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:  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:  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:  A Seattle native, moved to L.A. in the early 90's and rode the dot com bubble.  After 10 years of dealing 24/7 with tempramental software engineers and 3am server crashes, husband Bert and I decided to sell everything and head for the mountains.  We arrived in Whitefish 2 years ago and have never looked back.  The Flathead Valley is an amazing place and I feel so lucky to be able to live here. 

Favorite Run:  On a blustery Wednesday morning I headed up to the summit with my ladies group.  There was a quick debate about what we should do for our warm up run when someone shouted "Marmot!" and everyone took off.  I stood there thinking "Marmot? Warmup?"  Not wanting to be left behind I followed and experienced the most incredible run of the season.  With about 10 inches of fresh powder, we floated down effortlessly - what a rush!

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Learn to love the trees!  On the occasional (ok common) foggy days, I've learned to stay close to the trees.  Not only does your visibility improve immensely, you're also likely to stretch out and find some interesting new terrain.

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:  My first winter as an Ambassador was the 99/00 ski season.  Being new to the valley I was thrilled to find a program that combined two of my favorite activities together; skiing and talking!  I have enjoyed showing guests around the mtn every year since.  I am the only Ambassador who holds the honor of showing folks around while being 8 months pregnant!  

Favorite Run:  1,000 Turns is my all time favorite run – best leg burner on the mtn!  It’s my warm up and my cool down every ski day.  

Big Mtn Wisdom:  No crowds, rare lift lines, tons of runs, low elevation, soft snow, great views (when you can see them J) and friendly people.  That’s what I love about Big Mtn! Come experience it for yourself!

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:  Just an old farmer with nothing else to do. In truth I’ve had so much fun here I like to share it. Will ski almost anything. Native Montanan, started skiing here 40 years ago.
 
Favorite Run: Rescuing Bob on Big Horn. 10:45 am, 6” powder, Snowing with good visibility.  Other than that, any powder run off groom, they are all the best.

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.  Always ski with a ski buddy off groom. Overcast skies are our friend, keeps our snow the best.

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

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 Big Mountain about 5 years ago, having done the majority of my skiing around Lake Tahoe. What first struck me at Big Mountain was the lack of lift lines and the value, in addition to the variety of terrain at Big Mountain. 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. The Big Mountain 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:  Was blessed and lucky enough to grow up in Kalispell and started skiing on Big Mountain when the great controversy was whether Hart skis or Head skis?  Chair 2 was a much loved t-bar and chair 3  a poma.  Today,  As a Certified Financial Planner, I help people plan for retirement.  Almost all of  us baby-boomers lament about not taking good enough care of our health.  Skiing on Big Mountain has to be one of the best retirement exercise methods of all.

Favorite Run: multiple times with Alan Mac, Down flower point after a big snow dump
 
Big Mtn wisdom:  My wife and I used to see one of Big Mountain Patriarchs  (George Prentice) skiing on the weekends way up until the later part of his life. Wisdom is to stay active skiing until our 80's and beyond.

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:  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:  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:  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:  I grew up in Kentucky and came out to the University of Montana to go to Forestry School.  I started with Montana DNRC in Plains Mt in ’78.  I started helping private forest land owners and eventually moved to Kalispell after a few years.  I became a certified silviculturist and eventually retired in 2005 as the forester in charge of managing state-owned forest lands in the Kalispell area.  Mt crew prepared about 5-10 million board feet of timber annually and looked after planting, road maintenance and other chores.   I worked as needed on teams handling large fires and enjoyed working on fire assignments with other agencies around the west. Now, I get to be the home mom for our teenaged boys and do enough forestry consulting work to satisfy my need to be in the woods. 

Bill suggested I join him and the other Ambassadors and I am enjoying my “rookie” year.  It has been great to be able to spend 2-3 days a week on the mountain and get to know a lot of people and work on my skiing.  I have finally been able to get off the groomers and hit some of the more challenging runs. Currently “walking wounded” but hope to be back on the hill soon.

Favorite Run:  One Saturday when I finally got to go off the backside of Flower Point through “Window Pane” in some nice fluffy powder.  I am starting to get the hang of powder and trees and that run has a nice pitch and spacing for someone who is not an expert (yet).
 
Big Mtn Wisdom:  I like to show intermediate skiers some fun places, such as along the edges of Goat Haunt, where they can play in the trees and find some short powder patches to give the a taste of the longer gladed runs.  Just a touch of adventure can make someone’s day.

Bio:  After a 30+ year career as a migrant film worker, my wife and I retired to my home state of Montana.  It is wonderful to be back home and we are enjoying every moment of it.

Favorite run:  My favorite run this year was any run that I could take with my fellow Ambassadors.  A number of the Ambassadors have decades of skiing history on this mountain.  The accumulated Big Mountain knowledge of this crew is truly impressive.  I have, and continue to learn so much about terrain that was invisible to me before joining this wonderful bunch of skiers.  If I had to single out a run, it would be coming down Haskell slide in deep snow.  What a rush!!!!!!

Big Mtn Wisdom: We happened to see a PBS special about the creation of the Columbia gorge.  It is now speculated that the entire Flathead Valley was at one time (maybe multiple times) a giant lake.  The amazing fact is that Lake Missoula was an ice dammed lake that gave way about where Missoula now sits and, the water on its rush to the Pacific, created the entire Columbia gorge in a matter of days rather than years as had been previously thought.  On a clear day from the summit of Big Mountain you can see a great deal of what was Lake Missoula and the thought of it emptying out quickly is pretty mind boggling.

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:  Born and reared in Ogden, Utah I spent many wonderful years working with my father in West Yellowstone, Montana. After graduating from dental school at Washington University, Saint Louis  Missouri, I entered private practice for 22 years.  Upon retiring I really wanted to return to Montana, it offers all outdoor activities I enjoy most.  Fly fishing, hiking, water sports and best of all skiing.  Living on Flathead Lake, at waters edge, watching the most beautiful sun rises and sun sun sets across the water.  It is truly an awe inspiring place to live.  Only one place could surpass it's beauty and that is Heaven.  Since you must die to get there i shall enjoy my time here until I get my "eternal Pass."

Favorite Run:  That depends on skiing conditions and the weather.  On good days and above I prefer the runs in Hellroaring Basin.  It seems less traveled by skiers and offers pristine scenery and a great variety of ski trails.  Hell Fire is my favorite, generally almost secluded and always beautiful.  Never have seen a line at chair 11 and provides another 8 minutes of scenic beauty.

Big Mtn Wisdom:  Big Mountain's name is well deserved.  It's big beautiful and bold.  Some days it can be ornery and hide its beauty in fog, blowing snow with cold temperatures.  When visibility is limited, trails not clear stay close to the "fog balls".  Better yet ask an Ambassador for information and best trails according to weather and ski conditions.  As Ambassadors we will be pleased to point out interesting aspects of the mountain and ski with you on various trails.  It is our pleasure to do so.  We want to make your ski vacation at Big Mountain a pleasant one, It's one of our main goals.

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:  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 in 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.