Beartopia improvements, expanded children’s programs and affordable ticket options create more ways for families to enjoy the mountain

Brundage Mountain Resort is heading into the 2026-27 winter season with a series of improvements designed to help families learn, progress and spend more time together on the mountain.

The updates include an enhanced Beartopia experience, a fully rebooted lineup of MTN Explorers children’s programs, and the introduction of $65 Tuesdays.

Together, the improvements support Brundage Mountain’s long-term commitment to making skiing and snowboarding more approachable and accessible for local and visiting families.

BEARTOPIA CREATES A NATURAL PATH FROM FIRST TURNS TO FAMILY ADVENTURE

Mountain operations crews are making improvements throughout Beartopia, Brundage Mountain’s learning-friendly terrain zone served by the Easy Rider conveyor lift, Easy Street Chairlift and Bear Chair triple chairlift.  Beartopia features 16 named runs, three terrain parks and more than 100 acres of mostly beginner and novice terrain.

Together, these areas create a natural progression from a beginner’s first experience on snow to independent chairlift riding and comfortable off-trail exploration.

“Our goal is to make learning feel approachable from the moment a family arrives,” said Zach Miller, director of the Brundage Mountain Sports School. “Each part of Beartopia supports a different step in that progression. These improvements will give beginners more space to learn, build confidence and gradually explore more of the mountain.”

What’s New: Crews are re-grading the Easy Street run to better accommodate the needs and traffic patterns of beginner skiers and riders. The Easy Rider conveyor area is also being reconfigured to create a more comfortable and functional learning space for the mountain’s littlest guests.

Higher on the mountain, crews are thinning trees between several of the runs served by the Bear Chair. The work will give families and progressing skiers and riders more opportunities to venture beyond groomed trails and experience tree skiing in a comfortable, approachable setting.

“A child might start on the conveyor, move to Easy Street and eventually find the confidence to explore the powder stashes between the trails on Bear Chair with their family,” Miller said. “Beartopia gives them room to experience that progression without feeling rushed.”

Access to all Beartopia terrain is available with a specially priced Beartopia lift ticket:

$30 when purchased online and $40 during holiday periods

“We want Brundage to remain a place where local families can afford to learn and spend time together,” said Brundage Mountain General Manager Ken Rider. “Families shouldn’t have to purchase a full-mountain ticket when they’re still building skills on beginner terrain. The Beartopia ticket gives them an affordable way to discover skiing or snowboarding and begin creating their own winter traditions.”

MTN EXPLORERS PROGRAM REIMAGINED FOR YOUNG SKIERS AND RIDERS

The Brundage Mountain Sports School is introducing a fully rebooted MTN Explorers program this winter, with several learning formats designed to fit different family schedules and help children develop skills, independence and lasting friendships.

The expanded lineup includes:

MTN Explorers Day Club: Full- and half-day weekend and holiday programs for children ages 3-12, with instruction, lift access, lunch and rental equipment when needed.

MTN Explorers Academy: A six-session Saturday or Sunday ski program for children ages 7-12, with consistent instructors and small peer groups.

MTN Explorers Holiday Camp: Four consecutive days of extended lessons for children ages 7-12 during the Christmas holiday break.

MTN Explorers Spring Freestyle Camp: A five-day camp introducing skiers and snowboarders ages 7-12 to freestyle skills and creative use of mountain terrain.

MTN Explorers Program Details

“Children learn in different ways, and families need different levels of flexibility,” Miller said. “The new MTN Explorers lineup gives families several ways to connect their kids with consistent instruction, whether they need a single day, a multiweek program or a focused camp experience.”

By learning with familiar instructors and peers, young participants can build confidence, explore more of Brundage Mountain and develop a lifelong connection to skiing and snowboarding.

MORE TERRAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR WINTER

Brundage Mountain crews also completed several terrain-maintenance projects over the summer to improve the skiing and riding experience across the mountain.

• • The Lakeview Zone got a significant amount of attention this offseason. Hazard trees were removed from all the groomed runs, fallen trees were limbed and trimmed back, and brush was removed to facilitate earlier grooming operations.
  • Hazard trees were also removed or trimmed back on Upper and Lower 45^th Parallel, Main Street, North, Swinger, Stump, Slobovia, Judd’s Gem, Rodeo and Lower Rodeo.
  • Crews removed the remaining stumps from Skidaddle this summer. The work should make the run easier to open and could allow it to be groomed regularly for the first time in decades. Crews also removed stumps from Swinger and Stump.
  • This year’s brush mowing efforts are targeting all blue and green trails. This two-week process helps those areas open with less snow and creates a smoother, more consistent surface for skiers and riders.
  • A new SMI snowgun was added to Brundage Mountain’s modest snowmaking arsenal, increasing snowmaking capacity on the mountain by 50%. Brundage typically focuses snowmaking efforts in the base area pre- and early- season to supplement natural snow coverage and build a reliable base.
  • Once that snow arrives, the Brundage Mountain grooming fleet will feature a brand new PB 400 to keep the resort’s iconic snow surfaces in top shape.

$65 TUESDAYS ADD A NEW AFFORDABLE OPTION

Skiers and riders can hit the slopes for as little as $65 on Tuesdays throughout the 2026-27 winter season, excluding the Christmas holiday period.

The specially priced Tuesdays offer local and visiting skiers another opportunity to enjoy Brundage Mountain at a lower price while taking advantage of typically quieter midweek conditions.

“Affordable options like Beartopia tickets and $65 Tuesdays give people more ways to make Brundage part of their winter,” Rider said. “Whether someone is introducing a child to skiing or carving out a midweek powder day, we want there to be an option that fits.”

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BRUNDAGE CELEBRATES 65 YEARS

Brundage Mountain is taking its annual Pray for Snow celebration to a new level with a 65th birthday party on Saturday, November 28. Unlike past Pray for Snow events, which were held in downtown McCall, this special anniversary Pray for Snow Party returns to the mountain!

The celebration will include a DJ Dance Party and a screening of TGR’s new film “Actually, It Is Rocket Science”. This event is designed to bring the Brundage community together to welcome winter and recognize more than six decades of skiing and riding on the mountain.

Mark Your Calendars:

• Target Opening Day: Friday, November 27 (conditions permitting)
• Pray for Snow Party: Saturday, November 28
• Light Up the Night: Thursday, December 31