The MUG’s Western Montana Snow Conditions

The skiing at the Montana Snowbowl is literally just up the road from Missoula, which means that lectures at the University of Montana may be more sparsely attended on good powder days. The ski resort is renowned for its tough runs and tree skiing and its decent vertical of 2600 feet. The terrain is served by five lifts, including three chairlifts, and covers just under 1000 acres.
Distance from Missoula: 13 miles

Discovery Ski Area is located (between Philipsburg and Anaconda). The road (Montana Hwy 1) to the ski resort can be accessed by taking Interstate 90 from Missoula. Skiing here usually starts pretty early in the season, with the ski area aiming to open at Thanksgiving. The terrain is a mix of beginner and intermediate runs on the immediately accessible front side, with the tougher black and double black diamond trails on the back side of the mountain.
Distance from Missoula: 92 miles

Lost Trail Powder Mountain is right on the border between Idaho and Montana on the Lost Trail pass, along Hwy 93 almost directly south of Missoula. The ski area is only open during Thursday to Sunday (plus public holidays) and is known for its relatively uncrowded slopes. There are eight ski lifts, including five chairlifts, which serve 2200 acres of terrain and a vertical drop of 1800 feet.
Distance from Missoula: 94 miles

Blacktail Mountain is a family ski area on the west side of Flathead Lake, near Lakeside, within easy reach of Kalispell to the north of Missoula. There are just four ski lifts, including three chairlifts, serving a vertical drop of 1440 feet and just over 1000 acres of terrain.
Distance from Missoula: 120 miles

Whitefish probably has the best skiing of the ski resorts within easy reach of Missoula and, even though it is the furthest away of the ski areas listed here, it is definitely worth the trip. There are 100 trails on 3000 acres of ski terrain and a total of 14 lifts serving a vertical drop of nearly 2400 feet, meaning that there is more than enough variety available for all levels or skier and snowboarder.
Distance from Missoula: 126 miles

Straddling (literally) the Idaho/Montana border, Lookout Pass boasts the single distinction of being one of the snowiest resorts in both states. The steep, cone-shaped mountain offers skiing on three sides: the Idaho side, Montana side and North side. It’s also one of the easiest resorts to access—a snowball’s throw away from I-90—and within a two hour drive of Missoula, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane. An expansion into the St. Regis Basin that will double the existing 550 skiable acres is in the works, and a new quad to replace the double Chair 1 went in this past summer.
Distance from Missoula: 122 miles

Missoula area XC ski conditions & grooming updates (including UM Golf Course, Pattee Canyon, Rattlesnake, Lubrecht)

The Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club is a non-profit, non-partisan, public-interest corporation whose purpose is to benefit the public by promoting Nordic (cross-country)skiing and other outdoor recreational activities by educating the public about the health and recreational benefits of such activities, and by assisting appropriate public authorities in the management and operation of the Chief Joseph Cross-Country Ski Area. Also includes updates on XC Skiing and Fat Biking trail conditions at Lake Como.

GNC grooms trails at five locations around Whitefish, and offers programs, lessons, rentals, & runs the Glacier Nordic Shop.

FatBike Missoula is an open group created to share trail conditions and help fat bike riders get connected.  Local grooming reports and snow conditions on Facebook page.

XC Ski & Fat Biking Snow Conditions in the Bitterroot Valley

The West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation (WCMAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of the WCMAF is to support avalanche information and education for all backcountry travelers.

Montana Department of Transportation – MDT live road conditions, maps, and live cams throughout the state.