#1 Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Bridger Bowl is a Short Drive from Bozeman, MT

Our number one pick for ski areas in Montana. Bridger Bowl Ski Area offers some of the most challenging and diverse terrain there is just about anywhere. Only a short drive from Bozeman Montana(about 20-30 min) which means it’s close to an airport and has convenient places to stay nearby. In my experiences at Bridger Bowl, it seems the whole city of Bozeman comes out on powder days. So if there is more than 8 inches of fresh snow, be sure to leave a little earlier!

Bozeman has a number of places to stay including nearby VRBO and AirBNB options. As you would expect it has great choices for restaurants and bars. Breweries offer locals and visitors alike a place to grab a beer/growler. Bozeman Brewing Company and Montana Ale Works are two local favorites.

#2 Lookout Pass

Lookout Pass is a Short Drive from Missoula, MT or Coeur d’Alene, ID

Lookout Pass is on the border of Montana and Idaho on I-90. It gets a whole lot of snow and has great terrain for being one of the smaller ski areas on this list. The lifts here are all legacy lifts…so if you’re looking to get up the mountain fast, this might not be the place for you. Located just 30 minutes west, Silver Mountain (Idaho) is also worth checking out.

While there isn’t much service-wise, there is a cafeteria and restaurant/bar and everything is family friendly.

#3 Discovery Ski Area

Discovery Ski Area is one of my Family’s Favorites

Discovery is a great little family ski hill. If the back sides open with fresh snow this place has some challenging runs. There are no airports nearby. To get here you’re fly into Missoula or Butte. Your options are limited for services and lodging. Discovery makes it on the list for our ski and soak category because Fairmont is a short drive from the ski hill.

#4 Red Lodge Mountain

Red Lodge’s Mountain Town has a lot of Personality

Red Lodge Mountain is number four on our list. Red Lodge the town is about an hour from Billings, which hosts the nearest airport. Red Lodge Mountain is the easternmost ski area in Montana. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the town of Red Lodge, which has pretty good menu choices for dining and a decent amount of lodging options.

#5 Showdown Ski Area

Showdown Ski Area has a Great Family Atmosphere

Showdown ski area is our number five. Another good family-friendly ski hill. There are no lodging options here. It’s about a 30-minute drive to White Sulphur Springs, which has limited places to stay. As the name implies, White Sulphur Springs does have hot springs which means it makes our list of ski and soak. If you’re flying in to ski here the nearest airport is going to be Great Falls, which is about an hour and 20 minutes on good roads.