Beartooth Basin in Montana is poised for a significant comeback. As the only ski area in the United States dedicated exclusively to summer operations, the resort is preparing for its 64th year of service. According to reporting by SnowBrains, the mountain has received 29 inches of fresh snow this spring, fueling hopes for a robust 2026 season between May 22 and May 25, weather permitting.
Located at a soaring altitude of 10,947 feet along the border of Montana and Wyoming, the area is accessible via the Beartooth Highway. Known for its dramatic switchbacks and status as a National Scenic Byway, the road is essential for accessing the resort, though it remains subject to heavy snow drifts that can occasionally reach depths of five feet. The resort provides 600 acres of terrain, ranging from 15 to 50 degrees in pitch, which typically attracts a dedicated crowd of race camps, backcountry enthusiasts, and freeriders.
The history of Beartooth Basin is deeply rooted in the mid-1960s when it was established as a training ground for competitive alpine racers by Pepi Gramshammer, Eric Sailer, and Anderi Molterer. Originally known as the Red Lodge International Ski and Snowboard Camp, the site transitioned to public use in the late 1990s. Today, the resort is under the stewardship of a majority-ownership group that includes Austin Hart, Justin Modroo, Kurt Hallock, and David Leuschen.
The path to the 2026 season has been difficult. The resort endured four consecutive challenging years, including a complete closure in 2022 and 2024. In 2023, the mountain operated for only two and a half weeks, and in 2025, the window was limited to roughly three weeks. Despite these setbacks, the current snow conditions offer a glimmer of hope that the resort can return to its traditional, intense summer operational schedule.
