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6 Best Montana ski resorts for fun, runs, and après, Western style in 2026
Montana is world-renowned for its big, open spaces – and thankfully, the same applies to most of its ski resorts. If the endless lift lines in Tahoe, Colorado, or Utah have you down, may we recommend checking out the scene in the third least-populated US state? There, you’re liable to find terrain for every taste, cuisine ranging from humble and hearty to fine-dining, and a vast array of accommodations. Most importantly, you’ll likely find more elbow room here than anywhere else in the lower 48, providing the rare chance to really stretch out those turns.
The ski scene has experienced significant growth in the last few years, but the remoteness of the state remains, creating the feeling of a true getaway. Montana’s northern latitude ensures it gets absolutely blanketed with snow every winter (with low temperatures keeping it all fresh powder for days), and the tall, rocky peaks cradle the snow like a catcher’s glove. That combination results in a ski experience that feels like nowhere else on Earth. Here are our picks for the best Montana ski resorts, and how to hit them like a pro.
Our top picks:
Best for beginners: Big Sky Resort
Best for its après scene: Montana Snowbowl
Best for backcountry skiing: Whitefish Mountain Resort
Big Sky Resort
If you’ve only ever heard of one Montana resort, it’s probably Big Sky – and for good reason. Firstly, Big Sky is massive: Coming in at 5,850 skiable acres, it’s the third-largest ski resort in North America (just behind Whistler Blackcomb and Park City/Canyons). It averages around 400 inches of snow each year, and the terrain is nothing short of spectacular. It has plenty of green and blue runs for those who are newer, but there is also an array of triple-black-diamond chutes pouring into several bowls for experts and adrenaline junkies. Despite that, Big Sky never feels crowded – it averages more than an acre of terrain per person on most days. It has about 40 lifts (including surface lifts), six of which are high-speed. Five of them have bubbles and heated seats, to shield you from the wind and cold.
The 10-person Explorer Gondola debuted in December 2025, taking visitors directly from the Mountain Village base to the Lone Peak Tram – creating a fluid, base-to-peak lift experience for skiers and sightseers alike. For advanced-intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking to hone their skills, check out the Summit Pursuits clinic, led by Ski Hall-of-Famer Dan Egan. It got me down Big Sky’s legendary triple-black Big Couloir for the first time, and it was a 50-degree steep, 1,400-foot thrill that I’ll be grinning about for the rest of my life. Overall, Big Sky is an ideal combination of wilderness and developed amenities.
Where to stay: There’s a wide variety of places to stay in Big Sky, ranging from hotels to rentals. The Summit Hotel is the crown jewel of slope-side lodging in Big Sky, and it’s fresh off a transformative renovation: The design gives a contemporary nod to ski culture across 213 updated rooms, common spaces, restaurants, and lounges. Montage Big Sky is perfect for those wanting to go luxe at a cushy spa with a gorgeous, heated indoor pool you won’t want to miss.
