This is the time of year that many TRG employees start to think about the ski season. It’s 90 degrees outside, rain is a distant memory, and the hills are choked with smoke. There are three Montana ski areas within an hour away from downtown Bozeman.
Suddenly, a silent, snow-capped, frosty morning seems reasonably appetizing. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a bad time to give in to the daydream temptation and start listing off our favorite winter playgrounds in Montana. TRG’s office location is based in downtown Bozeman, so let’s start with the closest and work outward of some of the Montana ski areas.
Bridger Bowl
Image via Snow Magazine
Bridger Bowl is practically a stone’s throw to the Northeast of Bozeman. It has been famed for years due to its short lift lines, challenging terrain, and the unique crystalline structure of its “cold smoke” snowpack. This is a community ski area and is, in fact, a non-profit organization. Generations of powder hounds have raced up Bridger Canyon Drive at the crack of dawn to ensure “first chair” status. The first chair in a ski hill setting is somewhat different than in an orchestra. The first chair ski/snowboarder is the first to plunk down on the chairlift as it starts for the day, ensuring at least two runs of fresh, untouched snow before the masses drag themselves out of bed. The culture at Bridger Bowl is unique; it draws countless new converts and local legends each year.
Big Sky Resort
Image via Ski.com
Big Sky Resort is another superb mountain playground close to Bozeman. Although not as close as Bridger, it is still a relatively short and almost painfully beautiful drive away. Big Sky boasts a gargantuan amount of vertical feet for its visitors to explore. The variety of terrain ranges from beginner’s runs all the way up to the most challenging and steep terrain anyone could ask for. Driving up to the world-class ski area, visitors will see the Matterhorn-Esque Lone Mountain looming countless feet above. The Big Sky area offers myriad amenities, from shopping to restaurants to luxury suites and condos.
Moonlight Basin
Image via Reddit
Moonlight Basin resides right next to Big Sky Resort, in a shadowy section of the mountain range. The benefits of having a blanket of snow that is impervious to the hardening rays of the sun that beat down on other ski areas definitely outweigh the resulting cold. Moonlight Basin is an excellent ride for the money and comes highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.
These are just a few examples of the quality Montana ski areas available at arm’s reach from Bozeman.
