Bridger Bowl / Bozeman Ski Vacation Guide

With a glorious 355 inches of powder spread over 2,000 skiable acres, an experience at Bridger Bowl could be one of your finest ski vacations ever. When you consider it is one of the only non-profit ski areas in the nation, you may just realize it is one of the most affordable ski destinations in the nation.

Ski Levels

The ski area is clear away from the Chinook wind zone that can eat away at the snowpack in the middle of the winter and turn a mantle of snow into a pool of slush in a couple of hours. The mountain offer 2,700 of vertical feet (2,600 lift-served) and can be accessed by one double chair, six triple chairs, and one quad chair. There are 75 named runs with the longest one 3 miles in length. It offers a very diverse ski experience with 20 percent beginner, 30 percent intermediate, 20 percent advance, and 30 percent expert only. Incredible experts will experience the infamous ridge. Skiers and snowboarders who wish to access this terrain must hike up 400 vertical feet above the Bridger Lift. Ridge skiing requires expert ability, an avalanche transceiver (457 kHz), shovel, a partner, and knowledge of the terrain. The ridge has radical chutes, rock cliffs, and steep snowfields, providing some of the most challenging skiing found within any ski area boundary.

Check out their well-equipped terrain park, which includes everything from flat-down boxes to kiddie boxes, plus a barrel bonk, battleship rail, tube rail, a wallride, and more. The Snowsports School has top instructors who will teach you how to make the best of all that "Cold Smoke" on the slopes whether you’re a downhill, telemark, or snowboard enthusiast. Discover more about the Snowboarding Zone here.

Après Ski

A great place to get a filling lunch for the family is the Saddle Peak Lodge. The resort has two other cafeterias, but to really experience the great healthy food of Montana, you’re best to make the short drive into Bozeman. When you’re looking for great pizza, the locals constantly debate whether Rosa or Mackenzie River has the best pizza. Decide for yourself and try them both! However, one of the more unusual morning activities for the whole family in Bozeman is to attend Sunrise Karaoke and the American Legion Club. Hard to believe, but true!

Some events to see include the Torchlight Parade & Fireworks in December, Bridger Gull Free Ride in February, and the Bridger Bowl Bump-Off Freestyle Event also in March. Contact Free Spirit Adventures for adventure tours in the back country, Reach Your Peak for climbing guides and instruction, and Diamond R Expeditions for some horsepacking adventures. Bridger Bowl is about an hour and a half drive from America’s most magnificent National Park, Yellowstone. Communing with nature in any season of the year at Yellowstone is an unforgettable experience. You’ll see wildlife casually walking around everywhere, and the scenery and activities that the park offers are unique, special, amazing and truly the ultimate experience of American nature. The kids will go absolutely crazy about going on a llama tour, and you can choose between Yellowstone Llamas and Free Spirit Llamas.

Bridger Bowl / Bozeman Snowboard Vacation Guide


Rider’s Guide

This is really phenomenal and unique Montana resort with a total of 7 lifts, comprising of three double chairs, three triple chairs, and one quad chair, taking you up to 71 trails. Snowboard on their longest run of three miles long. Their trails are rated 20 percent for beginners, 30 percent for intermediates, 20 percent for advanced, and a truly pulse-pounding 30 percent for expert skiers and snowboarders.

Parks and Pipes

In addition to the huge number of natural hits, you can also test your skills at the terrain park. Enjoy the challenges of their 10′ Butter Box / 10′ Flat Rail, 10′ Flat Box, 20′ Flat Box, 20′ Double Barrel Rail, 35′ 4" Street Rail, 35′ 2" Street Rail, 15′ Flat Lift Tower, 5′ Flat/15′ Down Rail, 40′ Street Style Lift Tower, 10′ Flat / 10′ Down Rail. After all that you can also hit up the Battleship Rail, Pole Jam, Rainbow Rail, amd Hippy Bowl. Wow! This is hardly for beginners. Get ready for some serious expert level snowboarding!

Out of Bounds

Yellowstone—it might be about an hour and a half drive away—it might take several days to really get the sense of the place—but if you don’t go there, you’ll regret it for a very long time. You can select from an infinite selection of heart-pounding outdoor sports such as hot air ballooning, cross-country skiing, fishing, rock and ice climbing, snowcatting, horseback riding, ice skating, jeeping and off-road driving, sledding, and snowmobiling.

Hangout & Hookup

Bozeman is a college town so it’s naturally chock full of fantastic places to get sloshed and dance and party the night away. For some really hot action in Bozeman, The Crystal Bar, and The Zebra, which is the hottest live music spot in town, and maybe in all of Montana. Also well worth a visit are The Cat’s Paw, and Montana Ale Works for some locally brewed fresh suds. You can’t do better than to head for the "Barmuda Triangle" at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue where you’ll find The Haufbrauhaus, The Scoop, and The Molly Brown.

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