Cornice Exploded Ahead of Summer Ski Area's Opening Day

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated May 5, 2025 9:14 AM ET

The United States has one 'summer-only' ski area, meaning the lifts only spin in the months of May, June, and July, but after a brief hiatus due to low snowfall, Beartooth Basin, Wyoming is BACK.

The unique ski area is for sale according to its website, but based on a few social media posts this spring, including an explosive video posted yesterday, May 4, 2025, all signs point to Beartooth reopening for the first time in two seasons.

Beartooth shared the following video of avalanche mitigation along the ski area's ridge line. Watch as an explosive releases a large cornice that creates a subsequent avalanche. It's very satisfying to watch.

Tap or click below to watch the video.

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A post shared by Beartooth Basin Ski Area (@beartoothbasin)

According to Beartooth's website, the Summer 2025 season is expected to last from May 26 through July 6, snow conditions and weather permitting.

Austin, one of the owner and operators of Beartooth Basin, posted a video to the ski area's account on April 6, 2025 to preview the upcoming season. He revealed that while snow conditions appeared to be "low tide" at the time, there was enough snowpack for a "workable" summer season. It's estimated there was 70cm (27 in.) of snowpack at the base in early-April, and a "big cornice", which ended up being the subject of the most recent post.

Unfortunately for stats lovers, Beartooth Basin doesn't track snowfall totals throughout the winter season. Some websites estimate the high-elevation pass has received closed to 300 inches this winter, but there isn't an accurate number at this time.

According to Snow Water Equivalent estimations, however, we can discern that Beartooth is slightly below average in terms of snowpack. The ski area falls under the state's 'Yellowstone in WY' region which is currently reporting 94% of median SWE to date.

Thankfully for Beartooth, May doesn't spell the end of the winter weather.

OpenSnow is currently forecasting 7-14 inches of new snowfall to hit the ski area over the next 10 days. That might not sound like a lot of snow, but Beartooth will take every drop as they prepare for daily skiing in June and into July.

Stay tuned in here at POWDER as we continue to cover Beartooth Basin's Summer 2025 comeback.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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