Dustin P.
Yelp
DISCLAIMER: some folk are very protective about this place. For the record: Yellowstone Club was already in Yelp's system. Unlike many of the establishments that I'm reviewing in Big Sky, MT, I did not add YC...I'm merely reviewing it.
Seriously, the grounds are absolutely breathtaking. All the buildings are made from giant logs and has a throwback "lodgy" feel despite being overwhelmingly modern in design (if that make sense). The lifts are brand new Doppelmayrs, all but a few are high speed, and every other chair has a bubble to shield you from the elements.
The main lodge is gigantic. The amenities are five-stars all around. There is a big exercise room, large lobby area (with lots of free snacks and beverages), fully stocked cash bar (complete with tasty apps, shuffle board, foosball, and pool table), a well stocked pro shop/rental house, upscale dining room/restaurant, and the upper floors are condos for members. They even have a free valet service that will take you to your place after skiing or pick you up to go to the gym.
The actual skiing terrain is somewhat modest from a square footage perspective (especially when compared to the sizes of the houses and lodge). There were basically four main trails that we stuck to that served the two main lifts. They weren't super challenging, but are a lot of fun to burn down. The guys I was with love to fly down groomed runs. The conditions and resort seemed somewhat ideal for such types. Personally, I prefer steep ungroomed technical terrain: its the most challenging imo.
The biggest downside to going to the top is the mini-traverse over to the lift. Not an issue for skiers, but boarders have to push over and then go down a 50 yard hill without strapping in. But if you wish to be challenged more, then you have to take that medium speed double lift to the peak. The short little lift opens up the backside of the mountain along with many chutes on the front side. The backside wasn't worth it because the powder was crusty and not abundant, which made the long flat catwalk (yes the dreaded towside burn for us regular boarders) particularly treacherous and was avoided the rest of the weekend.
The chutes are above tree line at this point and could be slightly steeper, but they are a blast and remind me a lot of the Avalanche Chutes at Mammoth Mt. in feel (in a good way). The paramount difference being that the snow is way better here. I don't even know when the last storm was, but that didn't matter because we still found lots of pow and even managed to get some freshies! If this were Mammoth, the chutes would've been completely tracked out and undesirable (this is where being at a private resort is peerless).
I honestly don't know how one could ski anywhere else aside from wanting a change in scenery. There are no lift lines and there are two warming huts that offer skiers a plethora of refreshments and sustenance to keep you going. In fact, after scarfing down lots of tasty Mushroom Clam Chowder, Peanut M&M's, Swedish Fish, Carrots, Hummus, and tuna melts we didn't bother stopping for real lunch. However, I hear the $25 buffet is amazing if you want to have a relaxing break.
According to my hosts, the place is absolutely ridiculous in Feb./ March snow wise. Considering it is mid-April the conditions were superb. It was also beautiful temperature wise (it can get chilly). Highs were around 40-50, which was nice to soften the powder at the top, but made for some really slow slush at the bottom portions.
If you are in the area for a while, then you may wish to occupy some time at the expansive neighboring Big Sky Resort. In the meantime, I can't wait to be invited back. Yellowstone Club is quite the experience.
