The last best trails online
Go online to get offline
This book series takes an innovative approach to publishing combining printed as well as digital content.
We invite you to get online with Best of the NW to get offline and enjoy recreating in our public lands while learning from local experts.
Explore other books of the series:
Discover Montana Treasures
The Last Best SKI
The Last Best BIKE
The Last Best HIKE (in development)
The Last Best TRAILS
Nordic Trail Conditions
New groomed trails at Bozeman’s Regional Park and Kirk Hill, Grooming Report here
Bridger Ski Foundation Grooming Report Here
Crosscut Grooming Report Here
Lone Mountain Ranch Grooming Report Here
West Yellowstone Rendezvous Grooming Report Here
Alpine Conditions
Big Sky Resort Snow Report Here
Bridger Bowl Snow Report Here
Maverick Mountain Snow Report Here
Look for bonus content (GPS map, audio interviews and video) QR codes can be scanned by the camera in your mobile phone or device (no app required). Open the camera on your mobile device and hold over the square so the target lines up (don’t snap a photo). Once the link is recognized, a button will pop up to activate the link. Tap the button to load content on your phone. Video playback works best on WiFi or 5G.
Where to go ski
The regional GPS map can be used as a reference point and to get directions to the trailhead.
On your mobile device, tap on the button below or scan the QR code on the regional map (page 50) in the book, for the regional map. Tap and hold on the button for a dialog box to open with choices of where to open map. When prompted tap on Google Maps. You may need to sign in to Google Maps or your map application to activate. The next time you access one of these links the map will open in your maps application. This will locate your position in the map. If you tap on one of the trailheads you will be able to get driving directions from your position.
Montana’s Downhill Ski Areas
Bridger Bowl Ski Area
Big Sky Resort
Red Lodge Mountain
Showdown Montana
Maverick Mountain
Lost Trail Ski Area
Discovery Ski Area
Great Divide
Teton Pass
Bear Paw Ski Bowl
Montana Snowbowl
Blacktail Mountain
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Turner Mountain
Groomed Cross-country Ski Trails
Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Lone Mountain Ranch
Rendezvous Ski Trails
Red Lodge Nordic Center
Silver Crest Winter Recreation Area
Homestake Lodge Cross-country Ski Center
MacDonald Pass Trails, Bill Roberts Golf Course Ski Tracks
Mount Haggin Nordic Ski Area
Elkhorn Hotsprings Ski Trail
Chief Joseph Cross-country Ski Trail
Blacktail Nordic Trails
Bigfork Community Nordic Center
Izaak Walton Inn Cross-country Ski Trails
Glacier Nordic Center
Listen to the Experts
It takes a village to make an in-depth resource like this. We are most grateful for individual content contributors who shared their expertise, stories and connections to help us make this a fuller experience of celebrating ski culture in the Bozone. While we are only scratching the surface of skiing here this guide is built to be an ongoing evolving resource with future contributors and resources as the supportive ski community grows.
Nordic- Cross-country:
Andy Newell - Nordic Team Solutions
Erika Flowers - North Face Athlete
Laurie Spence - Lone Mountain Ranch
Cliff Montagne - Bozeman Nordic
Heidi Makoutz - Bridger Ski Foundation
Fay Johnson - Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Seth Hubbard - Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Nick Michaud - Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Backcountry - Touring:
Ben Werner - The Bozeman and Big Sky Backcountry Ski Guide
Justin Bigart - Skimo
Jason Lunden - Excel PT
Jim & Claudia Schaeffer - Yellowstone
Simon Peterson - Outside Bozeman
Doug Chabot - Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
Karl Birkeland - National Avalanche Center
Alpine - Downhill:
Bob Allen - Photography
Cory Birkenbuel - Montana’s Sweet 16
Dan Lakatos - Yellowstone Club
Christine Baker- Big Sky Resort
Shannon Griffin - Bridger Bowl
Protect Our Winters:
Graham Zimmerman - Athlete Ambassador
Get the gear
Nordic- Cross-country:
Bangtail Bikes & Skis
ARCS Bike & Ski
Backcountry - Touring:
Uphill Pursuits
Bangtail Bikes & Skis
REI Bozeman
Alpine - Downhill:
Roundhouse Sports Center
Chalet Sports
Ph.D. Skis
Bob Wards
Resources
The Bridger Ski Foundation
Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
Yellowstone National Park Winter Recreation
-In The Media -
TWO Essential Backcountry safety lessons
This animated backcountry safety video from SINT® takes a look at the definitions of two important snow terms: faceting and sintering.
As the canyon widens we warm from the exertion and soon the trail is flooded in sunlight, brilliant on the snow.
Park & Life magazine
“Taking a nuanced approach, Schaeffer includes QR codes throughout the book that link to interactive content such as video interviews, Topographic Maps and animated illustrations.
It fits just as nicely in your ski backpack as it does on the coffee table.”
-Corey Hockett
Outside bozeman Magazine
“With this multimedia Platform, bryan created a new category of book.”
-Julie kleine
Montana Parent Magazine
“Bryan Schaeffer uses illustration go get people outdoors
It seems like you use illustration and animation to engage your audience
in a way that other mediums cannot.”
- Holden Sier
InSide Bozeman
"This is my favorite type of book because it gets to the point." It's really the best of both worlds - beautifully illustrated book and you get the digital world if you want it. It's always great to have a reference guide to get you started."
-DJ Zepp
The Eagle 105.7 fm