Located 16 miles north of Bozeman is Bridger Bowl, a home-grown, nonprofit community ski area operating since 1955. Over the past 60 years local volunteers, board members, businesses, pass holders and more have helped Bridger Bowl grow to what it is today. Bridger Bowl offers 2,600 vertical feet with over 2,000 acres of amazing terrain, 8 Chair lifts and 3 ski lodges. Family friendly with a small town atmosphere and abundance of dry powder “Cold Smoke” define the Bridger Bowl experience.
Bridger Bowl’s Mission: “to plan, develop and maintain facilities to provide the best possible skiing experience at a reasonable cost to local, regional and destination skiers.”
Bridger Bowl is one of only 4 non-profit ski areas in the United States. It provides affordable skiing, great terrain, and outstanding snowfall. The ski area and Bridger Mountain Range are named after noted mountain man Jim Bridger, and is accessed from Montana Highway 86.
Residents of Bozeman, MT are alerted to the arrival of fresh snow by a flashing blue beacon placed atop the Baxter Hotel in downtown Bozeman. First installed in 1988, it is activated every time Bridger Bowl accumulates two inches of fresh snow, and remains on for 24 hours. Maintenance of the light is a priority, and only once in 20 years was it out of operation for two days.
Information
Location
Bridger Bowl Mountain Stats
| Vertical Rise: | 2,700ft (2,600ft lift-served) |
|---|---|
| Skiable Acreage | 2,000 |
| Top Elevation | 8,800ft |
| Base Elevation | 6,100ft |
| Highest Lift Served Elevation | 8,700ft |
| Average Annual Snowfall | 350 inches |
| Trails | 75 + many unmarked runs |
| Longest Run | 3 miles |
| Lift System | 1 Quad – 5 Triples – 2 Doubles |
| Snowmaking | Coverage on 5% of area |
| Terrain Park | Yes |
Bridger Bowl Terrain
Bridger Bowl is flanked by large bowls to the North and South. The ski area’s terrain offers a variety of landscapes including long slopes, glades, chutes and gullies in addition to other smaller bowls. Bridger Bowl terrain ranges from beginner slopes to extreme inbound terrain. The short hike to the “The Ridge” is known for its steep chutes and open powder fields. What most folks enjoy about Bridger Bowl is that family and friends of varying skill levels can ride the same chair while still enjoying terrain challenges they individually desire.