* WHAT...Southwest to west winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Canyon Ferry Area, Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Gates of the Mountains, Helena Valley, Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass, Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, and Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains. * WHEN...Until 9 PM MST this evening. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strongest and most widespread winds are expected this afternoon.
Winter has arrived in style at Moonlight Basin on this December 19, 2025 morning, with a crisp overnight low of 26.8°F and a base snowpack of 24 inches—just slightly below average for this time of year. Moonlight Basin is a popular ski resort located in Montana.
Wind
Humidity
Conditions on the mountain are packed powder with a light dusting overnight, delivering solid early-season turns. And skiers, take note: snow is on the way. The 24-hour forecast calls for 2.35 inches of fresh snow, with an additional 2.7 inches expected in the next 72 hours and up to 3 inches in the 5-day outlook. It's shaping up to be a snowy weekend, so wax your skis and plan your powder lines.
Beyond the slopes, big things are happening in Big Sky. The One&Only Moonlight Basin has officially opened its doors, bringing world-class luxury to the heart of Montana with alpine lodges, a sprawling spa, and private alpine lakes. The resort's debut coincides with major lift upgrades, including the grand opening of the world’s longest 8-person chairlift, enhancing both comfort and capacity. As Moonlight Basin becomes part of Big Sky's expanding ski empire, guests can now experience uncrowded runs paired with elevated amenities. Get ready for unforgettable turns with a touch of indulgence.
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 Lone 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 Moonlight Basin.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Moonlight Basin impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Moonlight Basin ski resort in Montana is located in the Madison Range, which is part of the Rocky Mountains. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on a variety of terrain, including groomed runs, gladed tree skiing, and steep chutes.
Some of the notable mountain aspects of Moonlight Basin include Lone Peak, which is the highest peak in the resort area and offers challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders. Other prominent peaks in the area include Fan Mountain, Cedar Mountain, and the Spanish Peaks.
Overall, Moonlight Basin offers a diverse range of mountain terrain, making it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
The resort boasts of a 4,000-acre skiable terrain with 88 trails ranging from beginner to expert levels. The best trails at Moonlight Basin for expert skiers are Lone Tree, Headwaters, and Ironhorse. The resort also has a rich history, with parts of it being a mining town in the 1800s. A little-known fact about Moonlight Basin is that it was once owned by Lee Poole, who was one of the original founders of Big Sky Resort. For beginner skiers, Powder River is a great trail to start with. And for après-ski, the best bar to check out is the Moonlight Tavern for its cozy ambiance and craft beer selection.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 8 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 9604 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2134 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 1900 Acres |
Established | 2003 |
Run Count | 92 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow, mainly after noon. the snow could be heavy at times. patchy blowing snow. temperature rising to near 32 by 11am, then falling to around 27 during the remainder of the day. southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. chance of precipitation is 100%. new snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Moonlight Basin is expected to receive up to 3.25" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Big Sky Resort
Spanish Peaks Resort
Yellowstone Club
Heavy snowfall is expected across southwestern and northwestern Montana over the next five days. The highest totals are forecasted near Fisher Creek (23"), Northeast Entrance and White Mill (23"), and Twelvemile Creek and Twin Lakes (22"). Resorts near these locations, such as Big Sky Resort (near Carrot Basin and Lone Mountain, forecasted 12" and 3" respectively) and Red Lodge Mountain ... Read more