Industry News
One of North America’s most unique summer ski areas is preparing to call it a season. Beartooth Basin Ski Area, perched at 10,900 feet on the Montana-Wyoming border, will close for the year this Sunday, June 15. The high-elevation, lift-served ski area has been spinning chairs since Memorial Day weekend, drawing late-spring skiers and snowboarders from across the region to lap classic lines like “Chute 1”—the resort’s most accessible drop-in and, as they note, the only way out.
“We’ve been having a blast, come join the fun while it lasts!” the ski area posted to Instagram this week, inviting guests to make the most of the final weekend.
Beartooth Basin is one of the few ski areas in the United States that opens in late spring instead of winter, relying on deep snow accumulation and cold alpine temperatures at the top of Beartooth Pass. The resort is only accessible via the scenic Beartooth Highway, which typically opens after seasonal snow removal in late May. Founded as a summer training ground for alpine racers, Beartooth Basin has gained cult status among big-mountain skiers, riders, and park crews alike. The terrain includes steep chutes, natural features, and a no-frills, backcountry-adjacent vibe that draws loyal returners every year.
Closing weekend festivities often carry a celebratory atmosphere, with riders taking laps in costumes and soaking up the late-season corn snow under Montana’s big skies. Skiers hoping to make the final turns of the season are encouraged to check road conditions and weather before heading up Beartooth Highway, which can be subject to sudden closures even in June due to snow or wind.
