In North America, July skiing doesn’t get much better than it does in Montana.  One of the local classic backcountry skis around Bozeman, MT is called The Great One.  This north facing chute is in the Bridger Mountains and approximately 1000 vertical feet. 

We set out at 9:00 a.m. from the Sacajawea trailhead near Fairy Lake.  The hike is only about 2.5 miles and sunny skies made for great weather on the way up.  You have to make sure the sun has had time to warm the snow in the chute as it is common to be very icy in the mornings. 

As we neared the top of the ridge to access the chute a group of mountain goats greeted our arrival.  They were very curious looking at our ski gear.  As we watched them in awe climbing the rocks and cliffs effortlessly, we were sure they had to be laughing at us as we fumbled our way down into the chute.