 Bridger Bowl is a community ski area located 20 minutes north of the active University city of Bozeman, Montana in the Northern Rockies. Bridger's unique nonprofit operating model allows the ski area to provide value to its patrons as net profits are reinvested back into the mountain. The lively community of Bozeman serves as the primary bed base and apres-ski center; the base area remains refreshingly undeveloped but does offer a full range of services including food and beverage, rental and retail, and a professional Snowsports Center offering a full complement of ski, snowboard and telemark lessons.
Terrain
Known for light, dry powder snow, Bridger offers a diverse ski and snowboard experience ranging from a dedicated beginner area with its own triple chair and gentle slope, to some great lift-served expert terrain. With a 2,600 foot lift-served vertical drop and an annual average of 350 inches of snowfall blanketing 2,000 acres of terrain accessed by 8 chair lifts, Bridger serves up major league skiing and riding. With a breakdown of 20% Beginner, 30% Intermediate and 50% Advanced/Expert spread over 75 named runs; four large, alpine bowls; numerous glades and a multitude of chutes, gullies and beautifully groomed terrain, Bridger has something for everyone.
The recent addition of the Schlasman's chairlift added 311 acres of ungroomed expert terrain that was enthusiastically welcomed and provides a true big mountain experience. As with Bridger's hike-to Ridge, access to the Schlasman's lift requires an avalanche transceiver. Knowledge of the Ridge and Schlasman's terrain is essential, as both areas have no hazard markings, no grooming and no marked trails - an expert's playground chock full of challenge that places Bridger on the wish list of any serious skier and snowboarder. Ridge Tours are available through the Snowsports Center. Some Bridger lifts now have loading carpets which are designed to increase uphill capacity with fewer slows and stops. Ideal for children and novices, they can be found on Powder Park (quad) and Pierre's Knob (triple). After sliding forward out of the gate, just to stand there as the carpet moves you into position and the chair will come in slightly faster than you will be moving for you to sit down and ride away! The Virginia City and Powder Park lifts serve ten green circle trails; the Alpine lift serves four plus a half dozen blue trails and some short blacks; and the Pierre's Knob lift serves eight blues, three blacks, and a short double black. So those skiers and riders who make up the majority have plenty of choices and more than 1500 feet of vertical on which to play.
Higher up is home to the tough stuff, and it's not necessary to hike to get a good taste of it. Zits, The Nose, Exit Chutes, and Tight Squeeze give you some idea of what lies above you, and are all accessible - as are a half dozen black diamonds - from the Bridger lift. But if you want to hike for your turns, Bridger encourages you - as long as you have an avalanche transceiver (457 kHz) and knowledge of the terrain(a partner and shovel are recommended). The new Schlasman's lift also offers access to the Ridge via a short hike or gliding traverse. The terrain in question is full of chutes, cliffs, snowfields, tight trees, and what-not. If you don't know a local, the Ski and Snowboard School offers a three-hour tour and the necessary transceiver, as conditions permit.
Typically the terrain park site is located above Boot Hill and skier's right of the Bridger Lift. However, if the season starts out a little slow the park has been moved in the past to Sunnyside run, served by the Powder Park Quad.
Three lodges provide services. The Jim Bridger Lodge at the base offers cafeteria-style dining, Jimmy B's Bar & Grill has a full bar and table service, and Faceshots serves up morning coffee and apres ski libations. The Snow Sports Center is also there. The mid-mountain Deer Park Chalet and Saddle Peak Lodge, at the base, both offer cafeteria-style dining as well.
Off-slope Fun
Since it's only 20 minutes from Bozeman, a college town, there are a lot of lodging and dining choices at all price points. Bozeman's bars, micro-breweries, and restaurants ensure a lively night life, but there are more sedate pursuits - shopping, galleries - as well. And the area abounds with outdoor recreation opportunities. The backcountry beckons - the area lies within the Gallatin National Forest - and nearby Bohart Ranch offers 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails on a mixture of private and national forest land. |
| | Snow Conditions (updated)04/13/2013, 5:22am | | Operating Status: Open for Summer Fun | | Snowfall: | | Past 24 hours: | Pst 48 hours: | Snow Totals: | | 0" | 0" | 0 "
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