• Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Fairs
    • Farmers’ Markets

Montana Discovered logo - "Montana Discovered" written over silhouette of Montana, inside dusty blue rectangle

A Montana Travel Blog

  • Destinations
  • Activities
  • Best of MT
  • Inspired by MT
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Destinations
  • Best of MT
  • Inspired by MT
  • Events Calendar
  • Fairs
  • Farmers’ Markets
Chairlift against a snow and relatively treeless slope.

The Ultimate Guide to All 16 Montana Ski Resorts

Ryan’s been to every single ski area in Montana, and this is his detailed guide to them all!

April 12, 2023 //  by Ryan Victor//  3 Comments

Updated Jan. 26, 2025

“Is there good skiing in Montana?”

“No, it’s awful. The snow is solid ice — and that’s when there’s enough of it to even cover the hill. You should take a trip to Colorado or Utah instead, or I’ve heard Jackson Hole’s not too shabby.”

Black silhouette of Montana with 16 white skier and mountain icons scattered around the western half, and Montana Ski Hills written in script on the eastern side.

Just kidding! Montana skiing is incredible, and we’re here to help you experience the best of it. But don’t be surprised if you hear some disgruntled locals making comments like that…

Montanans are fiercely protective of their local ski hills, and with good reason. We’ve seen the funky little ski bum towns in Colorado and Utah transform into corporate-run tourist megalopolises, and nobody wants to see that happen to the ski towns in Montana.

Ryan, in a blue jacket and black helmet, and Jen in a purple jacket and grey helmet, ride the chairlift together.

There are two upscale Montana ski resorts you might have heard of, Big Sky and Whitefish Mountain, and two members-only resorts that are so exclusive you probably haven’t heard of them unless you’re a celebrity or incredibly wealthy (Yellowstone Club and Wraith Hill).

But otherwise? I’m happy to say that Montana ski areas have mostly remained offbeat destinations for dedicated ski bums yearning for a bygone era when the powder was deep, the tickets were cheap, and living in your van was a necessity, not an Instagrammable lifestyle. That’s what most skiers like about them – and you can do your part by supporting local businesses and minimizing your environmental footprint when you visit.

Montana has a whopping 16 ski hills (fine, one of them is technically in Idaho; okay, another one might be in Wyoming), meaning there’s a hill for every level of skier and every personality (and every price point). After visiting every single one, we’ve broken them all down by the distinct experiences they offer, so you’re sure to find one that caters to your powder dreams.

Some links in this post are affiliates, meaning we may earn a small commission if you place an order. Your cost stays the same!

Table of Contents

  • Map of Montana Ski Resorts
  • Destination Ski Resorts in Montana
    • Big Sky Resort
    • Whitefish Mountain Resort
  • Under-the-Radar Montana Ski Areas for Experts
    • Discovery Ski Area
    • Bridger Bowl Ski Area
    • Lost Trail Ski Area
    • Red Lodge Mountain
  • Local Favorite Ski Areas in Montana
    • Great Divide
    • Blacktail Mountain
    • Montana Snowbowl
    • Showdown Montana
    • Lookout Pass Ski Area
  • Montana Ski Hills That Feel Like a Secret
    • Turner Mountain
    • Maverick Mountain
    • Teton Pass Resort
    • Bear Paw Ski Bowl
    • Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area
  • Montana Ski Resorts at a Glance

Map of Montana Ski Resorts

Click here for an interactive version of the map!

A road map of Montana with 16 skier-shaped icons in blue circles, mostly in the western half of the state.
Find all the best ski areas in Montana!

Destination Ski Resorts in Montana

The Treasure State isn’t known for its big luxury ski resorts like Colorado and Utah are, but we’ve got a couple. These are the ski areas dotted with upscale accommodations and trendy restaurants, the ones that feature gondolas, heated, high-speed lifts, and ski-in, ski-out condos – and that offer a few thousand acres of powder to explore (with a price tag to match, of course).

Big Sky Resort

Best for: Big mountain terrain, variety, plenty of amenities including après ski.

Downside: Very expensive.

If you’re an avid skier or boarder, you already know about Montana’s biggest ski resort. Following the 2013 purchase of neighboring Moonlight Basin, Big Sky was briefly America’s largest ski resort (until Park City’s expansion pulled it ahead).

If you’re looking for the very best of everything on your Montana ski trip, Big Sky might be your jam. With nearly 6,000 acres of skiable terrain, it never feels too crowded, and with a vertical drop of over 4,300 feet, it easily boasts the best skiing in Montana for both beginners and experts. And I can’t lie, that heated chair lift is pretty nice.

A deep, treeless, snow-covered bowl with no skiers on it. A modern-looking six person chairlift snakes its way up the slope on the left side.

