Things to do / Travel Guide
Home to no less than eleven major ski areas and resorts, not to mention the strong university town of Missoula, Northern Montana and the Idaho Rockies take advantage of their elevations, expansive terrain and ample scenery every season. When snow begins to fall, some of the best kept secrets in the ski industry are found here and with seasons lasting into April, its no wonder more and more people flock to this area to see just what the buzz is all about.
Skiing in and around Glacier National Park
Bordering Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and containing the Blackfeet Nation's Sacred Lands, the Glacier National Park is not only chock full of history but is also filled to the brim with peaks and plateaus which are astonishing to say the least.
Backcountry skiers and snowboarders must take a tour via their equipment in the Glacier National Park proper. A series of eight trails from distances of 3 to 11.6 miles snake their way through the waterfalls and conifer trees peppering these bordering tribal lands of the Blackfeet Nation. Topographical maps, rescue equipment and a definite sense of adventure are all prerequisites for these treks.
Neighboring Flathead National Forest is home to Big Mountain Ski Resort and its no mystery as to where it's name hails from. Olympian champion Tommy Moe started here and had plenty of room to spread his wings down the 6,817 foot summit! Beginners, Olympian wannabes, and everyone in between would be missing out if they side stepped the second largest ski mountain in Montana this season. Bowls, trees and glades as well as the 94 groomed trails, not to mention Montana's largest hip jump, three progressive terrain parks and the 450 foot long superpipe for snowboarders make Big Mountain a skiing and snowboarding paradise.
Not for the out of shape or lazy riders, Teton Pass Ski area offers 26 trails, natural halfpipes, manmade kickers, powder bowls and extreme pitches for those who are willing to hike up the 10,086 foot Mount Glory or 9,004 foot Oliver Peak for the bounty. There are two chairlifts, but where is the fun in that when half the adventure is derived from working for your skiing? Grab a cold or hot drink at the end in the cafeteria onsite for a justly deserved reward.
With almost unlimited visibility on most days of the Flathead Valley and Glacier Park, guests riding on Blacktail Mountain's ski area must remember to keep their eye on the trails and not the staggering scenery which surround riders at every angle. But shh…no one is telling if they stop and stare for a little while! 200 acres with groomed and gladed areas encompass the 24 runs, terrain park, and 20 miles of cross-country and backcountry trails, making Blacktail a must see this winter.
Surrounding Glacier National Park are many small towns which afford guests just about any type of lodging and restaurants they desire. St. Mary's Lodge and Resort has four lodges, two sets of cabins and cottages for daily or weekly rentals ranging from rustic to upscale accommodations. Guests looking for a true Montana experience should wrangle up their britches and head to the Bar W Guest Ranch for guesthouses, communal meals and horse riding while visitors looking for a little romance can check into L'Aventure, a private villa for two, located only two miles away from Big Mountain. More than 25 other options can be found within an easy driving distance of any of the mountains. And speaking of options, the area offers 30+ eclectic choices of eateries for the hungry skier to choose from. Café Kandahar fuses classic Louisiana dishes with French undertones for an explosive delight to the tastebuds, while Loula's Café specializes in homemade pies and desserts. No matter the choice from Middle Eastern, Asian or downhome thick as molasses cooking, Glacier Park's towns know what's hot!
Skiing in and around Missoula
The self-proclaimed “Garden City” of Missoula has mild winters compared to the rest of Montana, but skiers and boarders have no problems tearing up the mountains when the snow graces this beautiful area come winter time.
Montana Snowbowl, with two peaks and a saddle between them, joins 950 lift accessible acres of 500 tree and off-piste territory, giving patrons a wild run for their money. More than 300 inches blanket the 32 trails which include the wide family-orientated area on the backside of the mountain as well as the thrilling, steep chutes on the front side making Montana Snowbowl a flocking spot for everyone. Snowboarders get in on the action in their terrain park which is consistently groomed to keep it running in top form. This is pure skiing and snowboarding – you won't find any frilly extras here such as snowtubing or snowshoeing, so strap on the equipment and head out!
Die-hard skiers and snowboarders love the fact that Lost Trail ski area is typically the last resort to close during the season with riding right up until April. Located on top of the continental divide and a sweeping 300+ inches of powder, Lost Trail will have guests getting “lost” on its 45 trails in 1800 acres of terrain. Check out the small rails park but concentrate on the winding runs for they offer better terrain and natural challenges.
