Here is what the bowl is:
- The only ski area for folks from Missoula to ski w/o driving 150 miles round trip.
- A nice local area with a lot of terrain and vertical drop, as well as some of the best tree skiing around. Seriously.
- Two major storm tracks affect the area from the Pacific and unfortunately for the Bowl the storms mostly go south to the Bitterroot range or north to the Glacier park area.
- Also unfortunately the majority of the mountain and all of the black runs face either due south or southwest (worst). Especially in the beginning and ending of season the snow can be AWFUL. (But with this said the snow can also be GREAT at anytime)
- There is some good hiking access from the area allowing good snow to be found almost anytime.
- I skied here for 7 years and loved it. This mountain breeds REAL skiers, you know, the ones who rip and don't bitch about conditions.

Oh, and here is what the Bowl is not:
- A resort.

SnowBowl is wonderful on a powder day (but only for that day, once the sun comes out it is either slush or ice because most of the good runs are South facing. Walk to the lifts and lodge for the first and last 3 weeks of the season because of low elevation and no snow at the base. Other than unfriendly staff it is a great place and close to town. I love it on powder days.

First what I like, Snowbowl has the best out of bounds skiing/snowboarding in bounds. You can always find good snow, if you look in the right places. And they have excellent food at the lodge. I was going to write a harsh review, but then checked ticket prices to be fair, because that is my biggest problem with Snowbowl. They dropped ticket prices since I last checked, from the mid or high $40's to $36, which is acceptable for the mountain, as they have no good jumps or jibs for the park rat I became living by Tahoe. They also need high speed lifts, other than that not a bad place.

The "Bowl" as the locals refer to it is definitely not overpriced...who can complain about less than $50 lift tickets? This mountain has something for everyone & everyone makes good work of the mountain especially in Powder conditions. Steep and Deep! Enjoy a slice of pizza and a bloodymary while you sit by the fire and daze at the local watering hole the Last Run Inn!
Angel Face

Don't tell anyone!!! One of the top verticle to dollar areas in the country. This is a skier's ski area. 2,600 drop...This is where Missoulian's ski and it is known for its lack of beginner terrain which helps to keep it "hearty" An eclectic mix of styles, ages, and passions but most all of them good to excellent skiers and boarders. Mostly relies on natural snow, but gets lots. Only $33 for a lift ticket.