As many other Western ski resorts are struggling with shrinking snow depths, Brundage Mountain’s reliable snow base is attracting big events and extra business to the McCall area.

For the second year in a row, Brundage has picked up a four-day regional collegiate race after the original destinations were forced to cancel because of dwindling snow packs.

As of Sunday, February 8, Brundage Mountain was reporting a substantial 45 inches at its base and 75 inches at the summit. (Current snow depths available here: https://brundage.com/snow-report/)

This year’s USCSA Western Region Championship was originally scheduled for Powderhorn Ski Area in Colorado, but it has now been moved to Brundage Mountain. This four-day event will bring approximately 140 collegiate racers and their support teams to the McCall area between Wednesday, February 18 and Saturday, February 21.

“We love to welcome events like this to Brundage Mountain, not just for the added traffic to our ski area, but also because of the boost it brings the local economy,” said Communication Director, April Whitney. “Most of these teams will be in town for four or five nights in order to participate in a day of practice runs and three days of competition. That equals a lot of lodging receipts and a lot of meals for our local businesses.”

The event attracts the top collegiate racers from the Northwest, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain Conferences. That region includes Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Brundage Mountain’s slopes have withstood this winter’s warmer-than-normal weather better than other resorts across the region, and that’s a big part of the reason event organizers say they look to Brundage Mountain year after year.

“The consistent quality of customer service and preparation of the snow surface on the groomed runs makes Brundage one of the favorite race host sites for collegiate events in the West,” said NW Conference Director, Ron Bonneau.

“The staff has, over the years, has been most accommodating and the resort administration has actively sought to develop a relationship for our athletes. The environment at Brundage Mountain, as a result, is one of the most welcoming and friendly resorts we visit. Why would we not want to return?” added Bonneau, who is also the head coach of alpine ski programs at The College of Idaho.

The USCSA also moved last season’s Western Regionals to Brundage Mountain after British Columbia’s Grouse Mountain struggled with a dwindling snowpack.