Big Mountain Ski Resort - Whitefish (Kalispell), Montana

Address:Whitefish, Montana
Tel: (866) 744-5317

Home to Olympic champion Tommy Moe who learned to ski and race here as a young child, Big Mountain Ski Resort, also known as the Whitefish Resort until its name change in 2007, is the second largest ski area in Montana. Located in the Flathead National Forest, west of Glacier National Park, Big Mountain has a fantastic amount of bowl and tree skiing available on its network of around 94 trails, stemming down from its 6,817 foot summit. An annual snowfall of 300+ inches during their December to April season only increases the riding fun, as visitors slice their way into the powder from 9am to 830pm daily.

Over 3,020 acres are serviced by 13 chairlifts, 3 of which are high speed quads. Check out their longest trail, "Hellfire," which runs a cruising 3.3 miles, making Big Mountain's name a very literal one. Host to the 2001 Alpine Championships, Big Mountain guarantees its riders a white day every time they touch their skis to the groomed and ungroomed slopes. Whether its moguls or rolling beginner terrain, Big Mountain has it all. Friendly "ski ambassadors" are on hand to give complimentary tours of the mountain that meet at the top or bottom of chair one twice a day, but you need to have a lift pass and be able to ski intermediate terrain to take advantage of this.

Check out the "Fishbowl" when strapped into your board, and check out the three progression parks that are accessed by their own chairlift. Pay particular attention to the step jump here that soars up to 50 feet in the air (Montana's largest hip jump!) and to the park's awesome superpipe which comes in at a staggering 450 feet long, 68 feet wide, and with 17 foot transitions to keep the energy high and blood pumping strong.

Lessons come in all shapes and sizes as do their students! From the standard learn to ski or board lessons, to the off-piste workshops and special women or men's programs which are videotaped and include an indoor movement analysis, or even the Instructor's in Training programs, Big Mountain doesn't just stop at a paltry 1 hour lesson that barely teaches you anything – they go all the way!

Children under the age of 6 and seniors over 80 ski or ride free, and there are frequent, quad pack, night, beginner hill only, or all day passes available for the paying customers. Big Mountain makes sure to cater to all ages and levels no matter what time of day you show up. Rental equipment is available in standard or Pro/Demo packages. You may also rent clothing such as parkas or snow bibs, as well as take advantage of the repair and tune-up shop if your equipment isn't quite up to snuff.

Big Mountain also offers other winter activities besides alpine skiing. In particular, there are guided snow-cycle, snowblade ,and snowshoe tours, in addition to the 1.2 hour long dog sledding tours, 3 hour snowmobile tours, or snowcat adventures. Guests can book all of these through the guest services office, and reservations are recommended.

As the sun is setting, get ready to head to the three bars located on site. "Bierstube" with its funky and rustic interior has live music and lively crowds to match, while Ed & Mulley's has an atrium dining room and music by John Dunnigan who is an eclectic mix of Jimmy Buffet, James Taylor and John Prine. Or you can just head straight to the "Hellroaring Saloon," voted among the best après ski bars by Skiing Magazine. Together with Café Kandahar and it's French and Louisiana fusion cooking, the ice cream shop, and the Summit House restaurant (the highest in Montana at 7,000 feet), Big Mountain serves up their drinks and food fresher than the air your breathe in at their summit!

Big Mountain has their own shopping and lodging village so as to be all-inclusive for those who visit. From specialty food shops to a day spa and with lodging ranging from 1-4 bedroom condos and studios to their own two lodges with motel style rooms, Big Mountain goes all out to accommodate everyone's tastes. Visitors may also head into the nearby town of Whitefish, just 20 minutes away, and enjoy the atmosphere of this tight-knit community. A cultural arts center, coffeehouses, nightclubs, and Flanagan's Central Station, which plays host to many national recording artists, are just a few of the treasures to be discovered when the skis come off and the dancing shoes come on.

There's a saying that tells people to "Go big or go home" and Big Mountain is no exception! Rather than riding the same slopes over and over again at any other mountain, come up to Big Mountain and see what you have been missing all winter long.

Located in the old railroad town of Whitefish, just 60 miles south of the Canadian border, Big Mountain caters to skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Famous for its snow ghosts, uncrowded slopes, abundant snowfall and unsurpassed views, Big Mountain is among the 10 largest ski resorts in the U.S. offering over 3,000 skiable acres, 85 marked runs and eleven lifts including two high-speed quad chairlifts. The resort is consistently ranked in the Top 30 North American Ski Resorts by SKI Magazine.