Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort is a treasure in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains. The resort, located on the border of Montana and Idaho, offers some of the most incredible skiing and snowboarding in the area. Skiers and snowboarders may enjoy fresh powder all season long thanks to an annual snowfall of over 300 inches.There is terrain at the resort for every skill level. from beginning runs to challenging black diamond slopes.
The lifts are contemporary and efficient, so tourists can spend more time on the slopes and wait less in line. The resort also provides night skiing, enabling tourists to experience the mountain after sunset. Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort offers a range of additional winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and even snowmobiling are available at the resort. Visitors may also unwind at the lodge with a restaurant, bar, and hot tubs.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain Review
They had one of the best powder skiing days we’ve ever had at Lost Trail. On a typical powder day, it is 4-12 inches thick — not so deep that you get stuck, but just enough to obliterate the previous day’s footprints and let you jet down mellow terrain at great speed. They had 6 inches of snow overnight and 10 inches on the day. This may not seem sufficient, but the area has so little activity that large bumps do not develop, and a tiny quantity of fresh on top of the smooth surface suffices.
They stayed 40 miles away in Salmon, Idaho, since they were traveling north from Utah, and Salmon was the last location with a hotel before the resort. There were hardly any other automobiles on the snow-covered highways in the morning. It’s a lengthy trip, but it emphasizes the resort’s isolation and why it’s so deserted. To the north, the nearest accommodation is roughly 30 miles away, or almost as distant.
The base area is located at the top of Lost Trail Pass, directly on the Idaho/Montana boundary. There is just one lodge structure (which needs updating!) and one antique double chair #1, which leads to the other two ancient double chairs. When they arrived shortly before the lift opened, only around 20 people were in line for the first tracks.
Chair 4
The Saddle Mountain chair #4 first drew the attention to Lost Trail. It is a relatively recent addition to the resort, constructed in 2001. The chair was built in 1969 and transferred from Grand Targhee. Enhancing your trip by choosing the best ski resorts in Montana is essential for a remarkable expedition. The terrain down Saddle Mountain is fantastic for skiing, with a stable, primarily intermediate pitch and large expanses with properly placed trees for powder day enjoyment. It’s as if they were glad or planted that way after a fire ravaged the region long ago.
Chair 2
They lapped Chair 2 on the Idaho side after lunch. That chair provides access to several more classic single black lines, such as Thunder and Corkscrew, and another series of fantastic blue runs. They also skied the Moose Creek glades late in the day, which were steep and less skied.
Chair 1
Chairs 2 and 4 are the primary courses at Lost Trail since Chair 1 has much less vertical than the other two and primarily serves single and double-black terrain. They finished the day with a run-down South Face, which has some bumps if you search for them.
Chairs 3 and 5
I don’t know why they exist or whether they ever operate, but they weren’t running when they were there on Friday. They are optional or appear to be erected in the correct areas. Strange.
The 1800 acres have a lot of intriguing nooks and crannies that they didn’t explore at all. Because of the widely scattered trees, exploring the area would take a whole season. This is one of the resort’s primary selling points.
Food and lodging at the base
The base lodge is a dilapidated remnant. Even the low midweek audience they met was too tiny. The food was not awful for standard ski resort cafeteria cuisine, and it won’t break the wallet to dine there.
The positive
- Some of North America’s top tree skiing
- A fantastic range of landscapes
- Powder!
- Large and uncrowded
- There is a lot of difficulty.
- Excellent throwback ski culture
- Cheap lift tickets and food
The negative
- Slow ancient lifts
- The base lodge must be more ancient and sufficient for even minor weekday visitors.
- The nearest accommodation is around 30 miles away.
In conclusion
Three stars is a relatively high ranking for a resort like this, with lifts and lodges that were probably there when I first began to ski 52 years ago. However, it merits praise since Lost Trail was perhaps the greatest of the project’s relatively undiscovered resorts. The ski terrain and usual snow conditions are superb, and you will almost certainly never have to wait in line. It’s a ski resort with no other attractions. Make an effort to ski this mountain for yourself!
When is the best time to visit Lost Trail Ski Resort?
Because it is more distant than other ski slopes, Lost Trail Ski Area offers superb snow without the long lift lines seen at major Montana destinations such as Big Sky. Depending on snow conditions, the ski area typically opens in early December and stays open until April. Because snowfall is copious in February and March, these are the finest months to ski or snowboard. Despite increasing spring temperatures, April brings a considerable quantity of new snow.
