Bozeman, MT – Montana’s Bridger Bowl was selected earlier this year as winner of the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) annual Heads Up National Ski Area Safety Award for “Best Avalanche Safety Program.”

Bridger Bowl was recognized for their collaborative effort with Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC) in promoting avalanche safety, specifically in regard to the opening of the new Slushman terrain and backcountry access zones on the mountain beginning in December of 2008.

“Given Bridger Bowl’s genuine commitment to safety, the entire ski industry is the true winner and beneficiary,” said Dave Byrd, Director of Education and Risk at NSAA.

These efforts included the production of a very successful and widely distributed video called “Stay Alive” which was filmed and edited by local resident, Sam Lowe-Anker, as well as the presentation of other avalanche film events, fundraising campaigns, sidecountry advisories and avalanche education programs coordinated between the two community organizations.

“With the opening of new terrain and new boundaries, we had identical goals as Bridger Bowl: the safety of all users entering the sidecountry,” explained Doug Chabot, director of the GNFAC. “Educating parents, adolescents and adults about avalanche potential outside the boundary took a team effort. The GNFAC is proud to have been a part of this successful education project and congratulates Bridger on this nationally recognized award.”

Avalanche awareness in the backcountry and sidecountry surrounding Bridger is essential due to the nature of the region’s continental snowpack. Last February, a massive slide ripped free on Saddle Peak, a popular sidecountry skiing zone adjacent to Bridger Bowl’s in-bounds terrain. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.