When we feasted our eyes on the shimmering alpine trees across the snowy expanse and breathed in the fresh mountain air, we suddenly understood the meaning of the phrase “Big Sky Country.” It’s hard to describe just how expansive the sky looks and feels in Montana, which is equally underrated when it comes to skiing. With 15 skiing resorts sprawled across, there are lots of thrills when it comes to skiing in Montana. Its most famous and largest ski area might be Big Sky Resort, but Whitefish Mountain Resort is equally excellent. The best ski resorts in Whitefish, Montana, are sprawling winter playgrounds with vast expanses of fresh powder and short ski lift lines.
Despite having some of the best skiing opportunities in the country, it attracts just a fraction of the crowds of more well-known places, such as Colorado’s ski resorts. That’s why we chose to explore some of the best skiing opportunities near Whitefish, right in the heart of the “Land of the Shining Mountains.” Check out our detailed guide to skiing near Whitefish, Montana.
Table of contents
Turner Mountain Ski Area
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Tucked in Montana’s Northwestern Corner is the out-of-the-way skiing spot of Turner Mountain Ski Area in the Kootenai National Forest. In fact, a group of skiers founded the non-profit Turner Mountain in the 1950s, with volunteers now playing a chief part in its operation. So, this is a very small, albeit gorgeous resort that’s usually open only on the weekends – and it’s still worth it, especially if you want to get away from everything. So, what makes Turner Mountain so great?
For one, it’s an excellent area for a challenge since a majority of its 20 trails are all black diamonds! And more often than not, they’re all ungroomed, which means they really are a challenge! Plus, the skiing area also has limited hours, which means that the entire ski field can be rented out for private use too. It’s no wonder that Ski Magazine declared that it might just have the “best lift-assisted powder skiing in the United States!”
The Terrain. Turner Mountain has 8.6 mi (13.8 km) of slopes with 20 runs, of which 40% are intermediate runs and 45% of expert runs.
The Town. The town of Libby is the base for Turner Mountain. This one-time logging and mining town is now trying to reinvent itself as an outdoor recreation destination.
At a glance
- Known for: Pro skiers who want to indulge in challenging pistes spread across 400 acres.
- Opening: Early December
- Closing: Late March
- Elevation: 3,842 ft (1,171 m)
- Summit: 5,952 ft (1,814 m)
- Lifts: 1 chairlift
- Airport: Glacier Park International Airport – 120 mi (193 km)
Pros
- This volunteer-run mountain offers one of Montana’s best skiing experiences.
- There’s a whopping 400 acres of skiable area for skiers to explore.
- There are no lift lines or crowds here.
Cons
- This is not a place for beginners or non-skiers.
- Amenities here are limited to a snack bar.
Where to Stay: The Evergreen Motel in Libby is a great place for tourists to stay while visiting Turner Mountain. Don’t be alarmed by the ‘motel’ in the title, as it is anything but that. A charming garden welcomed us within the motel, which offers free private parking, free Wi-Fi, and even barbecue facilities. We especially loved the rooms that came with TVs, luxe bathrooms, and hardwood floors, and our room even came with a balcony.
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Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area
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Most powder. Tucked off the I-90 on the Montana/Idaho border, the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area gets the most amount of snow than any other resort in Montana. Not only does it have both snowboarding and skiing slopes, but it’s also an excellent family-friendly skiing place with affordable lift tickets. We could focus on skiing since it has three distinct mountainsides, each with its own chairlift. In fact, it’s particularly famous for its famous and unique “Free Ski School” for our kids. The best bit? The slopes are usually quiet as compared to other larger ski resorts in either Montana or Idaho.
If that wasn’t enough, there are even two terrain parks, which were useful for those of us hitting the slopes for the first time. The Avalanche Beacon Training Park was a great learning opportunity for us as it also offered safety classes. Even though an international food court/pub is available here, the highlight here will always be the 400+ inches of dry, light powder annually.
The Terrain. With 548 acres of skiable terrain and 32 mi (52 km) of runs, the ski resort is divided into 15% beginner, 41% intermediate, and 44% difficult runs. We liked that it had open groomers for beginners like us and many tree routes for experts who wanted to practice their turning and stopping skills. The longest run is 2 mi (3.2 km) long.
The Town. The former Gold Rush town of Wallace, a 20-minute drive away, is the base for Lookout Ski Area. This historically preserved and protected mining town is home to what is possibly the world’s largest snowmobile, ATV, and mountain bike trail system. The food scene here is particularly amazing, and the town has great coffee shops and pubs too.
At a glance
- Known for: Slopes and progressive terrain parks in an unspoiled national forest, perfect for learners.
- Opening: Mid-November
- Closing: Mid-April
- Elevation: 4,720 ft (1,440 m)
- Summit: 6,150 ft (1,870 m)
- Lifts: 5 (2 quads, 2 triple chairs, 1 double chairlift)
- Airport: Glacier Park International Airport – 154 mi (247 km)
Pros
- Almost 70% of the skiable terrain is dedicated to beginners and intermediate skiers.
- There are ski programs and lessons for all skill levels and ages.
- The mountain receives a fantastic annual snowfall of 400 inches.
Cons
- The skiable area is small as compared to other Montana resorts.
Where to Stay: The Brooks Hotel is perhaps the largest and one of the nicest hotels in Wallace. Nestled right in the heart of the town, the hotel has a restaurant, a shared lounge, and a bar. At the end of a long day of skiing, it was just what we were looking for. The rooms, all of which come with free Wi-Fi, feature flatscreen TVs, coffee machines, and modern bathrooms with free toiletries.
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Teton Pass Resort
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Best for backcountry skiing. Montana’s Teton Pass Resort is probably the farthest skiing resort from Whitefish on this list, located some 190 mi (305 km) to the southeast. We loved this low-fuss, down-home kind of ski resort for many reasons, the first being that it had 400 acres of skiable area as well as allowed us access to backcountry skiing. What’s more, this calm, relaxed resort didn’t usually have people lining up for lifts, which made the entire experience even more enjoyable and welcoming, even. Moreover, this ski resort, with its diverse terrain, stunning views, 43 downhill runs, and more untracked snow for backcountry skiing than any ski hill around, made for a top-notch skiing experience.
“If you’re looking for diverse skiing in Montana, then Teton Pass is where you should be at.”
WOW Travel
Aside from skiing, Teton Pass also has many snowmobile trails, making it fun for the whole family. While they do offer skiing and snowboarding lessons, it’s best to call ahead and enquire about the same. Even better, there’s even a bar and cafeteria to hang out in the middle of the day at the main lodge.
The Terrain. With 40% beginner runs and the rest 60% divided between intermediate and difficult ones, Teton Pass caters more to intermediate and advanced boarders and skiers. Even then, beginners like us had fun on the slopes due to the well-groomed runs and excellent powder. That said, Teton Pass doesn’t have any double black diamond runs for experts. Furthermore, the longest run is 3 mi (4.8 km).
The Town. As is with many other small Montana resorts, there are no lodging options on the mountain. The town of Choteau, 35 mi away (56 km), is the nearest town to the ski resort and can be considered as a base. Besides staying options, it has a handful of restaurants and bars and even a museum.
At a glance
- Known for: Low-profile ski resort offering superb backcountry skiing and fun for the whole family.
- Opening: Late November
- Closing: Mid-April
- Elevation: 6,190 ft. (1,887 m)
- Summit: 7,200 ft. (2,195 m)
- Lifts: 6 (1 chairlift, 2 T-bar/button lifts, 3 rope tows)
- Airport: Glacier Park International Airport – 190 mi (305 km)
Pros
- This resort offers fun for the whole family.
- It’s great for intermediate and expert skiers to practice and hone their skills.
- The backcountry skiing here is excellent.
Cons
- It’s slightly out of the way as compared to other ski resorts on this list.
Where to Stay: Albeit basic, the Choteau Stage Stop Inn was a neat little hotel that offered everything from a variety of rooms and suites to perks like free parking and free Wi-Fi. We loved relaxing and unwinding at the indoor pool and hot tub after a long day of skiing. This is after the fact that our days used to start off with hearty complimentary breakfasts. A restaurant, bar/lounge, and a fitness center wrap up the amenities here.
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Montana Snowbowl
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Best value for money thrills. The local ski and snowboard area of Montana Snowbowl is all about big mountain terrain with a laidback atmosphere. We liked the lack of fancy spas and corporate slickness at the under-the-radar Snowbowl; all we found was a no-frills, relaxed vibe, low rates, and simply great skiing. 950 acres of amazing skiable powder, steep runs, and a spectacular 2,600-ft (790 m) vertical drop make this resort an absolute delight for skiers. In fact, the challenging runs often lead to fewer crowds on the slopes as they see more expert skiers. In fact, some terrain requires a ton of extra effort to reach, and you might even find fresh powder days after the last dump. Besides its sidewinding tree routes, Snowbowl is known for its convivial mom-and-pop vibe permeating through après-ski time.
The Terrain. 19 mi (31 km) of slopes are divided into 16% beginner runs, 39% intermediate, and 45% difficult runs. Thus, skiers with intermediate and above skill levels will find the most joy here, thanks to the upper mountain’s steep lines, deep tree runs, and the many black diamond runs.
The Town. The mountainside Last Run has Montana microbrews and Wood-fired pizza, but the best town for the ski area is the college town of Missoula, 12 mi (19 km) away. Not only does it have the most lodging options, but it also has a variety of bars and restaurants.
At a glance
- Known for: Best suited for advanced and intermediate snowboarders and skiers with longer and more technical runs.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: Mid-April
- Elevation: 5,000 ft (1,525 m)
- Summit: 7,600 ft (2,315 m)
- Lifts: 12 (1 beginner rope tow, 1 vintage Doppelmayr t-bar, 2 surface lifts, 1 Skytrac triple chair, 3 vintage Riblet doubles, 4 chairlifts)
- Airport: Missoula International Airport – 12 mi (19 km)
Pros
- This ski resort offers big mountain terrain.
- We loved the relaxed atmosphere here.
- It’s close to one of Montana’s biggest cities, Missoula.
Cons
- For a popular skiing area, it has limited lifts, even if there are no lines.
Where to Stay: Since all lodging is in Missoula, we chose to stay at the utterly gorgeous C’mon Inn Missoula, which lies a hardly 20-minute drive from Snowbowl. The large, open hotel feels like a converted mansion and has a wonderful indoor swimming pool and as many as five hot tubs! We were awed by the massive interior atrium with an indoor waterfall that greeted us as we stepped into the hotel. There was a complimentary full hot breakfast waiting for us every morning before we headed off for a day of skiing. A plush, comfortable room with a TV, fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and the softest bed in the world awaited us at the end of the day.
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Blacktail Mountain Ski Area
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Rising above the western shores of Flathead Lake in northern Montana is the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. This spectacular skiing region offers access to over 1,000 skiable acres in the Flathead National Forest, providing many untouched powder stashes and magnificent views on clear days. We felt very comfortable with the less crowded atmosphere and local feel of the ski resort. 26 well-groomed and tree-lined runs make this a much smaller Montana ski field than the others on this list, but it was absolutely spot-on for us.
What makes Blacktail Mountain unique is that its parking and the “base” amenities lie at the top of the mountain, with the routes running down from there. Moreover, this upside-down ski resort even has a few superb cross-country trails, which ignited the adventurers in us! The fact that the region is heavily forested only made it all the better, especially when it came to the views. For après-ski, the resort sticks to necessities at the Blacktail Lodge, which has fireplaces where we’d warm up between runs and dig into excellent dining options.
The Terrain. The ski area has 10 mi (17 km) of routes classified as 15% beginner, 65% intermediate, and 20% expert runs and a terrain park. In fact, two of the expert runs flit through an open field of trees. While there are no double black diamond runs, there are many intermediate blue runs and options for beginner snowboarders too.
The Town. Despite the warm community vibe, the mountain doesn’t have any lodging options. The base town is Lakeside, a 30-minute drive down the mountain. Aside from lodging, the lovely town has lots of restaurants and pubs, coffeehouses, and even a casino. Plus, there were lots of waterfront parks where we could enjoy picnics when the weather was nice.
At a glance
- Known for: Family-focused ski region with extensive beginner and intermediate terrain.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: End of April
- Elevation: 5,236 ft (1,596 m)
- Summit: 6,789 ft (2,069 m)
- Lifts: 4 (1 handle tow, 2 double, 1 triple)
- Airport: Glacier Park International Airport – 38 mi (61 km)
Pros
- The ski resort has a friendly staff and excellent service.
- It offers tons of dry, light snow.
- We enjoyed amazing views from the mountaintop lodge.
Cons
- There’s limited expert terrain.
Where to Stay: Nestled on the outskirts of Lakeside, Whispering Pines is a fantastic cabin rental place that is perfect for an out-of-the-way stay near Blacktail Mountain. We could choose from three one-bedroom cabins, all of which could sleep up to four people. What’s more, they all had a fully equipped kitchen, luxe bathrooms, and lake views. If that wasn’t enough, they even offered free Wi-Fi and champagne service as we were celebrating our anniversary!
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Whitefish Mountain Resort
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Great nightlife and downhill skiing. The views are unbeatable, and the powder is deep at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Perched atop northwest Montana’s Big Mountain, it has over 3,000 acres of skiable area and a 2,000-foot vertical drop. On clear days, we enjoyed spectacular views of Whitefish Lake and Glacier National Park, with 111 world-class runs of powder stashes, groomers, and glades tumbling off the mountain.
The ski/snowboard school offers half/full-day lessons. First-timers score a sweet deal; two days of beginner lift passes, rentals, and two half-day lessons cost only 99 USD! Moreover, the four terrain parks are perfect for those who like getting airborne and rail sliders. Finally, Whitefish has a wide variety of events on its winter activity roster. It’s no wonder that it offers serious competition to the equally epic Big Sky, with Ski Magazine ranking Whitefish first in “Overall Satisfaction.”
Pro tips: If you hike a bit, you’ll be treated to untouched powder. Stick to the trees when it’s foggy. The folks here are very friendly, and striking up chairlift conversations might get you insider tips!
The Terrain. 56 mi (91 km) of routes are divided into 21% beginner, 29% expert, and 50% intermediate runs. Hence, Whitefish is great for everyone, including experts, as 30% are black/double black diamond runs. Do you want to avoid crowds? Head to the Flower Point area at the mountain’s backside, which has shorter lift lines.
The Town. Whitefish’s namesake base town, which is just 8 mi (12.9 km) away, offers this ski resort a knockout advantage over any other of Montana (MT) Resort. Not only does it have a free shuttle, but it also has oodles of unpretentious Western charm and a fabulous range of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Don’t miss après-ski at the legendary Bierstube bar.
At a glance
- Known for: World-class skiing with the intimate feel of a locals’ hill
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: Mid-April
- Elevation: 4,464 ft (1,361 m)
- Summit: 6,817 ft (2,078 m)
- Lifts: 15 (12 chairlifts, 2 T-bar/button lifts, 1 magic carpet)
- Airport: Glacier Park International Airport – 35 mi (57 km)
Pros
- Whitefish offers a great variety of terrain.
- It sees 25 ft (7 m) of excellent snow annually!
- The resort offers incredible views on clear days.
Cons
- When storms roll in, limited visibility and light conditions are challenging.
Where to Stay: We didn’t have to go all the way to the town of Whitefish to find accommodation, not when the lovely Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort sits a stone’s throw from all the chairlifts. This ski-to-door casual, elegant, and intimate lodge is surrounded by alpine splendor and is perfect for a romantic skiing vacation. The rooms radiate solitudinous charm with plush beds, luxe bathrooms, mod-cons, and some even have kitchenettes. What’s more, the property has a wonderful spa, a hot tub for relaxing after a day of skiing, and a cafe and bar. Wrapping things up here is the wonderful continental breakfast that’s available every day.
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Our Verdict!
Montana has a ton of excellent skiing regions, but which one is best for you? Our specialized list below will help you decide.
- Most powder: Lookout Pass Ski And Recreation Area
- Best for backcountry skiing: Teton Pass Resort
- Best value for money thrills: Montana Snowbowl
- Great nightlife and downhill skiing: Whitefish Mountain Resort
What are the best months to ski in Montana?
In Montana, ski season tends to start in late November and run through mid to late April, but Wagner says March is his favorite time to ski. “If I had to pick just one month to ski, it would be March.
What are the snowiest months in Montana?
March seems the snowiest for central Montana and January for the NE portion of the state.
Does Montana have good ski resorts?
Montana is known for some of the best skiing in the nation, and you’ll find it at Montana Snowbowl, but that’s not all there is to do in Big Sky Country this winter. From Yellowstone to Southeast Montana, Glacier Country, and beyond, there are countless ways to spend a snow day -or week- with friends or family.