Where should I stay?
The lodging choices in this location are limited. However, there are various possibilities within a 30-minute drive of the slopes. Lost Trail Hot Springs, approximately 10 minutes away, includes:
- Modest cabin and lodge accommodations.
- Access to the springs.
- An on-site restaurant serving New York-style pizza.
Camp Sula, located less than 15 minutes from the ski hill, provides ski-and-stay packages that include breakfast and overnight in one of their modest but charming cabins. There is also a general shop and an on-site restaurant in the camp. Stays at The Darby Bed & Breakfast may include a bath in their Japanese Offuro tubs, gourmet breakfast, cookies and pastries, and views of Trapper Peak.
What is the best way to get there?
Lost Trail Ski Area is 90 miles from Missoula and 100 miles from Butte, both of which have airports that serve aircraft from all over the country. Salmon, Idaho, is also around 45 minutes away from the resort. Montana Adventure Shuttle provides group charters to the spa, and the Stevensville Ski/Snowboard Club provides round-trip shuttles to and from the resort (Stevensville is located halfway between the mountain and Missoula). If you are visiting Lost Trail Powder Mountain from out of town, consider hiring a vehicle to make getting to the slopes from your hotel simpler.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Montana’s Undiscovered Ski Hill
Now and again, we’ll let you in on one of Western Montana’s best-kept secrets. Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski facility has been quietly operating at the far southern end of the magnificent Bitterroot Valley on the Continental Divide since 1938. At this local’s favorite, skiers and snowboarders cross the Montana/Idaho border. Lost Trail claims some of the region’s deepest snowfalls, providing dependable powder. This is the peak to visit if you want a traditional Montana ski experience with thick snow.
This family-owned and run Montana treasure, located just two hours south of Missoula on US Highway 93, provides inexpensive lift tickets for world-class snow. There is also plenty of room for all levels of skiers and boarders, from novice to expert. Lost Trail has a 1,800-foot vertical drop and 60+ defined routes spread over two mountains on 1,800 acres. Lost Trail is open Thursday through Sunday and significant holidays throughout the ski season. During the holiday season, they also extend their usual days and hours of operation.
Après ski on your journey through the Bitterroot, stop at Lost Trail Hot Springs in Sula for a bath in the mineral springs, and then have a pint at Bandit Brewing Co. in Darby. This little brewery puts out small amounts of enormous Montana flavor, with a reputation for “immensely drinkable beer.” You’ll also find their taproom crew to be delightful. Take in the Old West beauty of this small Bitterroot village while you’re in Darby.
FAQs About Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort in Montana
1. What exactly is the Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort is a ski resort in the United States situated on the border of Montana and Idaho. Established in 1938, it is famous for its powder snow and varied terrain.
2. When does the ski season begin and end at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
Weather permitting, the ski season at Lost Trail Powder Mountain typically runs from mid-December to early April. However, see the resort’s website for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing dates.
3. What terrain options are available at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain has terrain for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders, including groomed lines, tree runs, chutes, and open bowls. The resort features 1,800 acres of skiable terrain, 45 designated routes, and three terrain parks.
4. Is ski instruction available at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
Yes, Lost Trail Powder Mountain provides ski and snowboard instruction for people of all ages and skills. Lessons may be arranged online or at the resort.
5. What amenities are provided at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
The resort has a café, a bar, a ski rental store, a retail shop, and a ski patrol station. There are also picnic spots, a playground, and a terrain park.
6. What is the best way to go to Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
The resort is about 90 miles south of Missoula, Montana, and 80 miles north of Salmon, Idaho, on Highway 93. Missoula International Airport and Butte Airport are the closest airports.
7. What kinds of tickets are there at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain Tickets are available in full-day, half-day, and multi-day increments. Discounts are also offered for older people, children, and military people.
8. Are there any lodging options at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
While no lodgings are on-site at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, numerous surrounding communities have overnight choices, including Hamilton, Montana, and Salmon, Idaho.
9. What else is there to do at Lost Trail Powder Mountain?
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Lost Trail Powder Mountain has cross-country skiing and snowshoeing paths. The region also has various hiking and mountain bike paths during the summer.
10. Is Lost Trail Powder Mountain suitable for beginners?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain has numerous beginner-friendly routes and a specialized learning area for first-timers. The ski instructors at the resort are also skilled in teaching novices and can give individual lessons to assist tourists in learning and improving their abilities.