The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Blacktail Mountain's summit reaches 6,680 feet, dropping 1,444 vertical feet to a base at 5,236 feet across 27 runs spread over 1,000 acres above the western shore of Flathead Lake, Montana. Terrain splits 65 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent advanced and 15 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 220 inches. The resort carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation. Four lifts, including two double chairs and one triple chair, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Blacktail Mountain was deliberately designed as a smaller, more affordable alternative to the larger Big Mountain resort in nearby Whitefish, and its intermediate-weighted, expert-free terrain reflects that founding vision. Its position above Flathead Lake gives skiers sweeping valley views uncommon among Montana's ski areas. The resort's comparatively lean lift count relative to its acreage keeps operations simple and costs manageable.
Blacktail Mountain opened in December 1998, notable as the first new ski area granted a special-use permit by the US Forest Service since 1978. A group of local enthusiasts, including Steve Spencer, Tom Sands, Dennis Carver and Jeff Sorg, founded the resort specifically to offer a smaller, more affordable option relative to Whitefish's Big Mountain.
In November 2021, the Spencer-led ownership group sold Blacktail Mountain to Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, a Washington-based operation owned by Larry Scrivanich, bringing the Montana resort under common ownership with the Washington mountain. Adult daily tickets run from 40 to 50 US dollars, among the more affordable pricing structures in the region, consistent with the resort's founding mission.
1,440ft
Vertical
27
Runs
1,000 acres
Skiable
18ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
27 runs across 1,000 acres skiable
Blacktail Mountain spreads 27 runs across 1,000 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 65%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 5 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
27
runs
27 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 15%
Intermediate18 runs · 65%
Advanced5 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Blacktail Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Blacktail Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 220 inches. This snowfall total supports reliable conditions across the resort's intermediate-weighted terrain throughout the season. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's approachable terrain. Given the resort's founding mission as an affordable alternative to Whitefish's Big Mountain, Blacktail draws primarily from the broader Flathead Valley region rather than national destination traffic, keeping crowds notably lighter than the area's larger resort.
As an independently operated resort without major pass affiliation, Blacktail's visitor base skews heavily toward local and regional skiers seeking straightforward, budget-friendly access. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial intermediate terrain and absence of expert-only zones. Weekend crowds draw primarily from the Flathead Lake area.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since the 2021 sale to Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort's ownership group, the resort has continued to operate consistent with its original founding mission of affordability and simplicity. Blacktail Mountain's views over Flathead Lake remain a defining seasonal backdrop for visitors throughout the winter.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
13 Apr 2026
Closes
128
Days open
18 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Blacktail Mountain, and where to stay
Blacktail Mountain sits above the western shore of Flathead Lake near Lakeside, Montana, with a base elevation of 5,236 feet and a summit at 6,680 feet across a 1,444-foot vertical drop over 1,000 acres. This northwestern Montana setting places the resort within easy reach of Flathead Lake, one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States.
Lakeside and the broader Flathead Lake shoreline communities provide local lodging and dining, while Kalispell, a larger regional centre, offers more extensive services a further drive away. Whitefish, home to the larger Big Mountain resort, lies within the same broader Flathead Valley region, giving visitors a choice between the two mountains' distinct characters.
US Highway 93 provides direct access to the resort from the Flathead Valley, with the ski area easily reached from the highway along the lake's western shore. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled highway is regularly maintained given its role as a major regional corridor. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell is the nearest airport with commercial service, offering a practical option for visitors flying into the Flathead Valley region. Most Blacktail Mountain visitors, however, are local and regional skiers from the surrounding Flathead Lake communities rather than fly-in destination travellers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Blacktail Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Blacktail Mountain's ski season?
Blacktail Mountain's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 6 through April 13. That window is roughly 128 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Montana, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Blacktail Mountain have?
Blacktail Mountain lists about 1,000 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 27 named runs (405 hectares alongside 1,000 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Blacktail Mountain?
Trail grading at Blacktail Mountain breaks down roughly as 15% beginner, 65% intermediate, 20% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Blacktail Mountain have?
Blacktail Mountain operates 4 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 2 double chairs, 1 triple chair, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Blacktail Mountain?
Base elevation at Blacktail Mountain is about 5,236 ft (1,596 m), with the summit around 6,677 ft (2,035 m), giving roughly 1,440 ft (439 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Blacktail Mountain get each season?
Blacktail Mountain averages about 220 inches (559 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Blacktail Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$25 to US$50, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Blacktail Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 1 live mountain webcam, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Blacktail Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Blacktail Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Blacktail Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Blacktail Mountain located?
Blacktail Mountain sits in Montana, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
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