Bear Canyon

We work with Mount Ellis Academy, which operates Bear Canyon Ski Area, to ensure continued access to this amazing local hill.

While Bear Canyon and the surrounding area remains State of Montana land, open to public use, Mount Ellis Academy has a commercial lease with the state that affords them exclusive use over the base area and main ski runs. The rules stated below are those of the Academy, who have been and are continuing to offer the public access to the area within their lease. 

Please follow these policies to keep access open:

• No dogs at Bear Canyon. This is the number one threat to access here. We love skiing with our dogs too, so please consider running your dog up New World trailhead first, then hitting a Bear Canyon lap or two with the dogs in the car. 

• Bear Canyon is now paved, but is still a quiet residential area. Please obey all posted speed limits. 

• No sledding, building jumps, or fires allowed at Bear Canyon Ski Area. 

Mount Ellis Academy grooms and maintains the hill, ensuring a safe and consistent playground for our uphill access. If you want to support the continued access to Bear Canyon Ski Area, drop by Rockford Coffee and buy a bag of the Bearskin Blend, with proceeds going to Mount Ellis Academy as a thanks for allowing public access.