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MSU Bozeman Big Sky or Bridger

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jsweeze
Posts: 59 - Karma: 89
hey guys so I'm going to be attending MSU next fall and I was wondering who else is going? and for you guys already over there a couple question Bridger or Bigsky pass? and if I'm trying to save a few bucks do you need a car? thanks
Mar 10 2014 12:35AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10628 - Karma: 7,434
Bridger is good buts its overrated.

Its really small, and crowded on the weekends, that being said it is cheap.

park is not good, also you get about two months less of skiing.


Big sky is an expensive season pass.
the park this year at big sky has been underbuit, but the features are overall nice.
The only long line is the tram, and that is about 10 minutes.
Well worth your money IMO
Mar 10 2014 1:11AM
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~bagelz~
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 1,067
im also going there next fall unless i get a scholarship from somewhere in colorado hmu op
Mar 10 2014 2:04AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Moonlight is the shit. But now that Moonlight has been combined with Big Sky, I'd say fuck that shit. Big Sky is pretty cool skiing, but it's just corporate bullshit all around. If you're into park it's pretty much your only bet.
Personally I'd go with a Bridger Pass over a BS/Moonlight pass.
Mar 10 2014 4:46AM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
I used to be more of a Big Sky/Moonlight purist(the last 3 years) but i'm getting a bridger pass next year for my last year before graduation.

Get a beacon and ski Bridger at least your first year, part of me wish I would've. Big Sky is a ton of fun and has a ton of terrain but is a huge pain to get up to most of the time compared to bridger being so close.

Bridger lacks compared to Big Sky in the park department, but its never been terrible at Bridger despite what people might say.

However, Saturdays are super crowded at bridger lately having their parking lots full by 9AM, so get there early and carpool on the weekends, and I guess deal with the lines, or just not go. Big Sky honestly has never had lines for me, that is unless you try to take swifty on presidents day or try to take the tram on a deeep pow day.
Mar 10 2014 6:08AM
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AntEater
Posts: 207 - Karma: 45
Bridger is definitely great for the small town ski hill vibe. They have good terrain if you get a beacon and ski the ridge. Otherwise it is really fun for just cruising around. Park isn't great, but can be fun at times. As people have mentioned it can be PACKED. Locals swear by Bridger, and when it snows big there, good luck finding a parking spot if you get there past 9:00 am.

Big Sky has waaaay more terrain, and a good mix of steeps and cruiser runs. There is a bus that runs up and that is a benefit if you don't have a car or just want to save on gas. The park is much better at Big Sky and the lines get crazy only on holidays or super deep days.

So I would say if you like park, and want an overall bigger selection of terrain, and also have a little more dough, get a pass at big sky. Otherwise Bridger is a good value, and the ridge is really awesome when it snows, and the local vibe is really good. Enjoy Bozeman and MSU! Great places




Mar 10 2014 12:02PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,096
You clearly don't know much about Bridger if you think it's overrated. Bridger has some of the best terrain in North America. Sure it's not huge and yes locals love it, but you can't deny the ratio of good terrain to shit terrain.

That being said, big sky is fucking awesome its just more expensive and it's father away. There are busses to each place but having a car is pretty key IMO.
Mar 10 2014 12:14PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10817 - Karma: 57,204
It really depends on what you're looking for.
Bridger is 17 miles from campus, and ha some of the best skiing in the country. It's totally for someone who wants big mountain skiing. The ridge is unreal, and will absolutely test your skills as a skier. They have two small parks, they're really not the focus of the mountain. You do get weekend crowds, but they're nothing compared to Tahoe/Colorado/Utah lines. You've got lots of college kids and locals up there.

Big Sky/Moonlight is one hell of a resort too. If you're looking to do more park skiing then that's your place. They've got longer runs than Bridger, and sometimes isn't as packed.They're both really good. Big Sky is going to more expensive, but you are paying for a corporation/more terrain.

Both resorts do have busses you can take up to the mountains. I don't know too much about the Big Sky bus, but the Bridger one runs only on weekends, and is operated through the Streamline system.
Mar 10 2014 2:45PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
I'll make it easy for you.

Do you like to ski park regularly?
Yes? Big Sky

Do you have a beacon/shovel/probe?
Yes? Bridger

I don't know what the price is going to be next year but this year a college pass was $600 to both places. Yes i know you Bridger people get $100 to spend at the lodge thing but you still have to pay $600 up front so shut up.

