Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana
Bridger Bowl is a world-class community ski area located 20 minutes north of the active University city of Bozeman, Montana in the Northern Rockies. Famous for light, dry powder snow known as "Cold Smoke", Bridger offers a diverse ski and snowboard experience ranging from a dedicated beginner area with its own triple chair and gentle slope to some of the best lift-served expert terrain in North America. 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 at an outstanding value. 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 truly defines the phrase "something for everyone".
The 2008/09 addition of the Schlasman's chairlift added 311 acres of ungroomed expert terrain that was enthusiastically recognized last season and provides a true big mountain experience. As with Bridger's renown 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.
Bridger's unique nonprofit operating model allows the ski area to provide outstanding 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.
Yellowstone National Park is only 90 miles from Bozeman, and winter recreation is available in and around the park.
Bridger Bowl is located 16 miles north of Bozeman, Montana, on Highway 86.
| Mountain Statistics for Bridger Bowl Ski Area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Elevation: | 6,100 ft | (1,859 m) |
| Summit Elevation: | 8,800 ft | (2,682 m) |
| Vertical Drop: | 2,700 ft | (823 m) |
| Skiable Area: | 1,500 acres | (607 hectares) |
| Annual Snowfall: | 350 in | (889 cm) |
| Longest Run: | 15,840 ft | (4,828 m) |
| Snowmaking: | 4 % | |
| Number of Lifts: | 7 | |
| Uphill Lift Capacity: | 7,600 per hour | |
| Types of Lifts: | 5 Double Chairs 2 Triple Chairs 1 Quad Chair |
|
| Number of Trails: | 71 | |
| Trail Ratings for Bridger Bowl Ski Area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Easiest: |  |
20% |
| More Difficult: |  |
30% |
| Most Difficult: |  |
20% |
| Experts Only: |  |
30% | Trail ratings indicate the relative difficulty of the runs within a given ski area and are not meant to be used for comparison between ski areas. |
| Area Details for Bridger Bowl Ski Area | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Skiing: | Yes | ||||||
| Snowboarding: | Yes | ||||||
| Required: | Yes | ||||||
| Terrain Park: | Yes | ||||||
| Cross Country: | 30 km | ||||||
