After an underwhelming winter, this April has provided unprecedented spring storms. Waking up Thursday morning in Montana, there was almost two feet of snow piled on the stake at Bridger Bowl.
Not only does it feel odd to see this much snow in the middle of April, but the most unfortunate part is that most resorts have already closed lift access for the season. Touring allows for some sneaky powder days with no people, which is a welcome change from long lift lines.
Touring at Bridger Bowl is serene, and while there can definitely still be backcountry crowds, skinning up provides a shining sense of peace. Knowing it’s just your partners and yourself strengthens every skier’s connection to the surrounding elements. Keep in mind that while these storms provide lots of snow, there is still no base. Variable conditions are almost garunteed.
It’s not just Bozeman seeing snow, though; Colorado and Tahoe are also getting feet of snowfall, both over the past week and in the forecast. These late-season storms definitely require an adjustment, but the precipitation is more than welcome as it continues to extend the ski year and mitigate fire season.