Warm people, cool mountain: small ski area brings big fun

Montana’s beautiful and diverse terrain makes it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those looking to hit the slopes. One ski area you may not have tried yet is just 20 minutes from Havre; Bear Paw Ski Bowl. If it’s not on your “must-visit” list yet, it’s time to add it.

Nestled in the Bear Paw Mountains, Bear Paw Ski Bowl is Montana’s smallest ski hill that makes a big impression. Visitors have been skiing the mountain since 1960, and while the pristine landscape looks the same, enhancements like a double chair lift and tow rope have been added to the 900 vertical foot mountain, making it an easy place to spend the day.

But what makes Bear Paw Ski Bowl really unique is that it’s one of three ski areas in the United States that is located on a Native American reservation and is open to the public. It operates on land wholly owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy.

“It’s a privilege that the Chippewa Cree have invited visitors to this hill for the last 64 years. It’s their gift to the community,” Claire Stoner, president of Snow Dance Ski Association, says.

While Bear Paw Ski Bowl is located on tribal land, it’s operated by Snow Dance Ski Association and has been for over 40 years. The association takes care of all legal and accounting responsibilities, executes fundraisers, makes capital purchases, and operates the ski/board rental shop located in Havre. They also manage all the volunteers, which is important since the nonprofit organization is nearly entirely volunteer run.

“Our four lift operators, who are all Chippewa Cree tribal members, are the only paid employees. That being said, we have a lot of volunteers, and it takes a village to make Bear Paw possible,” Stoner says.

There are approximately 30 volunteers from Havre and surrounding communities who support Bear Paw Ski Bowl. They bring various talents and skills ranging from business management to construction, fundraising to medical.

Three year-round volunteers work on building maintenance and have completed projects such as replacing a roof, remodeling the ticket booth, and replacing a ceiling. During the off-season, volunteer maintenance crews prepare for the next winter by doing tasks like clearing downed trees and stringing new cables for the chairlift.

Bear Paw Ski Bowl is also fortunate to have the help of Eagle Creek Ski Patrol, a group certified through the National Ski Patrol who volunteer each weekend to maintain safety and provide first aid on the hill.

Because it’s heavily dependent on volunteers, Bear Paw Ski Bowl does not open until January (exact date depends on snow fall) and is only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

A huge amount of community support has been shown to the ski bowl, helping make sure its doors stay open. In fact, Montana State University-Northern in Havre even pays for lift tickets and rentals for its students so they have easy access to the hill.

“For many students, it’s their first experience with skiing and snowboarding, and they’re able to try it because of the generosity of the school,” Stoner says. “We work hard to keep rates affordable so people of all ages and abilities are able to come and enjoy the hill.”

Maintaining affordability is imperative for Bear Paw Ski Bowl, not only when it comes to their pricing but also when managing their expenses. Stoner says having reliable, affordable electricity provided by Basin Electric Class C member Hill County Electric Cooperative is vital. Electricity is used to operate the chair lift, rope tow, power in the lodge, and more.

“We are very fortunate to have three-phase power which allows for efficient operation of the chair lift,” Stoner says. “Our diesel engine on the lift is only a backup, and we couldn’t operate without electricity. If we had to convert the chairlift to diesel, it would be very expensive and not feasible to operate. The ski hill operates at a loss most years, so any more expense would shut us down.”

Bear Paw Ski Bowl has won the hearts of many by offering an old-fashioned, friendly ski experience, but it’s the community support that has kept the hill open to visitors for nearly 65 years. The Chippewa Cree Tribe, Snow Dance Ski Association, Eagle Creek Ski Patrol, community volunteers, Hill County Electric Cooperative, and local businesses and neighbors all do their part to make the ski hill a magical place and give visitors an experience they won’t find anywhere else.