Western Montana delivers stand-out skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort—ranked No. 3 Top Ski Resort in the West by SKI magazine. The mountain town of Whitefish, just 8 miles from the lifts, offers easy access, good food and a strong après scene. With direct flights into the region, planning a Whitefish ski weekend is easy. Here’s a 48-hour itinerary to help you make the most of your trip.
DAY 1
Fly into Glacier Park International Airport, 12 miles south of Whitefish. Baggage claim, car rental and airport navigation are simple, and the drive north into town is quick. Big Mountain—the home of Whitefish Mountain Resort—rises above the community and sets the tone for the days ahead.
Check in to your accommodations. Whitefish has a wide range of lodging options, from boutique hotels to slopeside chalets. Drop off your bags, gear up and head for the mountain. You can drive or hop on the free S.N.O.W. Bus, which gets you there in about 20 minutes.
Whitefish Mountain Resort is a full-service destination with dining, shopping and lodging on-site. The resort averages more than 300 inches of snowfall annually across 3,000+ acres of skiable terrain. If it’s your first visit, connect with a Ski Ambassador for a complimentary orientation tour. Chair 1 takes you to the summit at nearly 7,000 feet, where wide-open views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley stretch in all directions.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head back to town, where you’ll find local brews and wood-fired pizza at Abruzzo Italian Kitchen. Catch live music at Great Northern Bar & Grill, or call it an early night to save your legs for tomorrow.
DAY 2
Start your morning at Loula’s Cafe, a Whitefish Classic. If you order a slice of pie with breakfast, nobody will blink. Back on the mountain, consider booking a private or semi-private powder ski lesson—one of the quickest ways to sharpen your technique, no matter your ability level.
For lunch, ride to the top for a meal at the Summit House, where you’ll get panoramic views to go with your break. Spend your afternoon exploring the terrain or, if you’re lucky enough to be there when the resort is offering night skiing, ski under the lights on Chairs 2, 3 and 6.
Wrap up the day back in town with a drink at The Firebrand Hotel bar, a comfortable spot to wind down fireside.
DAY 3
Enjoy a slower morning and breakfast at the Buffalo Cafe, known for their Buffalo Pies, a decadent stack of hashbrowns with toppings like house-made gravy, sausage patties and poached eggs.
For your final hours, choose between more skiing or a winter tour of Glacier National Park. Whitefish Outfitters offers guided driving tours during the park’s quietest season, covering stops like Hungry Horse, Belton Bridge, Lake McDonald Lodge and Apgar Village, along with insights into the area’s history and ecology. Wildlife sightings are common. After your outing, return to Whitefish, return your rental car and catch your flight home.
Weekend possibilities in Western Montana run wide. Across the region, seven ski areas offer deep snow, room to enjoy every run, affordable lift tickets and mountain towns that make each trip feel unhurried and genuine.
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 15, 2025
Related: Downhill Skiing, Glacier National Park, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Vacation, Whitefish, Winter Fun
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