Montana is world-renowned for its big, open spaces—and thankfully, the same applies to most of its ski resorts. If the endless lift lines in Tahoe, Colorado, or Utah have you down, may we recommend checking out the scene in the third least-populated US state? There, you’re liable to find terrain for every taste, cuisine ranging from humble and hearty to fine-dining, and a vast array of accommodations. Most importantly, you’ll likely find more elbow room here than anywhere else in the lower 48, providing the rare chance to really stretch out those turns.
The ski scene has experienced significant growth in the last few years, but the remoteness of the state remains, creating the feeling of a true getaway. Montana‘s northern latitude ensures it gets absolutely blanketed with snow every winter (with low temperatures keeping it all fresh powder for days), and the tall, rocky peaks cradle the snow like a catcher’s glove. That combination results in a ski experience that feels like nowhere else on Earth. Here are our picks for the best Montana ski resorts, and how to hit them like a pro.
Our top picks:
Big Sky Resort
If you’ve only ever heard of one Montana resort, it’s probably Big Sky—and for good reason. Firstly, Big Sky is massive: Coming in at 5,850 skiable acres, it’s the third-largest ski resort in North America (just behind Whistler Blackcomb and Park City/Canyons). It averages around 400 inches of snow each year, and the terrain is nothing short of spectacular. It has plenty of green and blue runs for those who are newer, but there is also an array of triple-black-diamond chutes pouring into several bowls for experts and adrenaline junkies. Despite that, Big Sky never feels crowded—it averages more than an acre of terrain per person on most days. It has about 40 lifts (including surface lifts), six of which are high-speed. Five of them have bubbles and heated seats, to shield you from the wind and cold.
The 10-person Explorer Gondola debuted in December 2025, taking visitors directly from the Mountain Village base to the Lone Peak Tram—creating a fluid, base-to-peak lift experience for skiers and sightseers alike. For advanced-intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to hone their skills, check out the Summit Pursuits clinic, led by Ski Hall-of-Famer Dan Egan. It got me down Big Sky’s legendary triple-black Big Couloir for the first time, and it was a 50-degree steep, 1,400-foot thrill that I’ll be grinning about for the rest of my life. Overall, Big Sky is an ideal combination of wilderness and developed amenities.
Peak season lift tickets start around $200 per day, though discounts are often available (especially early in the season), as are packaging deals with lodging. Big Sky is on the Ikon Pass as well as the Mountain Collective Pass. Tickets for the Lone Peak Tram (with access to the steepest areas) are included with season and day passes, but are an add-on for Ikon and Mountain Collective passes.
Where to après, eat, and drink:
One of the best on-mountain restaurants is Everett’s 8800, which sits atop the (weatherproof and heated) Ramcharger 8 chairlift. It has upscale log cabin aesthetics and stunning panoramic views. Stop in for a mid-day lunch, or for a nice dinner if you made reservations. The Peak’s Chophouse in the Summit Hotel also slices and sears some absolutely killer steaks, in a state known for its meats. For the 2025-2026 ski season, look out for M by The Alinea Group. The four-month residency from Michelin Three-Star and James Beard Award winner Grant Achatz fuses European cuisine with seasonal Montana ingredients.
For après, hit The Umbrella bar. It offers a mix of alfresco and coziness—tucked under a gigantic umbrella with glass walls—where you can enjoy craft beer and cocktails. And if you want something really special, make a reservation at the Montana Dinner Yurt, where you take a snowcat ride up the mountain to a well-appointed yurt set in the woods. You can go sledding while a chef prepares a family-style dinner.
There’s a wide variety of places to stay in Big Sky, ranging from hotels to vacation rentals. The Summit Hotel is the crown jewel of slope-side lodging in Big Sky, and it’s fresh off a transformative renovation: The design gives a contemporary nod to ski culture across 213 updated rooms, common spaces, restaurants, and lounges. Montage Big Sky is perfect for those wanting to go luxe at a cushy spa with a gorgeous, heated indoor pool you won’t want to miss.
New this year is the first US One&Only, which opened in November 2025. Located on the Moonlight Basin side of the mountain, this luxurious property features six restaurants, a gorgeous spa, and even a private gondola to get you onto Big Sky’s slopes with zero hassle.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Just outside of Glacier National Park, the small and charming Whitefish just might be the quintessential northern mountain town. You won’t find any heated bubble lifts, but there are some pretty incredible turns to be had on the not-so-little local mountain. Coming in at 3,000 acres with 113 named trails, this mountain has something for everybody. There are plenty of greens, blues, and terrain parks, as well as a huge collection of blacks and double-blacks.
The slopes are uncrowded, the lift lines are short, and the tree skiing is absolutely legendary (I spent almost all of my time in them when I visited). At just over 6,800 feet at the summit, it’s not the tallest mountain around, but it still averages almost 300 inches of snow per year, and the terrain is remarkable. Whitefish also offers night skiing under several chairs.
Adult lift tickets start at $115 per day (or $104 for two days or more). Whitefish is proudly independent, affordable, and family-friendly; and while it is not on any multi-resort passes, season ticket holders do get some free days at other nearby mountains as a part of their Passholder Perks.
Where to après, eat, and drink:
For breakfast you can’t do much better than a stack of brioche French toast at the Buffalo Café. Or, hit Markus Community Market for hearty grab-and-go breakfast options, especially if you’re eager to hit the mountain. On the slopes, the Summit House is a great spot to have lunch, rehydrate, and enjoy views of the Northern Rockies.
When you get back to town (just a 15-minute drive away), visit Spotted Bear Spirits to après in a downtown distillery mixing inventive cocktails. If beer is more your thing, the Montana Tap House has nearly 60 craft beers on tap.
For dinner, try riffs on Southern classics at Tupelo Grille or unique maki rolls at Indah Sushi. If you’re looking for a great date spot, check out Latitude 48, which features locally-sourced ingredients and rustic charm. Of course, no visit to Northern Montana would be complete without a slice of huckleberry pie at Loula’s Café.
You’ve got all of Whitefish to choose from, which has tons of hotels, Airbnbs, and vacation rentals. If skiing is your primary objective, the resort has a variety of hotel and condo-style lodgings on the mountain, which you can book through the resort. The Kintla Lodge and Morning Eagle buildings both have ski-in/ski-out access, so that might be the best place to start.
In town, there’s the Firebrand Hotel, which features upscale, contemporary design, plush beds, and easy access to all the action in downtown Whitefish. If you’d like something a little quieter, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake offers warm, spacious rooms, a massive indoor hot tub and fitness center, with some suites featuring lake-side views.
Discovery Ski Area
Tucked away in southwestern Montana, just between the historic mining towns of Anaconda and Philipsburg, Discovery Ski Area (or simply “Disco” to the locals) is the platonic ideal of an unpretentious, local hill punching far above its weight. While the front side of the mountain offers gentle cruising perfect for families and beginners, the real thrill lies on the backside, where the expert-only terrain (accessible by the Limelight Triple chairlift) provides some of the steepest and deepest skiing in the state.
