The Skiers' Guide to Bridger Bowl

Before all of America’s ski hills were purchased by megaresort conglomerates like Vail, Alterra, and Boyne, there were places called community hills. Independent and free from boardroom decision-making. They offered personality and a kind of hominess that keeps the locals coming back year after year. These hills still exist, for sure, but most have a vertical under 1000’ or sometimes fail even to get enough snow to open for the year. They’re independent because they’re not even on the megaresorts’ radar.

This is what makes Bridger Bowl something of a unicorn - a fully independent ski hill, actually a non-profit ski hill, that offers big terrain and expert-level runs while keeping lift tickets affordable enough not to price out the locals. Bridger is the shining example of what’s still good about skiing.

Nostalgia for a simpler time aside, Bridger strikes a delicate balance between the luxury of big mountain resorts and the fun-loving vibe of community ski hills. The lifts are new-ish, but there’s just one high-speed quad and it’s certainly not the covered and heated variety you’d find at nearby Big Sky. However, it’s an absolute powerhouse of a ski hill. With 75 trails spread across 2000+ acres, there’s little chance of finding yourself bored on even a weeklong trip. That’s to say nothing of the 2600’ of vertical drop, making it one of the tallest skiable mountains in Montana and in the top 10% of ski hills nationwide.

Then there’s Schlasman’s lift, the double chair that accesses Bridger’s gnarliest terrain - The Ridge. You need an avalanche beacon to ride, but once you’re at the top, prepare to choose your own adventure on runs like Mundy’s Bowl and Poop Chute, which feature some of the state’s best fall line skiing.

But a good day on the hill isn’t all about overly technical terrain, sometimes it’s just a pleasant groomer or a few meandering greens so you can watch the scenery go by. Bridger has those types of runs in spades and if you’re interested in leveling up your skills, an abundance of reasonably-priced instructors to help you get there.

What makes every run at Bridger an absolute joy though is the snow; Southwestern Montana has some truly unbeatable powder. They don’t get as much of it as some coastal hills, like Mount Baker, but what they do get is crisp, clean, and oh-so dry - what they call the “cold smoke”. That enviable snowpack is not only more forgiving when carving big lines, it’s quite a bit more cushioning when doing a massive yard sale.

Despite its size and popularity, Bridger isn’t a member of any pass alliances like IKON or EPIC. This could change in the future, especially with the Indy Pass counting a few other independent Montana ski hills like Red Lodge and Snowbowl as members. However, most season pass holders at Bridger are diehard fans not keen to spend their time on any other mountain, so the popularity of such a pass alliance could be limited.

In keeping with the ski bum aesthetic, Bridger Bowl’s dining scene is simple, to say the least. A sizable portion of Bridger’s patrons prefer a bagged lunch on the lift so as not to lose out on precious powder time. However, for those willing to sacrifice a couple of runs for a hot meal, there are options.

You have four lodges to choose from - Saddle Peak, Jim Bridger, the Deer Park Chalet, and the Alpine Cabin. Only the Jim Bridger Lodge offers anything more than the burgers, pizza, and soup-style menu available at ski area cafeterias across the country. Jimmy B’s restaurant is a cut above the cafeteria grub though, offering gourmet burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and quesadillas, but Michelin star dining it is not.

Similar to the dining, après may be a generous description of the post-pow drinking scene at Bridger. It’s less Negroni and more Natty Light. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Once again Jimmy B’s is the place to B, along with the nearby Grizzly Ridge, both of them serving up an extensive beer list that’s long on Bozeman area microbrews.

For even more variety head into Bozeman for some brewery hopping. With fewer than 60,000 residents, the town somehow manages to keep nine breweries in business - with a couple more likely popping up in the next year or two. Mountains Walking Brewery and MAP Brewery are two area favorites and they both have excellent food too.

As a community-minded ski hill, Bridger caters to families with children as much as it does to big mountain powder enthusiasts. The base area features 7 acres of protected, flat terrain accessible by two magic carpet lifts. Once the little ones build up enough confidence, the Sunnyside and Virginia City chairlifts can take them on several beginner runs to test their newfound skills.

Even more family-friendly are the lift ticket prices. A family of four could easily spend $500/day on lift tickets at Big Sky, but at Bridger the cost is about half that. Lessons are similarly inexpensive, making it a far better mountain to learn on, without worrying that your vacation budget is rapidly swelling.

Activities for Non-Skiers at Bridger Bowl

Bridger is all about skiing and boarding and not much else; activities at the mountain are limited if you’re not getting out on the slopes. However, with Bozeman, the outdoor adventure capital of Montana, just a short drive away, there’s plenty to keep the non-skiers entertained.

If downhill just isn’t your cup of tea, Crosscut Mountain Nordic Sports Center is only a stone’s throw from Bridger and features the best-groomed cross-country trails in the state. Rental gear is cheap and there are over 45 kilometers of trail to explore, so there’s no excuse for not giving Nordic skiing a try while you’re in the area.

Prefer a more backcountry experience? Rent your cross-country skis or snowshoes from Bozeman’s Chalet Sports or the Roundhouse and hit the dozens of trails just outside of Bozeman city limits - there’s even a free groomed track behind the hospital. Also in Bozeman are three city-maintained outdoor ice rinks at Bogert, Beall, and Southside Park. You’ll need your own set of skates though, as the only rentals are at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds indoor rink.

If snow and colder temperatures aren’t your style, Bozeman has some excellent “city experiences” too. Its downtown is incredibly walkable and populated with dozens of third-wave coffee shops, spas, and boutique shopping.

While Bridger has spectacular terrain and hundreds of acres to explore, it is not a resort. There are no ski-in-ski-out condos or even a single hotel on the mountain. A few B&Bs dot Bridger Canyon Road leading up to the hill, but most visitors stay half an hour away in Bozeman.

Though thanks to a strong summer tourist season and an abundance of hotels, Bozeman accommodations are moderately priced with room supply outpacing demand for them during the colder months. Several three-star hotels have rooms for under $100/night and midrange options with swimming pools and gyms aren’t much more. Quirkier digs like the RVSP and Lark Hotels offer boutique experiences - mid-century motels remodeled with unique vibes to suit travelers wanting more adventure and less corporate sameness.

As a community-owned ski hill, Bridger Bowl has a vested interest in environmental stewardship. Which is why they’ve invested in renewable energy and installed solar panels on some of the upper Montana lodges that relied heavily on fossil fuels. They’re also working to build their own wastewater system using natural methods like sand filtration and nitrogen removal with native plants.

Despite being conveniently located just twenty minutes from town, Bridger encourages as many of its skiers and boarders to arrive without their car. A bus takes visitors from the Bozeman fairgrounds or the Montana State University campus up to the hill free of charge. Bridger also incentivizes carpooling by allowing vehicles with three or more occupants to park in the closest lot.

Pros:

• Just 25 minutes from Bozeman and 35 minutes from the nearest airport.
• One of only a handful of non-profit ski resorts in America.
• Terrain to suit all tastes and skill levels.
• Very affordable lift tickets.
• Embodies the ski bum culture that’s been lost at so many resorts.
• Excellent snow accumulation even when it’s bone dry in Bozeman.

Cons:

• No accommodations on the mountain.
• Limited dining options, especially for those wanting more upscale après.
• Crowded with college kids, especially on a powder day.
• Slower lifts than you might expect for a hill of its caliber.
• Scant options for non-skiers or boarders.
• Not a member of any pass alliances.