Skiing & Snowboarding

With world famous cross country ski trails out the back door and Big Sky Ski Resort just 50 miles away, West Yellowstone is a perfect destination for the cross country skier, downhill skier, or snowboarder.

No matter if you’re looking to cross-country ski through forests, hammer lift-served steeps all day or skin to the top of a mountain, West Yellowstone is surrounded by skiing in every direction.

Big Sky 

  • Overview
    With over 400 inches of snow falling on 2,000 vertical feet and 3,812 skiable acres, Big Sky has plenty of terrain that will challenge even the best skiers. Don’t believe it? Take a ride up the Tram and scope out the Big and Little Couloirs. If they don’t get your heart racing, not much will.
  • Season
    Late November to early April 
  • Price Range
    2010-2011 lift ticket prices TBA 
  • Location
    Big Sky is an hour-and-fifteen-minutes from West Yellowstone, 55 miles north along US-191.

Grand Targhee 

  • Overview
    Grand Targhee boasts “The Best Snow in North America” and one thing’s for sure – with over 500 inches each year there’s no shortage of it. 3,000 acres and few visitors mean that you’ll find plenty of fresh tracks all day long.
  • Season
    Mid November to mid April 
  • Price Range (2009-2010)
    $39-$69/day (multi-day discounts available) 
  • Location
    Grand Targhee is just outside of Driggs, Idaho, 2 hours south of West Yellowstone (94 miles).

Moonlight Basin 

  • Overview
    Big Sky’s next-door neighbor on Lone Peak, Moonlight Basin, may be a bit smaller, but it shares the same great snow with a family-friendly atmosphere and some of the most fun beginner and intermediate groomers around (spin a lap down Cinnabar and see if you don’t agree). Expert skiers can find some great steeps in the hiking-accessed Headwater section of the mountain.
  • Season
    Late November to early April
  • Price Range (2009-2010)
    $40-55/day (multi-day discounts available) 
  • Location
    Moonlight Basin is an hour-and-fifteen-minutes from West Yellowstone, 55 miles north along US-191.

Bridger Bowl

  • Overview
    Bridger Bowl stands out from other ski areas around the West as one of the few large nonprofit co-op ski areas. But don’t let that deter you – with 2,700 vertical feet and 2,000 acres to ski, this is no rinky-dink mom-and-pop operation. 
  • Season
    Late November to early April 
  • Price Range (2009-2010 prices)
    $16-$45/day 
  • Location
    Bridger Bowl is just outside Bozeman, about 2 hours north of West Yellowstone along US-191 (106 miles).

Backcountry

West Yellowstone is surrounded by backcountry skiing options. Whether you choose to skin and hike, use a snowmobile or book a helicopter flight in, you’ll find backcountry adventures in every direction.

Ski Rentals

Numerous shops in West Yellowstone and the surrounding areas have demos and rentals.

Nordic Skiing

West Yellowstone has no shortage of Nordic skiing, and is a travel destination for Nordic skiers from all over. Come during one of the many festivals or on a random weekend – you’ll be sure to find some of the best Nordic skiing around.

Comments? .