The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Lost Trail Powder Mountain's summit reaches 8,196 feet, dropping 1,795 vertical feet to a base at 6,401 feet across 69 runs spread over 1,800 acres straddling the Montana-Idaho border. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, and 20 per cent each for beginner, advanced and expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 306 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Eight lifts, including five double chairs, serve the mountain alongside three surface lifts.
Lost Trail sits at the junction of US Highway 93 and Montana State Highway 43 at Lost Trail Pass, with Chairlift 1 running approximately along the Idaho-Montana border and terrain to its south, including Chairlift 2, actually located in Idaho. This border-straddling geography, combined with the resort's legendary Thursday powder days, has built a devoted following among skiers in the Bitterroot Valley and beyond. The evenly balanced terrain split across all four ability levels suits a genuinely broad range of skiers.
The ski area traces its origins to 1938, when it began as a modest, volunteer-operated facility on the Continental Divide. The pass itself takes its name from a local rancher's insistence, informed by his familiarity with the Lewis and Clark journals, when US Highway 93 was built through the area in the 1930s. Ownership of the ski hill changed hands roughly every three years through its early decades until the Grasser family took over.
In 1967, local resident Bill Grasser and business partner Chuck Shuland acquired the property, with Grasser buying out his partner in 1975 after operating the resort together from 1969. The mountain is now owned by Scott and Judy Grasser, continuing more than half a century of family ownership. Adult daily tickets run from 45 to 55 US dollars.
1,798ft
Vertical
69
Runs
1,800 acres
Skiable
25ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
69 runs across 1,800 acres skiable
Lost Trail Powder Mountain spreads 69 runs across 1,800 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 28 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
69
runs
69 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 20%
Intermediate28 runs · 40%
Advanced14 runs · 20%
Expert14 runs · 20%
Time it right
When to visit Lost Trail Powder Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Lost Trail Powder Mountain ran from 5 December 2025 to 6 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 306 inches. This substantial snowfall total underpins the resort's legendary reputation for deep, reliable powder, particularly on the Thursdays for which the mountain has become known among regional skiers.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across the resort's evenly balanced terrain. Given the mountain's remote setting straddling the Montana-Idaho border at Lost Trail Pass, the resort draws primarily from the Bitterroot Valley and broader regional skier base rather than national destination traffic, keeping crowds notably lighter than more accessible resorts.
As an Indy Pass resort, Lost Trail draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core regional base. The resort's genuinely balanced terrain split across beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert skiing suits families and groups with mixed ability levels. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given this broad terrain appeal.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the resort's Thursday powder day reputation is not confirmed in available resort information. More than fifty years of Grasser family ownership, from Bill Grasser's 1967 purchase through to the current Scott and Judy Grasser stewardship, continues to shape the resort's community-focused, family-run character each season. Lost Trail's unusual cross-border geography remains a distinctive point of interest for visitors throughout the winter.
Season 2025 - 2026
5 Dec 2025
Opens
6 Apr 2026
Closes
122
Days open
25 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Lost Trail Powder Mountain, and where to stay
Lost Trail Powder Mountain sits at Lost Trail Pass, straddling the Montana-Idaho border at the junction of US Highway 93 and Montana State Highway 43, with a base elevation of 6,401 feet and a summit at 8,196 feet across a 1,795-foot vertical drop over 1,800 acres in the Bitterroot Range. This remote setting places the resort along one of the more scenic mountain passes in the northern Rockies.
The Bitterroot Valley, to the north in Montana, and the Salmon, Idaho area, to the south, both provide lodging and services within a reasonable drive of the resort. Missoula, the nearest larger city, lies a considerable distance north through the Bitterroot Valley. This remote location keeps the resort's visitor base genuinely regional rather than drawing from major metropolitan areas.
US Highway 93 provides direct access to Lost Trail Pass from both the Montana and Idaho sides, making the resort straightforward to reach despite its remote setting. Winter driving conditions on this mountain pass route can include snow and ice, and the substantial snowfall the area receives means chains or traction tyres are often advisable during storms. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Missoula International Airport, a considerable drive to the north, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service. This distance reinforces Lost Trail's identity as a genuinely remote mountain destination reached deliberately by regional skiers rather than a convenient fly-in resort.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Lost Trail Powder Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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17 Sept 2026
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16 Sept 2026
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16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
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
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31 Aug 2026
Lost Trail Powder Mountain Lift Tickets
Lost Trail Powder Mountain lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Lost Trail Powder Mountain closed on Apr 6, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$25, with peak rates up to US$55.
Indy4 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Daily Lift Ticket
US$45up to US$55 peak
Lost Trail Powder Mountain adult lift tickets provide access to powder skiing on the Montana-Idaho border. Located near Darby, Lost Trail offers affordable family skiing with diverse terrain and consistent snowfall.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Daily Lift Ticket
US$35up to US$45 peak
Lost Trail Powder Mountain senior lift tickets offer discounted access for ages 65+. Enjoy powder skiing and mountain views with senior savings at this Montana-Idaho border location.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Daily Lift Ticket
US$35up to US$45 peak
Lost Trail Powder Mountain youth lift tickets provide discounted access for teenage skiers. Experience Lost Trail's powder skiing and family-friendly atmosphere at affordable rates.
Buy passChild 6–12
Child Daily Lift Ticket
US$25up to US$35 peak
Lost Trail Powder Mountain child lift tickets provide affordable family skiing for ages 6-12. Kids enjoy Lost Trail's beginner terrain and powder skiing with family-friendly pricing.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Lost Trail Powder Mountain day pass cost?
Lost Trail Powder Mountain day passes range from US$25 to US$55 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Lost Trail Powder Mountain lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Lost Trail Powder Mountain lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Lost Trail Powder Mountain lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Lost Trail Powder Mountain - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Lost Trail Powder Mountain lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Lost Trail Powder Mountain offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Lost Trail Powder Mountain directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Lost Trail Powder Mountain.
More Lost Trail Powder Mountain intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.