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.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert
A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.
26 Aug 2026
Blacktail Mountain Webcams
1 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Blacktail Mountain's live webcams
Check live conditions across Blacktail Mountain with 1 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Blacktail Webcam6,677ft
- Monitor conditions at northwest Montana's best-kept secret through this Blacktail Mountain webcam positioned at 2035 meters elevation. This Blacktail live cam provides real-time views of this family-owned ski area overlooking Flathead Lake. Perfect for Kalispell-area skiers, this live snow cam showcases the uncrowded terrain and stunning lake views that make Blacktail Mountain a local favorite.
Blacktail Mountain snow cams FAQ
How often do Blacktail Mountain snow cams update?
All Blacktail Mountain snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Blacktail Mountain.
Which Blacktail Mountain webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Blacktail Webcam webcam at 2,035m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Blacktail Mountain webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Blacktail Mountain lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Blacktail Mountain snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Blacktail Mountain snow cams?
Check Blacktail Mountain webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Blacktail Mountain lift tickets?
Use our Blacktail Mountain webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Blacktail Mountain webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Blacktail Mountain snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Blacktail Mountain intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.