Marysville, MT – As the snow piles up across the Rocky Mountain West, so too do the hoards of skiers and snowboarders who annually flock to the major resorts of the region. For those who prefer to cut through the long lift lines and experience a sense of unpretentious, uncrowded fun on the slopes, Southwest Montana offers a trio of inexpensive ski areas where down-home hospitality runs as deep as the powder.
Great Divide is a snowboarder’s paradise. Touting the longest ski season in Montana (generally late October through late April), this family-run resort boasts 140 trails, five chair lifts and no fewer than six terrain parks, all spread out over three mountain peaks and three distinct valleys. Great Divide is about a 30-minute drive from the state’s capital city of Helena, making it an easy jumping-off point for a little mom-and-pop ski area tour. In Helena, fuel up on homemade, locally produced, organic fare at the No Sweat Café on Last Chance Gulch (the French toast is a local favorite), and après ski swill a pint or two at the Blackfoot Tap Room, a microbrewery featuring Bavarian-caliber brews.
Maverick Mountain is set in the Pioneer Mountains of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, offering exceptional skiing and unparalleled views. Though served by only one lift, the mountain has a little something for everyone, with 2,020 vertical feet of terrain serving both novice and expert skiers in a relaxed environment. If wide-open skiing is your thing, this is your place. (And, with $32 full-day lift tickets, you’d be hard pressed to find a more affordable day of fun on the slopes anywhere in the West.) Maverick is located just off the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway — within spitting distance of the Patagonia Outlet in Dillon, in case you’ve forgotten any outerwear must-haves.
Nestled in the Anaconda-Pintler Mountains with views of Georgetown Lake, Discovery Ski Area offers 2,400 feet of vertical, and the off-piste terrain on the backside is akin to helicopter-accessed terrain without the hefty price tag. The quaint communities of Anaconda and Philipsburg are perfect for recovering from a long day on the mountain. The Marcus Daly Motel in Anaconda offers ski & stay packages all season, as does the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The Broadway Hotel in Philipsburg is a gem with its themed rooms and eclectic owner who is more than happy to whip up an organic breakfast for guests before heading to the mountain.
Southwest Montana, formerly marketed as Gold West Country, is a large swath of mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes and hearty communities smack dab in between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. For more information visit www.southwestmt.com.