Discovery Ski Area

Easy groomers up front, expert steeps out back.

A quiet, uncrowded mountain between Philipsburg and Anaconda with a clear split: gentle groomers on the front side and true expert steeps, glades and chutes off the Limelight lift on the back. There are also nearly 20 miles of cross-country trails. Stay in historic Philipsburg or soak at Fairmont Hot Springs afterward.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,388 ft

Summit

8,158 ft

Skiable terrain

2,200 acres

Trails

67

Lifts

8

Average snowfall

215″ a year

Longest run

1.5 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 20%
• Intermediate 25%
• Advanced 55%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Cross-country
• Hot springs
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• Opening dayEarly December, weather permittingUsually

  Opening Day

  First day of the 2026-27 season.

Where to stay

• lodgeFairmont Hot Springs Resort

  Big resort with hot-spring pools. Its ski-and-stay deal runs $255–275 for one night plus two lift tickets.

  45 min drive
• innThe Broadway Hotel

  Nine individually decorated rooms in the restored mining town of Philipsburg.

  30 min drive
• innMarcus Daly Motel

  Simple Anaconda motel with ski-season room rates and $5 off Discovery tickets.

  30 min drive
• hostelPintler’s Portal Hostel

  Budget beds in Anaconda for skiers on the cheap.

  35 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Discovery cross-country trails · On mountain

  About 20 miles of cross-country trail at the ski area itself.

• Fairmont Hot Springs · 45 min drive

  Hot-spring pools near Anaconda, open to day visitors.

• Philipsburg Brewing Company · 30 min drive

  Taproom on Broadway in Philipsburg, open every day.

• The Sweet Palace · 30 min drive

  Old-fashioned Philipsburg candy store making chocolates and fudge in small batches.

Après and nightlife

• Tap ’er Lite Bar

  The lodge bar, with local beers and mixed drinks on weekends and holidays.

• Philipsburg Brewing Company

  Busy taproom in the middle of Philipsburg’s painted Victorian main street.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Bert Mooney Airport (Butte) (BTM) · about 1 hr drive
• Salt Lake City · about 6.5 hr
• Spokane · about 4.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps