Travel guide to planning a ski vacation in Montana, including a list of the best skiing locations providing a wide variety of pricing, lodging, and activities off the slope.
Skiing aficionados and beginners alike will find white, wondrous mountains to play on in Montana. With more than a dozen highly regarded ski resorts to chose from and a reliably heavy snowfall every year, play is most certainly the operative word.
Big Mountain, in the northeastern part of the state near Whitefish, caters to skiers and snowboarders and is one of the few ski resorts to claim having snow ghosts. Snow ghosts are trees that are covered so completely with snow after a big storm that as dusk falls and the fog rolls in, they look like ghosts. Word is they're friendly; just make sure to ski around them. The powder fresh snow that creates such magical creatures also creates great powder skiing and good skiing all season long. However, that powder snow can fall at a rate of 300 inches per year, which creates some very cold and unfavorable weather. As a result, Big Mountain remains somewhat under appreciated by those outside of Montana or die-hard skiers and snowboarders. Children 12 and under stay free here on all mountain lodge properties, and there is a full-service day care. There are plenty of places to stay on the mountain to ski in/ski out of, plus a free shuttle to and from downtown Whitefish. Great little brewpubs and diners abound on the mountain and in Whitefish, but this is not the place to seek a wild nightlife. A roaring fire and some night skiing is the Big Mountain specialty, which seems to suit locals and tourists just fine.
Discovery ski area has beautiful views and enough double diamonds to keep the most hardcore skiers happy. There are slopes for all skill levels, however, and Discovery boasts having very little crowding so there is plenty of room to maneuver down plenty of moguls and steep slopes. Lessons are available for all ages and abilities, and you can rent anything you need for the day. Discovery has a variety of skiing opportunities such as powder bowls, great snowboarding runs, and some very steep runs if for those of you up to the challenge. You won't pay big prices here, but you will have a treat when you stop for lunch. Discovery is very proud of their gourmet food and bakery treats whipped up with care that is well outside standard ski resort fare. A lounge is also available to cozy up to if you've decided that you've braved the white wonderland enough for the day. Lodging is available in nearby Anaconda, Philipsburg and Fairmont Hot Springs.
Bridger Bowl, outside of Bozeman in the southwestern part of the state, is a nonprofit, privately owned ski resort. All the profits go back into the business, which allows a great time without paying big resort prices. A lot of flat, manicured terrain allows for great beginner slopes, but to tackle something more challenging you'll need to check out the ridge. If you are skiing intermediate runs, or like a lot of moguls, you may want to make sure the snow is accommodating to those type of runs due to their location. Technicality increases without proper snow coverage on bumpy runs. There you can find the double diamonds, and if conditions allow, some extreme skiing. Bozeman is a college town (Montana State University), so there is a lot to do in town with plenty of reasonably priced lodging. The food on the mountain is good, the lift tickets are cheap, and if after a day of hard skiing you care to play some more, Bozeman has a nightlife that will allow it. Plenty of restaurants, bars, microbreweries, and even live music. There is quite a bit happening in Bozeman during the season at night, but if you just care to cozy up to a fire with a glass of wine, that's available too.
Montana Snowbowl is about 12 miles outside of Missoula, that claims multitudes of trails, some unnamed, including plenty for the double diamonds down to the beginners. The new Gelandesprung Lodge hotel/hostel provides ski in/ski out lodging on the mountain, and more than enough lodging is also available in nearby Missoula. It's known for being a great bang for your buck for those who want to ski, but can't spend a fortune. Missoula is filled with bars, restaurants, nightclubs and theaters for everyone.
No matter where you chose to ski in Montana, bring warm gear. The winters are cold and skiing can require the full deal, facemasks included. If you don't mind the ice and the bumpy runs, hit Bridger Bowl in the spring. Spring skiing there has become an art form and, let's face it, less luggage is always a good thing. However, if you are heading to Big Mountain, bundle up for on or off the slope activity because the weather there can be brutal. One thing never to forget when visiting any of these charming resorts is your camera. The scenery is beautiful, and you never know when you'll have to prove that you saw a ghost.
