406. 995. 3830 OPEN AT 11 A.M., LUNCH AND DINNER LOCATED IN THE BIG SKY TOWN CENTER BIG SKY, MONTANA
outerwear Gear backcountry: arc’teryx gamma sk pants Made of burly, double weave softshell, the Gamma SK’s are stretchy and way comfortable, waterproof, breathable, plenty warm, and roomy enough for layering. The cuffs are ski boot compatible, and the sleek, built-in gaiters are bomber enough for tromping around in snow pits. besides, they’re flattering (and available in plum!). Look out, Gallatin Peak. Men’s and women’s sizes and colors, available at Northern Lights in Bozeman. – E.S. arcteryx.com $245 warmth: flylow ice Man down jacket The northern Rockies can get frigid, and flylow’s Ice Man down jacket is made for serious mountain weather. The 700-fill goose down is cozy, and the fully-taped, two-layer waterproof shell doesn’t let in an ounce of water, even while I interviewed snowmakers on-scene. Tack on a removable powder skirt and massive underarm vents, and the Ice Man is surprisingly versatile. flylow’s website claims the jacket is as tough as Val Kilmer in Top Gun. I agree. It can be my wingman anytime. Available in black, navy and tarmac. – J.T.O. flylowgear.com $400 in-bounds: dakine throttle jacket, rPM Pants Remember when you had to be careful asking ullr for endless amounts of snow? Your jeans got all soggy and uncomfortable. but then you ditched your snowblades and decided to step up your game and find some real outerwear. Now, if you're set up with the Dakine Throttle Jacket ($359) and RPM Pant ($249), you'll be ready for nasty weather, as well as some kind eyes from the bunnies. Your new setup will handle anything Mother Nature throws at it – fully insulated with Primaloft, it keeps you plenty warm, and with Teflon DwR finish and 15k/10k laminate, you'll stay fresh and dry, whether you're throwing down in the backcountry or you spill salsa on yourself in the lodge. A few of my favorite features are the zip-off hood, the zippered underarm and leg vents, the stylin’ micro-check pattern, the chin-protector flap and the stretch hand gaiters on the Throttle, and the articulated fit on the RPM’s. Some colors are even available in recycled polyester – way to think ecofriendly, Dakine. - C.D. dakine.com explorebigsky.com explorebigsky.com <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Weekly headgear: smith gage helmet and i/ox goggles Smith’s new products for 2013 are proving to be high quality and totally rad. (we’re not surprised.) Looking for a domepiece? Check out the Gage. Designed for park riders, it’s low profile, so it stays out of the way while you’re riding, and vented for the hike back up. At $80, the price matches the style. The new I/OX goggles ($174) are about bigger real estate: larger lense, larger fit on the face and larger peripheral vision. The quick release lens system lets you swap on the go, and the vaporator technology adjusts air pressure and prevents fogging. All of Smith’s helmets and googles are built to mix and match. – E.S smithoptics.com dec. 14 - 27, 2012 59