Population growth stunts Bozeman’s outdoors

Bozeman has it all: proximity to world-class skiing, Yellowstone National Park, and a community of close-knit people who care deeply about the future of the Gallatin Valley. There is no question as to why tourism has grown exponentially here, but Bozeman and its natural attractions are suffering greatly with the rise in population. 

Bozeman has seen unprecedented population growth in the last decade, rising from 37,336 residents in 2010 to approximately 51,000 in 2019, and Bridger Bowl has also begun to feel the strain of rising tourist numbers. Holiday attendance rates are continuously inching closer to the slope’s permitted capacity of 6,100 people, and infrastructure supporting the ski area is unable to support the growth. Bridger Canyon Road faces traffic jams on high-attendance powder days, and Bozeman hotels are often packed due to the limited lodging at Bridger.

Bridger Bowl isn’t the only Bozeman recreation spot facing pressure. U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Marna Daley notes that summer month attendance rates for Hyalite Canyon routinely hit 40,000 people. Hiking trails like Drinking Horse and the ‘M’ Trail have also seen an increase in foot traffic, which both detracts from their natural serenity and strains resources and recreation sites.

As a non-native of Bozeman hailing from California’s tourist mecca, I was drawn to Bozeman’s small-town, locals-only charm. I don’t believe Bridger was built with a burgeoning tourist industry in mind, nor was Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area or the ‘M’ Trail. So perhaps the community should not be as worried about what the vacationers and AirBnB-ers want, but instead what is best for the locals who built Bozeman. As a community, Bozeman must seek out plans which improve access to the most popular recreation spots while holding onto the community’s small-town charm.

Both affordability and ethics play into finding solutions to Bozeman’s growth. Bridger has nonprofit status, which means that all net profit is reinvested in the mountain. While many growing ski areas resort to increasing ticket prices and charging for parking, a similar price hike would stand directly against the mountain’s founding ethics. Instead, Bridger’s general manager Bob Petitt sees a future with expanded terrain, additional lifts, and larger facilities to help accommodate the rising population. 

For public lands, change has come from lawmakers. In response to increased foot traffic in Hyalite National Forest, target shooting was prohibited in 2016 due to the dangers posed to other recreationalists. Recently, in hopes of adapting to population influx, Governor Bullock’s office released the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for the 2020-24 fiscal years. This plan will allow the state of Montana to continue receiving federal funds, and it outlines plans to preserve and maintain public lands. However, this legislation is not enough to accommodate the crowds swarming Bozeman. 

For a more direct solution, Bridger could control its growing attendance rates with a change in its ticketing methods. There should be a locals/student pass at a traditionally low fare to  increase access for locals and a general fare for those traveling to Bridger. This would increase revenue for expansion and renovation and hold onto the Bridger Bowl Association’s goals of being affordable and family-oriented. Similarly, places like Hyalite could charge small fees for every vehicle to fund maintenance and preservation while keeping a handle on the massive crowds. 

Don’t get me wrong: I am not proposing we turn Bozeman into an expensive destination that requires a fee for every attraction. However, the community must realize that overpopulation and rising tourism is not a future threat but the current scenario. So we must find a solution that caters to both locals and tourists who want to ski and hike while preserving Bozeman’s small-town charm and abundant outdoors.