Slopeside competition takes over Bridger Bowl in February
Open to skiers and snowboarders of Southwest Montana and beyond, Bridger Bowl hosts the 2019 return of its King & Queen of the Ridge Hike & Ski Ride-a-thon on Saturday, February 2nd from 9:30am–2:30pm. Collect pledges for one, two, or the most ridge hikes in the five hours. Money raised during this fundraising event helps support avalanche education in Southwest Montana – 100% of proceeds benefits the Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. $151,396 has been raised since 2003!
This event is for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and costs $15 for all competitors. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday, February 1st with no race day registrations accepted. If under the age of 18, signature of a parent or legal guardian is required. All competitors must arrive by 8am for a mandatory meeting in the Jim Bridger Lodge. Valid season pass or lift ticket required for competitors. Half-day prepaid lift rate for competitors will be available for pick-up at competitor’s meeting.
The award ceremony will take place at 4pm in Jim Bridger Lodge. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. Fantastic door prizes and entry into the grand prize drawing in March. Bridger Creek Boys will provide plenty of celebratory live music, along with beer promo by MAP Brewing!
The Bridger Gully Freeride follows Saturday, February 16th beginning at 10:30am. This is a judged freeriding event off Bridger Bowl’s Ridge. Participants have one run judged on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) on the following criteria: degree of difficulty/line, control, fluidity, form/technique, aggressiveness/attack, and completion of run in three minutes or less. Inverted aerial maneuvers are prohibited and will result in disqualification.
This event is for skiers and snowboarders 16+ and is $40 for all competitors. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday, February 15th with no race day registrations accepted. If under the age of 18, signature of a parent or legal guardian is required. All competitors must arrive by 8am for a mandatory meeting in Jim Bridger Lodge. Valid season pass or lift ticket required for competitors. Half day prepaid lift rate for competitors will be available for pick-up at competitor’s meeting.
The award ceremony will take place at 4pm in Jim Bridger Lodge. The ceremony will feature cash prizes, medals to top three male and female finishers, fantastic door prizes, and entry into the grand prize drawing. Groove Wax will provide live music, with beer promo by Sam Adams.
Looking ahead, the Terrain Park Jam, a ski and snowboard slopestyle competition, is set for Saturday, February 23rd with race times from 11am–2pm. This is a competition with a variety of rails, rollers, boxes, banks and barrels. Two judged runs and a jam on a feature chosen by each age group.
This event is designed for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. The Jam is $15 for all registrants. Race day registration will take place in Jim Bridger Lodge from 8:30–10am. If under the age of 18, signature of a parent or legal guardian is required. Valid season pass or lift ticket required for competitors.
The award ceremony will take place at 4pm in Jim Bridger Lodge. Medals to top three male and female finishers in each age group by discipline, medal for Best Jam in three youngest age groups by discipline, and medal for Best Trick and Overall Consistency for those 19 and up by discipline. The ceremony will feature fantastic door prizes and entry into the grand prize drawing. Patrol Band will bring the live music. Beer promo by Meadowlark.
Bridger Bowl is operating FREE skier buses again this season. Bridger runs two separate shuttles with different pick-up and drop-off locations in Bozeman. The Kids’ Bus runs on weekends and during the school holidays, while the Park N’ Ride Bus runs on weekends during the entire ski season. The Kids’ Bus picks-up at McDonald’s on Main and the Gallatin County Fairgrounds (Oak St. entrance). The Park N’ Ride picks up at MSU’s SUB and the Gallatin Valley Fairgrounds. Please see website for detailed bus schedules.
The ski area is located on the east slope of the Bridger Mountain Range. For season pass information and upcoming event details, visit www.bridgerbowl.com. See you on the slopes! •
