From the Hill, Jan. 30, 2025

Saturday morning at 9:30, an hour before opening, the parking lot was already full as skiers and shredders eagerly anticipated their first runs on the new snowfall at Bear Paw. They were not disappointed. The entire mountain was covered with up to 18 inches of new powder on top of an already deep base.

Whereas the bowls and Four Souls have consistently good conditions, it is not always the case with the Face. Wind or sun or warm weather can make for challenging conditions or make the run completely inaccessible. Such was not the case on Saturday as a deep blanket of powder covered the Face. It was not quite "Champagne Powder" as it had a bit more substance but it was very forgiving and easy to ski. For those not familiar with Bear Paw, the Face is a large expanse of unobstructed terrain that starts at the top of the mountain. When conditions are good, it is a popular destination. That was the case on Saturday.

It was not just an early crowd on Saturday it was also a large crowd that enjoyed the slopes of Bear Paw. Along with the general public there was a busload of students from Rocky Boy and a large contingent of Northern students.

The weather was comfortably cold on Saturday with only a slight breeze. Properly attired people had no difficulty warding off the chilling wind.

The skiers and shredders arrived early again on Sunday. Ultimately the crowd was not equal to Saturday's throng, but the parking lot still overflowed. Patrons enjoyed powder that had been skied down the day prior and silky soft groomed runs on the lower half of the mountain. The face was a mixture of packed powder and skiable windblown crud. There was some concern that the wind might threaten operations but while it was brisk, especially above the tree line, it never created a safety issue.

Despite the large crowds, the ski patrol reported no serious incidents. Its second most difficult task over the weekend was assisting a few young skiers who mistakenly road chair 2 all the way to the mile high summit. The most difficult task was removing ski boots, at day's end, with tired and sore muscles. Upon hearing the gruntin' and groanin', passersby were probably tempted to call for emergency transportation.

Get those tired and sore muscles rested up. The deep base at Bear Paw promises weeks of excellent skiing in the future.