State Maintenance Crews Begin Clearing Beartooth Highway, MT, Home of Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area

Montana Department of Transportation snow maintenance crews have begun clearing U.S. Highway 212 (aka The Beartooth Highway) of snow, prepping the roadway for summer travelers. The Beartooth Highway is home to Beartooth Basin Ski Area, America’s one and only ‘Summer-Only’ ski area.

At this time there has not been an official estimated date for the highway’s opening however, historically, it opens by the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.  The road is shut down throughout the winter due to snowdrifts as high as 26 feet at higher elevations, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.

MDT is responsible for the highway to the Montana/Wyoming border, where the National Park Service takes over maintenance responsibilities through Wyoming, back into Montana, and into Yellowstone Park. MDT and NPS coordinate closely in keeping the road open throughout the summer. Opening the Beartooth Highway is a huge undertaking.

Check the Montana and Wyoming Departments of Transportation websites for road updates and status throughout the spring and summer.