As the snowfall totals were being tallied across Montana, it became clear that there are literally hundreds of square miles of ranch land that are deeply covered with a mantle of powder. Snotel reports across the state have commonly registered areas with 2 to 3 feet from last weekend’s storm.

On Monday morning I headed west to an area near the lower Madison Valley that always has wind – so much wind that usually that the snow never sticks, it just blow away. However last weekend’s storm was not normal and luckily within a half hour I had permission to kite on a gigantic ranch with loads of snow and a steady south wind.

Fully powered on my 12m, I had an awesome session. I kited on the open range for miles, up, down, north, south. For most of the day the snow stayed light and dry. There was so much terrain I almost never had to cross my tracks. The sun was brilliant and as the day progressed the snow warmed steadily. By late afternoon the snow was beginning to feel more like chowder than powder. Oh well, my day was complete, four hours of powered up kiting on a completely untracked mountainside with great views of the nearby Tobacco Root Mountains.

It’s hard to believe that it’s only the middle of October.

See ya out there,

Noah

Is there any pow left for out of towners... or did the locals farm it already?


Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Monday and Tuesday offered great snowkiting here in SW Montana. Four new spots kited for the first time ever. I joined Noah at the private ranch land north of Norris 4 miles. (the spot in the photos Noah posted above). I also found a spot just west of Norris and two others on Norris pass. They were all on state land. What a great sight to see all that snow!

Joe Irons
joeirons.com

That place looks sick!!!
I can't wait to visit!!! Later Ted B