First snowfall reported in parking lot of REI, locals begin base layer rotation

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 07:52:10 +0000

A light dusting was observed on the windshield of a Subaru Outback at the REI parking lot on North 19th Tuesday morning, prompting immediate speculation about an early opening at Bridger Bowl. The snow melted by 9:45 a.m. but not before three separate group chats were activated.

“Conditions are shaping up,” said Dale Henderlong, 42, applying storage wax to his touring setup in his garage on Durston Road. “Can’t be too prepared. Last year I waited until November and the skin track was already crowded by 7 a.m.” Henderlong has lived in Bozeman since 2019 and considers himself a veteran of at least two real winters.

Ski-Season on The Bozeman Daily Bee

First snowfall reported in parking lot of REI, locals begin base layer rotation