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| Bridger Bowl | |
|---|---|
 Base area in March 2005 | |
| Location | Gallatin National Forest Gallatin County,Montana  United States |
| Nearest major city | Bozeman: 16 miles (26 km) |
| Coordinates | 45°49′05″N110°53′49″W / 45.818°N 110.897°W /45.818; -110.897 |
| Vertical | 2,600 feet (790 m) |
| Top elevation | 8,700 feet (2,650 m) |
| Base elevation | 6,100 feet (1,860 m) |
| Skiable area | 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) |
| Trails | 75 |
| Longest run | 3 miles (5 km) |
| Lift system | 8chairlifts - 1 Quad - 6 Triples - 1 Double |
| Snowfall | 350 in (29.2 ft; 8.9 m) |
| Snowmaking | minimal |
| Website | bridgerbowl.com |
Bridger Bowl is an alpineski area in thewesternUnited States, nearBozeman,Montana. It serves the local population ofGallatin County, includingMontana State University. The summitelevation is 8,700 feet (2,650 m) abovesea level, with a vertical drop of 2,600 feet (790 m) on east-facing slopes.[1]
Located sixteen miles (26 km) north of Bozeman in theBridger Range of southern Montana, Bridger Bowl is a locally ownednon-profit ski area.[2] It provides locals with affordable skiing, great terrain, and outstanding snowfall.[1] The ski area and mountain range are named after the notedmountain manJim Bridger, and are accessed fromstate highway 86.[3]
In addition to the existing base lodge and a mid-mountain lodge, a new main lodge opened in 2005 at the base area.[4]
Since 1988, local residents have been alerted to the arrival of fresh snow by a flashing blue beacon atop theBaxter Hotel in downtown Bozeman. Activated every time Bridger Bowl accumulates two inches (5 cm) of new snow, it 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.[5]
Bridger Bowl opened the new Schlasman's chairlift for the 2008–09 season, the first lift-served terrain expansion in 30 years.[citation needed] A reconditioned 1976Doppelmayr double chair, it was previously the "Peruvian" lift atSnowbird inUtah.[citation needed] Named after a miner who died in an avalanche in 1885, Schlasman's has a vertical rise of 1,700 feet (518 m) and adds 311 acres (1.26 km2) of new lift-served terrain for expert skiers only. To ride this lift, skiers are required to carry anavalanche transceiver. It is highly recommended to travel with partners, carry a shovel and probe, and have the knowledge how to perform an avalanche rescue.
For the 2013–14 season, Bridger unveiled its new Powder Park and Alpine chair lifts.[citation needed] These brand-new lifts tripled the uphill capacity (3,300 vs. 1,100/hr) compared to the "old Alpine" center-pole double chair that was retired in 2013.[6]
In February 2025, Bridger Bowl released its updated Master Development plan outlining significant upgrades to accommodate growing visitation, which reached a record 377,663 skiers in the 22-23 season.[7] The plan proposes six new lifts, including expansion into "Bradley Meadows", a new beginner area, and 70 additional acres of developed terrain. Additionally night skiing, expanded snowmaking, and improvements to lodges have been proposed all requiringForest Service approval throughNEPA before implementation.[8]
Bridger Bowl is noted for its expert-only skiing terrain known as "The Ridge".[citation needed] There are six sections of the ridge known as Schlasman's, D Route, C Route, B Route, A route, and Northwest/Hidden Gully Areas.[citation needed] In order to ski or snowboard the ridge, an avalanche beacon and shovel are required; most of the ridge is hiking terrain.[citation needed]
Montana State hashosted theNCAA Skiing Championships eight times (1960,1983,1985,1996,1998, 2008, 2012, 2020), all at Bridger Bowl, withcross-country events at adjacent Crosscut Mountain Sports Center.
Since 1991 the ridge at Bridger Bowl has been the site of a raptor migration count supported bySacajawea Audubon Society. Bridger Raptor Fest is hosted on a weekend during this count to promote raptor education and conservation.[9]
Green | Blue | Black Diamond | Double Black Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside | Timmy's Road | Buck's Run | Flippers |
| Glenn's Glade | White Lightning | Devil's Dive | Zits |
| Moose Meadows | Boot Hill | Southbound | High Traverse |
| Coyote Flats | Elk Run | Three Bears Bowl | The Nose |
| Sawmill Gulch | Upper Sawmill Gulch | Avalanche Gulch | Exit Chute |
| Summer Road | Good Clean Fun | Bronco | Tight Squeeze |
| Mully Road | Bobcat | Brush Run | Out of Sight |
| Mogul Mouse | Wolverine | The John | DRCS |
| Chalet Road | Maverick | Sluice Box | |
| Lower Limestone | Cross Cut | Freedom | |
| Limestone | Crazy Woman | Easy Money | |
| Alpine Run | Alpine Return | Ptarmigan | |
| Rugrat | Deer Park Road | Deer Park Face | |
| Alpine Access | Alpine Face | North Bowl Road | |
| Porcupine | Three Bears Traverse | Powder Hog | |
| Montagne's Meadow | Thunder Road | North Bowl Run | |
| Powder Park | Last Chance | ||
| Sacajawea | Mayo's | ||
| Powder Horn | Kurt's | ||
| Bitterroot | Emigrant | ||
| Bridger Run | |||
| Pierre's Return | |||
| Pierre's Road | |||
| Southern Drawl | |||
| Missouri Breaks | |||
| Colter's | |||
| Hanton's Hollow | |||
| Emil's Mile | |||
| Powder Puff |
