I know there have been several threads here about Whitefish. Family thinking about going end of December. I have read where the snow in December is unpredictable, and not all runs are open. I wouldn’t want to make the trip then not have adequate snow. Anyone been to Whitefish in December or have thoughts on how risky it might be to go end of December? Really wanted to go to Whitefish but wondering if we need to switch to CO.
OT: Whitefish, Montana skiing in Dec
- Thread starter Dawgbyte
- Start date
Whitefish Mountain averages 5 feet of snow in December with snow falling over half the days of the month of December. End of December, you should be good.
Last year wasn’t good in December but I agree you will likely be fine for a trip at the end of December
Skiing is probably going to be incredible the week after Christmas this year in the Northern Rockies. The crowds will be bad though. We don't ski that week because of lift lines, but compared to Colorado Whitefish will look like Wally World when the Griswold family got there.
Our family has been to Whitefish a couple of times in December and had a great time. Not all the runs were open but plenty were. I think as long as you are going in late December you should be fine.
Last year we went to Steamboat in early/mid December and it turned out okay as a bunch of new runs opened on our second day.
Last year we went to Steamboat in early/mid December and it turned out okay as a bunch of new runs opened on our second day.
UPDATE:
Hope you booked this trip @Dawgbyte . Not sure how Whitefish is doing as of today, since they haven't updated the snow totals on the website since 11-1, but it's been snowing like its February up here in the Northern Rockies. Our local resorts open for 7 days a week this week which is the earliest in nearly 20 years. Whitefish is pegged for a 12/5 opening. Going to be a monster snow year in this part of the world if the predictions/patterns hold up.
Hope you booked this trip @Dawgbyte . Not sure how Whitefish is doing as of today, since they haven't updated the snow totals on the website since 11-1, but it's been snowing like its February up here in the Northern Rockies. Our local resorts open for 7 days a week this week which is the earliest in nearly 20 years. Whitefish is pegged for a 12/5 opening. Going to be a monster snow year in this part of the world if the predictions/patterns hold up.
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Time to go to the beach then.
Glad to see Starkville at 33-40% "Leaning Below Normal" which is next to no chance of a chance.
As someone who has spent A LOT of time in Montana (see avatar) ---
I'd tell you to hit Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. WAYYYYYYYY Better than Whitefish.
I'd tell you to hit Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. WAYYYYYYYY Better than Whitefish.
A tourist would agree with you. A local would not.
Big Sky is a destination resort. It's the largest in the US now, but with better lines than Colorado. Cool terrain, but most people are nowhere near good enough to take advantage of much of it.
But big resorts are for the birds. You will spend $500 a night for ski in and ski out. Your stuck up on the mountain in all practicality. The food will suck and cost an arm and a leg. Big Sky is at least an hour and a half from Bozeman in the winter.
Whitefish MT Resort or Big Mountain is less than 15 minutes from town. Awesome restaurants, lots of cool mountain town shops, and one of my favorite breweries (have 2 on tap now at my pub) Jeremiah Johnson. The cost is lower, the lines are shorter, and the powder is better.
Here's lift ticket prices: for the Friday after Christmas
Big Sky:
Whitefish:
You will save 4-5 grand going to Whitefish with a family of 4. As for the rankings, well here's what Ski Magazine thinks for 2025:
All that said. I'm not down on Big Sky, but your idea that it's wayyyyy better is a limited view. If you want the big resort experience, go for it. Beats the Colorado lines for sure. But Whitefish is equally badáss and is much better from families or non expert skiers.
I think for most people on this board you should take Snowbasin over Park City in Utah, Grand Targhee over Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Crested Butte over Breckenridge in Colorado, and Whitefish over Big Sky.... Those resorts are much more aligned with our Mississippi State roots. Hell, come ski with me and I'll make you feel right at home with ski in and ski out tailgating under the blue tent mountain style all winter long.**
We talked to a lot of people in Montana and no one could give us a great feeling about the snowfall in late December. We don’t want to risk not having a lot of snow. So we chickened out on Whitefish and decided on Colorado. But we are definitely going there next time.
I’ve skied both Whitefish and Big Sky multiple times and although both are great places, I’d choose Whitefish. It’s less “touristy” and more quaint in my opinion. Also, as someone who flies for free on Southwest it’s much harder to get to… we have to fly into Spokane and drive to Whitefish, but it’s still well worth it.
Jackson Hole is awesome and not as crowded as CO, but you better tighten up the jock on some of their runs.
Kalispell has a decent airport if you can fly Delta and its a 30 minute drive max to Whitefish, but no Southwest option.
Overall, I really think most people, especially Mississippi State fans would prefer a small ski town vacation vs a big ski resort vacation. You can rent all wheel drive cars/suvs with ski racks and do all kinds of things in a ski town. Some even have quick access to multiple ski resorts.You get to go check out local shops, restaurants, and breweries. Lots of ski towns have other activities that are equally as fun as skiing like snowmobiling, tubing, or sledding. A few places even have access to hot springs which are a godsend after a long day on the slopes.
The big ones have all gone corporate and even the more popular small ones are getting too expensive to afford (Jackson Wyoming and Lake Tahoe for instance.) I would bet in a generation all the small ski towns and independent resorts will be gobbled up by the big corporate shìtheads so those who haven't done it, should go before it's too late.
It's just ridiculous seeing what the big resorts cost nowadays. For exactly $2260.88 I got season/year around passes to 3 different ski areas for a family of 4. All three are less than 25 minutes driveway to parking lot from my house and offer their own unique strengths. I just looked up Big Sky for the week after Christmas and it would cost my same family $3400 for 4 days worth of lift tickets. That's crazy.
Whitefish has a helluva music festival every year. That's all I know about it, except Mary Mahoneys gets theirs from Vietnam
Yeah. The difference I lift tickets is substantial. We have a client who has a condo at Whitefish. Talked to the partner who’s been there a few times. Said the mountain is great & last week of December should be no problem with the snow.
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