Welcome to Montana, your new dream ski destination.
Here, you'll find a combination of Utah's powder with Colorado's mountain splendor, all while retaining authentic Western charms but none of the long lift lines, high prices and stuffy exclusivity. From big, world-class resorts bordering iconic national parks to mellow, community-owned runs that boast all the altitude without any of the attitude, this is a top place to go skiing in the US. Here are Montana's best ski resorts.
Best resort for terrain and Montana glitz
From blue skies to grizzly bears, everything is supersized in Montana, and nowhere is that truer than at Big Sky. The stats alone are enough to make you reach for your bindings: 5850 acres of terrain, 4350 vertical feet, 155 miles of runs and 36 ski lifts, spread over three mountains. Throw in lots of deep, fluffy powder, and it's clear that this resort offers easily the biggest, highest and glitziest skiing in the state.
There are many reasons to choose Big Sky. The sheer size of the place guarantees no lift lines, even if its proximity to Bozeman airport means it's the easiest to reach from out of state. You're also well positioned for a day or two experiencing the frozen wonders of nearby Yellowstone National Park during its quietest and most dramatic season, another magnetic draw.
Skiers of all levels are well served. Novices and children enjoy superb ski schools, while experts can take the tram (for an additional fee) to the top of Lone Peak (11,116ft) for incredible chutes and Warren Miller-style descents. There's also excellent cross-country skiing at Lone Mountain Ranch, and non-skiers can enjoy magical sleigh rides, dog sledding and day spas.
Already a world-class resort, a $150 million upgrade is kicking Big Sky up a serious notch by 2025, with completed projects including new five-star accommodations and an eight-seater lift with heated seats, alongside a commitment to operate carbon neutral by 2030. Big Sky is clearly heading upscale, so if you are on a budget, get here soon.
Lift tickets: Expensive at $160-225 per day, but dropping to $100-120 per day for a five-day pass.
Getting to Big Sky: Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, 50 miles north of Big Sky, offers direct daily flights in winter to 14 cities across the USA, including with budget airlines JetBlue and Allegiant Air. Shuttle buses connect the two main lodging and dining areas and run to Bozeman town.
Best for fabulous downhill skiing
Big Sky's main rival is Whitefish in the northwestern corner of the state next to Glacier National Park, where the 111 world-class runs tumble off Big Mountain's hefty 2353ft of elevation drop. Some regulars mutter about a reputation for socked-in weather, but on a clear
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