Steele and his buddies were part of the opening day throng at Big Mountain. With an Arctic Express colliding into a moist front over northwest Montana in the few preceding days, dry flakes dumped on Big Mountain, adding to the buzz. Leading Montana resorts in opening the most acres of skiable runs, the resort ran four lifts accessing 28 runs on Friday, Dec. 2. Despite brush and loaded with must-avoid rock mines, East Rim, tree slots, and Evan's Heaven coupled with new powder made the resort's opening weekend one for rare early season face shots.