How Big Sky, Montana, ... In hopes of finding better conditions, we decide to pivot to the North Summit Snowfield, another triple-black diamond that drops precipitously over a cliff band.

Authorities say a 29-year-old man died after a fall while snowboarding at Montana's Big Sky Resort ... Wednesday while snowboarding in an area of steep terrain known as the North Summit Snowfield.

On a visit before moving here, he skied three of the mountain’s famed (ie, most difficult) runs – Big Couloir, North Summit Snowfield and Tu – and “that was the clincher,” he says.

No wonder why skiers adore Montana’s Big Sky Resort. The snow is plentiful, the season is long, and there's 5,850 acres of terrain – 2,300 of which are great for beginners and intermediate skiers.