From deep snow and deep pockets to the more thrifty, western Montana ski areas offer a variety of terrain, snow conditions and costs to suit any desires. LINDA THOMPSON/Missoulian

15 Montana resorts offer skiing for any size wallet

By BRETT FRENCH
of the Billings Gazette

and MARY GERBER
of the Missoulian

As the sun broke over the rim of the mountains, a warm, red light infused the surrounding terrain. The snow glowed a luminescent pink, our faces shone with a healthy ruddiness, and a mountain's worth of runs, glades and bowls lay beneath our ski tips atop the ridge's cornice.

Yeehaw! What a great way to start a winter's day.

Skiing and snowboarding in Montana is far removed from the ordinary. Fifteen ski areas dot the western half of the state, providing access to a variety of terrain at a price range to suit the tastes of beginners and experts, those with deep pockets and the thrifty.

Here's a breakdown:

Cheap skis
Even when gas, gear and groceries consume most of your paycheck, it's still possible to find an inexpensive way to make some turns on Montana ski slopes.

Bear Paw Ski Bowl
Located 29 miles south of Havre, this ski hill has adult tickets for only $20 a day, $18 for students 9 to 18. Children 8 and under ski free. The hill is only open Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. With one chair, one hand tow and a vertical drop of 900 feet, this is a small mountain. But if you're a beginner, what more do you need? Ski and snowboard rentals are available in Havre.
On the Net: www.skibearpaw.com.

Great Divide
Twenty-three miles north of Helena near the old mining town of Marysville, Great Divide offers 1,560 feet of vertical on 140 trails. Adult tickets are $36 or $28 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday starting Jan. 6. Or ski from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday nights for only $9. A terrain park should keep snowboarding huckers happy, while the mountain's five double chairs can efficiently move others around. Special lift and rental packages are available for beginners.
On the Net: www.skigd.com.

Turner Mountain
Located 22 miles north of Libby, Turner Mountain sells adult tickets for $30, $25 for juniors and senior citizens, while children 6 and under ski free. The ski area boasts 22 trails with 2,110 feet of vertical drop and an average snowfall of 250 inches. While only one chair serves the mountain, half of the terrain is considered expert. The hill is only open Friday through Sunday, except during the Christmas break and on holidays.
On the Net: www.skiturner.com.

Ski and soak
There aren't many things that go better with cold snow than hot springs. Close to some of Montana's ski areas are natural springs that can warm and soothe your ski-tired body.

Discovery Basin
Only minutes from Fairmont Hot Springs, Discovery Basin provides 1,670 feet of vertical on 63 trails. The ski area, overlooking Georgetown Lake, has a good variety of terrain to suit many abilities for skiers and snowboarders. Adult tickets are $35.
On the Net: www.skidiscovery.com.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain
This ski area can get some big dumps of snow. So if you like to track powder, put this on your radar. The nearby Lost Trail Hot Springs apparently fell into some disrepair, but used to be a good site for a soak. Management has said they've made changes after some would-be buyers guilty of the shoddy service backed out. Adult tickets at the ski hill are $34. The area is only open Thursdays through Sundays, except over the Christmas season and on holidays. The terrain includes 1,800 feet of vertical and 300 inches of annual snowfall. The ski area is located 90 miles south of Missoula, at the head of the Bitterroot Valley.
On the Net: www.losttrail.com.

Maverick Mountain
Hidden in southwestern Montana's Pioneer Mountains, Maverick can boast low rates and two nearby places to plunge into hot water – Jackson Hot Springs Lodge and Elkhorn Hot Springs. The ski hill features 2,020 feet of vertical spread out across 24 trails. The mountain's annual snowfall is 180 inches, accessed by one double chair and a rope tow. Adult tickets are $30.
On the Net: www.skimaverick.com.

Showdown Montana
High atop the Little Belt Mountains, Showdown Montana offers a family environment while nearby White Sulphur Springs serves up a hot pool. Showdown, which celebrated its 70th season last year, is famous for its early snowfalls that average 245 inches a year. The mountain's 1,400 feet of vertical drop is serviced by one triple and two double chairlifts. Adult full-day tickets cost $35.
On the Net: www.
showdownmontana.com.

Midrange mountains
Bigger doesn't always mean better when you consider Montana's midrange mountains.

Blacktail Mountain Ski Area
Overlooking Flathead Lake, about 45 minutes from downtown Kalispell, Blacktail provides skiers and snowboarders with 1,400 feet of vertical serviced by one triple chair and two doubles. An adult ticket is $36 a day, which gives skiers access to 26 trails. Ski on Thrifty Thursdays (excluding holidays) for $25.
On the Net: www.
blacktailmountain.com.

Lookout Pass Ski Area
This ski hill is so far north (30 miles north of St. Regis off Interstate 90) that it shares some trails with Idaho. Notoriously snowy country, the high mountains generate about 400 inches of snow annually. With 1,150 feet of vertical, the hill dishes up 34 runs at a midweek rate of $31 for adults ($34 weekends and holidays). The mountain is open Thursdays through Mondays, as well as during Christmas break and on holidays. In January and February, the mountain also will be open Wednesdays.
On the Net: www.skilookout.com.

Montana Snowbowl
Located only minutes from downtown Missoula, Snowbowl is famous for its tricky terrain. Two high-capacity double chairlifts quickly carry skiers and boarders to the top of the mountain for the 2,600-foot drop. Forty-two runs spread winter enthusiasts out, including one that cruises for three miles. The adult rate is $39 a day.
On the Net: www.
montanasnowbowl.com.

Crème de la crème
The state's top mountains are top-rated for some simple reasons – lots of variety, good snow conditions and high-speed lifts that quickly cart your carcass to the top of the mountain.

Big Sky Resort
This is the state's big kahuna; no one else can compete with the amount of terrain, vertical drop and number of lifts. With 4,350 feet of vertical that descends from Lone Mountain, the longest run is six freaking miles. But fear not, about 40 percent of the terrain is rated for beginners and intermediates. Snowboarders will find a half pipe, rails and other features to grind their gear on. An adult ticket is $79 a day, but deals are offered throughout the year, as well as discounts available through package and pass deals. Big Sky is located about an hour south of Bozeman via the Gallatin Canyon.
On the Net: www.bigskyresort.com.

Bridger Bowl
Powder hounds from Bozeman love this home hill which is known for its “cold smoke.” And a new lift added last year caters to these hardy backcountry skiers, where an avalanche beeper is required equipment. At an adult lift ticket price of $45 skiers and boarders can spread out on 75 runs. Bridger Bowl is about 20 minutes northeast of Bozeman.
On the Net: www.bridgerbowl.com.

Moonlight Basin
Big Sky's next door neighbor may be smaller, but it's got some grand terrain. Located on the north side of Lone Mountain, the hill boasts 4,150 feet of vertical and 76 runs. Experts can try the ridge's upper chutes, while beginners and intermediates can stick to the lower mountain. An adult full day ticket is $55.
On the Net: www.moonlightbasin.com.

Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain will be celebrating its 50th season this winter with festivities and deals. Just minutes from downtown Red Lodge, at the base of the magnificent Beartooth Mountains, the ski area has bragging rights to 2,400 feet of vertical accessed by 65 trails. Snowboarders can frolic in the terrain park, or take to the trees to track powder. The adult rate is $47 a day.
On the Net: www.
redlodgemountain.com.

Whitefish Mountain Resort
The second-largest ski area in the state, Whitefish Mountain provides northwestern Montana with its own bragging rights. Located eight miles northwest of Whitefish, the mountain has 2,353 feet of vertical crisscrossed by 94 trails. Three quad chairlifts quickly whisk skiers and snowboarders to the top of the mountain that sees 300 inches of annual snowfall. A terrain park features gaps, berms and tabletops for snowboarders. The adult rate is $61.
On the Net: www.skiwhitefish.com.