Some of the steepest lift serviced terrain can be hit upon at Discovery Resort with 614 acres and 63 trails garnished with wide, groomed beginner trails and the adrenaline pumping mogul minefields. Beginners and intermediates have full control of the front side of the mountain while thrill seekers and advanced riders take on the backside.
Hotels, youth hostels, B&Bs and campgrounds are at your fingertips no matter what the budget, length of stay and preference may be. Backpackers and students may feel at home with the Birchwood Hostel, and anybody would welcome the warm beds found at Day's Inn or the Gibson Mansion, originally built in 1903, while not forgetting there are over 50 more choices in the Missoula area alone. How about starting the day off at Le Petite Outre which handcrafts fine European pastries, brews fresh espresso and has a to die for Pain au Chocolate? Jakers Steak, Ribs, Fish & Pasta restaurant says it all in the title, making this a family favorite with their diverse selection of meals. Finally top it off with some award winning ice cream or sorbet at the Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlor. But this is only a small handful of the strong (50+) selection of places to pick up the fork and knives come eating time. No one will leave hungry or bleary eyed from their trip to Missoula, guaranteed!
Skiing in and around the Idaho Panhandle
Paying homage to the silver found in the panhandle during the mining days, Silver Mountain ski area has some major roots, and not just the mineral kind found in the community. Locals and visitors alike ride the gondola from the main parking lot straight up to the lodge and are greeted with 1,600 pure acres of winter fun. 67 named trails, glades, off-piste areas and deep bowls run across two peaks together forming the 6,300 foot summit that Silver Mountain is proud to inhabit. Snowboarders ride the rails park to their hearts' content with ever changing 30+ features. A village onsite ensures that guests don't have to leave for lodging, eating or nightlife, which makes Silver Mountain an all inclusive vacation.
Ever wondered how it would be to ski in two states at once? Well at Lookout Pass, one only has to ride the chairlift up on the Idaho side and then shred down into Montana, as Lookout Pass is located directly on the states' border! Home to the longest halfpipe in the nation (1,111 feet!) and two terrain parks, those on one board will have something to talk about long after the day is through. There is a free ski school for children, 540 acres, and 25 km of cross-country trails to delve into, no matter the ski level or equipment.
Deep powder and steep terrain junkies have their work cut out for them at the all volunteer-run Turner Mountain which while technically located in Montana, falls under the Idaho Panhandle area since it lies so close to the border. Turner Mountain's chairlift has various stops while climbing the peak to allow beginners to stop closer to the bottom and experts to advance to the steeper slopes, making it very easy to navigate. While there is no specific area laid out for snowboarders, just bring a leash and revel in any trail desired. Cross-country skiers will love the 25 km designed with them in mind.
Unrivaled in acreage in Idaho, Schweitzer Mountain in the Selkirt Mountains has an expansive 2,900 acres to play and carve through from morning ‘til night. Two bowls make up the ski area and extend 82 runs to visitors looking for lades, chutes, backcountry, halfpipes or a terrain park to catch major air from. Drop into the 2,400 foot vertical drop and wonder why anyone would go anywhere else this winter?
When the sun sets and the stomach starts aching for attention, head into the Silver Valley or to Coeur d'Alene, the panhandles largest city for lodging, any and all nightlife, and tastes to massage the taste buds into a blissful state of being. Guests in the area during Christmas time will be astounded by the annual Christmas light display in Coeur d'Alene which captured Good Morning America's attention and broadcast it for everyone to see. There are three colleges and university campuses located in town making for an eclectic mixture of food and accommodations, ranging from the mundane to the insane. Plan a risqué night staying at The Mistress Inn, or pitch the RV in one of the many campground located in this natural area. With around 26 different options, a warm bed and hot shower are never too far away. Cricket's Steakhouse & Oyster Bar serve up great quick bites to eat, Pita Pit slices off fresh shwarma and fried falafel balls, while the Couer d'Alene Brewing Company pours a tall one to accompany microbrews and juicy burgers and other fine finger foods. The heart of Alene and all trails leading to Silver Valley make the Idaho Panhandle's atmosphere too strong to resist – so why try?
Ski Resorts in Glacier National Park, Missoula, Coeur d Alene, Northern Montana and Idaho
Skiing
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