Western Montana’s diverse landscapes offer adventure year-round. In winter, the region transforms into a downhill playground with seven ski areas featuring affordable lift tickets, impressive vertical drops, reliable snowfall and more than 11,723 acres of skiable terrain. Here’s where to get on the slopes in Glacier Country.
BLACKTAIL MOUNTAIN
Take in views of Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains at Blacktail Mountain in Lakeside. Dedicated to providing a family-friendly mountain experience, Blacktail offers slopes for all skill levels, with 15% beginner, 65% intermediate and 20% advanced terrain. A unique feature of Blacktail is that the parking lot and lodge sit at the mountain’s summit instead of the base—step out of your car, grab a pass and hit the slopes in under 10 minutes. Wrap up your day by the lodge fireplace with a warm drink and a plate of nachos.
Downhill Detail: 1,000 acres + 24 runs + 1,440 ft. vertical drop
Snow Report:
DISCOVERY SKI AREA
Discovery Ski Area is a favorite for families of all skill levels, offering diverse runs across its three faces. Advanced skiers can tackle some of the steepest lift-served terrain in the region, while others enjoy tree skiing, powder bowls, groomed trails and mogul runs. Located near Philipsburg, Discovery offers excellent views and lodge-baked shortbread chocolate chip cookies worth the trip alone. Recognized by National Geographic as one of North America’s “Best Secret Ski Towns,” Philipsburg and Discovery deliver unspoiled skiing at its finest.
Downhill Detail: 2,200 acres + 67 runs + 2,388 ft. vertical drop.
Snow Report:
LOOKOUT PASS
Straddling the Montana/Idaho border, ski some of the earliest and heaviest snowfall in Western Montana—nearly 400 inches per year—at Lookout Pass. Voted the most family-friendly mountain resort in the Pacific Northwest by visitors to OnTheSnow.com, Lookout has bargain prices for legendary snow, free ski school for kids, and runs the whole family will enjoy. Completed in winter 2022, the Eagle Peak expansion added 500 more acres and 14 new runs ranging from intermediate to expert. The new Eagle Peak Quad Chairlift transports skiers to the top of Eagle Peak Summit—640 feet higher than the previous summit.
Downhill Detail: 1,023 acres + 52 runs + 1,650 ft. vertical drop.
Snow Report:
LOST TRAIL POWDER MOUNTAIN
Also on the Montana/Idaho border is Lost Trail Powder Mountain. This ski area in the Bitterroot Valley lets you ride along the Continental Divide and has some of the deepest and most consistent snowfall in Montana, averaging more than 325 inches annually. Lost Trail has a large selection of ski lessons available for children and adults, from beginners to those looking to advance their skills. On the slopes, find a mix of intermediate and expert runs, as well as a section known as “The White House,” offering double black diamonds.
Downhill Detail: 1,800 acres + 69 runs + 1,800 ft. vertical drop. The longest run is 2.5 miles.
MONTANA SNOWBOWL
Celebrating 70 years of unforgettable skiing, Montana Snowbowl is a short 12 miles from Missoula and remains a favorite for its “steep and deep” terrain, featuring powder-filled bowls and an abundance of black diamond runs—including a continuous vertical drop of 2,600 feet. Recent expansions have added over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, with new runs designed for beginners and intermediate skiers. In 2022, they introduced a triple chairlift with a 1,700-foot vertical—one of the steepest in the country. Wrap up your day at the Last Run Inn, enjoying their renowned bloody marys and wood-fired pizza.
Downhill Detail: 2,300 acres + 49 runs + 2,600 ft. vertical drop.
Snow Report:
TURNER MOUNTAIN
Just north of Libby, Turner Mountain is a hidden gem, especially for advanced skiers. A favorite among locals, it offers wide-open slopes, stunning scenery and virtually no lift lines, all at an affordable price. With a 2,110-foot vertical drop and 60% of its terrain rated black diamond, Turner delivers thrills for seasoned riders. SKI magazine once described it as offering some of the “best lift-assisted powder skiing in the U.S.” Run entirely by volunteers, Turner is open Friday through Sunday—you can also gather a group and rent the entire mountain for a surprisingly reasonable price.
Downhill Detail: 400 acres + 22 runs + 2,110 ft. vertical drop.
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT
Whitefish Mountain Resort, just 8 miles north of the ski town of Whitefish, offers more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, including runs for all levels and multiple terrain parks. At the summit, skiers are treated to jaw-dropping views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley. The resort also features unique experiences like night skiing on Friday and Saturday nights and its recently added six-pack chair lift, Snow Ghost Express, named after the resort’s famous ice-covered trees. Whitefish Mountain Resort is proud to host Dream Adaptive Recreation’s Alpine Ski and Ride Program, which empowers disabled skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the mountain. With on-mountain lodging, restaurants and shops, this world-class resort offers an inclusive experience for everyone.
Downhill Detail: 3,000 acres + 113 runs + 2,353 ft. vertical drop.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents Recreate Responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
December 10, 2024
Related: Bitterroot Valley, Downhill Skiing, Family Fun, Flathead Corridor, I-90 Corridor, Lakeside, Libby, Missoula, Northwest Corridor, Outdoor Fun, Philipsburg, Resorts, Saltese, Sula, Whitefish, Winter Fun
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