Winter Getaway: Let It Snow!
- Steve Russo
- Dec 21, 2014
- 3 min read
Four mountains to tackle this winter. By Colin Anderson.
With so many great ski hills in our own backyard, sometimes it’s tough to leave our friendly confines and branch out to find new runs to conquer. While there are a half dozen great spots within an hour and a half drive, if you stretch the mileage just a little further you’ll discover even more of the west’s great ski and snowboard experiences. Here are five hills that might take a bit further to get to, but won’t disappoint when you arrive.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Sula, MT
Straddling the Idaho/Montana state line and the Continental Divide, Lost Trail offers great snow, affordable tickets, and rarely will you find a lift line. While smaller than many of the regional resorts, Lost Trail still boasts 1,800 vertical feet, a long run of 2.5 miles, and 50 marked trails, giving you plenty to explore. Adult tickets are just $40, making Lost Trail one of the best values in the west. It is also one of the few non-profit ski hills that remain today. You can book a cabin in nearby Sula or find a hotel or bed and breakfast in any one of the towns along the stunning Bitterroot Valley.
Discovery Basin, Phillipsburg, MT
Another great Montana ‘Mom & Pop’ hill is Discovery Basin also known as ‘Disco.’ The front side of Discovery is a perfect spot for beginners and those who enjoy long mellow groomers. Drop off the backside and things couldn’t be more different. Here you’ll find nothing but double black steep shoots, and if you catch a big powder day on these runs, you’ll remember it the rest of your life. ‘Disco’ really does offer something for everyone with runs marked 20% beginner, 25% intermediate, 25% advanced, and 30% expert. Off mountain you can explore the mining history of nearby Anaconda, visit Georgetown Lake, or get the old west feel in downtown Phillipsburg.
Brundage Mountain Resort, McCall, ID
With an average of 320 inches each year, Brundage is almost always one of the first to open and last to close. There are nearly 50 marked runs, but it’s the bowls, glades, and tree skiing that bring diehards back here year after year. Brundage is also popular with the backcountry crowd as you can tackle 19,000 additional acres yourself or arrange guided snowcat tours on the mountain. Brundage is just eight miles from downtown McCall where you’ll find a multitude of places to stay, shop, dine, drink, and explore.
Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernice, B.C.
The secret is out. With accolades continuing to pile up from national and international publications, Fernie is no longer a quaint little ski town. But one look at the trail map and you’ll soon realize why folks were trying to keep this place a secret for so long with142 runs, 5 bowls, and 2,500 acres to explore. One day here and you’ve hardly scratched the surface. A run from top to bottom is a 20-30 minute affair, and you’ll be ready for a hot tub soak after a thigh burn on the mountain. Fernie has cross-country and snowshoe trails and Kokanee fans can visit the brewery down the street in nearby Creston. You’ll find everything from hostels to million dollar homes and dive bars to five star dining; the Fernie experience is ultimately up to you.
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