The Big Sky State is home to some fantastic snowboarding destinations. Montana is a winter wonderland, and if you know where to head, you can find some excellent snow and resorts with all the amenities you need to have a great time.
I’m an avid snowboarder who loves to explore new places to ride as often as possible. I’ve been to Montana a few times and have spoken to several riders with a lot of experience here to come up with the information in this post.
This piece will spotlight all of the best places to snowboard in Montana. I’ll tell you all the essential information you need to know about each resort, from what the spot is best known for to where you can find lodging.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
1. Big Sky
- Official Website: https://bigskyresort.com/
- Opening Day: November 25 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Large resort, great annual snowfall and coverage
Big Sky is probably the best place to snowboard in all of Montana. It’s a world-class resort with an enormous amount of terrain to explore, allowing you to get out there and have whatever kind of fun you are looking for.
The resort boasts nearly 6,000 acres of rideable terrain. That rivals all of the more well-known resorts in Colorado and California and means the location really lives up to its name. The conditions here are consistently epic as well, with lots of annual snowfall.
The sheer size of Big Sky means that there is something for every type of rider. The resort offers an excellent snowboard school, and you can easily set up a lesson if you want to. Experienced riders can bomb through the more technical terrain found all over the mountain.
Big Sky does take some effort to get to, so it’s not as easily accessible as resorts in other states. This is true of any resort in Montana, but just know that you’ll need to do some driving to reach all of the incredible terrains.
2. Whitefish
- Official Website: https://skiwhitefish.com/
- Opening Day: December 8 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 10 (Average)
- Best Known For: Epic views, plenty of snow
Whitefish is another top snowboarding destination in Montana. This resort is located in the northern part of the state, so you’ll need to plan accordingly if you are coming from elsewhere to make the trip happen.
You’ll be well rewarded with epic views and plenty of snow if you’re up for the adventure. Whitefish is near Glacier National Park, which is a stunning location, and the scenery is downright amazing.
The area gets over 300 inches of snow every year, so you can expect ample snow coverage to take advantage of all the terrain and the 3,000 acres of rideable terrain. The variety of terrain is also solid, with options for all ability levels.
Lodging and dining options are plentiful in the nearby town of Whitefish. This is a classic Montana town with an old-school feel that is easy to get used to. It’s full of ski bums and hard-working folk and fun to visit.
3. Montana Snowbowl
- Official Website: https://www.montanasnowbowl.com/
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 12 (Average)
- Best Known For: Easily accessible, mellow atmosphere
Montana Snowbowl is a lesser-known Montana resort, but it’s still worth visiting, especially if you live in the Missoula area. This is a very accessible spot, allowing you to get on the slopes without a long drive in winter conditions.
There is a lot of fun terrain to explore here, and it’s a local’s favorite mountain. That gives things a warm and exciting atmosphere without the stuffiness of resorts in other parts of the country. This place is a lot of fun.
Snowbowl is well known for having some pretty technical big-mountain terrain. That is great news for intermediate and advanced riders, but it also means that beginners might struggle a bit with the terrain here.
There are not many lodging options right at the base of the mountain, but with Missoula being only a short distance away, you can easily find a place to stay and anything else you might be looking for on your trip.
4. Bridger Bowl
- Official Website: https://bridgerbowl.com/
- Opening Day: December 10 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 8 (Average)
- Best Known For: Large variety of terrain, close to Bozeman
Another great snowboarding location in Montana is Bridger Bowl. This spot is nearby the town of Bozeman, so it’s easily accessible, and you won’t be on the road long before you take your first long.
The variety of terrain at Bridger Bowl is impressive, and there are runs for any level of rider. The technical terrain is the real deal and should be left to advanced riders only, but there are groomers and greens for beginners as well.
This isn’t as big of a resort as some of the other spots in Montana, but you still get access to over 2,000 acres of rideable terrain, which is more than respectable. The resort gets plenty of snow for more than decent coverage all season long.
There isn’t much lodging right on the mountain, but you can find good food to eat at the base areas, with several tasty restaurants in the lodge.
5. Lost Trail
- Official Website: https://losttrail.com/
- Opening Day: December 16 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 3 (Average)
- Best Known For: Affordable tickets, lots of snow
Lost Trail is worth checking out if you want to get away from the crowds and ride at an affordable location.
This is a small resort in Montana and is pretty far away from larger towns. But if you’re up for the trek, you’ll enjoy lots of fresh snow and won’t spend all of your money on lift tickets.
Powder days at Lost Trail can be more than epic, and lots of locals have a story or two about those days when the white stuff packs up. But remember that the trails are only open four days a week, Thursday through Sunday.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to Montana’s best places to snowboard.
Does Montana have good snowboarding?
Montana does have good snowboarding. It’s a large state that gets decent snowfall in the winter months, allowing for plenty of room to spread out and find good snow. There are several excellent resorts to explore in the region.
Is Big Sky Montana good for beginners?
Big Sky does have quite a bit of beginner terrain, making it an excellent location for newbie snowboarders. The resort also has a good ski and snowboard school, so you can easily set up a lesson with a qualified instructor.
Final Thoughts
Montana is a solid snowboarding destination and a great place to visit if you are planning a trip. While the state doesn’t always get as much attention as other places in the west, the resort listed here all have excellent snow and terrain to take advantage of.
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