Bridger Bowl vs. Moonlight, etc... (Bozeman, Big Sky: prices, club, move)

[Sabinerose]

We are Bridger Bowl fans - love the family friendly atmosphere, the volunteers at the lifts, the lodges, easy location, prices, etc... However, seems that everyone I talk to at my work puts Bridger down for not having good skiing / snowboarding runs. We're into our 4th year going there, and the kids are still exploring new areas. They are nowhere near bored with it and I don't see that happening for years to come. Admittedly, we've never gone to any of the other ski areas, so I may be uneducated. Is Bridger considered the "bottom of the barrel"? Or do I just work with the "Moonlight or nothing" crowd?

[flyingcat2k]

Originally Posted by Sabinerose

Or do I just work with the "Moonlight or nothing" crowd?

In my opinion, you work with a bunch of snobs. Bridger has some of the most consistent conditions on the I-90 stretch. There's a high quality of varied terrain and the ski patrol is very good. I would not ski at Moonlight as Moonlight is like Aspen/Vail/Beaver Creek/Big Sky. Cookie cutter dumbed down runs and overpriced lift tickets and food. Skiing is about the sport, not about who you are skiing with and how pretty your snowpants are.

[NYMTman]

Wow, not sure what they're talking about... Bridger's fantastic.

[Reziac]

Geez, I remember when Bridger was the fashionable ski place, and everywhere else was deemed to suck. Fashions are like locusts, they eat everything in sight, then move on.

[roadfamily6now]

I agree. Not a skier but born and raised in Bozeman, our favorite place to sled was up Bridger Bowl.
It's Classic Montana!

[rangerider]

Originally Posted by flyingcat2k

In my opinion, you work with a bunch of snobs. Bridger has some of the most consistent conditions on the I-90 stretch. There's a high quality of varied terrain and the ski patrol is very good. I would not ski at Moonlight as Moonlight is like Aspen/Vail/Beaver Creek/Big Sky. Cookie cutter dumbed down runs and overpriced lift tickets and food. Skiing is about the sport, not about who you are skiing with and how pretty your snowpants are.

Agreeed, and I spent many years working there in the 80s and early 90s. Bridger will test your ability if you know the terrain to do it, and/or it will give your kids a great start in the sport. It has gotten considerably more crowded in the last fifteen years, but if you mid-week pass it like most of the locals it's relatively uncrowded. Like you say, it's about the experience, not who sees you on the weekends in what outfit. Used to be you could ride the lift line somewhere in MT, look down at the skiers, and tell who had learned at Bridger - the style was different and bent towards much more advanced terrain.

That being said, you ought to try hiking the Headwaters at Moonlight when conditions warrant. There are some places that I guarantee will cause you to set an edge, tho on the newer style skis I admit it's easier. Moonlight's not really my pick either, but I've had some nice days there. I was not a huge fan of Moonlight either, but I've had some good days there and found breaks on ticket prices at Costco and where my wife works.

The real gems in this state are not common names as yet, and hopefully won't be. Not the areas you'd normally consider, but they have unexpectedly great skiing, modest prices, good chili/cinnamon rolls, and no cattle chutes. Not a lot for amenities, but again, you go to ski!

[electric_lady]

I prefer snowboarding on Moonlight and skiing Bridger.

[Timberwolf232]

Bridger is awesome... And from a guy that spent half my life in Colorado, that is saying something. I also love to hang out in Big Sky, lots for the kids to do and even with the Yellowstone Club douchebags close by, you can find a lot of good hearted, homebred people at big sky... The tubing hill is awesome for the kids. I'm also a fan of Great Divide.. good family oriented ski hill as well..