Bridger Bowl Ski Area


Bridger Bowl is an alpine ski area in the western United States, near Bozeman, Montana. It serves the local population of Gallatin County, including Montana State University. The summit elevation is above sea level, with a vertical drop of on east-facing slopes.
Located north of Bozeman in the Bridger Range of southern Montana, Bridger Bowl is a locally owned non-profit ski area. It provides locals with affordable skiing, great terrain, and outstanding snowfall. The ski area and mountain range are named after the noted mountain man Jim Bridger, and are accessed from state highway 86.
In addition to the existing base lodge and a mid-mountain lodge, a new main lodge opened in 2005 at the base area.
Since 1988, local residents have been alerted to the arrival of fresh snow by a flashing blue beacon atop the Baxter Hotel in downtown Bozeman. Activated every time Bridger Bowl accumulates 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.
Bridger Bowl opened the new Schlasman's chairlift for the 2008–09 season, the first lift-served terrain expansion in 30 years. A reconditioned 1976 Doppelmayr double chair, it was previously the "Peruvian" lift at Snowbird in Utah. Named after a miner who died in an avalanche in 1885, Schlasman's has a vertical rise of and adds of new lift-served terrain for expert skiers only. To ride this lift, skiers are required to carry an avalanche 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. These brand-new lifts tripled the uphill capacity compared to the "old Alpine" center-pole double chair that was retired in 2013.
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. 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 requiring Forest Service approval through NEPA before implementation.
Bridger Bowl is noted for its expert-only skiing terrain known as "The Ridge." There are six sections of the ridge known as Schlasman's, D Route, C Route, B Route, A route, and Northwest/Hidden Gully Areas. In order to ski or snowboard the ridge, an avalanche beacon and shovel are required; most of the ridge is hiking terrain.
Montana State has hosted the NCAA Skiing Championships eight times, all at Bridger Bowl, with cross-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 by Sacajawea Audubon Society. Bridger Raptor Fest is hosted on a weekend during this count to promote raptor education and conservation.

List of runs

Green
Blue
Black Diamond
Double Black Diamond
SunnysideTimmy's RoadBuck's RunFlippers
Glenn's GladeWhite LightningDevil's DiveZits
Moose MeadowsBoot HillSouthboundHigh Traverse
Coyote FlatsElk RunThree Bears BowlThe Nose
Sawmill GulchUpper Sawmill GulchAvalanche GulchExit Chute
Summer RoadGood Clean FunBroncoTight Squeeze
Mully RoadBobcatBrush RunOut of Sight
Mogul MouseWolverineThe JohnDRCS
Chalet RoadMaverickSluice Box
Lower LimestoneCross CutFreedom
LimestoneCrazy WomanEasy Money
Alpine RunAlpine ReturnPtarmigan
RugratDeer Park RoadDeer Park Face
Alpine AccessAlpine FaceNorth Bowl Road
PorcupineThree Bears TraversePowder Hog
Montagne's MeadowThunder RoadNorth Bowl Run
Powder ParkLast Chance
SacajaweaMayo's
Powder HornKurt's
BitterrootEmigrant
Bridger Run
Pierre's Return
Pierre's Road
Southern Drawl
Missouri Breaks
Colter's
Hanton's Hollow
Emil's Mile
Powder Puff