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 Bozeman is centrally located between two well-known places to ski and ride: Big Sky to the south and Bridger Bowl to the north. But Bozeman is the only common denominator, as the two areas couldn"t be more different. Big Sky is the big, developed resort; Bridger is the local"s hangout. Big Sky is more than three times the size of Bridger and has more than twice the vertical. But this is the wide open west, and with 1000 acres of terrain and 2000 feet of vertical (even more of both with hike-to terrain), Bridger is hardly small. And since both places attract different crowds, it"s really not fair to make too close a comparison. Bridger"s non-profit status means reasonably-priced lift tickets and season passes, an attraction to nearby Montana State University students and families. And its reputation for some of the state"s most radical terrain draws hardcore, serious skiers and riders. But Bridger"s softer side appeals to families, who enjoy the area"s many green and blue trails. The Virginia City and Powder Park lifts serve ten green circle trails; the Alpine lift serves four plus a half dozen blue trails and some short blacks; and the Pierre"s Knob lift serves eight blues, three blacks, and a short double black. So those skiers and riders who make up the majority have plenty of choices and more than 1500 feet of vertical on which to play. Higher up is home to the tough stuff, and it"s not necessary to hike to get a good taste of it. Zits, The Nose, Exit Chutes, and Tight Squeeze give you some idea of what lies above you, and are all accessible - as are a half dozen black diamonds - from the Bridger lift. But if you want to hike for your turns, Bridger encourages you - as long as you have an avalanche transceiver (457 kHz), a shovel, a partner, and knowledge of the terrain. The terrain in question is full of chutes, cliffs, snowfields, tight trees, and what-not. If you don"t know a local, the Ski and Snowboard School offers a three-hour tour and the necessary transceiver and shovel, as conditions permit. There"s no official terrain park at Bridger. The mountain is the park, and that seems to satisfy the locals. Three lodges provide services. The Jim Bridger Lodge at the base offers cafeteria-style dining and Jimmy B"s Bar & Grill. The snowsports school is also there. The mid-mountain Deer Park Chalet offers cafeteria-style dining. And a brand-new lodge offers dining and all customer services. Since it"s only 20 minutes from Bozeman, a college town, there are lots of lodging and dining choices at all price points. Bozeman"s bars, micro-breweries, and restaurants ensure a lively night life, but there are more sedate pursuits - shopping, galleries - as well. And the area abounds with outdoor recreation opportunities. The backcountry beckons - the area lies within the Gallatin National Forest - and nearby Bohart Ranch offers 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails on a mixture of private and national forest land.
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Ski Report
Montana
