Deciding where to take a ski vacation can be overwhelming; with good reason, there are plenty of great spots! While many states can boast about their exceptional skiing, there are some distinct differences when it comes to the overall experience. We realize we’re biased, but from our perspective, Montana, (and Bozeman in particular) is where it's at. We’ll give you our reasons, but the best way to decide is to come to experience it for yourself.
World-Class Ski Hills
Just 20 minutes from downtown Bozeman, Bridger Bowl is known for its “cold smoke,” the light, dry powder that fills the bowls and chutes. Bring your snorkel, because on deep powder days, the low-moisture powder flies. The mountain is great for any level of skier, but the hardcore athletes in the group will love the expert Ridge Terrain – some of the most challenging skiing and riding within any ski area boundary.
Big Sky Resort, an hour’s drive from Bozeman, boasts 5,800 skiable acres. The Lone Peak Tram takes you to the top of Lone Mountain where you’ll have views of two national parks and mountain ranges as far as you can see. Among those 5,800 acres are a great variety of runs for all abilities. Spend a few days at Big Sky Resort to make sure you have enough time to explore all it has to offer.
Related - Bozeman's Ski Area Comparison: Bridger Bowl and Big Sky
Easy Access
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the busiest airport in Montana with nonstop flights to 22 major cities across the United States. Once you’re here, it’s a short jaunt to the mountains with bus service available to either hill. For a great basecamp, stay in Bozeman and ski both mountains; then, explore Bozeman in the evenings. If you prefer not to rent a car, Bridger Bowl has numerous buses running back and forth to the ski hill and Skyline Bus runs from Bozeman to Big Sky.
Montana Culture
Downtown Bozeman has all the benefits of the city— dining, music and theater—without all the fuss. Locals are intense about their snow sports, and laid back in their lifestyle. In other words, you’ll feel welcome. The restaurants, breweries and distilleries are all top notch, but jeans can be worn anywhere. Montanans keep it real.
Nightlife
Bozeman has always had the energy of a college town, but in recent years chefs on the culinary scene just keep raising the bar. From well-loved classics like Haufbrau Haus serving great burgers and cold beer to upscale restaurants like Blacksmith Italian with handcrafted pasta and locally sourced ingredients, the options rival that of an urban area.
Local breweries are turning out some award-winning and incredibly creative beers, and music lovers will be pleasantly surprised with the variety of genres coming through. The ELM, Bozeman's newest music venue, is bringing in talent ranging from national headliners to up-and-coming regional bands, quickly putting Bozeman on the music map.
Elbow Room
There's plenty of it. We think this is the most important difference between Montana and Colorado. Lift lines are generally shorter, but you can still find plenty of powder stashes. And, for those who love backcountry skiing and riding, Nordic skiing or snowshoeing, there are miles of trails just outside of town. For those just learning winter exploration, Crosscut Mountain Sports Center a few miles past Bridger Bowl, has miles of groomed Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat bike trails, along with a rental shop and lessons.
Ready to plan your ski vacation in Bozeman? Download the Bozeman Travel Guide below to get started.
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at our Bozeman Cold Weather Guide and some of our other related articles:
- Why Bozeman Is One Of The West's Best Ski Towns
- A Nordic Skier's Guide To Cross Country Skiing Around Bozeman
- 4 Great Bozeman Restaurants To Visit After A Day Of Skiing
In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.