When planning a trip to Montana, many people opt to visit during summer months when the temperatures warm up and the trails are free of snow. But if you’re looking for a unique experience in the Treasure State, traveling during winter may just be for you.
This story was created in partnership with Destination Missoula.
Missoula, Montana, is home to seemingly endless winter activities—both inside and outside. From skiing to sipping local tea and coffee by the fire, Missoula is the ideal place to head if you’re looking to experience the magic of winter up north. We crafted an itinerary geared toward those who are wanting to get out in the snow and experience the best winter activities to do in Missoula, Montana. Grab your jacket—and a couple of layers—and let’s go.
Day 1:
Arrive in town through the newly built and easy-to-navigate Missoula Montana Airport. After settling into your hotel or Airbnb, stop for an early lunch in town—we recommend the Iron Horse, Michi Ramen, Five on Black, or Tamarack Brewing Company.
After fueling up, head out for your first adventure of the trip: snowshoeing in Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Missoula is surrounded by trails, and many of them are fantastic for snowshoeing during the winter. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Blue Mountain Recreation Area, and Pattee Canyon Recreation Area are minutes outside of the city and offer huge trail systems perfect for snowshoeing. If you’re wanting to travel a bit farther into the mountains, Lolo Pass has an extensive system of trails and receives a ton of snow each season.
Head back into town and spend the night at a Griz Hockey game, ice skating at the Glacier Ice Rink, or checking out some of the city’s many local breweries (some of our favorites are Draught Works, Imagine Nation Brewing, and Western Cider).
Day 2:
It’s time to pull out the skis and hit the slopes. Missoula boasts a multitude of both Nordic and downhill ski areas, and there are plenty of options for skiers of all levels.
For those looking to try Nordic skiing, the Missoula Nordic Ski Club grooms almost a dozen trail systems in the area (some of our favorites are Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Pattee Canyon, and the UM Golf Course). The trails are groomed every few days, and access to most trails is free with a donation to the ski club.
More into downhill skiing or snowboarding? Snowbowl is a short drive outside of the city and averages 150 inches of snow each season. If you’re willing to drive a little farther, Lost Trail or Lookout Pass ski areas are also great local options.
Day 3:
You’ll probably want to give your legs a rest after a few days packed with snowy adventures, and lucky for you Missoula has easy access to over 500 miles of snowmobile trails. Garnet, Seeley Lake, and Lolo Pass are all ready to be explored!
Looking for a warmer activity? Missoula is also surrounded by 13 natural hot springs perfect for soaking and warming up during the colder months.
After your time out on the trail, head over to the Lake Missoula Tea Company or Clyde Coffee to warm up with a local drink. The Montgomery Distillery also offers plenty of cozy adult beverages to warm up after a day in the snow.
