Best Skiing Near Butte & Bozeman, Montana
No matter when or where, Montana is big on adventure. With its mountain slopes and stunning scenery, skiing and snowboarding is a favorite wintery pastime for residents and visitors alike. If you are wondering where to ski in Montana, you’ll find most of the state’s top ski resorts are on the western half of the state. We are going to focus on Southwest Montana and a few favorite ski destinations close to Butte and Bozeman.
Where to Ski in Southwest Montana
Bozeman and Butte are cities in southern Montana about 85 miles apart in the Rocky Mountains. They offer access to some of Montana’s best skiing. Here are a few great places to ski near Bozeman and Butte, MT.
Bridger Bowl Ski Area
Bridger Bowl is a favorite ski resort for local Bozeman residents and Montana State University students and it’s no wonder. This truly unique ski resort is known as one of the best ski areas in North America with over 2,000 acres of open runs, glades, gullies, chutes, and bowls for every level of skier or snowboarder, along with some highly technical and steep landscapes for advanced skiers only. It’s a nonprofit ski resort that offers big mountain skiing with a friendly local vibe and amenities including ski rental, a cafeteria and restaurant.
Bell Lake Yurt
If you are looking for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, Bell Lake Yurt in Montana is where it’s at. It’s located just 1.5 hours from Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman, Montana and offers ski touring and ski mountaineering for all abilities. There’s over 14,000 acres to explore at an average elevation of 9,000 feet.
Big Sky Resort
Known for the biggest skiing in America, Big Sky Resort is the northern Rockies ski destination. It is just an hour south of Bozeman and offers over 5,800 skiable acres, catering to beginners, intermediates and those looking for big terrain. Despite drawing crowds, you’ll find little to no lines thanks to the 36 lifts and an abundance of space. For a uniquely Montana experience, take the Lone Peak Tram up the 11,166-foot summit for 300 degrees of skiable terrain. Big Sky also offers plenty of dining, lodging and non-skiing attractions at the resort including dogsledding, sleigh rides and a zipline.
Moonlight Basin
Moonlight Basin is now part of Big Sky Resort, but it still deserves its own mention. It’s just one hour south of Bozeman, Montana in the Madison Range of the Rocky Mountains and is a popular destination for families looking for a smaller and quieter ski resort. It’s also only an hour’s drive from Yellowstone National Park, if you are looking to expand your family vacation experience. Set on the back side of Lone Peak, it offers a true ski-in/ski-out experience with direct access to extraordinary terrain.
Homestake Lodge
Homestake Lodge offers groomed Nordic skiing near Butte, Montana. It sits atop a hill overlooking Moose Creek at an elevation of about 6,200 feet with access to more than 35 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails. The terrain ranges from easy gliding to steeper climbs into boulder-strewn mountains. Lodging accommodations include large lodge rooms, private cabins, and a ski-in yurt.
Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Just 17 miles north of Bozeman in the Bridger Range is Crosscut Mountain Sports Center on more than 500 beautiful acres of land. It is located next to the Bridger Bowl and the Custer Gallatin National Forest and offers some amazing cross-country skiing. They have a beautiful 45-kilometer trail system that winds through evergreens with plenty of groomed and non-groomed routes. They also offer rentals, lessons, and coaching for every age and level.
Montana Ski Storage
When your Montana ski adventure is over, make sure you’ve got a nice place to store your skis. Log Ski Rack believes in creating pieces that are both beautiful and functional. Our high-quality ski and snowboard storage racks are handcrafted from northern white cedar. Shop our ski and snowboard racks online now or contact us for a custom ski rack to meet your unique needs.
