No matter what time of the year you are in Montana, it never fails to deliver adventure. With more than 3,000 peaks, diverse terrain, and snowy winters, Montana has a variety of slopes to kick off your thrill-seeking soul. Call it a ‘Big Sky Country’ or ‘Big Ski Country’, visitors flock to this western state in winter to explore the vast wilderness of the Glacier National Park that passes into Canada. Find out the best Montana Ski Resorts map and unleash the adventure spirit in you.
When it comes to skiing, there’s hardly any state better than Montana. The consistent snowfall and the steep mountains offer a range of ski options. It is the best ski places in Montana to plan a trip with friends or family. It has some of the best ski resort in Montana. Its snowy slopes are perfect for skiing, which are mostly concentrated in the west near the Idaho border.
It is also vital to plan your trip and book a cheap flight during prime snowfall seasons to experience the ski vacation to the fullest. However, for your convenience, here we’ve rounded up some of the best Montana ski resorts for families that offer thumping adventure and picturesque mountain views.
Big Sky Resort
Big Sky mountain ski resort is probably the most popular ski resorts in Montana. With 5,850 acres of space for skiing, accessed by 39 lifts, it is the second-largest ski resort in the United States. The abundant space and high-speed lifts are enough to make you feel the adrenaline rush in your veins. This mammoth resort located halfway between Bozmen and Yellowstone National Park has a veritable buffet of trails for all levels. Hence, from beginner to intermediate and expert skiers can have the ultimate fun here. The area surrounding the Big Sky Montana Ski Resort receives over 400 inches of snowfall and the season spans more than 4.5 months.
This ultimate skiing destination gives you access to the northern Rockies. Apart from the ski slopes, it has a few mountain biking trails, enough to give you an absolute mountain experience. Visitors often take the Lone Peak tram to reach the 11,166 foot summit for 300 degrees of skiable terrain. Although it is impossible to explore all corners in a day trip, visitors often book condos, log cabins, private homes, and hotel rooms. It is highly recommended to book the resort in advance during peak season.
Book a flight to Montana to experience the best snow adventure.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
This ski resort in the Big Mountains of northwestern Montana, perched above Whitefish Lake, is another popular ski resort in Montana. Moreover, the resort is located west of Glacier National Park, and so if you have enough time, you can make a trip to the park as well. It boasts a 3,000 acre of skiable terrain and includes downhill space of 111 named trails, a variety of glades, groomers, and powder stashes. A skier and boardercross is also available here. Since the area produces 300 inches of snow, it makes for a perfect spot for skiers to test their skills. On a clear day, one can also get to see the Glacier National Park and the northern Rockies.
Skiers access the 100 marked trails through a dozen ski lifts. Although nonskiers may not find much to do here, they can still try their luck or spend the time admiring the breathtaking views of the snow-clad mountains. The resort also organizes various events and live music concerts for the visitors. Even the neighboring town is also filled with several attractions and places to grab a bite. You may like to visit the resort on the first weekend of February, when it hosts Whitefish Winter Carnival.
Discovery Ski Area
Discovery Ski Area is smaller than the two above, but it too attracts skiers in large numbers. Nestled in the southwestern Montana and just an hour from West of Butte, Philipsburg, it is spread over 2,220 acres of area and features exclusive diamond and double black diamond routes that test your ski skills. Once you depart the chairlifts, choose from several degrees of difficulty and begin your own adventure. There are 70 trails, which are accessed by eight lifts, with a mix of slopes of all levels.
The 20-mile long cross-country ski trails are predominantly ski or snowboard destinations, where non-skiers wouldn’t find much to do. After a hectic ski day, visit the lodge at Ski Disco to warm up and enjoy a packed lunch. You can also purchase on-site concessions. Its freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are a perfect treat for a mountain trip.
Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl, one of the top Montana ski resorts with 2,000 acres of varied terrain, accessed by eight chairlifts, receives skiers and snowboarders from all across the world. It features open runs, gullies, glades, chutes, and bowls, providing something for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. It is also one of the most budget-friendly resorts in the region and hence a favorite among Montana State University students.
Furthermore, there is a ski school for beginners with longer courses. So, even if you are a non-skier, take some classes and enjoy skiing. There are two lodges, some chalets, and places to eat at the base. Although there are pro-leve ski slopes, the resort takes care of the beginners as well. Former visitors have raved about the friendly staff of this no-profit entity. You too should polish your skills here.
Montana Snowbowl
This ski resorts in Montana just outside the university city of Missoula, is ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. This alpine ski area is located in the Lolo National Forest of Montana offers a variety of steep routes and expert terrain requiring technical runs. You may not find a heavy crowd here unlike other big and popular resorts, but less crowd makes this place perfect for beginners to hone their skills. The resort is spread over 950 acres of skiable land, 500 of which is a designated glade skiing area.
Since almost all its terrains are steep, it can be intimidating for the beginners. Also, there are only two ski lifts, and during peak season, one has to stand in long queues to get in the lift. Once you are done with skiing, and reach the base, visit one of the two places to eat. A slice of wood-fired pizza on a long cold, snowy day is enough to warm you up.
Final Takeaway
Montana’s snowfall is impressive and when it falls on its mountains, it makes for an ideal destination for ski vacation. There are plenty of Montana ski resorts near Missoula which cater to both the beginners and experts. So, even if you are not an experienced skier or snowboarder, you can still check your skills. It is best to visit these resorts in winter between December and February, as the average snowfall is highest in these months.
