Snow is falling in Montana, known as the Treasure State, and a winter bounty is waiting to be discovered there. Although popular as a summer destination, Montana remains a relatively unspoiled nature utopia with wondrous mountain views, vast plains, charming small towns, two national parks and winter experiences for all.
“While many travelers think of Montana for their warm-weather trip, the state’s diverse downhill ski areas, snow-covered forests, cozy lodging accommodations, lively cultural attractions, hearty culinary scene and two national parks say otherwise,” says Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development spokesperson Nicole Gonzalez. She says the state, nestled between the Pacific Northwest and the Great Plains, is one of the country’s most underrated winter destinations.
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Fort Myers resident Kim Sanders has visited Montana several times with her husband Mark and 12-year-old daughter Kat.
“We visit Big Sky often. This destination is truly a winter wonderland. It is very white, quiet and tranquil,” Kim describes. “The Summit at Big Sky is our favorite place to stay as the accommodations are beautiful, complete with fireplaces in each room with slope-side picture windows of the mountain. We walked to the chair lift to have lunch at the top of the mountain gourmet restaurant and had an incredible ride back down to the base. Just unbelievable views.”
One of the most memorable dining experiences for the Sanders family was The Montana Dinner Yurt at Big Sky Resort set in the backcountry. A yurt is a traditional mobile tent structure. It’s toasty on the inside; however, the thrill of the ride to this dining destination is cold.
“The snowcat yurt dinner was very unique,” Kim recalls. “It is set in a candlelit yurt that you can only access via snowcat or sled and the food is delicious.”
For other dining experiences, Kim says, “All the local restaurants will pick you up for dinner and deliver you home safely. The driving conditions can be very dangerous. The food is phenomenal. We enjoyed lots of local game prepared perfectly and great wine pairings.”
Montana has a variety of winter sports, including snowboarding, freestyle skiing and cross-country skiing. For guests traveling to Montana in the winter months, Nicole suggests a few experiences, including skiing or snowboarding, snowmobiling and partaking in the state’s natural hot springs.
“During winter, natural hot springs provide a perfect complement to the state’s snow-centered activities, and travelers will find hot spring resorts in the towns of Anaconda, Boulder, Hot Springs, Jackson, Lolo, Paradise, Polaris, Pray, Saco, Sula and White Sulphur Springs,” she recommends. “Each of the resorts has a different style of accommodations, ranging from rustic lodge rooms to condos and cabins, as well as on-site amenities and offerings that include dining, spa and live music. Plus, many of the hot springs are known for their healing properties and are a perfect way to end a winter day.”
For nonskiers, Nicole recommends travelers try snowshoeing, sleigh rides and dog sledding.
“Driving your own dog sled was challenging and quite amazing,” Kim says. “The power of the dogs is crazy.”
Open year-round, Montana’s national parks transform during the winter months into a wonderland of fresh powder with wildlife viewing and activity options that include cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Nicole describes one of the national parks, Yellowstone, as iconic, unforgettable, otherworldly, pure and picturesque.
Another of Kim’s favorite experiences while vacationing in Montana has been snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park, which she describes as natural, adventurous, beautiful and tranquil.
“We have done a private snowmobile tour in Yellowstone. Having your own guide on your own time schedule makes it very special,” she says. “Also, it was memorable having lunch at the lodge at Old Faithful and experiencing the eruption.”
Nicole agrees that one of the best ways to see winter up close is on a snowmobile.
“While there are plenty of trails to explore on your own, a guided snowmobile trip with an experienced outfitter makes the adventure easy for any experience level of sledder, as outfitters provide a snowmobile, helmet, gear and guide,” she says. “Most snowmobile outfitters operate out of the western portion of the state, with guided trips available in Glacier Country, Southwest Montana and Yellowstone Country. Be prepared for a beautiful winter wonderland. Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park is a must. Explore the beauty of the park and enjoy the frozen waterfalls, snow-covered bison and gem-colored mineral pools.”
For first-time visitors, Nicole recommends visiting the charming mountain town of Whitefish, home to Whitefish Mountain Resort, in western Montana, about 20 minutes from Glacier National Park.
“Whitefish is a winter lover’s paradise, from skiing to sleigh rides to snowshoeing,” Nicole says. “Whitefish is the perfect place to discover winter in Montana.”
Skiing is one of the most recommended winter sports in Montana, with Whitefish being one of the recommended ski destinations.
“Montana ski towns are known for their friendly and laid-back lifestyles, each with its own unique personality to discover between runs,” Nicole says.
Montana mountain towns offer skiers all they could hope for in a ski getaway, especially those seeking a less-crowded experience.
“For travelers planning a winter getaway, downhill skiing is likely the first activity that comes to mind,” Nicole says. “In Montana, the snow comes early and often as the sky drops some of the lightest and deepest power across the Rocky Mountains, preparing the more than 15,000 acres of downhill terrain for the coming ski season. With 14 ski areas to choose from, it’s easy to fill your entire winter vacation with tree-lined runs, powder-filled bowls and expansive views at places like Red Lodge Mountain in Red Lodge, Discovery Ski Area in Philipsburg and Maverick Mountain in Polaris, as well as world-class terrain at Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain Resort.”
Whitefish Mountain Resort is home to 3,000 skiable acres and has jaw-dropping views of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park.
“Whitefish is known for the beautiful snow ghosts (trees covered in a thick ice called rime) that cover the slopes of Big Mountain, making skiing through many of the runs like gliding through a beautiful snow-covered wonderland,” Nicole says.
Known for the “biggest skiing in America,” Big Sky Resort has 5,850 skiable acres, 36 lifts and 4,350 vertical feet, providing plenty of room for skiers and snowboarders of all levels and abilities.
“New this year is the Ramcharger 8; the new 8-seat, high-speed D-line chairlift is the first of its kind in the world,” Nicole adds. “Plus, even on its busiest days, the resort’s wide terrain still offers two acres per skier.”
However, if more off-the-beaten-path skiing and deeper powder are desired, Nicole recommends heading to Lost Trail Powder Mountain and Discovery Ski Area. Situated on U.S. Highway 93 south of Darby in the Bitterroot Valley, Lost Trail Powder Mountain is celebrating its 80th ski season this year.
“A local Montana favorite, Lost Trail welcomes snow early in the season, with fresh powder falling all winter long for an average of 325 inches of snow annually. No lodging is available on the mountain, but the nearby communities of Sula, Darby and Hamilton provide a wide variety of accommodations, dining options and local libations,” Nicole says. “Located about halfway between Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain Resort — and one of the earliest mountains to open this ski season — is Discovery Ski Area near Philipsburg. Home to three faces that encompass 2,200 acres, Discovery has a variety of terrain that includes gentle runs, advanced groomed cruisers, mogul skiing and steep drops with deep powder.”
When skiing Discovery, be sure to plan time to explore the revitalized mining town of Philipsburg and wash your ski day down with chocolate from The Sweet Palace and a locally brewed beer from Philipsburg Brewing Company, Nicole advises.
When traveling to Montana, Kim also recommends absorbing nature, enjoying the snow and ensuring to try at least one winter activity that is not available in Florida.
“I just love the mountains, the people, the random wildlife everywhere and the peaceful way of life in Montana,” she says.
With over 147,000 square miles to explore, two national parks, anchoring the north and south parts of the state, there’s more to discover throughout Montana than most people dream, Nicole says.
“Montana is a place people need to see to believe,” she says. “Untamed, wild and natural, discovering spectacular places comes easy to travelers. The backdrop for adventures — mountains and valleys, bears and bison, waterfalls and trout streams — will simply leave any visitor in awe.”