The newest addiction? Two words: Cold Smoke. Here in Bozeman, skiers and riders can’t get enough of it. Sadly, the light and fluffy has been a bit scanty this year, but this only increases enthusiest turnout whenever the Baxter light flashes or when the faintest traces of the BBC (Bridger Bowl Cloud) hang over the mountains. The result? Hoards of people at the local hill whenever they receive the lightest dusting. So, how does one survive? You could stay home, or you could get creative.

1.    Get there.
Pull a Ferris and get out of school for the day. There are many ways to do this, but the most effective is to call the school, imitating your parents voice, and informing the authorities that “your child is deathly ill with skeengdippowniosis.”
2.    Lift lines of doom.
By far, the worst part of any powder day is the lift lines. No one likes to stand in line for nearly 15 minutes, but everybody has to. The average joe would simply study each line for a bit to see which seems to be moving fastest. However, a much more effective method is to simply poach. Step one: your partner weasles their way to the front then yells “single!” Step two: you respond with an answering cry of “single!” Step three: you head up to the front where you meet your buddy. Step four: knuckle touch. Step five: load the lift. Step six: chuckle at all the suckers you left behind. Ha ha ha. 
3.    Be-friend some ski patrol.
Early in the season, before the big storms really set in, befriending a ski patrol or two really pays off on the powder days. Why? Well, simply because if you just happen to see those ski patrol friends of yours, and if you bake them cookies every now and again, they might, just might, carry your skis up the rope-tow for you. That way you can sprint up the steps and be ahead of the pack, which is the prime position on a powder day.
4.    Create a secret code.
This way, you can talk with your buddies about where you’ve been skiing without revealing pow stashes to bystanders. For example, instead of seeing your bud in the lift-line, and having a very loud conversation about how epic Hidden to Northwest was, say something like this: “Duuuuude. Nasty Death Pinch to Powdercakes was the bomb.” In short, just rename ALL the ridge lines.  Although, you should be careful with this, and only share it with a few select people. Remember: there are no friends on a powder day.
5.    Get some FAT SKIS.
Seriously, get some “beep-ing” skis.
6.  Lastly, remember that there are no friends on a powder day, so look out for #1. Defend your lines, and hike and ski fast. Get out there and do some shots!!! (Face shots, that is.)