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A Trip To Montana Snowbowl Will Make Winter Your Favorite Season

Montana Snowbowl offers a breathtaking alpine ski experience with steep runs, a significant vertical rise, and amenities for beginners.

Published Jan 3, 2021

Written by 

Jessica Wick

Do you long for the warm days of summer and prefer boating to skiing? If so, we highly recommend taking a trip to Montana Snowbowl before winter is over. This alpine ski area is not only breathtaking, it has something for everyone (including beginners) to enjoy.

Montana Snowbowl is located in the Lolo National Forest, just 12 miles from Missoula.

A small wooden weather station near a ski lift, surrounded by snow and trees, with various signs posted on it.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

The area's base is centered on Butler Creek, a tributary of the Clark Fork River.

Montana Snowbowl is known for its steep runs and a 2,600-foot vertical rise.

A snowy mountain landscape with a ski lift and a skier in the foreground, surrounded by evergreen trees.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

The resort first opened in 1962, and at that time, it was known for having the largest vertical in the Northwest.

Opening day tends to be in mid-late December, when sufficient snow is on the ground.

A snowy mountain landscape with tall pine trees and a bright sun shining over distant hills.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

The winter season typically ends on the last day of February.

Obviously, skiing and snowboarding are popular here.

A skier navigates through deep snow among tall, snow-covered trees on a cloudy day.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

And if you don't know how to do either, you can always invest in Snow Sports School, designed to help beginners have more fun in the snow.

The other highlight of this beautiful space is The Grizzly Chair, a lift that extends 2,000 feet from the base area.

A snowy mountain slope lined with tall pine trees, with a sunset illuminating the distant valley below.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

The LaVelle Creek Chair tops out at 7,600 feet below Point Six Summit.

If you've ever been curious about snow sports, this is definitely the place to be before winter's end.

A snowy landscape with tall pine trees, a dirt road, and vehicles in a winter setting, shrouded in fog.
Montana Snowbowl / Facebook

The team has strict sanitary protocols they follow to ensure everyone's safety.

If you haven't been to Montana Snowbowl for awhile, you're in for a real treat. The area was greatly expanded in 2011 and now offers more parking, better chairlifts, and even an onsite restaurant. Plan your visit and learn more about  Snow Sports School on the Montana Snowbowl website. Have you ever been to this cool spot?

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