10 Best Montana Ski Towns

10 Best Montana Ski Towns

Montana's Premier Mountain Communities for Powder Chasers

Montana is home to some of the best skiing in North America, with uncrowded slopes, deep powder, and affordable lift tickets compared to Colorado or Utah. These towns put you closest to the action, whether you're chasing groomers at Whitefish Mountain Resort, powder stashes at Bridger Bowl, or the sprawling terrain of Big Sky.

#1
Red LodgeMontana's Beartooth City
Pop. 2,399

Red Lodge is just 4 miles from Red Lodge Mountain. The area receives 18" of snow annually. Known as "Montana's Beartooth City," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Red Lodge Mountain
Distance: 4 mi
Annual Snow: 18"
Elevation: 5,568 ft
#2
Big SkyThe Biggest Skiing in America
Pop. 3,591

Big Sky is just 5 miles from Big Sky Resort. The area receives 57" of snow annually. Known as "The Biggest Skiing in America," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Big Sky Resort
Distance: 5 mi
Annual Snow: 57"
Elevation: 6,319 ft
#3
WhitefishStumptown
Pop. 8,915

Whitefish is just 5 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort. The area receives 20" of snow annually. Known as "Stumptown," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Whitefish Mountain Resort
Distance: 5 mi
Annual Snow: 20"
Elevation: 3,038 ft
#4
PhilipsburgMontana's Silver Town
Pop. 841

Philipsburg is just 6 miles from Discovery Ski Area. The area receives 33" of snow annually. Known as "Montana's Silver Town," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Discovery Ski Area
Distance: 6 mi
Annual Snow: 33"
Elevation: 5,249 ft
#5
NeihartThe Silver Queen of the Little Belts
Pop. 39

Neihart is just 7 miles from Showdown Montana. The area receives 50" of snow annually. Known as "The Silver Queen of the Little Belts," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Showdown Montana
Distance: 7 mi
Annual Snow: 50"
Elevation: 5,705 ft
#6
BearcreekMontana's Mining Hamlet
Pop. 107

Bearcreek is just 9 miles from Red Lodge Mountain. The area receives 19" of snow annually. Known as "Montana's Mining Hamlet," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Red Lodge Mountain
Distance: 9 mi
Annual Snow: 19"
Elevation: 4,606 ft
#7
Columbia FallsThe Gateway to Glacier
Pop. 5,308

Columbia Falls is just 11 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort. The area receives 14" of snow annually. Known as "The Gateway to Glacier," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Whitefish Mountain Resort
Distance: 11 mi
Annual Snow: 14"
Elevation: 3,077 ft
#8
KalispellThe Gateway to Glacier Country
Pop. 29,886

Kalispell is just 11 miles from Blacktail Mountain. The area receives 17" of snow annually. Known as "The Gateway to Glacier Country," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Blacktail Mountain
Distance: 11 mi
Annual Snow: 17"
Elevation: 2,959 ft
#9
BozemanThe Gallatin Gateway
Pop. 58,000

Bozeman is just 12 miles from Bridger Bowl. The area receives 23" of snow annually. Known as "The Gallatin Gateway," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Bridger Bowl
Distance: 12 mi
Annual Snow: 23"
Elevation: 4,826 ft
#10
LibbyThe City of Eagles
Pop. 2,775

Libby is just 12 miles from Turner Mountain. The area receives 26" of snow annually. Known as "The City of Eagles," it offers year-round mountain living with world-class winter sports on your doorstep.

Nearest Ski: Turner Mountain
Distance: 12 mi
Annual Snow: 26"
Elevation: 2,096 ft

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by distance to the nearest ski area, with consideration for towns near multiple ski areas. Ski areas include both major destination resorts and smaller community hills. Distances are straight-line estimates.

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jan 2026), FBI UCR (Jan 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jan 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jan 2026), EPA NPL (Jan 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

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