Big Sky is also in a class of its own for après-ski, with a brewery and a dozen restaurants within ten minutes of the lifts. And the loads of non-skiing activities right in Big Sky Mountain Village – spas, ice skating, sleigh rides, shopping – are mostly unavailable at other Montana ski hills. Plus, it’s only an hour from West Yellowstone and the entrance to Yellowstone National Park (which is incredible in the wintertime).

A set of large, alpine-themed condos nestled between several spindly pine trees and a metal rail fence.

The obvious downside to a Big Sky ski trip is the cost: a family of four will spend upwards of $800 per day on lift tickets alone, to say nothing of the area’s sky-high accommodation and food costs. There are some deals, though, especially toward the end of the season when lift tickets are discounted by 50% or more.

Pro tip: To save some more money and avoid the treacherous Highway 191 canyon, book your accommodations in nearby Bozeman and take the Skyline bus from town for $5.

Where to Stay in Big Sky:
The Lodge at Big Sky

Where to Stay in Bozeman:
Treasure State Hostel
RSVP Hotel

Browse more places to stay

Whitefish Mountain Resort

Best for: Excellent balance between resort amenities and local flavor, close to Glacier Park.

Downside: Fog and crowds.

A world-class experience with a lift ticket around $100 – what more could you ask for? Whitefish (formerly called Big Mountain) manages to do it all. You’ll find excellent beginner and intermediate terrain, a few expert-only runs on the Hellroaring Basin face, relatively fast lifts, and great dining and drinking options for kicking back after a long day on the slopes.

Bonus: Whitefish is within spitting distance of Glacier National Park, which has some of the state’s most underrated snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

A large ski slope with several runs cut into sits behind a wooded asphalt parking lot and a small ski lodge.

Whitefish straddles the line between destination resort and regional favorite, striking a balance of amenities and cost. In a world where companies like Vail are gobbling up ski hills like the Cookie Monster, independent resorts like Whitefish are a breath of fresh air.

Although many Montanans would argue that the town of Whitefish is entirely too gentrified, compared to resort towns elsewhere in the Rockies, it feels like a throwback to the golden age of ski bums. 

Two chairs on a ski lift are occupied by families of four riding in front of a row of opulent condos with large decks facing the ski hill.

Whitefish’s Achilles heel is its weather – it’s not uncommon for fog to blanket the mountain throughout the day. The low-hanging clouds aren’t especially predictable either, so it’s nearly impossible to know when you’ll have spectacular views and when you’ll struggle to not hit a tree 50 feet in front of you.

Where to Stay near Whitefish:
Kandahar Lodge
Chalet Inn

Browse more places to stay

Under-the-Radar Montana Ski Areas for Experts

One of the best things about skiing in Montana is the abundance of world-class terrain at ski hills that aren’t built upon the resort model. No posh condos, no flashy outfits, no trendy bars, just powder for days and days. These unpretentious, uncrowded, double black diamond-laden hills, with all the adventure and none of the après, are the gems of the state’s epic ski scene.

Discovery Ski Area

Best for: Not too crowded, plenty of double-blacks, and delicious cookies.

Downside: Low snowfall.

Discovery could appropriately be termed a sleeping giant. From the base, where cookies are made from scratch every day in a cozy lodge, it looks like a family-friendly little hill with a good mix of runs. However, once you crest the summit and take a look at Discovery’s backside, you’re greeted by an entirely different sort of mountain.

A black and white sign nailed to a trail saying "orphan girl" with a steep, but groomed ski run in the background.

On the back of Rumsey Peak, the Limelight chairlift accesses over a dozen double black diamond chutes that are enough to send a shiver down all but the most fearless skier’s spine. Adding to the challenge is Discovery’s dodgy snowpack, only receiving half of what some of the bigger-name Montana ski hills get.

In the spring, when afternoon temperatures melt off the top layer of powder, this leads to incredibly icy conditions – and disastrous consequences if you’re unprepared. 

Looking up at a steep ski run with dozens of tracks visible on its surface of fresh powder.

What really sets Discovery apart, though, is that it’s not very well-known. It’s only an hour from Butte and an hour and a half from Missoula, but the crowds just never materialize. Even on the weekend, you might not have much company on some of the backside blacks.

Bonus: Nearby Anaconda is one of my favorite offbeat Montana ski towns – and it’s just an up-and-coming spot in general, if you ask me.

Where to Stay near Discovery:
Pintler’s Portal Hostel
The Forge

Browse more places to stay

Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Best for: Big bowl skiers and off-piste enthusiasts.

Downside: Student crowds.

Endless powder, gnarly chutes, cheap(ish) tickets, and only 20 minutes from your doorstep/the bar – it’s what every skier dreams of. Except it’s not a dream. It’s Bridger Bowl, and it’s the reason many Montana State University students chose to go to school in Bozeman. It’s also the reason classrooms will be half empty after a night of heavy snowfall. 

Red cones guide skiers towards a grey chairlift with a magic carpet conveyor belt to assist with loading.

Bridger’s size, difficulty, and snowfall put it on par with the big Montana ski resorts, but without all the trappings (or price tag) of a destination resort. It’s one of a handful of non-profit ski hills in the U.S., so in spite of its popularity, it is still a no-nonsense ski area that attracts more season pass holders than tourists.

The other thing about Bridger is that it appeals to all kinds of skiers. Several easy groomers branch off the Virginia City and Sunnyside lifts, while the Bridger lift accesses the big bowls and hair-raising double black diamond chutes. Got an avalanche transceiver and nerves of steel? The Schlasman lift takes experts to The Ridge, an area once only open to backcountry powderhounds. 

A skier in a green coat makes their way through a large expanse of moguls within a bowl shaped run.

Such spectacular terrain so close to a college town has made Bridger the most popular non-resort ski hill in Montana, so it can get downright crowded on the weekends, even on more advanced sections. But if the snow starts to feel tracked out or you can’t get down a run without a near-miss, there are plenty of other winter adventures to be had in the area, not to mention all the great breweries in Bozeman to spend the rest of the afternoon in.

Where to Stay near Bridger:
Treasure State Hostel
RSVP Hotel

Browse more places to stay

Lost Trail Ski Area

Best for: Plenty of snow and no crowds.

Downside: Remote location.

Sitting on the Idaho border and almost two hours from any major town (Missoula), Lost Trail Powder Mountain doesn’t get the attention it should. With over 300 inches of powder each year, it’s one of the snowiest hills around.

Pair that with a spectacular trail variety (including several expert-only runs in the White House section), amenities that feel like a throwback to classic ‘80s and ‘90s ski culture, and absolutely no crowds, and you’ve got one of the most understated ski hills in Montana. 

Three skiers slide through deep powder, leaving a trail of airbourne snow in their wake.

What do I mean by throwback, though? For one, Lost Trail is one of the only hills in the state that still runs rope tows. And it may have five chairlifts, but all of them are older double chairs that are on the slow side. The lodge has also maintained a distinctly retro vibe, with a big fireplace surrounded by hand-cut log benches. All of that is to say, I love the character Lost Trail has maintained.

An open fireplace inside a ski lodge, surrounded by rustic wooden benches and a chimney covered in skiing and skateboarding stickers.

Lost Trail is one of four Montana ski areas to participate in the Indy Pass system, which gives holders access to over 180 resorts across North America (and Japan!) for just $399. Really, the biggest downside is that it’s not very easy to get to unless you’re coming from the Bitterroot Valley.

Where to Stay near Lost Trail:
Hannon House
Bitterroot River Inn & Conference Center

Browse more places to stay

Red Lodge Mountain

Best for: Old school ski town feel.

Downside: Questionable snow and higher ticket prices.

The easternmost ski area in Montana, Red Lodge sits on the edge of the Beartooth Mountains and primarily gets skiers and boarders from Billings, about an hour away. Red Lodge has a vertical similar to Bridger or Discovery and about half the acreage of Whitefish, so it’s a formidable mountain, but not so spectacular as to draw throngs of tourists.

Snowpack is so-so even in the best of years, so bring your rock skis for early- or late-season trips. Lift tickets are still around $70 though, making it a great value. That being said, this is a big mountain with expansive beginner and intermediate terrain on its bottom half and incredible tree skiing off the Cole Creek Lift along with beastly moguls off Grizzly Peak.

A string of empty triple chairlifts stands against a snow trails and bright green pine trees at a ski hill.

What really sets this mountain apart from its bigger and more powdery brethren to the west is its proximity to the town of Red Lodge, 15 minutes away. Nowhere else in Montana gives more of an old-school ski town vibe.

Forget the condos, spas, and wine bars – this is a former mining community that can still feel a bit rough around the edges, with several busy dive bars along its single main street (plus Red Lodge Ales, one of my favorite Montana breweries!).

A steep and forested slope covered in large, rounded moguls sits above a vast expanse of snow covered plains.

The town also plays host to the annual National Skijoring Finals, the most Montana sport you could dream up – a galloping horse pulls a skier through a series of jumps and tight turns. Visit in mid-March, and you’ll be able to watch the spectacle before or after you hit the slopes!

Red Lodge Mountain is also on the Indy Pass system, meaning you could hit up Lost Trail, Blacktail, and Snowbowl on your next Montana ski trip as well.

Where to Stay near Red Lodge:
The Pollard Hotel
Beartooth Hideaway Inn & Cabins

Browse more places to stay
Did you know there are 16 ski resorts in Montana? This local’s guide covers them all! #ski #montanaskiing
Use this guide to choose the Montana ski hill for your trip - plus what to expect and where to stay. #skimontana #wintertravel

Local Favorite Ski Areas in Montana

Many of the ski resorts in Montana are visited mainly by the people living within an hour or so of the slopes. They’re good-sized hills that aren’t too difficult to access, and even casual skiers in the state are familiar with them.

These are hills designed with families in mind, and they’re often the best places for novice skiers who’ll benefit from neither the diverse terrain of the upscale resorts nor the crowds that are sure to be found there. 

Great Divide

Best for: Cheap tickets, long season, and night skiing.

Downside: Old lifts and low snowfall.

Just 35 minutes from Helena, Great Divide has historically always been the first Montana ski hill to open every year – usually in late-November, but a little earlier in a good year. Among Montanans, a trip there is a time-honored tradition for kicking off the winter season. It’s also traditionally been the state’s last hill to close, usually staying open into mid-April.

A freshly groomed path leading through a sparse stand of trees towards a red-roofed ski lodge. The hills in the background are conspicuously free of snow.

With over 1,600 acres and 1,300 feet of vertical, Great Divide falls into the middle of the pack of Montana ski areas (which is really about the most negative thing you could say about it).

The Meadow Mountain and Good Luck lifts access a variety of beginner terrain, while Mount Belmont opens up to a mix of relatively easier groomers and a few short and steep runs through trees, which pass by the entrances to some old mines. The hill’s east-facing slopes also feel perpetually sunny, even in the depths of winter. 

A large wooden deck with picnic tables and several people in ski gear eating their lunch. A golden retriever lies beneath one of the tables.

While Whitefish and Big Sky both have lighted runs, Great Divide is Montana’s only affordable hill with night skiing – it’s every Friday, and it’ll set you back just $15. During our college years, my friends and I would drive all the way from Bozeman and back at least once a season just to take advantage of this great deal. 

Where to Stay near Great Divide:
Pope House Historical Mansion
Helena Great Northern Hotel

Browse more places to stay

Blacktail Mountain

Best for: Views of Flathead Lake, great beginner terrain, and cheap deals.

Downside: Off the beaten path.

This little hill on the edge of Flathead Lake is frequently overlooked, as it’s less than an hour and a half from the much better-known Whitefish Mountain Resort. But did I mention it’s on the edge of Flathead Lake?

A freshly groomed ski run snakes through snow covered trees with an ice-free lake in the background.

The massive lake’s ice-covered surface is clearly visible from Blacktail’s summit, treating skiers to incredible winter scenery. It’s also one of the only upside-down mountains in the Rockies, with the lodge at the top of the mountain and multiple chairlifts fanning down from there, which helps to alleviate crowding. 

Blacktail is one of the newest ski areas in Montana, opening in 1998. The hill was owned by its original founder for 23 years, but in a move that surprised local skiers, it was purchased by a Washington ski resort in 2021.

Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like there’s been any drastic change so far, and the founder’s daughter was retained as the general manager. New ownership also put Blacktail on the Indy Pass, making it a great hill to check out if you’re already planning a trip to the Flathead Valley. Blacktail also has a Thrify Thursday deal where tickets are only $35.

Another excellent deal to take advantage of is Discover Kalispell’s Ski for Free in Montana program, which provides you with two free lift tickets for Blacktail with any two night stay at a participating area hotel. Kalispell hotels are actually pretty cheap in the winter, so this makes for a particularly budget-friendly ski vacation.

A old green chairlift rises above snow-flocked trees on a set of rounded peaks.

Even regular price lift tickets are just half the price of nearby Whitefish, and it’s a great hill for novice skiers, with an abundance of green runs near the Olympic chairlift. Intermediate skiers and boarders should take the opportunity to try out some blacks, as even the tree-laden glades on the eastern slopes aren’t especially steep.

Where to Stay near Blacktail:
Flathead Lake Hostel
Flathead Lake Inn & Suites

Browse more places to stay

Montana Snowbowl

Best for: Close to a fun college town, unpretentious vibe, expert runs.

Downside: Questionable lift safety, small parking lot, icy snow.

Despite being less than half an hour from Missoula, Snowbowl doesn’t get a lot of love. The parking lot is small, the lifts were old (a new triple chair was recently installed), and the snow is abysmal.

It was also featured in Outside Magazine in 2012 and 2018 – for banning a skier who made a safety complaint and then for a divisive ad campaign. And that was all before a toddler was thrown from a chairlift last season – which created more headlines, for both the incident (the child was okay!) and the hill’s lackluster response.

But maybe this malignment is the very reason Snowbowl has been able to escape the trappings of development seen at more popular ski hills. It still has an ‘80s ski bum vibe. The tiny A-frame lodge doesn’t offer much for après-ski, and barely space to take a break during the day. Most people eat lunch in their car instead, or if it’s warm enough, put out a few camp chairs for a parking lot party.

An A-frame lodge with a red tin roof in the middle of a heavy snowstorm.

This lack of development translates into more time on the slopes and a decidedly unpretentious vibe. That being said, don’t bring your brand new powder gear here. Unlike at most ski resorts in Montana, the snow at Snowbowl is reminiscent of what I skied on in New England – icy and littered with rocks on the tail ends of the season.

A steep ski run with patchy sections where the dirt and grass are showing through,. The sides of the run are bordered with bright green pine trees and an unforested valley can be seen in the distance.

Snowbowl is also an unapologetically difficult hill, and not only for its crusty snowpack. Narrow tree-covered chutes line the hill’s eastern edge, many of the intermediate trails aren’t groomed, and the whole mountain is just steep compared to most other Montana ski hills. But if you’re an experienced skier or boarder, Snowbowl is a rustic and challenging experience. And it’s on the Indy Pass!

Where to Stay near Snowbowl:
Shady Spruce Hostel
The Wren

Browse more places to stay

Showdown Montana

Best for: Cheap Thursday deals, community spirit.

Downside: Far from any major towns.

Montana’s oldest ski area, which opened all the way back in 1936, is also my hometown ski hill – even though it takes nearly an hour and a half to get there from Great Falls.

From the time I was six until I went off to college in Bozeman, I covered just about every inch of it (save for the cliff jumps under the lifts). So it definitely holds a special place in my heart, even if it doesn’t have the same novelty or epic terrain as some of the other ski hills in Montana.

A woman in a purple coat and grey helmet slides down a groomed ski run with a green chairlift occupied by a man in a red coat in the background.

Fortunately for me, Showdown is an easy hill to learn on, and they’ve always prided themselves on being family-friendly. The Sluice Goose chairlift serves a couple of green runs that are perfect for novice skiers and boarders, but there are also plenty of intermediate groomers to level up to.

Black diamond runs like Glory Hole and Gun Barrel offer challenging moguls on a fairly steep slope, but you won’t find any expert-only chutes like at Bridger or Big Sky.

Looking up at a forested ski hill with several wide runs cut through it and a chairlift running along its summit ridge.

While standard lift ticket prices are on par with other ski resorts in Montana, Showdown is known for having some of the best deals, including $30 lift tickets on Thursdays and half-price season passes available on one day each year in March.

Where to Stay near Showdown:
The Edith (owned by Showdown)
Hotel Arvon

Browse more places to stay

Lookout Pass Ski Area

Best for: Highest snowfall in the state, free ski school, great layout.

Downside: Far from any Montana towns.

Some people argue that Lookout Pass is in Idaho, but I’d argue that it actually straddles the border with Montana — besides, I like Lookout, and I wanted to write about it.

A beige ski lodge with a couple of feet of snow on the roof. In front of the ticket window is a wooden ski rack and several green candlestick cones in a pile.

Lookout is one of my favorite places to take a new skier. The snowpack is excellent, with the Bitterroot Range capturing all the moisture that sneaks past the Cascades (its annual snowpack rivals Big Sky!). Additionally, all three of the main chairlifts converge at the summit, allowing everyone to ride together and then split off for runs of their preferred difficulty.

There’s also known for having some of the best deals, with two for one lift tickets on Thursday, half price tickets for season pass holders (from anywhere in the world), and ski-for-free on your birthday. Then for parents, their ski school is famous for its two-month Learn to Ski program that’s completely free (yes, really!) to skiers and boarders under 18.

A narrow mogul-laden run beneath a double chairlift. Off to the right is a sign indicating its black diamond difficulty and the name "Purgatory".

Even with all those positive traits, Lookout remains low-key and uncrowded, perhaps due to its distance from any major Montana city (1.5 hours from Missoula) and with the better-known Schweitzer Mountain siphoning off many of the Idaho visitors.

This could soon change though, as Lookout is massively expanding. The Eagle Peak expansion opened in 2022, adding a new high-speed quad chair, 500’ of vertical (for a total of 1,650’) and almost 500 acres — doubling its size.

For the 2023 season, Lookout opened a second base lodge, nearly doubling their seating capacity. And this is just Phase 1 of their plan, with hopes of adding another 1,500 acres over the next 20 years.

