Uncategorized
Straight from the Source
Published
13 years agoon
Posted By
AdminBY TYLER ALLEN
Bridger Bowl, one of Southwest Montana’s outstanding ski areas, has seen a lot of change in the past several years. The Schlasman’s chair opened 311 new acres of advanced lift-served terrain and ushered in an open boundary policy. The new Bridger lift replaced the aging Deer Park and Bridger chairlifts. Late this season, access was extended to Schlasman’s and the Ridge from 2:30 until 3 p.m.
As a non-profit ski area, any money made in a season at Bridger goes to pay increases for employees or is invested back into improvements on the mountain. In a late-March interview with Randy Elliot, Bridger’s General Manager of seven years, I asked about these changes, and about what is on tap for the future.
How did this year compare with years past as
far as skier/rider traffic?
Skier visits are good this year. We have one of the
best snow packs in recent years, and that’s important because everyone is a powder skier these days. Similar to other nearby areas, Bridger Bowl pushed back its closing date again this year (to April 12).
What factors determine this date?
Snow conditions are the main factor. We start with snow pack averages to determine the opening and closing dates before the season begins. Late in the season, the die-hards with season passes are still out,
but it’s hard to make any money. The day after a post-season storm, the top two parking lots will be full of cars. It’s a nicer atmosphere, and not such a feeding frenzy. Plus, it’s difficult to manage those spring storms for avalanches.
What was the rationale for extending the Ridge
closing time?
The question had been brought up at board meetings for some time. It had been proposed for the Schlasman’s lift originally, but that’s considered Ridge terrain, and we wanted to manage the whole Ridge as
a unit.
Why not in years past?
The Ridge opened for hikers with transceivers in ’78 or ’79. Prior to that, the idea was probe teams would have to be organized to search for avalanche victims. Requiring a beacon meant a single patroller would be
able to search for someone buried by a slide. The 2:30 closure allowed enough time for patrol to sweep the Ridge and then get back to the lifts by four to do their sweeps on the lower mountain. We decided three would [still] give patrol enough time.
Is there a cost increase in paying patrol or lift
operators for the longer hours?
Not really. The lift operators on Schlasman’s work
shorter days than the rest of the lifties, so paying
them for another half hour a day doesn’t make
much of a difference. The feedback from ski patrol
is they have to be quicker and more effi cient with
their Ridge sweeps. It does make patrol a little
shorter on manpower from three to four o’clock,
but we have three or four extra patrollers on
Schlasman’s lift, anyway.
What is the plan for next year?
This year we extended the Ridge closing on March
1. Next year we may extend the closing time earlier
in the season, maybe sometime in February. We
just want to allow enough time for an effective
rescue before it gets dark.
Are there any changes to look forward to at
Bridger Bowl?
Next year we plan on increasing snowmaking
higher up on the mountain and [getting rid of
more roads] to create better, friendlier ski terrain.
Also, the Alpine lift was installed in 1967, and
… the swinging chairs and the steep unload area
are intimidating to a lot of people. Eventually we
plan on replacing it with two modern lifts. After
the Alpine project is complete, we also want to
increase beginner terrain on a parcel we recently
secured south of the Ski Patrol building.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
Event Details
Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
Time
(Wednesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd