Will Wyoming's Summer Ski Area Open This Year? First Look at Snowpack

The arrival of spring means ski season is winding down for many places, but for one Wyoming ski area, it’s just the start of the season.

Beartooth Basin, which sits on the border of Wyoming and Montana, only operates in the summer months as the road that leads to it opens after a long winter covered in snow.

The ski area is home to two Poma lifts and a chunk of advanced terrain, complete with a cornice, expert chutes, and its own funky corner of ski culture. As climate change has affected skiing seasonality over the last decade, Beartooth has certainly experienced ups and downs in its ability to operate.

However, the ski area is owned and operated by a crew of dedicated, die-hard skiers who have been committed to offering summer skiing on Beartooth Pass as much as possible.

The mountain west has no doubt had a weird season, though some of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana’s ski areas have fared slightly better than others in the country. It also seems (anecdotally; I’m no meteorologist) that low-snow years in this region can lead to colder springs with unseasonable precipitation.

While this might be a bit ill-received by those in places whose local resorts have closed for the season, for places like Beartooth, it can be a blessing. See below for photos of Beartooth’s snowpack as of last week. Keep reading for more.

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Beartooth is currently gearing up for its 64th season, with opening day still to be determined.

With an estimated snowfall of 235″ since October and 29″ base depth currently, it’s setting up to be a good season at Beartooth. Additionally, one of those late-season storms that can come in years like this seems to be headed towards Beartooth.

Forecasts show 14″ of snow by the end of this week and another 14″ over the following week. Temperatures are looking plenty cold up at 10,404 ft of elevation with highs only reaching the mid-30s early this week, before dropping throughout the next two weeks.

Last summer, Beartooth closed in mid-June after a notably short season. The ski area was unable to open at all in 2024. Hopefully, a chilly spring will lead to a fruitful season for Beartooth Basin this year. If there’s a cherry on top to this odd winter, this could be it.

Related: Midweek Powder Alert: 12+ Inches for Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe