Montana Winter Adventures
Downhill Skiing
With elevations reaching more than 12,000 feet, Montana’s
impressive mountain ranges have some of the best powder
in America. Consequently, many of the state’s 16 downhill
resorts have consistently held positions on listings of
the best resorts within the ski and snow boarding industries.
At the Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known
as Big Mountain Resort), you will find one of the largest
year round resorts. On its 3,000 acres you will find 93
marked runs (% 20 beginners, 50% intermediate and 30% advanced/expert)
with a top mountain elevation of 6,817 feet. It has lodging
for up to 1,500 guests, a pool, hot tub, rental shop, clothing
shop, and several eateries.
In Bozeman,
you can feel the rush of wind in you r face as you hit the
slopes at the Big Bowl. The Bowl is known for its cold smoke
powder, short lift lines, long runs and big bowls. There
are over 70 runs with winding trails and groomed slopes
that give you a wonderfully close view of 2,000 acres in
the Glacier
National Forest. With an average snowfall of 350 inches
a year, there is never a need for snow machines; rather,
you will find elevations of 8,100 feet, vertical drops of
2,000 feet and runs of as much as 3.5 miles long.
Bridger’s “ridge” has nearly 400 acres of terrain for expert
skiers; however, you are required to have an avalanche transceiver,
a shovel, and a skiing partner. Amenities at Bridger Bowl
include day care, children’s ski school, 3 cafeterias, lodges
and a rental shop.
The Great Divide in Marysville is the state’s sunniest ski area. Located
on the Continental Divide, there are 140 trails, 3 peaks,
two terrain parks and 7 lifts. The Great Divide’s longest
run is 2 miles long, has a top elevation of 7,310 feet and
a vertical drop of 1,560 feet. The Great Divide is 23 miles
from Helena.
Other downhill ski locations include, but are not limited to, the Bear Paw
Ski Bowl, the Black Tail Mountain in Lakeside, the Lost
Trail Powder Mountain in Sula, Showdown in Neihart and Turner
Mountain in Libby.
If you are on a Western ski vacation you'll probably want
to ski
Colorado as well even though the crowds are not as bad
in Montana.
Cross Country Skiing
 Listed
in Snow Country magazine as one of the top 10 cross country
ski resorts in the Rockies, Izaak Walton Inn in Essex
is a 1939 mountain lodge that is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. When visiting, you will exclaim
in wonder at the winter wonderland as you race down over
33 kilometers of groomed trails—some of which are in the
Flathead National Forest. You can hire a guide for a day
of incredible skiing in the majestic surroundings or bring
a partner and explore n your own.
Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky offers Nordic Skiing, as well as snow
shoeing, skating, snowboarding, and Alpine skiing. You will
find 85 kilometers of trails that can be enjoyed by the
whole family. Lone Mountain offers a variety of activities
and vacation packages. You can choose naturalist-guided
ski and snowshoe trips, dinners and even winter fly-fishing
trips.
Snowmobiling
Montana’s northwestern and southwestern regions are home to more than 20 snowmobiling
locations. The topography ranges from trails along the Continental
Divide, the ridge of Glacier
National Park, meadows at Lookout Pass, trailside views
of the frozen Skalkaho Falls and miles of scenery in its
many national forest lands and 2 natural parks. Along the
way, you can indulge in ice fishing, cross-country skiing,
and dog sledding. There are mountain cabins, lodges, and
even snow shelters for picnic and cook outs, all designed
with snowmobiling in mind.
Favorite snowmobiling areas are
West Yellowstone with 180 miles of groomed trails and
400 miles outside of the park and the 200 miles of groomed
trails found at Kings Hill/Little Belts.
Photo Credits: Banner and Cross Country
Skiing Photos by Katie Brady;
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