What's New?

Future Terrain Expansion

Bridger Bowl has begun preparations for a new lift in the Slushman's drainage as identified in Option 2 of our Final EIS. The new lift is illustrated on our Trail Map. This will add approximately 300 acres of new lift-served terrain, allowing for the first significant expansion of lift-served terrain since 1978. All skiers and riders should be advised that all future terrain as indicated on our map will remain out-of-bounds during the season. All terrain outside of our current ski area boundaries should be considered backcountry conditions and access is permitted through designated access gates only.

Bridger Bowl purchased a Peruvian double chair lift from Snowbird in 2006. We are currently reconditioning the lift (a 1976 Doppelmayr double chair) and are in Phase I installation which primarily involves burying 6,000 linear feet of power and communication line to the site of the new lift. We hope to also have concrete poured and the base terminal erected before winter. Phase II lift installation and project completion is scheduled for fall of 2008. This new lift will provide lift access to expert terrain only. The lift's vertical rise will be 1700 feet (400 feet more than Bridger Lift) and slope length will be about 3800 feet. We anticipate that the lift will terminate approximately 100 feet below the ridge line.

Boundary Policy

Bridger Bowl will have the same boundary policy this season allowing day ticket and season pass holders to exit the mountain to access backcountry terrain. The Gallatin National Forest is providing access out of Bridger Bowl Ski area into backcountry terrain for recreational skiers and snowboarders. Backcountry access is limited to two gates: a south gate located near the top of Pierre's Knob Return Road and a north gate located near the top of North Meadows. Bridger Bowl recommends that anyone exiting the ski area have a very strong knowledge of backcountry travel in avalanche terrain. The backcountry area adjacent to our current ski area boundaries will not be patrolled and will not be a part of our avalanche hazard reduction program. All future terrain designated in our ski area master plan and area map outside of our current boundary lines is considered out-of-bounds and backcountry terrain. Once any skier or rider passes through the gate to hike and/or ski/ride out-of-bounds terrain, they assume all riskes associated with backcountry travel. All rescue efforts will be referred to Gallatin County Search and Rescue.

Other Summer Projects on The Mountain

Bridger Bowl staff were also busy making improvements to our snowmaking program. Coverage was extended up hill from the base of Pierre's Knob about 400 feet approaching the bottom of Thunder Road. A new communication line was also installed on Alpine Chair. Tree branches were trimmed in some popular tree skiing areas for improved access. In efforts to mitigate losses from the budworm and pine beetle, tree thinning and pheromones implant strategies were implemented to help deter infestation across the mountain.