Missoula Area Backcountry

Posts: 1222 - Karma: 325

Nov 10 2015 5:41PM

http://www.trailheadmontana.net/recreation/backcountry-skiing-riding/http://www.trailheadmontana.net/recreation/backcountry-skiing-riding/

Hey everyone I go to school in Missoula MT and I'm looking for anyone who has done some touring around the area. I found the site above and it looks like it has some good options.

I was wondering if anyone on here has done any day trips at any of these locations they list and if so I would love to hear about your experiences and for some insight on where some good spots to go would be and how to get there. This could be anywhere to an hour and a half 2 hours away just trying to get alot of skiing in on days I dont have class but the shorter the drive the better.

I would love to get some information on trailheads and where I can park and such.

Also if anyone lives in Missoula and or goes to U of M I would love to meet some people that would be down to go on some day trips with me and my buddies.

Thanks a lot for the help

I also posted this in the AT BC forum

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randymeetsworld

Posts: 185 - Karma: 248

Dec 14 2015 10:49PM

Lived in Missoula most of my life, going to school there too.

As for backcountry skiing, I've had a lot of friends go up to St. Mary's Peak (in Stevensville, around a half hour drive south from Missoula). I haven't really looked into it, but I am sure TrailHead has some information getting there, parking, etc.

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mellojelo

Posts: 413 - Karma: 527

Mar 31 2016 11:27PM

SweatyYetiLived in Missoula most of my life, going to school there too.

As for backcountry skiing, I've had a lot of friends go up to St. Mary's Peak (in Stevensville, around a half hour drive south from Missoula). I haven't really looked into it, but I am sure TrailHead has some information getting there, parking, etc.

Hey man, I know this is a fairly old thread but I'm looking at going to school in Missoula and was curious how Montana Snowbowl is. Obviously Big Sky and Bridger are gonna be the best bet in Montana but I don't really want to have to drive too far. Anyways, I was reading up on Snowbowl online and it looked like they have some pretty descent terrain, but I was just curious what your thoughts were on there considering you've lived there a while. I've grown up in Utah skiing at Alta and am looking for something with a similar vibe. I don't really care about park I just want somewhere where I can rip around and just have a good time. Any help is appreciated, thanks man.

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.lencon

Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178

Mar 31 2016 11:43PM

mello_jelloHey man, I know this is a fairly old thread but I'm looking at going to school in Missoula and was curious how Montana Snowbowl is. Obviously Big Sky and Bridger are gonna be the best bet in Montana but I don't really want to have to drive too far. Anyways, I was reading up on Snowbowl online and it looked like they have some pretty descent terrain, but I was just curious what your thoughts were on there considering you've lived there a while. I've grown up in Utah skiing at Alta and am looking for something with a similar vibe. I don't really care about park I just want somewhere where I can rip around and just have a good time. Any help is appreciated, thanks man.

Why don't you look at going to school in Bozeman then?

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mellojelo

Posts: 413 - Karma: 527

Mar 31 2016 11:46PM

.lenconWhy don't you look at going to school in Bozeman then?

Doesn't have the major I'm looking for.

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randymeetsworld

Posts: 185 - Karma: 248

Apr 1 2016 12:22PM

mello_jelloHey man, I know this is a fairly old thread but I'm looking at going to school in Missoula and was curious how Montana Snowbowl is. Obviously Big Sky and Bridger are gonna be the best bet in Montana but I don't really want to have to drive too far. Anyways, I was reading up on Snowbowl online and it looked like they have some pretty descent terrain, but I was just curious what your thoughts were on there considering you've lived there a while. I've grown up in Utah skiing at Alta and am looking for something with a similar vibe. I don't really care about park I just want somewhere where I can rip around and just have a good time. Any help is appreciated, thanks man.

Hey dude, glad to see you are thinking about coming to Missoula. It is a really nice area.

Snowbowl is pretty good for being so close to town, about a 30 minute drive. Since Missoula is at a relatively low elevation, Snowbowl does tend to turn into slush quickly and freeze overnight, when the sun is out. The best days up there when it is dumping and below freezing or the day after one of those days with cloud cover. The terrain is fun, and there is a sidecountry area, which can be awesome when the snow is right.

There is also Discovery and Lookout ski areas, each of which are an hour and a half drive from campus. These places are at higher elevations, so they usually get dumps more and hold a better snowpack. These places are have pretty fun terrain to rip around on.

I personally go to Lost Trail, which is two hours south of Missoula. That is my home mountain, and I am able to get free rides up there, so why not. It, to me, is the most fun terrain in driving distance of Missoula. Lost Trail is at an even higher elevation and has gotten incredible snow this season. It has loads of terrain and amazing tree skiing.

And of course, there is a few backcountry ski areas scattered around the area. Let me know when you come to Missoula next year, I'll show you around and stuff!

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