Winter in Montana

Hit the slopes and visit the state's National Parks for a fun and active season

It’s easy to fall in love with Montana. It's the West from stories, movies and history, and to be part of it, if only for a moment, is a desire of many.

Getting to Montana this Winter

It may be far west and far north but getting to Montana has never been easier. The Treasure State is home to seven airports in Bozeman, Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Missoula and Kalispell. Direct flights are not hard to find and arrive from Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix/Mesa, Salt Lake City, Portland and Seattle. During the winter months, direct flights expand to include the cities of Atlanta and San Francisco since the the skiing in Montana is so sought after.

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

Skiing Montana this Winter

If you think hiking in the wilds of Montana is amazing, skiing is even better. The state has some of the best snow in North America and no lift lines. With the growth of the ski industry in the west, the latter is reason enough to visit Montana this winter.

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

There are 16 ski resorts in Montana as well as multiple ski areas. From large resorts like Big Sky Resort near Bozeman to remote ski areas located in magical spots around the state, Montana is a skiers paradise.

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

Whether you’re an advanced skier with years of time spent on the slopes or a parent with a flock of young skiers, Montana has you covered. Places like Showdown, Montana’s oldest, family-owned ski area, is perfect for families. With a hot spring pool nearby, this is the ideal place for an old-fashion family ski vacation.

For the ultimate ski experience in Montana start planning your trip at VisitMt.com.

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

Photo courtesy of National Parks Service (Jacob Frank)

National Parks in Montana this Winter

You may think that when the snow falls in Montana the National Parks close down, but think again. What really happens is that most of the tourists go home. This means that when you visit a National Park in the winter you’ll have it almost to yourself.

Montana is home to part of Yellowstone National Park and all of Glacier National Park. Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is like a dream. The heat of the park’s many hot springs creates a mist that falls over the snow creating a surreal scene. It's unforgettable for those who get to witness the sight.

Photo courtesy of National Park Service/Jacob Frank

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

During the winter, the park becomes a winter sports playground, offering opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It’s also easy to see wildlife in the snow as a lot of animals, such as the famous Yellowstone bison, stand out against the snow. Guided tours of the park during the winter are available as well. 

Photo courtesy of Visit Montana

Glacier National Park is even more remote but it is open year-round. It’s the ideal destination for lovers of winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as many of the park’s roads turn into snowy trails perfect for these activities. If you don’t want to go it alone on snowshoes, the National Park Service offers guided snowshoe walks on Saturdays and Sundays from January through March.