Bear Paw Ski Bowl now open

The Bear Paw Ski Bowl is now open and earlier than usual after a massive amount of snow hit the area in December.

Bear Paw Ski Bowl Mountain Manager Dave Martens Jr. described conditions at the bowl as, “excellent bordering on dynamite,” in an interview Friday afternoon as he and his crew of volunteers were about to set off, taking gear up to the mountain.

Martens said he couldn’t account for the effects of the last week of snow, but December was great for them, allowing the bowl to open earlier than it has in quite a few years.

He said they usually shoot for January opening every year, but when the bowl actually opens is heavily dependent on the kind of snowfall they get.

“We were blessed (this year),” he said.

The bowl is owned and operated by the Chippewa Cree Tribe and is staffed primarily by volunteers from around the area, who keep the place running.