As winter approaches, E and I have had a chance to check out some of the
local ski options here in Hamilton Montana. Although November has thus far
been dry, October was a pretty wet month, with a number of episodes of
high-elevation snow. Last weekend (Nov 4) we checked out a local peak
called Ward Mountain (elevation 9119') in order to look at the potential for
skiing, and to get a general idea of the snowpack. Starting from the
trailhead (4320'), we encountered the first traces of snow at 6700' and
consistent snowpack of about a foot by the time we hit 7500'. From that
point, we put on snowshoes and continued up. Unfortunately, the trail was
not well blazed, and we lost it due to the snowpack. We finally topped out
at 8200' on a shoulder of the mountain near a radio tower. Although we
could see the peak in the distance, we didn't have time to get to it without
setting ourselves up for a dark descent. However, we did get a chance to
check out the snowpack at 8200'. It consisted of 6 inches of medium-weight
powder over a consolidated base of about 2 feet. With regard to ski
terrain, the best stuff we found was unfortunately south facing, but
consisted of some nice open trees and meadows in the 5000'-7000' range.