Ski Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort

Riding the deep powder at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly Big Mountain Resort) is a great choice on a Montana ski vacation, with ski runs suitable for all levels of riders, and excellent powder that sometimes reaches your hips.

Riding the deep powder at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

In the Whitefish Mountain Resort area, you’ll have no problem finding cozy Montana lodges to warm up in after a day on the slopes. And in the town of Whitefish, about a 15-minute drive from the resort, you’ll find great restaurants along with fun nightlife.

Whitefish Mountain Resort opened to skiers in 1947, after being started by a group of locals. In 2007, it underwent a series of major rennovations, which included a new high speed quad chair lift, a new day lodge, and the addition of a super pipe to their awesome terrain park.

Although Whitefish Mountain Resort has ranked in the top 20 in SKI magazine’s annual reader survey for years, this acknowledgment still hasn’t brought long lift lines. The resort takes up more than 3,000 acres and get over 300 inches of  snow each year. It’s also just 20 miles from Glacier Park International Airport, making it easy to get to.

Besides the terrific riding, you’ll get to see some great views from the top of Whitefish Mountain Resort. Glacier National Park, which is only 40 minutes away, is visible to the east on most days, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to look out to the Canadian Rockies to the north, and Kalispell and Flathead Lake to the south.

Season: December 5, 2009 – April 4, 2010

Hours of operation: Daily 9 am – 4 pm

Night skiing late December to early March on Fridays, Saturdays and select holidays.