Located in southwestern Montana, Bozeman is surrounded by top ski resorts, offering six choices between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours away. The proximity to so many resorts is why Bozeman is often rated as one of the best places to live for skiers and snowboarders alike.
When people think of skiing in Montana, their minds often go to Big Sky Resort, which happens to be just an hour away. Whether you’re looking for a small local resort, one of the most iconic mountains in the world, or a laid-back slope without any lines, these Montanan mountains here have you covered.
Plus, Bozeman has hot springs close too, so you can properly rejuvenate your body for another day on the slopes.
Here are the nearest ski resorts to Bozeman, Montana in order of driving proximity:
Bridger Bowl – Bozeman: 17 miles | 30 minutes
Located just 30 minutes north of the city of Bozeman lies Bridger Bowl, showcasing a wide range of trails, suitable for even the most skilled of skiers.. This mountain serves as much of the city’s, as well as the students of Montana State University’s, primary ski area.
The base of the mountain sits at 6,100 feet with an average annual snowfall of 325 inches. Four major bowls on the mountain offer a wide range of runs. Bridger Bowl boasts 2,000 skiable acres of terrain, including 311 acres of expert terrain that is ungroomed.
The Bridger Bowl’s Ridge Terrain offers incredible runs that are unparalleled by other mountains’ inbound terrain. To ski this section, the mountain requires all skiers and snowboarders to wear a beacon and carry an avalanche shovel.
The mountain also offers two terrain parks on the slopes. One is small with rails and boxes while the upper terrain park offers large jumps and unique features. The mountain is often compared to a large funnel based on its shape. The base of the mountain spans just 200 yards while the top of the ridgeline extends almost two miles.
15795 Bridger Canyon Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Map) | (406) 587-2111 | bridgerbowl.com
Big Sky Ski Resort – Big Sky: 50 miles | 1 hour
An hour south of Bozeman lies the famous Big Sky Resort, the second largest in the United States, right behind Park City, Utah. Big Sky has 5,850 acres of terrain with 4,350 vertical feet. It’s home to North America’s first-ever eight-person chair and has a covered six-seat chair with heated seats. The summit of Lone Peak stands at a staggering 11,166 feet.
A tram takes the skiers to the summit, providing them with some of the most advanced runs on the entire mountain. The 300-named runs stretch across the four connected mountains that make up Big Sky. The Liberty Bowl to Mountain Village run clocks in at 6.1 miles, making it one of the longest runs in the entire United States.
The annual snowfall at Big Sky Resort is 400 inches, making it the snowiest resort in the entire state of Montana. And as if the seemingly endless network of trails wasn’t enough, Big Sky also offers eight terrain parks with over 100 features throughout the mountain. Nearly sixty percent of Big Sky is designated for advanced and expert terrain, helping ensure that this resort ends up on every skier’s bucket list.
If you feel like taking a break from the slopes, the mountain also offers a multitude of other winter activities such as Nordic skiing, adventure ziplining, snowshoe tours, snowmobile tours, dog sledding, and even a snow-enchanted sleigh ride.
50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716 (Map) | (800) 548-4486 | https://bigskyresort.com
Showdown Montana – Neihart: 111 miles | 2 hours
Showdown Montana is a very small ski area located two hours north of Bozeman. The ski area lies within the Little Belt Mountains and on average, receives about 250 inches of snow.
The four lifts on the mountain allow skiers to access the 640 acres of maintained skiable land. With 36 designated trails and a summit elevation of 8,200 feet, this small mountain is the perfect way to beat the crowds. Much of the mountain is rated blue with a few green and black diamond runs scattered throughout.
While many of the major resorts in the area, and the rest of the state, are often packed with skiers, Showdown Montana can ensure you’ll rarely encounter a line. Cheap ticket prices may draw skiers to the mountain, but the family-friendly atmosphere keeps them coming back.
2850 US-89, Neihart, MT 59465 (Map) | (406) 236-5522 | showdownmontana.com
Discovery Ski – Anaconda: 130 miles | 2.25 hours
Offering 2,200 acres to explore and home to some of the best inbound expert terrain, Discovery Ski Area is found just over 2 hours northwest of Bozeman. It’s characterized by its three main faces; front face, Off the Granite Chair, and backside.
The front face offers wide-open groomers for skiers of any skill level while the bowl of “Off the Granite Chair” provides a range of intermediate trails. The third face encompasses the entire backside of the mountain where deep powder and challenging chutes await the skilled skiers.
On average the mountain receives 215 inches of snowfall, though snow machines are still used on a few of the major runs. Discovery Basin offers two terrain parks, one for beginners while the second is full of advanced jumps and features. Since the mountain does not receive an immense amount of snowfall, the terrain park will close occasionally throughout the season.
The summit of the mountain reaches 8,158 feet, allowing skiers to have impeccable views of the surrounding mountains and plateaus in the distance. Nearby, Georgetown Lake Area offers a 13-mile network of Nordic trails in a range of difficulties.
180 Discovery Basin Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711 (Map) | (406) 563-2184 | skidiscovery.com
Great Divide – Marysville: 121 miles | 2.25 hours
Great Divide Ski Area encompasses over 1,500 acres and spans two separate peaks; Rawhide Peak and Mount Belmont. The inbound region covers three faces; Rawhide Gulch, Mount Belmont, and the Wild West. While there are only six chairlifts at Great Divide, the mountain still boasts 140 trails with the longest being just over three miles.
The base of the mountain sits at 5,900 feet, with the summit of Mount Belmont reaching 7,330 feet. There are very few green runs, with most of the mountain being rated blue or black diamond.
Despite being at a relatively high elevation, the area only receives 180 inches of annual snowfall. However, Great Divide Ski Area is home to powerful snowmakers that allow for the mountain to typically open in mid-November.
There are five terrain parks at Great Divide, allowing the resort to host numerous events throughout the year. Since the mountain is smaller than many in the state, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, if you’re looking to get your weekend started a little early, be sure to check out their night skiing each Friday evening.
7385 Belmont Dr, Marysville, MT 59640 (Map) | (406) 449-3746 | skigd.com
Red Lodge Mt. – Red Lodge: 153 miles | 2.5 hours
Located just 20 miles north of the Montana- Wyoming border, you’ll encounter the Red Lodge Mountain. As a whole, the mountain doesn’t offer many runs for beginners but does have nearly 40% of its terrain dedicated to advanced and expert routes.
The mountain has 1,600 acres of skiable terrain with 65 runs throughout. Red Lodge has one of the highest elevations in the state, with a base elevation of 7,016 feet and a summit that sits at 9,416 feet. On average the mountain receives 250 inches of annual snowfall, while snow machines service 30% of the mountain’s runs.
While many mountains now offer terrain parks, Red Lodge Mountain boasts one designated specifically for beginners. Named Miami Beach, this small park provides the opportunity for skiers and boarders to get their first look at and experience a park. Higher up on the mountain lies The Scrapyard, full of jumps, rails, boxes, and a wall ride for more advanced riders.
The mountain’s unique location makes it a great destination for skiers located in Montana, Wyoming, and even eastern Idaho.
305 Ski Run Rd, Red Lodge, MT 59068 (Map) | (800) 444-8977 | redlodgemountain.com
With such a wide range of terrain to be explored, it’s no wonder Bozeman is a bustling destination for skiers and snowboarders. Whether you’re shredding down chutes at over 11,000 feet, squeezing in a run after work, or trying a new trick in the terrain park, the mountains of Big Sky Country deliver.
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