Abrupt end to Fall warmth; some first turns

Gordon Whirry works his way up Porphyry Peak with the dormant ski lifts below him.

Clear, blue skies made the ski all the more enjoyable

The Porphyry Lookout is framed by snow-laden trees

Yogo Peak has plenty of snow

 After temperatures reaching into the 80s in mid-October, snow and cold descended on us, plunging temperatures as low as zero.

We got about a foot of snow in Great Falls and the mountains got more.

I waited for the snow to settle to have a look, and found some of the best early season snow in the Little Belts I've seen in years.

We went to Kings Hill on Sunday and did the 2-mile climb to the top of Porphyry Peak and enjoyed some wonderful turns back to the pass under crystal clear, blue skies, frigid temperatures and gusty winds.

I resisted the urge to try a tour, like the 747 loop, so it was strictly up and back.

Showdown had done its first grooming on runs.

Here's hoping that will stick around and be built upon with future snowstorms.  Opening day of the ski hill is still 6 weeks off.

We saw only two other people on the hill with AT gear.

There was only a smattering of hunters in the area.  Thank goodness.