Per usual, rumors about Missoula’s beloved ski hill have been circulating. Following a number of unfortunate events regarding Snowbowl and their chairlifts, the idea that the hill might not be able to open for the 2023-2024 season has been spreading via word of mouth and a number of articles. But are these rumors real, or just the usual talk about Snowbowl?
In the late 2022-23 season, a problem with the Snow Park chair occurred, causing a four-year-old to fall from the lift. Because of this, the Forest Service shut down the lift “until an in-depth inspection could occur by a third party engineer,” according to a press release from the Forest Service. This prompted an uproar in Missoula, fueled partially by an article from the Missoulian. The possibility that Snowbowl might not be able to open began circulating.
Snowbowl operates in the Lolo National Forest under a type of Special Use Permit that requires yearly inspection of lifts and other amenities. These inspections happen every year, and if the safety requirements aren’t met, Snowbowl needs to remedy them in order to open.
“We are following our normal process for this time of year in authorizing the ski lifts to operate,” said Carolyn Upton, Forest Supervisor for the Lolo National Forest, in a press release.
“This year, as part of the process, we did request that Snowbowl hire a third-party engineer to review all the lifts to make sure they were in compliance with the new industry standards released in 2022, and to look at the lift involved in the unfortunate accident that happened in March,” said Upton.
In a press release put out on Oct. 6, Snowbowl said that an “experienced” aerial tramway engineer was hired and completed inspection and evaluation on all of the lifts, especially Snow Park.
“All the corrections that he recommended have been completed,” said Snowbowl’s management.
Snowbowl also said that they are also making a number of changes to improve overall safety, including extra staff training, changes to loading procedures, new tools and technology, and better communication.
The work and improvements that Snowbowl has made are being evaluated for Forest Service approval.
“We are confident… that Snowbowl will open as anticipated, weather dependent, on Dec. 8. We will update the public as soon as the Forest Service has given us final approval,” said Snowbowl. They also made it very clear that if they weren’t allowed to open, all passes and coupons would be refunded in full.
Snowbowl’s response to these rumors about not opening, which may be surprising to some, was very mature, and they’re proactively working towards an as-expected opening.