Bridger Bowl, Inc. records, 1962-2025

Bridger Bowl Ski Area is a popular ski and snowboarding area located just East of Bozeman, Montana on the Frontage Road. Bridger Bowl is located in the Bridger Range of the Rocky Mountains, and is within the confines of the Gallatin National Forrest. Bridger Bowl has been used as a ski and recreational area since the mid 1940's, but it wasn't until 1949 when the Montana State government bought Bridger Bowl to combine the area with the Gallatin National Forrest; and to propose Bridger Bowl as a state park and ski area. Even so, it took some time to get off the ground and to make serious advances. In February, 1954 Bridger Bowl registered as a corporation with the Montana Secretary of State's office. Among its first officers was Donald Belding, the donor of these records. The corporation's board, with the help of over 60 volunteers, introduced the original platter lift which was opened for public use in January, 1955. With a lift transporting skiers up the Mountain, the facility started to gain popularity in the Bozeman area. Eventually it received non-profit status and started investing the capital gained from ticket sales back into the mountain. Between 1960 and 1970, five more lifts were added; giving skiers a much wider range of terrain to traverse.