Montana: Under That Big Blue Sky -
When you want the ultimate escape to the wilderness but stay in the continental 48, you’re skiing Montana. Montana dominates the great northwest with open spaces for 360 degrees and breathtaking peaks and views at every location.
Montana is one of the least populated states in America, but it offers the least populated ski resorts as well. That's a good thing. You can find high-gloss attitude or down-home charm, and everything in between, depending on the towns you visit within the state.
Just minutes from Custer National Forest and the Beartooth/Absaroka Wilderness, the historic mining town turned ski area of Red Lodge near Billings caters to families and advanced skiers and riders. The vertical drop ranks up there at 2,400 feet and trails cover some 1,600 acres so it’s a definite stop on your trek through the Treasure State.
Big Sky is the best known of Montana’s dozen resorts. It's about an hour from the college town of Bozeman and connects the Gallatin Valley to West Yellowstone. Its grandeur is unmatched. So are the snow totals. The 3,600 skiable acres receive over 400 inches annually.
Big Sky caters to the destination traveler with its huge lift network, hundreds of lodging options, library of restaurants, and daily activities in addition to skiing. The terrain off Lone Peak is legendary, but don’t head up there if you’re not ready for the roughly 2,500-foot dip into steep chutes and bowls.
Montana’s newest ski area, Moonlight Basin, took shape in 2003 on the northern edge of Big Sky. While most of the runs are fairly standard for intermediates, The Headwaters shots and their 1,300 vertical feet on the north face of Lone Mountain make this area.
Even closer to Bozeman, Bridger Bowl is Big Sky’s little cousin, 16 miles down the road. It has some of the best skiing in Montana at prices you wish you could find everywhere. They keep it simple with only a day lodge, tons of powder, and terrain to challenge every level of rider.
Discovery Basin Ski Area in the heart of Montana near Georgetown Lake (the “cold pocket” of Montana) also delights all levels. There are no overnight base lodges, so make sure you have a car to drive back to Missoula (95 miles to the west) or Butte (45 miles to the southeast).
The second largest resort in Montana, Whitefish (formerly called The Big Mountain), rests in the Flathead Valley near Glacier National Park. Following the lead of big brother Big Sky, Whitefish has morphed into a major ski resort. The year-round opportunities for recreation make it prime prime vacationland for those looking for second homes.
Tree huggers are all about Montana Snowbowl. Nearly half of its 950 acres is for tree skiing and so it’s probably not the best choice for beginners. Still, stay in nearby Missoula, and let the experts dive into the Snowbowl while everyone else skis Lookout Pass or Discovery Basin.
Though it may not be the biggest, Blacktail Mountain one of Montana’s newer resorts (10 years old), is a favorite option for families, budget conscience riders, and out-of-state visitors looking for a more local feel. Eighty-nine percent of Blacktail thrills beginners and intermediates.
Because of its location just off the continental divide, 25 miles from Helena, Great Divide Ski Area gets more sunshine than snow. Still, you’ll find plenty of runs on the 1,600 acres to keep you happy all day long. Even if they get only 150 inches annually, the crowds are generally light at Great Divide, so you can find fresh tracks all day long, three days after a storm.
Montana’s other ski areas are just that, “areas”, rather than resorts. Locals take their time and savor low prices and private slopes at Lost Trail, Powder Mountain, Maverick Mountain, Showdown, and Teton Pass.
No matter where you choose to ski in Montana’s Big Sky Country, dress warmly, stay awhile, and bring the camera. You’ll want to capture those landscapes and memories.
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