Skiing and Snowboarding Season in Montana 2025

Montana, with its stunning Rocky Mountain landscapes and expansive, uncrowded slopes, offers an appealing alternative to better-known ski destinations like Colorado and Utah. Montana’s ski season generally runs from late November to mid-April, though conditions peak from February to early March, promising powdery snow and fewer crowds. Among Montana’s ski areas, Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain, and Bridger Bowl stand out for their unique offerings, making them popular among both locals and visitors seeking an immersive winter sports experience.

Best Time for Skiing and Snowboarding

The best time to ski in Montana is between late November and mid-April, with February and early March offering optimal snow conditions. This period offers powder perfection, crisp mountain air, and quieter slopes, free from holiday crowds. While December attracts festive tourists, savvy skiers wait for the deeper winter months when storms frequently refresh the slopes with fresh powder. February and March bring optimal snow conditions and the luxury of unrushed runs.

Big Sky Resort

Located an hour's ride south of Bozeman and a two-hour ride from Yellowstone, Big Sky Resort is one of North America's largest resorts, covering over 5,850 acres. Opened in 1973, Big Sky is known for its expansive terrain, reliable snow conditions, and relatively low crowds, even during peak season. Visitors will find a full-service experience with slope-side accommodations, diverse dining options, and various après-ski activities. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the nearest major airport, approximately a one-hour drive away.

Trails and Lifts

Big Sky offers more than 300 trails accessed by over 30 lifts, including high-speed chairs and trams, catering to skiers of all levels. The resort features beginner slopes, extensive groomers for intermediates, and challenging bowls and chutes for advanced skiers.

Ski Passes

Big Sky Resort offers various lift ticket options, starting at $56 online, with discounts for lodging guests, military members, and Ikon Friends & Family. Early access to Ramcharger 8 is available for $35. Various season pass options are available, ranging from $440 for the 3-dayFreestyle Pass to $2,900 for the Gold Season Pass, each offering unique perks and unlimited access. These options ensure everyone can find the perfect ticket to enjoy the slopes.

Equipment Rental

The Big Sky Sports Demo Center offers top-brand skis for you to try, whether you’re looking to purchase new equipment or rent specific skis, with one-day demo rates at $87. The Rider’s Room provides a similar service for snowboards, boots, and bindings, also at $87 for a one-day demo. Big Sky Sports Rentals caters to all ages and skill levels, offering high-quality ski and snowboard rentals. With convenient locations in the Mountain Village and Madison Base, plus rental delivery and in-hotel fitting rooms at Huntley Lodge and Summit Hotel, they ensure you're ready to hit the slopes effortlessly.

Whitefish Mountain Resort

Situated on Big Mountain near Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Known for its scenic views of the Flathead Valley and Whitefish Lake, this resort offers a local, laid-back atmosphere. The town of Whitefish is just 7 miles (11 km) away, adding convenience for visitors. The closest airport is Glacier Park International Airport, around a 30-minute drive from the resort.

Trails and Lifts

The resort features 11 chairlifts, a T-bar, and two conveyor carpets, accessing 111 trails with diverse terrain suited to all abilities. Its five terrain parks attract snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts, while ample backcountry options cater to advanced skiers.

Ski Passes

Adults pay $110 for a single-day ticket or $99 per day for multiday passes, with discounts for seniors, teens, juniors, and free access for kids under six. Additional savings are available for tickets purchased online 48 hours in advance. Night skiing and beginner-area tickets are also available at reduced rates. Prices for season passes vary depending on the purchase date, with rates starting as low as $749 for adults.

Equipment Rental

Base Lodge Rentals on the second floor of Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Base Lodge (1015 Glades Drive) is the resort's largest rental shop, conveniently close to chairs 4 and 6 and the Ski & Ride School area. Village Rentals, located on the Village Boardwalk, serves on-mountain guests. Both are Rossignol Experience Centers, offering modern equipment and on-mountain convenience. Rentals can be picked up for next-day use from 2 pm to 4:30 pm, with discounts available for online bookings 24 hours in advance. Adult rental packages start at $47 per day, and day lockers are also available.

Bridger Bowl

Just a 30-minute drive from Bozeman, Bridger Bowl is a favorite among locals for its casual atmosphere and challenging terrain. Opened in 1955, this smaller resort spans over 2,000 acres and offers affordable skiing with a range of instructional programs for beginners. Although it lacks on-mountain lodging, the proximity to Bozeman provides easy access to accommodations and dining.

Trails and Lifts

Bridger Bowl has around 75 trails accessed by 8 lifts. The resort is well-known for its advanced in-bounds terrain, which includes steep slopes and technical runs, but also caters to beginners with dedicated areas and a reputable ski school.

Ski Passes

Lift ticket prices at Bridger Bowl for the 2024/25 season offer a variety of options. Adult tickets (ages 19-69) are priced at $82 online and $97 at the window, with a half-day rate of $70 starting at 12:30 pm. Beginner lift tickets for Sundog, Flurry, and Snowflake are available for $25. The Any Day Packs offer the flexibility to choose any 3 days in the season for $220. Full-season passes range from $910 to $1,210, depending on the purchase date.

Equipment Rental

Adult ski and snowboard rental packages, including skis, boots, poles or a snowboard and boots with a helmet, are priced at $50 daily, $45 for three or more days, and $40 for half-day rentals starting at 12:30 pm. The resort also offers high-performance rental options featuring top brands like Nordica, Rossignol, and Salomon, with prices starting at $65 for snowboard packages and $70 for ski packages.