish.

Favorite Run:  This year has been phenomenal for the soft snow in the trees. I've learned where the nice tree runs are and love to try my luck at making a few turns down them. It is heaven to get those first tracks down any of the slopes on the mountain.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  When I ride up to the ski area from Whitefish (in a car or the snow bus), I think of the people who came before, more than 50 years ago, and HIKED up the hill to ski it. WOW. Those people were dedicated to the sport and must have been GREAT physical shape!

BIO:  A native Montanan, I was raised on the wind swept northern Montana prairies.  After graduating from Montana State University I accepted a teaching position at Columbia Falls High School in 1975.  I taught Chemistry for 27 years. When the school district proposed an early retirement buy out to the staff in 2002, I quickly accepted.  Some of my students on learning I was retiring said, “Mr. Dye you’re to young to retire”.  My reply was that I had another life to live and needed to get on with it.  I have pursued nature and outdoor photography for over 35 years and felt retirement was the opportunity to delve more deeply.  With that in mind I purchased two pack llamas and gear and use them to get myself and camera gear into the backcountry.  I have been with Dee, who I can now call my wife, for over twenty years.  We decided in the spring of 2008 to get married while on a trip to Hawaii.  Dee (Delores) has been a nurse for about 30 years and has worked home health nursing for about 15 years.  Lately she has been doing travel assignments and I travel and spend time with her at the assignments.  I am one of only a couple of telemark skiers with the Ambassadors. 

FAVORITE RUN:  The one I just finished soon to be replaced by the one I’m about to do, but then Good Medicine with fresh powder is always tough to beat.

BIG MTN WISDOM:   NBC chute ain’t for the faint of heart and what happens in NBC stays in NBC. 

Bio:  My wife, Barb, and I moved to the Flathead Valley in 1979 and have never been sorry since.  We raised both of our daughters here in what I would consider an almost perfect environment with good schools, friendly people, and year-round recreation opportunities that never end.  My recent retirement in April 2006 from the U.S. Forest Service has given me even more of an opportunity to enjoy this area and all it has to offer.  Joining the Ambassador program on Big Mountain has introduced me to some great people who really know how to have fun and who never complain about winter. 

Favorite Run:  The views in all directions on a clear day from the upper part of Inspiration can’t be beat and is one of my favorite groomed runs.  Good Medicine is usually the first place I go when we get fresh snow.   

Big Mtn Wisdom:  No matter what the conditions, the Big Mountain has so much to offer you can usually find something to put a big smile on your face.  The secret is to just get out and enjoy what the Mountain throws your way.

Bio:  When I first arrived in the Flathead Valley in 1995, I often spent days during my first winter walking up Big Mountain for a single well-earned ski down. Back then, I worked at the Flathead Lake Biological Station, assisting with research projects in Glacier National Park and identifying insects. I spent some time in Bozeman in graduate school, working the evolutionary relationships of some obscure caddisflies in alpine streams of the Northwest and Asia. Currently, I am based near the entrance of Glacier National Park, where I do entomology contract work out of my own home laboratory. The ambassador program has been a great opportunity for me to meet some great new people and share my love for the area, as well as give me a break from the microscope a couple of days a week.

Favorite Run: I have great memories of exploring the Elkweed area with Bob and Glenn on a Friday during the big January dump. The powder on the mountain was incredible, while it rained all weekend at home.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  There is so much more to Big Mountain and the Flathead Valley than just winter fun. Come visit during the summer- mountain bike and pick huckleberries on Big Mountain, fish on Flathead Lake, raft the whitewater on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, and take a walk in Glacier National Park.

Bio:  Having lived in Montana most of my life, I had skied most every ski area in the state except for Big Mountain. Following an invite from some out of state friends to join them here for a weekend my husband and I made the trip north to Whitefish. The evening we arrived it was snowing hard and we were delighted to wake up the next morning to 12 inches of new and blue bird skies. Wow! The weather here Rocks!  We bought our first home here in 1999 and have never looked back. Whitefish is a great town with wonderful people and limitless outdoor activities to pursue. As for a ski town, well, it is just a lot of fun. And the weather!

Favorite Run:  Any run in the powder with fellow Ambassadors will no doubt be the favorite of the day. An all time favorite was a blue bird sky day with 12 inches of new following Allan, Shelley, Doug, and Steve through the black forest over and over, new tracks every time. We just have the best weather. For the best views and a nice top to bottom run try Inspiration. On low light days, the North side of the mountain as well as the West side ski well. Try “Many Turns” down the front on really challenging low light days.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Don’t ski off groomed alone! Don’t hike out of area without the proper gear and skill level as well as avalanche training. This is not Disney Land, it is the mountains and they deserve respect. Enjoy all the fun that Whitefish has to offer. It is a fun town, with great après ski atmosphere. Lastly, Enjoy your friends: The blarney, the runs that “might be a little tricky”, because who knows, they may share a secret stash of great powder with you.

Bio:  I spent my formative years in the Midwest followed by a 30-year career in the construction and real estate industry in hectic Southern California.  My wife, Linda, and I relocated to Bigfork in 2005 where it didn’t take long to become pleasantly reacquainted with the sights, sounds and smells of living in a 4-season environment.  I’ve since learned that Montana has its own idea about how, when and in which order the seasons will pass.  It was a bit startling to wake up this past June 10^th to discover 5 inches of fresh snow out our window.  Note for 2009:  Leave the skis and skins out through the 4^th of July.     

Favorite Run:  An impossible question to answer.  Like asking a parent which child is their favorite.  However, when a particular run isn’t behaving or is a little moody, there are no shortages of runs and hidden stashes that just can’t wait for a visit.  For me it’s in the trees or perhaps some hiking to earn the turns.  But don’t tell the groomers. 

Big Mtn. Wisdom:  My time and experience on the mountain pales in comparison to my fellow Ambassadors.  I have learned that the Mountain changes almost every day and sometimes from hour to hour and that there is always something new and exciting to learn or new place to explore if one takes the time.  Too, I’ve discovered that Big Mountain has no shortage of friendly folks out enjoying a day of skiing that are more than happy to ski and explore with you.  Click in, smile and hit it!   

Bio:  Retired from the Department of Energy after 28 years in 2006 (yeah!).  Still do some part time consulting work for various firms involved in the nuclear industry as long as it does not hamper my fun time.  Married to Candy, my better skiing ambassador wife.  Candy and I have been skiing on the Big Mountain since the 90’s.  After skiing throughout the Northwest and the Rockies, we appreciate the lack of crowds, the great snow, great weather, and the varied terrain.  We have had a Condo on the mountain for nearly ten years, and every winter moment revolves around skiing.   We now have a home just down the road in Columbia Falls, and expect to be skiing even more with retirement.

In summer I show my various classic muscle cars and Hotrod in local and regional car shows. I enjoy golf, riding Mountain and Road bikes, hike, kayak and walk our Bernese Mountain Dogs, and enjoy the beautiful Montana scenery.

Favorite Run:  Hellfire late in the season.  No crowds, great varied terrain and a quiet leisurely lift ride to the top of Chair 2.  A great way to end a day of skiing. Follow Ed’s to Home Again, cruise home (or to the hotel), and enjoy that hot tub and an après ski beverage!  There are many opportunities for that!

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Ski close to the tree’s in the fog.  The trees will guide you down the hill.  And remember; don’t complain to loudly about the fog, it often brings us those 1-2 feet of wonderful powder! 

Montana Wisdom:  If you don’t like the weather, wait an hour, it changes quickly!

Bio:  I moved to West Glacier in 1989 with my wife, Lynne, to work as a Ranger in Glacier National Park. In 1998, we moved to Columbia Falls. We had previously lived and worked in Crater Lake National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Yellowstone National Park. We have two sons, Peter (19) and Alex (14).  Peter is a downhill skier and raced for several years on the Glacier Nordic Ski Team.  Alex is a snowboarder and has skied on the Glacier Nordic Prep Team.  Lynne is an avid cross-country skier.  We are also avid hikers and campers. In the spring of 2008 I retired after more than 32 years with the National Park Service.  I became an Ambassador to be able to spend more time on the Mountain and to meet new folks.  

Favorite Run: One of the most underrated runs on the Mountain is Good Medicine.  I am constantly amazed at how good the snow is, even on days when it’s marginal in other areas. 

Big Mtn. Wisdom: In the 19 years I have skied Big Mountain, I have always been able to find good runs and good snow somewhere on the mountain. Even when I have hesitated to go up because I think the weather or snow conditions may not be good, when I get there I have a good time and I’m glad I went.

Bio:  Spent most of my life in Orlando, FL.  After graduating from college, I went to OSC at Quantico, VA, compliments of the Marine Corp.  I spent the next four years as a GIB (guy-in-back) in the F-4 and RF-4.

After the service, I started my teaching career.  The GI Bill helped me further my education and get certified in a number of additional teaching areas.

The next 21 years I spent teaching P.E. with an occasional English or Science class thrown in.  My last 5 years was spent teaching Economics and Science at Universal Studios in Orlando.

Retirement in 2002 brought my wife, Marcy, and me to Big Mountain.  We have loved every minute.

Favorite Run:  Hands down that would be Evans Heaven.  There's a poem called "The Green Cathedral."  It mentions "a shadowed forest shrine."  That's an apt description of Evans.

Big Mountain Wisdom:  Helmets are cheaper than brain surgery.  If you're not having fun, you are missing the point!