ChrisC
Well-known member
Another day in the Great Grey Northwest.....Cloudless and nearing 60f in the valleys. The last time I skied MT Snowbowl was 2006 - foggy, snowy/rainy and wet. The big difference now - I could see where I was skiing.
However, some things are the same: access road is horrendous, the lifts are ancient and not keeping up with local population growth (hate to ski it on a popular day) but the front face trails are as steep and bumpy as ever. This really is one of the tougher resorts in skidom. And it has a great friendly local atmosphere.
By March, Snowbowl adjusts its schedule (closed on certain weekdays) and moves its opening to 10 am (to 4:30) to address Daylight Savings Time change. My primary goal was to ski the long front side bump runs - West Ridge, West Bowl, East Bowl, Far East - and the new lift Snow Park. The laps take almost 45 minutes so your ski day is limited. Awesome to see some kids around 5 ripping it up!
Entrance to Snowbowl
Initially, I gravitated to the new terrain on the Snow Park lift since surfaces were still frozen - but that was not a smart move since it faces west. The trail map does not really show that orientation. I had to return later in the afternoon to take an additional run when the snow had softened. But it's a pain to get out to the Snow Park lift....the slated 2 new lifts really need to get installed (liftlines are cut). Great views though....
I took a few laps on the LaVelle Creek chair groomers - which retained their packed powder surfaces - until the front side expert runs softened.
I started with West Bowl (think it's my favorite)
West Ridge - overview and run
East Bowl
Grizzly - starting to lose cover at base
Overview of East Side Runs
Funky base lodge
Overall, Montana Snowbowl is one of the most exhausting areas to ski due to long bump runs. I retreated back to Missoula to one of the local breweries...and a nap.
However, some things are the same: access road is horrendous, the lifts are ancient and not keeping up with local population growth (hate to ski it on a popular day) but the front face trails are as steep and bumpy as ever. This really is one of the tougher resorts in skidom. And it has a great friendly local atmosphere.
By March, Snowbowl adjusts its schedule (closed on certain weekdays) and moves its opening to 10 am (to 4:30) to address Daylight Savings Time change. My primary goal was to ski the long front side bump runs - West Ridge, West Bowl, East Bowl, Far East - and the new lift Snow Park. The laps take almost 45 minutes so your ski day is limited. Awesome to see some kids around 5 ripping it up!
Entrance to Snowbowl
Initially, I gravitated to the new terrain on the Snow Park lift since surfaces were still frozen - but that was not a smart move since it faces west. The trail map does not really show that orientation. I had to return later in the afternoon to take an additional run when the snow had softened. But it's a pain to get out to the Snow Park lift....the slated 2 new lifts really need to get installed (liftlines are cut). Great views though....
I took a few laps on the LaVelle Creek chair groomers - which retained their packed powder surfaces - until the front side expert runs softened.
I started with West Bowl (think it's my favorite)
West Ridge - overview and run
East Bowl
Grizzly - starting to lose cover at base
Overview of East Side Runs
Funky base lodge
Overall, Montana Snowbowl is one of the most exhausting areas to ski due to long bump runs. I retreated back to Missoula to one of the local breweries...and a nap.