Montana Snowbowl

Steep, old-school powder hill above Missoula.

An independent mountain 20 minutes north of Missoula with 2,600 feet of vertical and a reputation for steep, challenging terrain. Slow double chairs, low prices and wood-fired pizza at the base keep it firmly old-school. Best for confident skiers who like a college-town base.

The mountain

Vertical drop

2,600 ft

Summit

7,600 ft

Skiable terrain

950 acres

Trails

56

Lifts

6

Average snowfall

300″ a year

Longest run

2.6 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 20%
• Intermediate 40%
• Advanced 40%

What’s here besides skiing

• Kids programs
• Nightlife

Holidays and events

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

• Opening dayMid-December (Dec 12 last season)Usually

  Opening Day

  Usually opens Fri–Sun at first, then daily from the holiday break.

• RaceThursday evenings, late Jan–Feb (annual)Usually

  Missoula Telemark Dual Slalom series

  The country’s longest-running telemark race series, with a party on the final night. Newcomers welcome.

• RaceLate February (when it runs)Usually

  Snowbowl Cup Gelande Championship

  A traditional alpine ski-jumping contest for distance. It was canceled in 2026, so check it’s on.

Where to stay

• slopesideSnowbowl slopeside lodge

  Rooms at the base area, booked through Snowbowl, with a ski-and-stay package.

  Slopeside
• hotelC’mon Inn Missoula

  Family-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and five hot tubs; ask about its Snowbowl ski-and-stay package.

  20 min drive
• innGoldsmith’s Riverfront Inn

  Six apartments in a refurbished old house on the Clark Fork River near the university.

  25 min drive

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

Things to do

• Lolo Hot Springs · 1 hr drive

  Hot-spring pools with a lodge and restaurant on the road to Lolo Pass.

• Missoula Nordic Ski Club trails · 30 min drive

  The club grooms cross-country trails at Pattee Canyon, the Rattlesnake and Lubrecht Forest.

• Glacier Ice Rink · 25 min drive

  Missoula’s ice rink, with public skating sessions.

• KettleHouse Brewing · 20 min drive

  One of Missoula’s best-known breweries, with a taproom in town.

Après and nightlife

• Last Run Inn

  The base-area bar, known for wood-fired pizza and its Bloody Marys.

• Draught Works Brewery

  Historic Missoula taproom with 19 beers on tap, a patio and weekly live music.

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

Getting there

• Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) · about 25 min drive
• Spokane · about 3.5 hr
• Seattle · about 7.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps