The Only Inverted Ski Hill in Wyoming
Looking out across Wyoming’s wide high desert, with views stretching north toward the distant Bighorn Mountains nearly 300 miles away, Hogadon Basin Ski Area feels like a hidden gem perched above Casper.
Tucked into Casper Mountain, this community-owned ski area offers something increasingly rare in the Rocky Mountain West: a place where learning, family tradition, and local pride matter just as much as the thrill of the ride. As the only inverted ski hill in Wyoming the ski area offers a one-of-a-kind experience where the lodge sits near the top rather than the base and visitors begin their day with those sweeping views.
The History of the Snow Angel Foundation
Hogadon hasn’t always looked the way it does today. In 2010, a tragic on-mountain collision deeply impacted the Casper community and became a turning point for ski safety awareness both locally and beyond. In the years that followed, the Johnson family helped lead national conversations around collision prevention and skier responsibility, later founding the Snow Angel Foundation in 2023 to continue promoting safety education across the industry.
Today, that legacy is reflected in the culture visitors experience the moment they arrive. Hogadon Basin Ski Area has intentionally grown into a welcoming, family-friendly mountain where skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels can feel comfortable taking their first turns.
Ski Area Superintendent Ryan Butler knows that experience firsthand. A Casper local, Ryan first skied at Hogadon when he was just two years old after his grandfather introduced him to the sport. “If you’d asked me at five years old what I wanted to be when I grew up,” he laughs, “I would have said a ski bum.”
That childhood passion never faded. Ryan skied competitively with the Casper Mountain Racers through high school, later helped coach young athletes, and joined the City of Casper’s Hogadon team in 2014. When longtime Ski Area Director Chris Smith retired in 2025, Ryan stepped into the leadership role, continuing a tradition shaped by generations of local families.
Is Hogadon Beginner Friendly?
Part of what makes Hogadon unique is how approachable it is for beginners. “Most ski experiences expect you to already be a skier before you ever hit the slopes,” Ryan explains. “Most experiences require you to be a skier as before you ever hit the slopes,” because of the skill needed immediately getting on and off the chairlift. “At Hogadon, you get to learn and practice those skills and experience your first ride down the mountain before you ever get on the chairlift.”
That philosophy has helped introduce thousands of new skiers and snowboarders to the sport, from multi-generation local families to students participating in Casper’s beloved 5th Grade Ski Program.
Like many ski areas across the West, Hogadon has faced challenges during recent warm winters. Snowmaking has become increasingly important for maintaining a consistent season. During the 2024–2025 winter, the team produced seven million gallons of snow. This season alone, despite limited openings due to warm temperatures, crews have already produced five million gallons, a testament to the dedication of the small but passionate team keeping the mountain running.
And that dedication extends far beyond the ski area staff. Ryan points to the collaboration between community partners including Casper Mountain Racers, Hogadon Basin Snowsports School, Mountain Sports, and the Friends of Hogadon as the heart of what makes the mountain special. From the lodge’s welcoming gathering spaces, where visitors can watch skiers descend the Mineshaft run, to the careful preservation of Hogadon’s classic two-seater chairlift, every detail reflects a place built and sustained by community effort.
The Friends of Hogadon
Looking ahead, the Friends of Hogadon are working toward an updated chairlift that would improve reliability, expand access, and open new possibilities for year-round recreation, including summer mountain biking. At the same time, the group is investing in the long-term stewardship of Casper Mountain through fire mitigation planning and resource development.
There’s a reason locals keep coming back to Hogadon year after year. It’s approachable, authentic, and rooted in community; the kind of mountain experience that reminds visitors why Wyomingites happily live where the air is so cold it hurts our faces.
Whether you’re learning your first turns or simply taking in the view from the lodge, Hogadon Basin Ski Area belongs on any Natrona County winter bucket list.
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