Where to Stay near Lookout Pass:
Brooks Hotel Restaurant & Lounge
Little River Motel

Browse more places to stay

Montana Ski Hills That Feel Like a Secret

Everyone’s heard of Big Sky and Whitefish, and most know of Bridger, but bring up names like Turner Mountain or Teton Pass, and even experienced powderhounds will assume you’re just making up hills. These are the “locals-only” ski hills in Montana – where everyone on the slopes knows your name (or they will by the end of the day).

Turner Mountain

Best for: Steep, deep, and cheap!

Downside: Not very beginner friendly, remote location.

I cannot stress enough just how much I love Turner Mountain. Maybe it’s my inner hipster enjoying how even many of Montana’s diehard skiers and boarders are entirely unaware of it – probably in part due its remote location, over two hours northwest of Kalispell. Turner feels like my little secret…one I suppose I share with everyone from the Libby area…

A snow covered parking lot is completely filled with cars and sits in front of a small lodge and forested ski hill.

Its obscurity isn’t my sole reason for loving Turner, though. This mountain has some legit stats – 2,100 feet of vertical drop, 1,000 acres of deep powder, and lift tickets under $50 (their motto is steep, deep, and cheap!). This is Montana skiing at its finest.

Sure, it only has one double chairlift, and just 25 years ago, it didn’t even have that – they were still running a T-bar up the monstrous peak. You have to love that level of passion; my legs hurt just thinking about it.

Snow covered trees flank a retro double chair lift with center poles. The snow below is a field of rounded moguls.

Turner is only open Friday through Sunday, so despite being in one of the less snowy areas of the state, it gets four whole days of powder accumulation each week. It’s admittedly not a great hill for beginners. Around two-thirds of the runs are black diamonds, and nearly all of the others are intermediate. There are no green runs from the summit either, just one winding switchback from the midway to the lodge.

Not many people would call Turner one of the best Montana ski resorts, but maybe that’s just because they don’t know about it. If you’re an experienced skier or boarder looking for an unconventional destination, I can’t recommend it enough.

Where to Stay near Turner Mountain:
Evergreen Motel
Montana Bunkhouse Cabin

Browse more places to stay

Maverick Mountain

Best for: Plenty of vertical, great community vibe.

Downside: Few runs, ancient lift, and remote location.

Located in the far southwestern corner of the state and only an hour and a half east of the much larger Lost Trail Ski Area, Maverick doesn’t get a lot of attention. Well, people from Dillon sure love it, and they’re generally surprised to see anyone skiing there who’s not from the area. 

Like Turner Mountain, Maverick is a hidden gem when it comes to terrain, with over 2,000 vertical feet (!) accessed by a sole double chairlift. In terms of acreage, though, it’s one of the smallest ski hills in Montana, with just 350 acres and 22 runs. But the cool thing is that a motivated skier or boarder could hit up every one of them in a single day. While the trail map doesn’t look super beginner-friendly, the expert runs are like intermediates, so this is a good place to go outside your comfort zone.

A crowd of skiers, many of them children, waits at a small double chairlift on a sunny and cloudless day.

Like many of the Treasure State’s ski areas, Maverick doesn’t put on any airs. It’s a family-friendly hill with just enough terrain to keep everyone interested. The lodge may be small, and the basement is reminiscent of a bowling alley, with molded plastic chairs and carpeted walls, but it’s a cozy space where you can grab a burger at lunch or enjoy a drink and live music at the end of the day.

Small round tables are surrounded by vintage wooden chairs inside a wood paneled cafeteria.

To make a full-blown ski trip out of visiting Maverick, rent one of the rustic cabins at Elkhorn Hotsprings Resort, just four miles down the road. There’s no better way to relax after a day on the slopes than with a soak in this spectacular alpine setting. 

Where to Stay near Maverick Mountain:
Elkhorn Hotsprings Resort
Dillon Tap House

Browse more places to stay

Teton Pass Resort

Best for: Community spirit and no crowds.

Downside: Sketchy access road and low snowfall.

For much of its history, Teton Pass was the purview of Cut Bank, Choteau, and Shelby residents, a place for Carhartt-clad farmers to while away the slower winter months. That seemed like it was going to change in 2010, when a developer from New Zealand purchased the struggling ski hill and made a few upgrades.

But since most of the changes were just to the lodge’s restaurant and bar, lift ticket prices remained low, and the crowds never arrived. For two seasons, they closed down before selling to a new owner.

A stone covered information stand posts a trail map of the ski area and sits in front of a small A-frame lodge. An empty ski rack sits besides them.

Aside from new ownership, not much has changed at Teton in the past three decades. It’s still that unpretentious hill for the farmer crowd, with a few Great Falls residents choosing to drive an extra half hour rather than visit Showdown or Great Divide. The last ten miles of gravel road can be off-putting, though, with numerous pot holes, treacherous ice, and impassable mud near the end of the season.

That community aspect is part of makes Teton so special. When the 2023/2024’s dismal snow pack forced them to shut down just four days after opening, it was treated as a national, if not international tragedy. They were the poster child for how climate change was killing small town ski hills. But Choteau rallied, and Teton opened this year to deep powder and plenty of eager skiers and boarders.

A patch of crusty snow leads towards a stand of miniature pine trees before giving way to a wall of snow-covered peaks.

But what Teton Pass lacks in height, size, and lifts (there’s just one double chair!), it more than makes up for with its utter solitude. Anyone who’s ever skied here can attest that you never will wait in a lift line. Pair that with views of the spectacularly beautiful Rocky Mountain Front and some of the cheapest lift tickets in the state – what more could you want in a ski hill?

Where to Stay near Teton Pass:
Stage Stop Inn
Highlander Tiny Cabin

Browse more places to stay

Bear Paw Ski Bowl

Best for: Unique location, dirt cheap tickets.

Downside: Doesn’t open every year.

Ask most Montanans about Bear Paw Ski Bowl and they’ll swear it’s not in Montana. Tell them it’s up on the Hi-Line, and they’ll laugh in your face. “There aren’t any mountains on the Hi-Line!”

They are mostly right, except for this little secret on the Rocky Boy’s reservation 40 minutes south of Havre. Bear Paw is a non-profit owned by the Chippewa-Cree tribe, and it’s one of only three ski hills in the country on a Native American reservation.

Montana’s smallest ski hill (and it’s the smallest by quite a bit) is a real gem… when it’s open. Some years, snow is elusive, and the lifts never get to turning.

When snow does fall, the hill is only open on the weekend, which helps preserve the limited snow cover (if you’ve been up on the Hi-Line, you know how the wind quickly blows the snow into the next county). But opening for only two days each week creates a lot of excitement and gives it more of a party atmosphere. 

A map displaying the ski runs at Bear Paw Ski Hill sits to the left of a three men in heavy jackets drinking beverages from a cooler. A small chairlift is in the background.

Bear Paw has just one double chair, three employees, and no lodge. Don’t worry though, someone’s always grilling burgers behind the ski patrol shack, so you won’t starve if you forgot to pack a lunch. They don’t take credit cards though, so bring cash. 

Novice skiers and boarders will surely appreciate Bear Paw’s non-existent lines and a chairlift that only takes a few minutes to reach mid-mountain, where all of the easier terrain starts. However, the summit features an impressive bowl that’s completely exposed to the Hi-Line’s punishing winds, leaving behind challenging ice-laden drifts that should only be explored by advanced skiers. 

A lone skier looks down on a steep run of crusty snow with background of fog covered mountains.

When the day is done, head back into Havre for a beer at Triple Dog Brewing, the closest thing you’ll get to après-ski in this part of the state. And if you have time, make a weekend out of it with the amazing Havre Beneath the Streets tour, which showcases the subterranean shops and bars that flourished there in the early 20th century. 

Where to Stay near Bear Paw:
Siesta Motel
Great Northern Inn

Browse more places to stay

Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area

Best for: Open in the summer, unique experience.

Downside: Doesn’t open every summer and conditions vary widely.

The beginning of April is a bittersweet time for skiers and snowboarders. Spring conditions have you hitting the slopes in a T-shirt, and events like pond skims and mannequin jumps close out the season with a bang – but you’re facing at least six long ski-less months until the next season arrives.

But what if there was a place to ski in the summer?

Beartooth Basin is totally unique among Montana ski resorts. And yes it is technically located in Wyoming, but it can only be entered through Montana, so I see no reason not to claim it.

Sitting at the summit of the popular Beartooth Highway, the hill can’t even open until the highway is cleared, usually around Memorial Day. Then the summer sun quickly burns off what snow remains, constricting Beartooth’s season to just four or five weeks in most years (and some years, it doesn’t even open at all).

Calling the snow quality inconsistent would be generous. Warm daytime temperatures turn the slopes to a slush that freezes to a thick sheet of ice overnight, meaning Beartooth’s singular bowl is usually an expert-only affair. But you never know when a late-season storm could dump a few inches of powder to make it enjoyable for intermediate skiers and boarders. 

A steep and barely snow-covered bowl drops from a parking lot with several cars. The bowl is populated with rocky cliffs surrounded by orange snow fences.

Beartooth is the embodiment of dirtbag skiing, with almost no amenities to speak of. There are no rentals available and no lodge to hang out in. A Pomalift is the only way back up the snowy escarpment, and a trailer slinging burgers is the only dining option. Chairs and tables for eating lunch? Not unless you brought your own, otherwise you’re eating in the car.

