Last Updated on 20th June 2023 by Steve
Bozeman locals and students at Montana State University have some of the best Montana ski areas within easy reach. Bridger Bowl is the closest ski resort to Bozeman, but the renowned skiing at Big Sky is only around an hour’s drive south-west of the town. And there are four more ski areas within around 150 miles of the fast-growing metropolitan area.
Those who are interested in a guide to the skiing in other parts of the state may like to head over to our guide to Montana ski resorts…
Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl is Bozeman’s local ski area, only a short drive to the north of the city. It is also one of the top ski resorts in the state, with a reputation for good snow and some tough runs. The ski area is run by a not-for-profit association and there is no accommodation at the base of the lifts. The 2000 acres of terrain is served by eight chairlifts and a surface lifts covering a decent vertical of 2500 feet.
Distance from Bozeman: 16 miles
Website: bridgerbowl.com
Big Sky Resort
Montana’s Big Sky Resort is one of the premier ski areas in North America, with its nearly 6000 acres of ski terrain and some impressive uphill lift capacity. The ski resort, which boosted its attraction through the acquisition of neighbouring Moonlight Basin a few years ago, is within an hour’s drive south-west of Bozeman.
Distance from Bozeman: 50 miles
Website: bigskyresort.com
Showdown Ski Area
Showdown ski area is located in central Montana to the north of Bozeman. It has been running since 1936 and is the oldest ski area in the state which is still in operation. The small ski area has 640 acres of skiable terrain served by three chairlifts and a magic carpet. The skiing at Showdown, with a vertical drop of 400 feet, is best suited for families and beginner to intermediate skiers.
Distance from Bozeman: 50 miles
Website: www.showdownmontana.com
Great Divide Ski Area
Great Divide ski area is the ‘local’ skiing for the Montana capital of Helena. Like Showdown, Great Divide is another family ski resort, although the ski operation is somewhat larger. It has six lifts, including five chairlifts, and skiable terrain covering 1600 acres. The vertical drop of 1500 feet offers lengthy runs, and the skiing at the area is suitable for all levels of skill. The ski area also offers six terrain parks.
Distance from Bozeman: 122 miles
Website: www.skigd.com
Ski Discovery
Discovery is a decent-sized ski area which can be accessed from Bozeman via Butte and Anaconda. The top elevation at the ski resort is over 8000 feet and skiing here usually starts pretty early in the season, with the ski area aiming to open at Thanksgiving. The 2000 acres of terrain is divided into a mixture of beginner and intermediate runs on one side with the many expert level trails on the back side.
Distance from Bozeman: 130 miles
Website: www.skidiscovery.com
Red Lodge Mountain
The skiing at Red Lodge Mountain is situated near the southern border of Montana to the south-west of Billings. It may be the most distant of these six ski areas but the skiing here is worth the two-and-a-half hour drive from Bozeman. It offers a good mix of skiing for all levels on 65 trails served by six chairlifts and a magic carpet and can boast a top elevation of just over 9400 feet.
Distance from Bozeman: 153 miles
Website: www.redlodgemountain.com
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