After a chilly overnight low of 14°F, Montana Snowbowl greets skiers on December 21, 2025, with a solid snowpack of 54 inches—nearly 27% above average for this time of year. Montana Snowbowl ski resort is located just outside Missoula, Montana, and offers 39 runs across 950 skiable acres.
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With a Snow Water Equivalent of 18.5", the base is dense and primed for carving deep turns. While only 0.47" of new snow is expected today, a promising 2.35" is forecast over the next 72 hours, with totals reaching 3" in the next five days. Expect packed powder conditions on the upper trails, softening slightly as the day warms. The combination of cold temps and fresh snow makes today ideal for advanced skiers aiming to explore Snowbowl’s legendary steeps.
However, excitement on the mountain is tempered by ongoing chairlift concerns. Multiple incidents, including chairs detaching from lifts, have prompted federal scrutiny and a mandated inspection by Lolo National Forest officials. As Snowbowl pushes forward with upgrades—including a new triple chair and one of the steepest lifts in the country—visitors are advised to check lift status before heading up. Management has issued reassurances and continues to address previous safety issues. With the ski area's 70th season underway, conditions are ripe for memorable runs—as long as lifts stay in motion.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Stuart Mountain.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Montana Snowbowl.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Montana Snowbowl impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Montana Snowbowl ski resort is located in the Lolo National Forest in the Missoula Valley of Montana. The resort is situated at the base of the Lolo Peak, which is part of the Bitterroot Mountain Range. The Bitterroot Range is known for its rugged peaks and pristine alpine terrain, providing skiers and snowboarders with challenging runs and breathtaking views.
Additionally, the Montana Snowbowl ski resort offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, with runs ranging from beginner to expert. The resort also features a vertical drop of over 2,600 feet, making it a popular destination for those seeking a thrilling skiing or snowboarding experience.
Overall, the mountain ranges and aspects of the Montana Snowbowl ski resort in Montana provide visitors with a unique and exciting winter sports experience in a stunning alpine setting.
The resort is known for its challenging terrain, with the best trails being the steep and technical East Bowl and the gladed terrain of Grizzly Bowl. An interesting fact is that Snowbowl was originally opened in 1962 by a group of local skiers who used a rope tow powered by an old car engine. For beginner skiers, the easy-going Meadow Trail is a great option. The Last Run Inn is the best apres ski bar, offering a cozy atmosphere to relax and unwind after a day on the slopes.
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow likely after 8am. the snow could be heavy at times. cloudy, with a high near 24. south southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. chance of precipitation is 70%. total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Montana Snowbowl is expected to receive up to 3.69" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Heavy snowfall is forecast across southwest Montana, with standout accumulations expected near West Yellowstone, Carrot Basin, and Black Bear. Areas around Big Sky Resort and Lone Mountain are expecting 10–25 inches over the next five days, with 1" already falling in the last 24 hours. The Madison Plateau and nearby Tepee Creek are expecting up to 29" and 21" respectively. ... Read more