Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort is a well-known winter resort in Montana’s Flathead Valley. Blacktail Mountain is one of Montana’s hidden beauties, located just 17 miles from the lovely town of Kalispell—this ski resort is nestled in the scenic mountains. Blacktail Mountain, with over 1,000 skiable acres, provides plenty of area for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.
The resort is famous for its breathtaking vistas of the Flathead Valley and surrounding snow-capped peaks, making it a perfect location for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Blacktail Mountain is also known for its inviting and friendly attitude, making it an excellent choice for families and first-time skiers. Aside from skiing, the resort has several other winter sports, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and sledding. Overall, Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort is a must-see for anyone searching for a spectacular Montana winter trip.
Overview of the Terrain
Twenty-seven runs totaling 0.7 miles. Most extended Skiable Terrain 1000 Acres
Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort Montana Trail Map
Five thousand two hundred thirty-six feet of base elevation, 6,676 feet of peak elevation, and 1,440 feet of vertical drop. This is a paradise for intermediate skiers because 50% of the terrain is of middle gradient descent. Benefitting from the knowledge of the best ski resorts in Montana is vital for an extraordinary adventure. From the lodge, advanced skiers will find glades and exciting pitches. Blacktail Mountain has various mountain eating options, ski and snowboard rentals, lessons, and cross-country tracks.
Location
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is located on the western edge of Flathead Lake in northwest Montana. Driving Highway 93 South and turning on Blacktail Road near Lakeside makes the resort easily accessible from Lakeside, Whitefish, and Kalispell, Montana. The Blacktail Lodge is 14 kilometers away from there.
Shuttles to Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort are available in Kalispell, Lakeside, and Somers, Montana. The Blacktail Express is a shuttle service that costs $5 roundway. Some surrounding hotels, motels, and inns also provide complimentary shuttle service to the slopes.
Services for the Mountains
Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort has everything you might want for the ultimate skiing vacation. Blacktail Lodge features a full-service rental store, a restaurant with a bar, a comfortable café, and a shop where you may buy new supplies or replace ones you left behind. This family-friendly resort also offers daily ski instruction to children as young as three years old and professional childcare.
The Mount
Blacktail is different from other ski areas in the country. The Blacktail Mountain base lodge is located on top, not at the bottom. This makes for a beautiful view from the club on a clear day, with multiple mountains and Flathead Lake visible. However, having the clubhouse and parking at the top of the hill makes for a lengthy trip to the ski area.
The route to Blacktail Mountain isn’t horrible, but it’s also not fantastic. Lakeside is the starting point for the journey to Blacktail. The road is paved for the first several miles. The trail soon turns to gravel and begins a 3000 vertical foot ascent over 14 miles to the peak of Blacktail Mountain. The road is nicely plowed throughout the winter months, but it is not salted or anything.
Furthermore, the road has a lot of quite sharp turns on its journey up to the peak. If you drive slowly, the route is relatively safe. Also, don’t expect to leave Lakeside and reach the summit in 20 minutes!
The chalet at Blacktail Ski Area is also excellent. On the first floor of the Blacktail Lodge, there is a ski school and ski rental, a lovely café and changing facility, and a bar/grill on the third floor. Unlike some mega-resort lodges, Blacktail’s Lodge is enjoyable to spend time lounging in.
Why should you go to Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort?
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, located above the waters of Flathead Lake, is a tiny alpine resort in northwest Montana with roughly 1,000 skiable acres and a summit elevation of 6,780 feet. Blacktail Mountain, open Wednesday through Sunday, has a more local vibe than the state’s larger resorts, such as Big Sky.
This ski slope mainly caters to intermediate skiers and boarders and offers spectacular vistas and consistent snowfall. There is a snow sports school in the vicinity that offers private and group lessons at reasonable prices, as well as a rental business. A terrain park and cross-country tracks are here, but no night skiing is available.
Blacktail Mountain’s Day Lodge, which also contains the rental shop and the Blacktail Trading Company retail store, offers slope-side dining. Bigfork, Kalispell, and the Flathead Lake area all have hotels.
Blacktail Mountain typically opens in early December and shuts in early April. While February is traditionally renowned as a snowy month in Montana, this can extend into March, when guests will also enjoy longer days and warmer temperatures, particularly near the season’s conclusion.
Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort: Winter Van Life
Blacktail Mountain, located in the unincorporated hamlet of Lakeside in northwestern Montana, rises about 4,000 feet above Flathead Lake. It’s one of only a few mountains where you may begin your day at the summit and ski down to your first lift ride.
What They Enjoy Most About Blacktail Mountain
The internet wasn’t lying when it said Blacktail has the friendliest and most helpful personnel. Everyone was friendly, from the ticket office to the lefties to the sports shop, and did their duties with a grin.
I had no idea Blacktail lived so high in the mountains. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, the Mission Mountain Range, and the Cabinet Mountains are visible from their vantage point. Their lovely setting was utterly unexpected.
Many people ski and ride at Blacktail to avoid the congestion at the adjacent Whitefish Mountain Resort. They never had to wait in a lift queue, and there were many times when they had the entire trail to ourselves.
Blacktail Mountain is ideal for honing your skills as a skier or rider. You don’t have to move from what you find easy to what you find difficult in one run. Blacktail features runs that gradually push your comfort level and help you work your way up. If you’re a solid intermediate or advanced rider comfortable on steeper groomed trails but want to try ungroomed terrain, Blacktail has options for dipping your toe without getting too far in.
Plan a trip to Blacktail Mountain in your RV or van.
Operating Days: The operating days of Blacktail can be found on their Events page. They look to be open every Saturday and Sunday. With snow conditions, midweek is unpredictable and adaptable. I need help locating information on their website about when their elevators open and close. It was between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. when they arrived.
The Road to Blacktail Mountain
Why did I assume Blacktail Mountain was a lower-elevation resort? We’d driven past the Blacktail sign along Flathead Lake several times, and I sensed it was only a few streets away once you exited the highway. Not so! It’s a steady 30-minute ascent up a two-lane, winding road for about 14 miles and nearly 4,000 feet in elevation. When the road is blanketed with snow and temperatures below freezing, the road changes to dirt quite quickly.
I would not advocate taking a massive RV to Blacktail Mountain. A vehicle up to 25 feet long is acceptable, but I’d be more concerned about the width. If you’re in a small van, that might be sufficient. However, a boxy Class C or a big truck camper may seem cramped as you pass vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. At Blacktail, they only saw vans and small truck campers.
Blacktail Mountain Parking
When you first enter the ski slope, you will cross the parking lots that comprise the bottom parking area. Continue uphill until you reach the lodge on your right and the upper parking lot. The parking lot is modest and swings to the left, with the slopes to your request. When they arrived, most people were parking perpendicular to the berm, some on a slant, on both sides of the circular road.
However, I’ve observed folks parking parallel to the berms on a satellite image. They found a local and backed in perpendicular to the shelf next to them in a broad portion of the loop because there were no parking attendants. They wanted to ensure and they had enough room to pull out because parking may be challenging depending on how everyone parks.
A few slope-side places can be found in a dead-end portion that branches off the upper parking lot’s loop. It’s ideal for setting up chairs on the snow, watching the game, and taking in the scenery.
FAQs About Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort in Montana
1. What is the location of Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort?
Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort is located in Lakeside, Montana, about 30 miles south of Kalispell.
2. What are the hours of operation for the ski resort?
Opening dates for the resort are often early December to early April, with hours varying throughout the season. Generally, the resort is open from 9 8:3:30 am to 4:00 p.m. on workdays and till 4 p.m. on weekends. On weekends and holidays.
3. What types of slopes are available at Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort?
The ski area has a range of slopes suitable for all ability levels of skiers and snowboarders. There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes, terrain parks, and a tubing park.
4. How many lifts are there at the resort?
Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort has four lifts: a triple chairlift, a double chairlift, and two surface lifts.
5. Are there any lodging options available at the ski resort?
While there are no lodging options directly at the resort, several nearby options exist in Lakeside and the surrounding area.
6. What other activities can visitors enjoy at Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort?
Apart from snowboarding and skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are available to visitors in the surrounding area.
7. Are there dining options available at the resort?
Several dining options are available at the resort, including a cafeteria-style restaurant and a bar and grill.
8. What is the best time to visit Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort?
Your preferences determine the ideal time to go to the resort. If you prefer smaller crowds and more affordable prices, visiting during the early or late season is best. Mid-season is typically the most reliable if you’re looking for the best snow conditions.