Beartooth is all the best parts of skiing, and none of the fluff (though that includes powder most of the time…). And most importantly, it’s an opportunity to ski in the summer!

Where to Stay near Beartooth Basin:
The Pollard Hotel
Beartooth Hideaway Inn and Cabins

Browse more places to stay

Montana Ski Resorts at a Glance

Ski HillNearest TownVertical DropAcresRunsLiftsAnnual SnowfallAdult Lift Ticket Price
Big SkyBozeman4,3505,80031736400 in.$210
WhitefishWhitefish2,3533,00010514300 in.$110
DiscoveryAnaconda2,3882,200678150 in.$68
BridgerBozeman2,6002,0007511350 in.$82
Lost TrailHamilton1,8001,800608325 in.$68
Red LodgeRed Lodge2,4001,635707250 in.$77
Great DivideHelena1,3301,5001406180 in.$68
BlacktailKalispell1,4401,000264250 in.$55
SnowbowlMissoula2,600950394300 in.$73
ShowdownGreat Falls1,400640364240 in.$68
LookoutKellogg, ID1,150540344400 in.$58
Turner Libby2,1101,000221200 in.$45
MaverickDillon2,020350241200 in.$49
Teton PassChoteau1,010114262250 in.$59
Bear PawHavre1,08080112140 in.$25
Beartooth BasinRed Lodge1,00060092Varies Wildly$50

Note that prices at many resorts vary throughout the season, and online purchases may be discounted.

Which Montana ski resorts have you been to?

PIN IT!

Planning a Montana ski trip? This guide covers every ski area in the state so you can choose the best one for your trip! #montana #skiresorts
This local’s guide to all 16 Montana ski resorts has everything you need to plan you dream ski trip to Big Sky Country! #westernmontana #skiing

Category: Best of MT, SkiingTag: winter

About Ryan Victor

Ryan Victor was born and raised in Great Falls, MT, and attended college and grad school at MSU in Bozeman. He has spent extended time in Butte, Missoula, and Helena as well, in addition to hiking, kayaking, and motorcycling all over the state whenever possible. He’s also proud to have visited every ski resort and every brewery (all 100+ of them!) in Montana.

Previous Post: «Skier dressed in all black looking toward snowy montains. 50 Best Skiing Quotes (and Snowboarding Quotes, Too!)
Next Post: The Only Bozeman Breweries Guide You’ll Ever Need »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ANDREW

    October 30, 2023 at 11:13 PM

    you forgot Wraith Hill

    Reply
    • Ryan Victor

      October 31, 2023 at 4:04 AM

      That’s because we don’t have the $3.5 million dollars to buy it and open it back up. In all seriousness, we did leave out private hills like the Yellowstone Club and the currently defunct Wraith Hill. Though it’d awesome if someone bought Wraith and made it accessible to the public. With Disco so close by, I don’t think they’d have the demand.

      Reply
  2. Matthew Sawyer

    August 11, 2024 at 12:58 PM

    Ryan – Thanks for assembling this overview of Montana Ski Areas. Lookout Pass Ski & Rec. Area has indeed grown. We opened the Eagle Peak area a few years ago and it has had a.huge impact on our stats and skiers/snowboarders love it. If you haven’t been out please come visit as my guest so you can update your info on our mountain.
    We now have: 1,023 Acres / 54 Trails / 2 Quad Chairlifts, 2 Triple Chairlifts & 1 Double, Summit elevation 6.150 ft, 14% Beginner Green Circle terrain with beginner trails from both summits, 42% Intermediate Blue Square Terrain, 38% Advanced-Expert Black Diamond & 4% Expert double Black Diamond. We average 450″ of fresh light dry powder snow a year.
    Our mountain offers some sweet gladed terrain too.

    We are indeed the Oldest Ski Area in both Idaho & Montana as we opened in 1935. Even at that time about 1/2 the mountains terrain was located in Idaho and the other 1/2 was in Montana and that percentage is still the same today.

    DEALS: Mondays thru Thursdays (excluding holidays & race dates) we offer Season Pass Holders from any other mountain in the country a 1/2 priced Lift Ticket – simply show your season pass at our ticket window.

    Thanks again for such an informative article and the motivation to ge out and ski some MT mountains I have yet to explore. Including Maverick & Turner.

    On a closing note we operate the Route of the Hiawatha – Scenic Bike Trail in the summers (late May to mid September open 7 days a week) and it is a true bikers or hikers treasure, offering 10 dark tunnels, 7 sky high trestles and an almost all downhill ride of 15 miles, with a shuttle that brings you back up from the bottom to the top. http://www.RideTheHiawatha.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Site Footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · Mai Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework