Snowbowl

Snowbowl is a crude resort with a local feel. The conditions are variable, but the food is always great. It is somewhat of a family resort, for confident riders. I would feel nervous bringing kids that are just learning, but it would be doable. It is good for older kids and excellent for the college age riders that go to school at the University of Montana just minutes away.

http://montanasnowbowl.com/

VIEW PICTURES

LOCATION (-F- on our map)

Snowbowl is located just a short drive from Interstate 90 in Missoula. It is also close to the intersection of Highway 93 and Interstate 90. The road up to Snowbowl is getting better. Last summer they widened the road, which was well needed. They also have a bus which has certain stops that you can take up and down for a fee.

LIFTS

They have two chairlifts and a rope tow on the bunny hill. The lifts are painfully slow and have been known to break down.

SLOPES

The base elevation is 5,000 ft and the top elevation is 7,600 ft. They, obviously, have an impressive 2,600 ft vertical drop. Their longest run is 3 miles. Not the type of resort to count number but there are three new ones in ´08!

20% beginner

40% intermediate

40% expert

OFFERS NIGHTTIME SNOWBOARDING? NOPE

DISCOUNT DAYS? NOPE

PARK

Snowbowl does not have a permanent snow park. There is once a year when Edge of the World (thanks!) builds a park for a competition. It is up for about a week, and not always maintained. It would be great to have a park at Snowbowl.

RESTAURANT/BAR

There are two dining areas at Snowbowl. They have a family lodge, where you also buy your tickets. It is full of cubby holes to store your gear and a great big fire place in the middle. They offer cafeteria style food. They also have a bar that serves food in a separate building.

The bar at Snowbowl probably has the best food in all of Missoula. The pizza, which is cooked to order in a wood oven, is to die for. They have baked brie with a raspberry chipotle sauce and pita if you are lucky. Their menu changes on a daily basis; it rotates different items on and off the list. I like to try it all. The soups are yummy. They have a full bar, a nice fire place and seating at the bar, and several tables inside and outside.

REVIEWS

Snowbowl is owned and operated by a husband and wife team. The husband, although very nice, was not really willing to work with our team for a review. He did not like the idea of giving our writers tickets. Kevin and I (Angela) both live in Missoula, so in 2007/2008 year we decided to go ahead and write up the review ourselves. Mike also pitched in with a back country review. He knows Snowbowl better than I know the back of my hand.

Snowbowl does have the best closing day. It is an all day party with people in costumes, swimming suits and usually a beer in hand. The atmosphere is lively and festive. The closing day of 2008 actually got shut down early because it got a little too crazy, and they ran out of beer! I would not recommend closing day for a family, but for everyone else, it´s one heck of a way to end the season.

Beginner
Angela-

"They say if you learn to snowboard at Snowbowl, you can snowboard anywhere. I guess that's true. Snowbowl is probably the least beginner friendly of all resorts. The conditions are so variable, even on the same run. The resort is not regularly groomed, and often has ice patches. To get to either lift there is not a pure 'easy' way down. They will have to hit at least a blue and a sketchy blue at that. There are flat spots that even if know they are there, you get stuck and have to push. One that really needs at least a rope tow is North Dakota. The name says it all. They were allegedly going to cut it so it would be downhill in the summer of '07 but it never happened. Hopefully it will be on the list this summer. But, it is true, if you learn there, you will be prepared for anything. "

Intermediate
Angela-

"Snowbowl has a personality of its own, unlike any other resort I have been to, but to be totally honest, I feel that there really isn't much for me here. I'm not a big fan of moguls (what snowboarder is?) so that cuts the number of runs that I want to take in half and there aren't that many runs to begin with. I like Paradise a lot. It is super long and has many different sections to it. I am starting to like the bowls a little more as I get better. It is really tough to find powder here. It doesn't have that many powder days compared with other Montana resorts and is PACKED with Powder Hounds. I've been on the ninth chair on a powder day and found all the runs tracked up already. To really get in a full day you have to hit some black runs. This is good, it really pushes me, and I have definitely improved from snowboarding here. I feel that to really appreciate all snowbowl has to offer, you need to be an expert and go into the backcountry, check out what Mike has to say if you are an expert and are going to Snowbowl."

Back Country
Mike-

"Snowbowl offers several back country options in regards to 'off area' riding. Most all of them are fairly steep and avalanche prone. Jenni Bowl, named after a long time snowbowl ski patroller/family, is essentailly the east face of Pt. 6. This bowl runs from the riders left of the "N. Dakota Downhill" all the way up to the Pt. 6 peak and around to a south facing slope. This south facing slope, the south face of a ridge that comes off of Pt. 6 towards the east, has several tree'd lines and chutes on its north face, "Too Steep To Tele"/"Three Tiers", this northly bowl is called Totality Bowl. To access this area you'd get off the lavelle chair, hike to the top of Pt. 6 and then head out that ridge...to the lines mentioned. To get out/home, you have to climb back up the ridge and hike back to the bowl, or cross down into Jenni Bowl and then hike back up to the N. Dakota Downhill area. There is also a ridge, Burgandy Ridge, that runs due north from Pt. 6 all the way to Murphy Peak. Giving you a "western" face and an "eastern" face to ride. The eastern face is called The Burgandy Chutes, while the western face isn't ridden that much due it it being short, wind blown and generally ackward to get out of. Depending on your hiking skills/ability/comfort level, and weather, most of these lines are a full day of hiking. Make sure you're back on area before ski patrol has swept the mountain, otherwise it's a no-no, liable to get you a stern lecture from the Patrol!

*PLEASE NOTE* All this terrain is Avalanche prone. You should AT THE VERY LEAST be knowledgable about travelling and riding in Avalanche terrain, and be equiped with the proper equipement. These areas aren't controlled in any way and you'll be responsible for your own safety going out there and getting back. If you're uncomfortable at all, don't go. You'll live longer, and have more fun, that way." "

Parks
They do not have a park, so we could not review!
***update****
There appears to be somewhat of a park set up next to the T-bar (handy!) but is roped off.

PICTURES

Pond skimming contest, closing day 2007

CONTACT INFO

Montana Snowbowl

P.O. Box 8107 Missoula, Mt 59807

Phone: 406.549.9777

info@montanasnowbowl.com

	Snowbowl Snowbowl is a crude resort with a local feel. The conditions are variable, but the food is always great. It is somewhat of a family resort, for confident riders. I would feel nervous bringing kids that are just learning, but it would be doable. It is good for older kids and excellent for the college age riders that go to school at the University of Montana just minutes away. http://montanasnowbowl.com/ VIEW PICTURES LOCATION (-F- on our map) Snowbowl is located just a short drive from Interstate 90 in Missoula. It is also close to the intersection of Highway 93 and Interstate 90. The road up to Snowbowl is getting better. Last summer they widened the road, which was well needed. They also have a bus which has certain stops that you can take up and down for a fee. LIFTS They have two chairlifts and a rope tow on the bunny hill. The lifts are painfully slow and have been known to break down. SLOPES The base elevation is 5,000 ft and the top elevation is 7,600 ft. They, obviously, have an impressive 2,600 ft vertical drop. Their longest run is 3 miles. Not the type of resort to count number but there are three new ones in ´08! 20% beginner 40% intermediate 40% expert OFFERS NIGHTTIME SNOWBOARDING? NOPE DISCOUNT DAYS? NOPE PARK Snowbowl does not have a permanent snow park. There is once a year when Edge of the World (thanks!) builds a park for a competition. It is up for about a week, and not always maintained. It would be great to have a park at Snowbowl. RESTAURANT/BAR There are two dining areas at Snowbowl. They have a family lodge, where you also buy your tickets. It is full of cubby holes to store your gear and a great big fire place in the middle. They offer cafeteria style food. They also have a bar that serves food in a separate building. The bar at Snowbowl probably has the best food in all of Missoula. The pizza, which is cooked to order in a wood oven, is to die for. They have baked brie with a raspberry chipotle sauce and pita if you are lucky. Their menu changes on a daily basis; it rotates different items on and off the list. I like to try it all. The soups are yummy. They have a full bar, a nice fire place and seating at the bar, and several tables inside and outside. REVIEWS Snowbowl is owned and operated by a husband and wife team. The husband, although very nice, was not really willing to work with our team for a review. He did not like the idea of giving our writers tickets. Kevin and I (Angela) both live in Missoula, so in 2007/2008 year we decided to go ahead and write up the review ourselves. Mike also pitched in with a back country review. He knows Snowbowl better than I know the back of my hand. Snowbowl does have the best closing day. It is an all day party with people in costumes, swimming suits and usually a beer in hand. The atmosphere is lively and festive. The closing day of 2008 actually got shut down early because it got a little too crazy, and they ran out of beer! I would not recommend closing day for a family, but for everyone else, it´s one heck of a way to end the season. Beginner Angela- "They say if you learn to snowboard at Snowbowl, you can snowboard anywhere. I guess that's true. Snowbowl is probably the least beginner friendly of all resorts. The conditions are so variable, even on the same run. The resort is not regularly groomed, and often has ice patches. To get to either lift there is not a pure 'easy' way down. They will have to hit at least a blue and a sketchy blue at that. There are flat spots that even if know they are there, you get stuck and have to push. One that really needs at least a rope tow is North Dakota. The name says it all. They were allegedly going to cut it so it would be downhill in the summer of '07 but it never happened. Hopefully it will be on the list this summer. But, it is true, if you learn there, you will be prepared for anything. " Intermediate Angela- "Snowbowl has a personality of its own, unlike any other resort I have been to, but to be totally honest, I feel that there really isn't much for me here. I'm not a big fan of moguls (what snowboarder is?) so that cuts the number of runs that I want to take in half and there aren't that many runs to begin with. I like Paradise a lot. It is super long and has many different sections to it. I am starting to like the bowls a little more as I get better. It is really tough to find powder here. It doesn't have that many powder days compared with other Montana resorts and is PACKED with Powder Hounds. I've been on the ninth chair on a powder day and found all the runs tracked up already. To really get in a full day you have to hit some black runs. This is good, it really pushes me, and I have definitely improved from snowboarding here. I feel that to really appreciate all snowbowl has to offer, you need to be an expert and go into the backcountry, check out what Mike has to say if you are an expert and are going to Snowbowl." Back Country Mike- "Snowbowl offers several back country options in regards to 'off area' riding. Most all of them are fairly steep and avalanche prone. Jenni Bowl, named after a long time snowbowl ski patroller/family, is essentailly the east face of Pt. 6. This bowl runs from the riders left of the "N. Dakota Downhill" all the way up to the Pt. 6 peak and around to a south facing slope. This south facing slope, the south face of a ridge that comes off of Pt. 6 towards the east, has several tree'd lines and chutes on its north face, "Too Steep To Tele"/"Three Tiers", this northly bowl is called Totality Bowl. To access this area you'd get off the lavelle chair, hike to the top of Pt. 6 and then head out that ridge...to the lines mentioned. To get out/home, you have to climb back up the ridge and hike back to the bowl, or cross down into Jenni Bowl and then hike back up to the N. Dakota Downhill area. There is also a ridge, Burgandy Ridge, that runs due north from Pt. 6 all the way to Murphy Peak. Giving you a "western" face and an "eastern" face to ride. The eastern face is called The Burgandy Chutes, while the western face isn't ridden that much due it it being short, wind blown and generally ackward to get out of. Depending on your hiking skills/ability/comfort level, and weather, most of these lines are a full day of hiking. Make sure you're back on area before ski patrol has swept the mountain, otherwise it's a no-no, liable to get you a stern lecture from the Patrol! PLEASE NOTE All this terrain is Avalanche prone. You should AT THE VERY LEAST be knowledgable about travelling and riding in Avalanche terrain, and be equiped with the proper equipement. These areas aren't controlled in any way and you'll be responsible for your own safety going out there and getting back. If you're uncomfortable at all, don't go. You'll live longer, and have more fun, that way." " Parks They do not have a park, so we could not review! *update There appears to be somewhat of a park set up next to the T-bar (handy!) but is roped off. PICTURES Pond skimming contest, closing day 2007 CONTACT INFO** Montana Snowbowl P.O. Box 8107 Missoula, Mt 59807 Phone: 406.549.9777 info@montanasnowbowl.com http://montanasnowbowl.com/ Mountain Stats Average Snowfall: 300 in/yr Number of lifts: 3 Trails: 0 Beginner: 20% Intermediate: 40% Expert: 40% Top Elevation: 7600 ft Vertical feet: 5000 ft Park(s)?: no Night Boarding?: no
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