Dreams of skiing or snowboarding through fresh powder can easily become a reality with four amazing and affordable ski areas nearby.
A short 20-minute drive from downtown Missoula is Snowbowl Ski Area. Both skiers and snowboarders enjoy a continuous vertical drop of 2,600 feet—one of the steepest in the nation.
This acclaimed local ski area also hosts the annual Snowbowl Cup Gelande Championship which features spectacular ski jumping of up to 200 feet using alpine equipment. The jumpers fly off a narrow drop between two cliffs just above the Grizzly chairlift. The event attracts national media as well as jumpers from all over the United States.
For those willing to travel up to 100 miles, Discovery Basin (east) Lookout Pass (west), and Lost Trail (south) ski areas all feature fantastic terrain for all skill levels… and the views are nothing short of spectacular. The drive to each is gorgeous, too!
If you’re looking for a resort setting, a 250 mile trek to the southeast takes you to renowned Big Sky Montana. Or, just 150 miles north leads to Whitefish Mountain Resort, a favorite ski destination for Western Montanans and Canadians.
If adventure off the beaten path is more to your liking, look into back country skiing at Lolo Peak. You’ll also find an abundance of groomed cross-country trails and countless miles of snowmobiling terrain within an hour’s drive of the city.
