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Montana Snowbowl, MT; (406) 549-9777; (406) 549-9696 (snow phone)
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Snowbowl, one of the last-standing funky, old-timey mom and pop day hills, is built on two peaks and spread across three mountains, providing a wide range of terrain including open bowls, trees, ridge lines and valleys. Please be aware that Snowbowl's terrain is not your normal ski area. When asked about the terrain, the whole room of Snowbowl regulars said in unison one word - "steep." It's rated 60% BLACK. If you're a beginner, perhaps you might want to spend your day in the lodge with a good book. An old-timer said you could "download if you got in trouble." Snowbowl's greens are other ski area's steep blues and so on to blacks. It's an expert's ski area with If you're up to it, be sure to cruise Snowbowl's three-mile run, Paradise, which curls to skier's left (ski to your right as you get off the lift) off the top of the Lavelle chair. The chutes and bowls from the Lavelle chair include bumps and steeps. Most blue runs also start from this lift. Note: It's a steep, icy climb from the parking lot to the lodge, lifts and ticket window. Tip: Head off to the right and climb the craggy timber stairs towards the office, wend your way THROUGH the buildings and across the decks instead of risking a deadly fall on the steep bank. A variety of ski school lessons are available. Snowbowl boasts PSIA-certified instructors who teach hundreds of grade school kids, teenagers and adults to ski and board each year at a great value. Trust your instructors. They'll get you flying down Snowbowl slopes before you know it. |
lots of "triple" black chutes and bowls and grooming that leaves a lot to be desired. It's best to ski with a local so you don't get in over your head or flat out lost. The University of Montana in Missoula, 20 minutes down the hill, call this mountain home. From Missoula, it's an eight mile switchback dirt road without guard rails. Lots of folks opt to park at the gas station at the bottom of the hill and take the shuttle bus up for a minimum charge.
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Lift tickets (07/08 prices): Adults (13-61), $36; youth (6-12),: $16; Student/senior (62-69), $33; children 6 and younger, free. Distance from Missoula: About 8 miles.
Lodging with ski packages is also available in Missoula at the C'Mon Inn, (1 888 989-5569; $-$$), close to the ski hill with breakfast included and all the other amenities you could ever want. Hilton Garden Inn, (1 877 782-9444; $-$$), includes breakfast and all other necessities. If you're in the mood, don't miss dinner at the Blue Canyon, (1 406 541-2583, $$$), just around the corner from the Inn. Choose The Chef's Table which seats twelve and serves killer four- and five- course meals with wine parings and visits from the chef and the wine king at the beginning of every course. Divine "small bites" include lobster bisque, crab stuffed halibut and wild Texas boar. Photos by Steve Giordano |
Lodging information: On site lodging at the Gelandesprung Lodge (1 800 728-2695; $-$$), a European-style lodging with some shared baths, outdoor hot tub and kitchen facilities, is available for groups as well. All packages include lift tickets. The award-winning Last Run Inn at the base serves great wood fired pizza, outdoor barbecue and is famous for its Bloody Marys, weddings and special gatherings. The venue and the food are both fab and the on-hill lodgings can be rented for the whole wedding party. The chef has a fine reputation.
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