OT: Whitefish, Montana skiing in Dec

[Dawgbyte]

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.

 

[Shmuley]

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.

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.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

Last year wasn’t good in December but I agree you will likely be fine for a trip at the end of December

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

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.

 

[Dog88]

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.

 

[CoastTrash]

Who needs to spend all that time and money in Montana?

 

[PK Dawg]

Went a couple times over Christmas break in college. The skiing was always great

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

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.

 

[The Peeper]

UPDATE:

Hope you booked this trip. 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.

 

[Mud84]

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.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

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.

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.**

 

[Dawgbyte]

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.