3 Hidden Montana Ski Destinations
With the huge influx of travelers heading to popular ski destinations like Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain Resort, now is the ideal time to seek out Montana’s hidden ski hills. These spots are affordable with friendly staff and offer untracked powder and few lines. There is SO much to enjoy!
We’ve experienced these places firsthand. If you’re looking for a truly untethered ski vacation, we recommend renting an RV or one of our campervans and hopping from one hidden gem to the next. The freedom to chase powder on your terms creates an epic adventure few get to experience. All of the ski hills in our list welcome boondockers - setting yourself up perfectly for first chair the next morning.
Especially when traveling to smaller ski hills, do your homework before hitting the road:
Call ahead to confirm the days they’re open.
Confirm road accessibility leading to the hill. Big powder days may bring delays in plowing. Smaller ski hills aren’t always able to maintain roads like larger resorts.
Check the ski lodge’s operating hours to confirm access to the bar, restaurant and bathrooms.
So here it is, our top ski hills in Montana to escape the crowds and get the lift-accessible fresh tracks you want on your next ski vacation.
Teton Pass Ski Area
About 30 miles from Choteau, MT, this small hill has so much untapped potential. The drive in is exquisite and views of the Rocky Mountain Front, just east of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, are breathtaking. The in-bounds terrain is varied and backcountry skiing is easily accessible. Teton Pass offers 400 acres of terrain with 43 downhill runs, one chair lift and one pull lift. The lodge has a full-service restaurant, bar and rental shop. Call ahead to confirm their hours and road conditions.
Teton Pass Resort Montana
Showdown Montana
We consider Showdown one of our local ski hills and is such a treat to explore with kids in a family-friendly environment. Located in the Belt Mountains of central Montana, its closest town is White Sulphur Springs where you can catch a hot soak after a day on the hill. Showdown has a vertical rise of 1,400 ft. spread over 600 acres and offers great beginner and intermediate terrain. The King’s Hill Grille and Hole-in-the-Wall Saloon serve up drinks and hot food all day. Don’t forget to grab some of our favorite ski swag from their merch shop!
Showdown Ski Hill
Lost Trail Ski Area
Lost Trail is beautiful ski hill at the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. It sits along the Continental Divide straddling the Montana / Idaho border. Lost Trail is family-owned and operated since 1938 and boasts some of the best snow in the area. There are five double chairs and three rope tows with 60+ trails and over 1,800 acres across two mountains. Lost Trail Ski Area is classic Montana skiing at its best.
We hope this gets you excited about the upcoming ski season in Montana! We’ve had record snow fall this season and all the mountains are opening early. If you’re interested in taking a campervan on your next ski vacation, reach out to our rental team to get recommendations. Our winter rental season opens March 1st just in time for spring skiing! We hope to catch you for aprés ski at one of these hidden gems! Happy trails.
