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BOZEMAN- A group of Bozeman-area skiers climbing up The Fin on Republic Mountain outside of Cooke City were swept down by an avalanche on January 8, 2021.
The dry winter hasn’t gone unnoticed by skiers and snowboarders who saw delayed openings at several Montana ski hills. Thankfully, recent storms have been slowly but steadily building the snowpack.
BOZEMAN, Mont.
Ben Werner glided up the craggy mountain bowl between Hardscrabble Peak and Frazier Basin in the Bridgers, his heels lifting off his skis with every step. He paused periodically to assess his route up the slope.
Before Werner ascended the bowl, he tested the snowâs stability on a small hill with a similar slant and aspect. He directed his skis toward the hillside and coasted along, looking around for any signs of cracks or slides. The snow held. He continued his path upward.
In backcountry skiing, deciding where to climb up or ski down a slope can be the difference between life and death. And the mountains are deceiving.
BOZEMAN- With ski areas deciding to limit the number of people up on the mountains, officials are worried that anxious and inexperienced skiers will take to the backcountry.
At Bridger Bowl, crews are currently up on the mountain with snowcats, snow guns, snowplows, and snowmobiles preparing the mountain range for opening day that backcountry skiers will have to watch out for.
âWhen we close down, then itâs open to the public to go up⦠the safety measures are that we are no longer performing any kind of avalanche mitigation,â Erin OâConnor, the marketing and communication director of Bridger Bowl explained.