You don't need a car especially if you live on campus (which you have to your first year) because there are buses to both. $3 round trip to big sky if you buy the bus pass is not bad. It really just depends on what you want to ski.
Mar 10 2014 3:22PM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
I've never skied at big sky yet...but I've had the privilege to take two separate ski trips to Bridger (I'm from MN) stayed right at bridger ski in ski out. and I have never been disappointed, my friend and I rented beacons and rode schleshmans (spelling?) lift and hiked the ridge and honestly its some of the best skiing I've ever had to this day. The terrain there is just great and challenging, plus I really enjoy the small ski town vibe.

I call Bridger my 2nd favorite resort next to solitude in Utah.
Mar 10 2014 4:23PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
I went to MSU for five years and got Big Sky and/or Moonlight every year. There are less lines, more terrain, and a better park. Passes were fairly comparable (Moonlight was cheaper than Bridger). Got some buddies together and takes turns driving.

I am not sure what is going to happen with prices on Big Sky/Moonlight with the buy-out this year. If you can get a Big Sky & Moonlight pass for $700 or less I would do it. The amount of terrain between the two is unreal. Fun scene at Big Sky too.
Mar 10 2014 4:44PM
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Cork3d
Posts: 52 - Karma: 73
Also going to MSU next year and was wondering the exact same thing.
How convenient are the buses to Big Sky and Bridger? If I got a pass to big sky would I be able to take a bus out after class? Wondering b/c I'm not taking a car to college.

Mar 10 2014 4:46PM
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DizzyG
Posts: 698 - Karma: 296
Sick! Just committed as well.

I'm going to get a Bridger pass mostly for money and not having a car but from what I've heard it's pretty much better than Colorado even on a bad day. STOKED!
Mar 10 2014 6:35PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10628 - Karma: 7,434
In all honesty the buses in bozeman are pretty shitty. And up to big sky is even worse.

I am lucky to have passes to both and i have payed them off. But with big sky you get about a month and a half longer ski season than big sky, potentially longer.
Mar 10 2014 9:36PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
Oh and it rained all day today at bridger, but started snow late in the day, tomorrow is projected to be like 10 inches. Going to be crazy sick tomorrow
Mar 10 2014 10:07PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,008
and im totally ripping this off from another thread, but Big Sky has posted their prices for next year which also has a separate moonlight pass available.

Big Sky Gold(With both moonlight and Big Sky Terrain - $599 College with proof, $999 if you're just an adult. Also get to ski the rest of this season from April 7 - April 20, 2014.

Moonlight(Just moonlight terrain) - $499 College with proof, $599 if you're just and adult

Sky Card is TBA but as a sky card holder this year its worth it if youre skiing bridger as you get 2 free ski weeks, and 2 half price weeks(i think) as well as 20 bucks off the 79 dollar day ticket for Big Sky which is 60 bucks a day for the whole season.

http://bigskyresort.com/the-mountain/lift-tickets-and-passes/season-passes-and-sky-cards

For bridger I bet the season pass prices will be similar at like $580 for Adult and like $300 and something if youre 18 and under before the cutoff(for that junior pass). There is no data backing this up yet...but I'm still learning towards Bridger with a sky card. Also Bridgers tickets are $51 bucks a day.


Mar 10 2014 10:16PM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
big sky and or moonlight .
Mar 10 2014 10:27PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
if you 100% need a park, big sky. If you 95% need a park, get a bridger pass and learn to live without it. the terrain is amazing and there's always stuff to explore and find fresh days after a storm. and if you really need a park it really isn't bad, but it's short and the chair is super slow. plus the drive is probably a third as long.
something I always thought was that bridger and big sky have roughly the same amount of 'terrain', except all of the terrain at big sky is spread out into a bigger area. at big sky, you can pretty much see everything you can ski, but at bridger there are sooo many hidden spots that you really have to look for. Bridger is great cause you can get up there for just an hour and come down if you have class/work/etc, whereas big sky is more of an all day thing.
Mar 10 2014 11:29PM
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jsweeze
Posts: 59 - Karma: 89
thanks for the advice I think ill go for the big sky pass cause my schwietzer pass(my home mountain) gives me 5 days free to bridge. Also is anyone doing honors housing?
Mar 11 2014 9:58PM
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~bagelz~
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 1,067
^ I still have to apply to the honors college but if I get in I will. I have a good shot at getting into it tho. I'm going to MSU unless I get a better scholarship from somewhere in CO
Mar 13 2014 1:31PM
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