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carving the slopes

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Carving turns down snow-covered mountains in Yellowstone National Park is now within reach for more skiers and snowboarders thanks to guided trips.

Pogge's guiding business expanded from the Tobacco Root Mountains into Yellowstone last winter, targeting areas at the southern end of the Gallatin Canyon as well as the Mammoth, Lamar and Sylvan Pass regions. This season he began offering overnight camping excursions in the park where a steak dinner after skiing powder makes sleeping in a tent a bit easier.

"My passion is getting into those places" that not many people get to see, especially in winter, Pogge said.

"They're all beautiful, and the wildlife is awesome."

Years ago, such excursions were isolated to a few hardy telemark skiers, mostly locals. Before that, skiing was often confined to cross country skiing - which still makes up the majority of skier visits to the park.

But paid guides navigating clients on newer lightweight skis, boards and boots - along with much wider powder-specific skis - are making downhill powder-poaching treks more accessible and even a tad bit easier for the recreating public.

One thing hasn't changed: even guided clients have to earn their turns by climbing uphill. That's no easy feat in Yellowstone where trips can start at an elevation of 7,000 feet and climb on the side of peaks that top out at 10,000 feet.

"We'll ski for an entire day to get to a mountain," Pogge said.

Trips in the park south of Big Sky Resort are attracting downhill skiers on vacation looking for something different to do for a day.

"We get them hooked, and then they come back to learn more and see more country," Pogge said.

Other guides

Pogge's crew isn't the only one offering guided Yellowstone backcountry ski trips. Beartooth Powder Guides, based in Cooke City, began guiding in 2015 outside Yellowstone and has now expanded into the nearby park.

Owner Ben Zavora will lead adventurous, skilled and physically fit clients into areas like Rose Creek drainage, just off the Lamar Valley, to ski the backside of Druid Peak - a mountain famed for its wolf pack and pup-rearing area. Those willing to trek farther can climb into the Pebble Creek drainage and scale the side of Wolverine Peak, a wild spot but just north of the park boundary.

Also based in Cooke City and exploring the park is Yellowstone Ski Tours. The company's seven guides include Kt Miller, who instructs a three-day women's-only backcountry ski course.

"Most of our clients are expert skiers who value the experience more than getting wild," Pogge said. "They're looking for true adventure."

Snowy solitude

Chances are guided skiers will have their portion of the park to themselves. Few people trek into Yellowstone's backcountry in the winter, with good reason.

The average temperature at night between January and March is less than 10 degrees, and in those months the nights are long. Camping in the winter in Yellowstone requires a permit. Years ago that permit was predicated on campers watching a film that included gruesome photos of frostbite victims' swollen and black fingers, toes, ears and noses.

The message was blunt: Being unprepared in Yellowstone in winter can be painful, even disfiguring.

A newer video posted on the park's website notes some of the other concerns that winter skiers and snowshoers should bear in mind: deep snow, strong winds, whiteouts, hypothermia and subzero temperatures that can dive to minus 20 degrees or colder.

"Winter in Yellowstone can be unforgiving and unpredictable," said park ranger Bethany Gassman in the film. "It can be dangerous if you're unprepared, especially in the backcountry."

Dealing with even a minor injury or equipment malfunction can "quickly turn into a life or death situation," she advised, so be prepared to self-rescue.

The park also warns that bears can be found wandering in the winter, despite the appeal of hibernation. Other wildlife, such as elk and bison, should also be given a wide berth to keep from burning up their precious calories when fleeing, as well as to keep human travelers safe.

Attraction

Such messages haven't kept people away, though. Even in the park's early history rangers with heavy skis and single, long poles would venture into Yellowstone's backcountry during winter. The same characteristics that attracted those explorers - vast quiet expanses, a snow-smoothed landscape and chillingly beautiful mountain scenery - are still found in the park.

"It's a great venue for teaching courses, as well," Pogge said, educating visitors about everything from avalanches to winter survival and camping.

"We've got awesome return customers every year. It's been a growing community, which is neat."

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Yellowstone guides offer routes to powder for skiers, snowboarders

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Carving turns down snow-covered mountains in Yellowstone National Park is now within reach for more skiers and snowboarders thanks to guided trips. Pogge's guiding business expanded from the Tobacco Root Mountains into Yellowstone last winter, targeting areas at the southern end of the Gallatin Canyon as well as the Mammoth, Lamar and Sylvan Pass regions.

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opening day welcoming the peek

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Lake snows, cold temperatures launch a new ski season.

FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. - Nick Scott Jr. thanked a higher power Friday morning.

Ski and snowboard season opened Friday at Peek'n Peak Resort, which has been owned and operated by Scott Enterprises since 2011. A blanket of snow padded the resort's slopes and the way toward what Scott hopes will be a successful season.

"So far, Mother Nature has been so kind to us," said Scott, vice president and co-owner of Scott Enterprises. "We're on par to get some of the best snow and have one of the best winters we've seen for the seven seasons we've been operating here."

Crews also were making artificial snow and grooming it.

"Conditions are great," said Brad Gravink, director of mountain operations. "We've been making snow and we got really lucky to have really nice conditions today on the slopes."

Gravink said it takes around 60 million gallons of water to make a 2-foot blanket of artificial snow.

"I'm going to say there are around 30 million gallons on the slopes right now," he said.

Fourteen of the Peak's 27 trails are open, along with five ski lifts and a seven-lane tubing slope, said Kelsey Fitch, senior marketing manager for Scott Enterprises. Conditions are updated daily on the resort's website, pknpk.com. According to that site, the base depth Friday was between 6 inches and 28 inches.

"We are so fortunate that we are finally open before Christmas," Fitch said. "We're hoping to have the remaining trails operational soon. Brad is working on them now."

Scott said the season is off to a financially solid start thanks in part to a successful marketing campaign aimed at selling more season passes.

"We've sold more season passes this year than we have in the past 10 years," he said.

Dennis Olesnanik, 61, of Girard Township, bought a once-a-week pass good for Wednesday nights.

"I get one every year. I try to come every chance I get," he said. "It's good exercise and a beautiful day here. It's so close to Erie."

Abby Magovern, 28, traveled to the Peak from Pittsburgh with her mother, Jamie Magovern.

"I was at Saint Vincent Hospital for work, so I figured we'd make a little vacation out of it," she said. "I'd never been here before today. It's so cute and a great experience."

There's one other critical factor that leads Scott Jr. to believe the resort is aligned for a successful season: the early snowfall.

"We always hope and just cross our fingers, and it's shaping up to be in our favor this year," he said.

Sarah Grabski can be reached at 870-1776 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNgrabski.

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Peek'n Peak welcomes snow, skiers, boarders

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Lake snows, cold temperatures launch a new ski season. FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. - Nick Scott Jr. thanked a higher power Friday morning. Ski and snowboard season opened Friday at Peek'n Peak Resort, which has been owned and operated by Scott Enterprises since 2011.

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peak and peak instruction teaching a little girl