6 Best Montana Ski Resorts for Families

6. Discovery Ski Area

Known to regulars as ‘Ski Disco’ the Ski Discovery Resort in the Rocky Mountains is an hour west of Butte’s airport connections. The remote location means lodging ranges over nearby towns such as Anaconda, Philipsburg, and Georgetown Lake, where you can find reasonable B&Bs, hotels, and rentals.

Fun for Kids

The Kinder program, for the youngest aged 3-6, is designed as a gentle introduction to snow sports. Group sizes are kept small, and activities include games, using your imagination, and developing independence and confidence.

For 7–12-year-olds Kid Kruizers gives kids a chance to learn to ski or snowboard or consolidate their existing knowledge. Groups are chosen to reflect similar ages and abilities to maximize learning. Working together in a group with similar abilities soon breaks down anxieties and improves skills.

Family Skiing

The Lodge on the mountainside is an ideal spot to warm up and enjoy hot and cold snacks from the concessions. A large deck at the back of the building is a popular spot to watch skiers heading down the mountain. Ski Disco offers a comprehensive ski program for kids, which can be booked on the website or directly at The Lodge.

Off the Slopes

Ski Disco has three distinct ski areas, easier on the front face, moguls, and steeper runs off the Granite Chair, while the backside is challenging off-piste. With 2200 acres of patrolled terrain queues are rare and nearly 20 miles of cross-country ski trails are a great way to relax in the winter forests close to the shores of Echo and Georgetown Lakes.

What We Like About Ski Discovery Resort

• Ski Disco is a more rural resort so there are fewer crowds
• Ski education for kids is well thought out, with matched ages and abilities
• The cross-country ski trails make a great alternative to the runs
• The resort is more remote but with good connections via nearby Butte

Discovery Ski Area Resort Stats

5. Red Lodge Mountain

Near the Wyoming border and among the Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge Mountain has the upside of big mountain fun but without the drawbacks of queues and eye-watering prices. It is family-friendly with a solid program of tuition for those aged three and above.

On the slopes, 19% of runs are classed as beginners, with an equal spread of runs across other abilities. There are two terrain parks, the Beginner Park, located on Miami Beach, as well as an intermediate/advanced park. The snowfall may fall short of some other Montana resorts but at 250 inches per season, the difference is academic.

Fun for Kids

For slightly older kids, from 7-12 years, Trailblazer lessons are similarly versatile, offering different lesson lengths and individual or group tuition. Teen lessons (13+) and adults have their programs in a similar format.

Family Skiing

Wrangler lessons aimed at year 3, and years 4 to 6 can be booked as individual or group sessions and the instructors are confident enough in their skills to offer a ‘Get Better Guarantee’. The packages include lift tickets, rental, and tuition.

Off the Slopes

The nearby town of Red Lodge still has an old-west style feel. All the shops and amenities cluster around the main street and a few blocks around. There is ample well-priced lodging, as well as chain and independent restaurants.

What We Like About Red Lodge Mountain

• For families on a budget, Red Lodge Mountain offers a real deal
• Skiing lessons for youngsters to teenagers, come with a guarantee
• Guess who’s going to be heading for the beginner terrain park
• Red Lodge Mountain Resort has a safe and laid-back vibe where you can relax

Red Lodge Mountain Resort Stats

4. Lost Trail Powder Mountain

Lost Trail Powder Mountain resort has been family-owned and runs since 1938. Rurally located in the wilds of Montana without any nearby population the resort has developed a renowned reputation for the highest falls of powder in the state.

Family Skiing

The resort is only operated for 4-5-days a week (Thursday to Sunday), which adds to its low-key, relaxed family-friendly feel.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain sits on top of the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forest areas, which in turn straddle the Idaho and Montana border. With no conventional resort as such, the parking lot and Lodge House are located midway up the mountain at about 7000 ft.

Fun for Kids

Two lifts take skiers to the summit of one of the mountains from where there is plenty of intermediate terrains, as well as off-piste trails with exotic-sounding names like Shark Fin, Hollywood Bowl, and Sacjac Trees. There are simpler green and blue runs lower down which trail between the trees and are ideal for younger skiers.

There are also two terrain parks, one of which, Frontcountry Park, offers rails, boxes, wallrides, and kickers.

Off the Slopes

The rural location does provide an element of exclusivity but also means a short drive to find lodging. The nearby small towns of Darby and Hamilton have a selection of well-priced chain hotels and motels.

A day away from the slopes, nearby Jackson Hot Springs Lodge will soothe away your skiing aches and pains in the natural waters of the Hot Springs Pool.

What We Like About Lost Trail Powder Mountain Resort

• This is an authentic, no-frills family-run skiing destination
• Lost Trail Powder Mountain Resort has a reputation for the highest powder snowfall in Montana
• If you enjoyed undeveloped, wild open spaces,. Lost Trail Powder Mountain Resort will appeal
• There are now many more economical lodging options in nearby towns

Lost Trail Powder Mountain Resort Stats

3. Whitefish Mountain Resort

Whitefish Mountain Resort is close to Glacier National Park, in northwest Montana.

Here the vibe is easy-going and relaxed with none of the high-tensile fashion brigades.

It’s this old school ski town character that has endured and which visitors like so much, although like anywhere more upmarket shops and restaurants have started to appear.

Fun for Kids

The care for kids is a cut above many other resorts with the Kids Centre right on the snow hill inside Base Lodge. Here there are two programs for youngsters, the Play Program (ages 6 months to 6 years) offers kids a chance to play and rest, while their families enjoy skiing.

Activities include storytelling, art, music, games, and playing outside. Snacks and lunch are provided for half and full-day programs.

For kids who want to get out in the big wide world, there is the Ski/Ride Program, which includes on-snow lessons, along with break time as needed. The resort takes its health and safety responsibilities seriously and its safety procedures are clearly laid out on its website.

Family Skiing

While maybe slightly limited in expert terrain Whitefish Mountain Resort more than makes up for it with great beginner runs, fast groomed slopes, glades, bowls, and off-piste challenges.

Off the Slopes

There is plenty of lodging on the mountain, a lot of it conveniently ski-in ski-out, while in town a good selection of chain motels and hotels vie with rentals and condos, which are the most popular in Whitefish.

What We Love About Whitefish Ski Resort

• Except during vacations lift lines and busy slopes don’t happen
• Whitefish Big Mountain is family-friendly
• Whitefish Montana is an authentic ski town that’s close to the resort
• Glacier National Park is close by

Whitefish Ski Resort Stats

2. Bridger Bowl – Bozeman

The town of Bozeman is home to Montana State University and Bridger Bowl ski resort, while the airport shows its country style with open fires and dinosaur sculptures.

Bridger Bowl Resort doesn’t have any of the airs and graces of a commercial ski resort and is run as a not-for-profit community-run project. The terrain extends to 2000 acres with 11 lifts servicing the hills.

Fun for Kids

There is a dedicated kid’s area and nursery slope lower down, although several blue trails run down from the north and south bowls to spread your wings on.

Off the Slopes

While it may not have the glitz and efficiency of a more expensive resort the savings you can make on lodging, eating out, and ski hire ensures it is always a popular destination.

There is no lodging on the ski hill except for a few home rentals and B&Bs close by. Bozeman houses a good selection of chain hotels and motels, which are mostly situated around the exits off the interstate.

Bridger Bowl regularly receives 350 in (8.9 m) of snow during the season and by a quirk of local climate, a lot of that snow is powder, known locally as cold smoke, which is beautifully dry and fluffy.

What we love about Bridger Bowl

• Bridger Bowl Ski Resort has very good beginner terrain
• Bridger Bowl is a great option if you want to keep costs down
• Some of the lifts can be on the slow side, but hey, you’re on vacation, relax!
• There is plenty of steep and challenging inbound terrain, some requiring avalanche equipment.

Bridger Bowl Stats

1. Big Sky Resort

They called it Big Sky for a reason and spanning a total of 5850 acres it’s very apt, with more than enough for young and old to explore. Straddling the rugged northern Rockies, Big Sky is one of the largest resorts in North America.

The popularity of Big Sky is undeniable but fortunately, its sheer size enables skiers to spread out, reducing lift queues and frantically busy runs.

Fun for Kids

Kids under six ski free and kids under 12 who enroll in a ski program get a free lift ticket on the day of their course. For the youngest skiers, between 3 to 6 years old, there is a mini ski camp, where lessons last half or a full day. If attention spans start to wander youngsters can transfer to the daycare of Lone Peak Playground.

Family Skiing

Family activities are inclusive at Big Sky. The skiing is over varied terrain, but at least 40% of trails are beginner or intermediate. Also, rather than limiting beginners to the lower runs, some blues and greens run down from the top to give great views.

Off the Slopes

Access to Big Sky resort is a breeze and families can fly into Bozeman’s international airport to make the easy 40-miles transfer by rental car. Big Sky has plenty of family-friendly lodging, most of which are ski-in ski-out and have outdoor hot tubs. Infrastructure is well developed with a ski bus to get around town to visit the varied restaurants and après ski attractions.

What We Love About Big Sky, Montana

• Big Sky Ski Resort covers a large area, with lots of trails for all abilities
• The size of the resort means there is little crowding or queuing at lifts
• Yellowstone National Park is only an hour away and is open throughout winter
• Most of the lodging is ski-in ski-out

Big Sky Stats