Bozeman, Montana- Known as one of the most challenging ski areas in North America, Bridger Bowl is home to many interesting quirks. One of these oddities is a lift that only ski patrollers can use.
In a recent PeakRankings video titled America’s Most Unhinged Local Ski Hill: Bridger Bowl, MT, they dive into the extreme terrain that makes the Montana ski area so infamous. Their analysis of the terrain and infrastructure make it worth the watch, but there’s one interesting fact about Bridger Bowl that I didn’t know about it.
One of the fascinating anecdotes about Bridger Bowl is that there’s a lift that members of the public can’t ride. While hiking up the ridge above the Bridger chairlift, there’s a surface lift that’s only open for ski patrollers. This lift is for them to conduct avalanche mitigation and reach those in trouble. The steep lift line would also likely be a challenge for some to ride. As someone who just rode a steep Poma lift at Howelsen Hill, it’s not the easiest thing on the body.
Overall, PeakRankings gave Bridger Bowl a score of 66 out of 100, making it their 47 best-ranked ski resort in North America. Click here to read PeakRankings written review of Bridger Bowl.
Currently, Bridger Bowl has a snow depth of 55″, and a total season snowfall of 167″. All of its lifts are open to the public right now, except one.
Image/Video Credits: PeakRankings, Bridger Bowl
