Secret Ski Spots in Montana

Exciting sidecountry and backcountry routes from Bridger Bowl to Big Sky to West Yellowstone.

Erika Vikander

Images

IMG_1174.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

IMG_1141.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

IMG_1142.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

IMG_1147.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

IMG_1178.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

IMG_1175.HEIC

by Erika Vikander

qM6IpcQNSeGZHM8P+DM57A.jpg
Lone Peak from town

f0tU3OZZR9qeKAM7dEBKSQ.jpg
Looking East from the top of the snowfield (the line is below the clouds)

2UD45IZcRXCLFzSnlMAnWw.jpg
At the top (sign out shack) with a friend about to get the go ahead from patrol to drop in.

kRWMbUq2Ru+SrOwOYHeuSg.jpg
Looking west from the top of Lone Peak. The North summit snowfield is directly behind you when facing this direction.

NNHTIkIbTJuuCU5ZH2DJlQ.jpg
Looking up from the bottom of the line it is the lookers left line.

etoxWjtNRx+g+b74YkkyjA.jpg
Standing on top of the extremely narrow and high consequence boot pack to get to the top of the drop in.

hgu8TmuCR1WLm5qe7fKgzQ.jpg
Looking down the line from the drop in. The rocks point uphill so you want to take your time going through there.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_6589.jpg
Looking down from the top of Upper Pinnacles

dPENjXeLSByKnxJEwQuMnw_thumb_657e.jpg
At the bottom of the line. Route skied is above the left shoulder.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_6598.jpg
The clouds come in and out quickly so planning your drop in timing is crucial.

Description

With challenging avalanche conditions around Gallatin county and Big Sky country these routes are not only relatively safe but exciting and difficult at the same time. It's easy to forget that you are just outside of the ski resort boundary when you are riding terrain as exposed and demanding as these. With access straight from the top of the lifts at both Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, these routes will have you feeling like you have walked for hours to get there when in reality they are much more accessible.

Adventures