Bridger Bowl
🚗 36 minNonprofit since 1955. 2,000 acres, 2,700 ft vertical, top 8,800 ft, ~300 in. average snowfall, 75+ trails, 11 lifts (1 quad, 6 triples, 1 double, 3 surface). Lifts 9am–4pm. Projected Dec 11, 2026 – Apr 11, 2027.
Snow transforms the valley: two very different ski mountains within about an hour, groomed Nordic trails, frozen waterfalls, sled dogs, sleigh-ride dinners—and a warm soak to finish.
Hours, dates and seasons change—please check current schedules with each business or event before you go.
Downhill skiing
Big Sky Resort
🚗 59–65 min5,850 skiable acres, 4,350 vertical feet, Lone Peak summit 11,166 ft, 40 lifts incl. Lone Peak Tram, 2 gondolas, ~400 in. snowfall, 320 named runs, 6 terrain parks. Opening day Nov 25, 2026; open daily through Apr 11, 2027, plus bonus weekends Apr 16–18 and 23–25 (conditions permitting).
Nordic skiing & snowshoeing
Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
🚗 36–41 min16621 Bridger Canyon Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715
Nonprofit; 45 km of groomed trails through 500 forested acres, 17 miles up Bridger Canyon Rd; classic & skate skiing, biathlon, snowshoeing, fatbiking; rentals and lessons.
Rendezvous Ski Trails
🚗 99–114 min (~1.6 hr)Over 35 km of gently rolling, groomed cross-country ski trails through lodgepole pine and meadows, managed by the Forest Service, the Chamber and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation. Regular season typically December 1 – March 31; a day pass is required. Also open to snowshoers.
Snowmobiling & snowcoach tours
Snowmobile & snowcoach tours to Old Faithful
🚗 99–113 min (~1.6 hr)From mid-December to mid-March most Yellowstone roads are open only to over-snow travel: the only way to reach Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is on a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour (or the non-commercial permit program). Winter travel hours are 7am–9pm. Local operators such as Yellowstone Vacation Tours run daily tours from West Yellowstone—reserve ahead.
Two Top Snowmobile Tours & Rentals (West Yellowstone)
🚗 98–112 min (~1.6 hr)Guided full-day Yellowstone tours (e.g., Old Faithful) and rentals for groomed National Forest trails around West Yellowstone, roughly mid-Dec to mid-March. Snowmobiles in Yellowstone must be on a guided tour or hold a permit.
Dog sledding
Spirit of the North Dog Sled Adventures
🚗 51–56 minBig Sky (Moonlight Basin) & West Yellowstone
Hands-on instruction driving your own team of Alaskan huskies; recommended by Big Sky Resort. Phone 406-682-7994.
Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures
🚗 51–56 minBig Sky
'Learn to Mush' ~2-hour adventure, all ages. Phone 406-223-5134.
Ice climbing
Ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon
🚗 51 minOne of America's top ice-climbing destinations with 250+ routes (WI2 classics like the Mummy Cooler to hard mixed). Most climbs start from the Grotto Falls parking lot; road plowed until March 31 (not sanded—AWD/4WD and winter tires). Guides: Montana Alpine Guides. Bozeman Ice Festival Dec 9–13, 2026 (gear demos open to public in evenings).
Après-ski
Hot springs in the snow
End a cold day with a steaming soak at Bozeman Hot Springs, 11–12 minutes from the homes—outdoor pools under the winter sky, plus indoor pools and a sauna.
More winter fun
Sleigh Ride Dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch
🚗 54–59 minA horse-drawn sleigh ride to the historic North Fork Cabin for a prime-rib dinner with live cowboy music, typically December to April. Reserve directly with the ranch (406-995-4644).
Outdoor ice skating in Bozeman
🚗 16–17 minFree city rinks at Bogert, Southside and Beall parks, typically open once temperatures stay below freezing (often after January 1). Indoor public skating is available year-round at Haynes Pavilion and Gallatin Ice.
Ice fishing
🚗 105–114 min (~1.8 hr)Guided ice fishing on Hebgen Lake with Madison Adventures; West Yellowstone's Kids 'N' Snow program also runs a March ice-fishing camp.
Snowshoeing
🚗 36–41 minCrosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bridger Canyon offers snowshoeing alongside its Nordic trails, and West Yellowstone's Rendezvous trails welcome snowshoers too.
Hot springs in the snow
🚗 11–12 minBozeman Hot Springs (12 minutes) and historic Chico Hot Springs in Paradise Valley are both open year-round—there's nothing like a steaming soak after a ski day.
Christmas Stroll
🚗 15–16 minDowntown Bozeman's holiday tradition, typically the first Saturday of December (2026: Dec 5, 4:30–7:30pm): Santa, holiday lights, horse-drawn wagon rides and treats along Main Street.
Holiday & winter farmers' markets
🚗 15–16 minGallatin Valley Farmers' Market Holiday Market (Sat Nov 28, 2026, 9am–3pm) and the Saturday Bozeman Winter Farmers' Market all winter at the Fairgrounds.
Yellowstone in winter
🚗 99–113 min (~1.6 hr)Guided snowmobile or snowcoach tours to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone, or drive the year-round northern road to Mammoth and the Lamar Valley.
Farmers markets
Winter Saturdays at the market
The Bozeman Winter Farmers' Market runs most Saturday mornings from late September to late May at the fairgrounds—winter greens, meat, cheese, bread, hot breakfast and live music. The Gallatin Valley Holiday Market is the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Market details- Gallatin Valley Farmers' MarketSaturdays 9am–noon · Gallatin County Fairgrounds · Summer
- Bozeman Winter Farmers' MarketSaturdays 9am–noon · Gallatin County Fairgrounds · Late September to late May