The coolest thing that happens at Bridger Bowl all year doesn't happen on the slopes—it happens in the air above the Ridge. Raptors of all kinds make their fall migration right over our head and it is NOT to be missed.

Two days of family-friendly fun are happening this weekend at Bridger Bowl to celebrate this huge migration of raptors. It's called the Raptor Festival, happening Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th.

This is no ordinary celebration. It's one of the coolest things to witness in nature...thousands of large raptors heading south and the Bridger Mountains are their pathway. This event is free and open to the public, and it's great fun for the kiddos. Plus, you've got a little Oktoberfest fun for adults in the afternoon on Saturday.

The Bridger flyway, a component of the regional Rocky Mountain Flyway, is the largest known concentration of migratory Golden Eagles in the U.S with a long-term average annual count of 1,200 to 1,500 birds.

It also attracts many other migrating raptors, with 18 species recorded since HawkWatch International (HWI) began monitoring the flight in 1991.

Overall, combined-species counts typically range between 2,000 and 3,500 migrants per fall season.

Expect live raptors on site, interpretive talks, nature walks, bird nest box building, binocular lessons, bear safety education, food, beverages, and live music on Saturday starting at 3pm.

BRIDGER MOUNTAINS HAWK WATCH DAILY SUMMARY

  • WHAT: Raptor Festival 2022 (please, no dogs allowed)
  • WHERE: Bridger Bowl
  • WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, October 8th & 9th, 2022
  • TIME: 10am to 3pm both days
  • Oktoberfest events are Saturday only, 10am to 6pm (live music at 3pm)
  • Almost all events will be held outside so layer up for weather comfort
  • RAPTOR FESTIVAL IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
  • (food and beverages will be available for purchase on site)

SEE A FULL RAPTOR FESTIVAL 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HERE

IMPORTANT: No dogs are allowed at this weekend's event because there will be live birds on site. PLEASE leave the dogs at home.

Photo by Walker Milhoan on Unsplash
Photo by Walker Milhoan on Unsplash
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Bridger Bowl Season Pass, Snow sports, rental, retail and Administration Offices will be open throughout the weekend so you can get a jump start on your ski season fun while you're already on the mountain.

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Lots of exhibitors will be on site all weekend! Who to expect: Boone and Crockett Club, Bridger Bowl Sustainability, Crosscut Mountain, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Gallatin Conservation District, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, Montana Audubon, Montana Outdoor Science School, Montana Raptor Conservation Center, MPG Ranch, Museum of the Rockies, Opticron/Front Range Birding, Sacajawea Audubon, The Magic Book Series, Wild Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Zoo Montana.

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