MISSOULA – Ski resorts all over the Pacific Northwest are starting to open their slopes for the season.
Winter 2018 is off to an early start in Western Montana, giving Montana Snowbowl a chance to open a week earlier than last year.
“People always ask me every year, ‘what’s the bowl gonna be like this year? how’s the snow gonna be?’, and I tell them ‘we’re gonna be open we’re gonna have a good season’,” Snowbowl’s R. Scott Duncan said.
Sunday was opening day for the resort, and hundreds of people turned out to hit the slopes.
Season pass holder Kiefan Franklin said he hopes to snowboard a lot this year, “I had a lot of fun.”
Snowbowl owner Ronnie Morris said people have been surprised by how much snow there is.
“I think people are having a great time and its great to get the season off and running,” said Morris who has owned the ski area since 1984.
Folks of all ages got out and filled the parking lot on Sunday before enjoying powder runs followed by food and brews from The Last Run and The Double Diamond Cafe up on the mountain.
Skier Nico Schaeffer says the solitude at Snowbowl is what makes it great, “it was a fantastic time. Any day on the mountains a good day.”
Duncan even got a chance to break out his skis, “they say it’s the whole point of winter. Why live in Montana if you’re not gonna enjoy the snow?” Duncan asked.
Click here to check out the latest conditions at Montana Snowbowl.
-Katie Miller reporting for MTN News
