Discovery Ski Area–The Best Skiing You Have Never Heard Of

Ski Discovery Is A Discovery Worth Finding

I hesitate to even write this blog because all too often, social media and bloggers can take the hidden gems and turn them into, well, not so hidden. And Discovery Ski Area in Philipsburg, Montana is definitely a hidden gem for probably the majority of us in the other 49 states, and maybe even some Montanans.

We ventured to Discovery while spending a week skiing at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman. We were looking to ski somewhere different one day and locals told us to try Discovery Ski Area. Once we realized it wasn’t crazy far from Bozeman (just over 2 hours) and that it was super inexpensive, we thought “Sure, why not?”

And now we may book our next ski vacation completely at Discovery Ski Area. It was that good.

4 Reasons Why You Should Check Out Discovery Ski Area In Montana

1. Fantastic Skiing With Lots Of Variety

At 2,000 acres, Discovery has enough size to field plenty of terrain variety. It has everything you could want for family skiing- a bunny slope, easy greens, cruising blues, and some great entry level blacks.

And for those expert skiers in the group, the back side of the mountain is almost all black diamonds with two dedicated lifts so you can do long runs without having to connect several lifts. Everyone in our family found some runs they loved and we were still finding new stuff at the end of the day.

2. No Crowds (Or Frou Frou Extras)

Discovery’s off the beaten track location means crowds and lift lines are rarely an issue. We never waited in a line for any lift on the mountain and most of the time, we had entire runs to ourselves. “Crowded” runs were shared with maybe 3 or 4 other people. Total.

Discovery is a family-owned place and they focus on providing great skiing and not on what some might consider fancy extras. The chair lifts are fairly basic, as in no 6 person gondolas or high-speed quads, but everything was in good condition and ran smoothly.

*Note- Some of the black diamond lifts were not my favorite though as they were very old school and I like safety bars. Not great if you have young kids so keep that in mind.If you ski down the backside, you must come up one of these two old-school lifts.

You won’t find fancy dining choices at Discovery either, as there is one cafeteria at the base serving hearty but hardly gourmet fair. It was delicious and exactly what I wanted to refuel me for a couple of more hours on the slopes. Apres ski means a beer at the bar at the end of the day and good stories of wipeouts and great runs. We loved it.

If all of this sounds awesome, then Discovery is the place for you.

3. Gorgeous Views

The views from the top of the mountain are the icing on the cake– this has to be one of the prettiest places I have ever skied.

4. Family- Friendly Pricing

We took a family of 6 (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 pre-teens) skiing for the entire day. Lift tickets, rentals came to $482 total for all of us to ski. That’s right, I said under $500 to take a family of 6 skiing for the day.

For those of us who have had momentary strokes buying just the lift tickets at Big Sky, Vail, Jackson Hole, etc, it is positively a bargain.

*Note- We did go on a weekday which is cheaper than Sat/Sun and holidays. Expect add $5-10 per lift ticket for those days. Rentals are the same price.

Here is how it broke down for us:

Lift Tickets for 6 people = $348 (4 adult tickets + 2 kids)

• Adult lift tickets (ages 13+) – $68 each
• Kids lift tickets (ages 6- 12) – $38 each
• You can also get senior tickets for 65+ for $60 each while kids 5 and under are free with an adult

Ski Rentals for 5 people = $134 (3 adults + 2 kids)

• Adult complete ski package (boots, skis, poles)- $30 each
• Kid (12 and under) complete ski package- $22 each (Uh huh, you read that right!)
• 1 adult in our group had their own gear so we only had to rent for 5 people.
• Helmets were included for us or you can rent them by themselves.
• The gear was fine, not the best I have ever rented but certainly not the worst and it seemed well maintained.

Cafeteria Lunch on the Mountain- Can’t remember the price but it was far less than taking the family to Applebees.

• We had huge bowls of chili, sodas, beers, and split some desserts (which they bake in house). It was more than enough for everyone, filling and tasty. I think I have spent more at Chick-Fil-A feeding this crew than we did slopeside which is basically unheard of.

About Discovery Ski Area – Skiers Information

Location

Philipsburg, Montana (about 1 hour west of Butte)

Size

2,200 acres with 67 trails and 7 lifts (plus one magic carpet)

Variety of Trails

20% beginner, 25% intermediate, 25% advanced, and 30% expert

The ski resort does have 2 terrain parks with rails, boxes, and jumps open Thur- Sun

Summit Elevation

8,158 feet (great because lowlanders like us won’t pass out on their first day)

Annual Snowfall

215 inches (more than Vail but less than Big Sky or Bridger Bowl)

Website

https://www.skidiscovery.com/

Our Favorite Ski Runs At Discovery

On The Front Side

Gold Bug is the classic run that many longtime skiers at Disco hold fond memories of from their days learning to ski (at least that is what we were told in the bar). it has the big statue of the bighorn sheep that is the mascot for Ski Discovery Area.

We loved Claim Jumper to Southern Cross for the views and good cruising on not-too-difficult blues. We often popped into Teacups because it was a good beginner tree run with widely spaced trees.

On The Back Side

Winning Ridge was a gorgeous run, a great blue cruiser for the more cautious but you could get enough speed up to challenge the more adventurous kids. Plus, it had awesome scenery. And it is Discovery’s longest run at 1.5 miles long. All adds up to a winner for us. (See what I did there? I crack myself up.)

All of the single blacks on the back side were good for our family. We felt the snow was a little better here than on the front side, probably because it faces north and we were there on a warm spring break trip.

We did not attempt the double blacks even though some of the kids were sure they could take them– oh, to be a cocky 12 year old again.

*Fair Warning- the lifts on the back side were definitely the most basic. Granite Lift was a 3 person lift without a bar and Limelight Lift was an old school, 2 person lift with a center pole and also no bar. Not my favorite for traveling on with the kiddos but I don’t love lifts in general. I just wait for them to be over.

Getting To Discovery Ski Area From Bozeman, Montana

Driving to Discovery from Bozeman was not nearly as long as I thought it was going to be, literally and figuratively. Literally, because most of the drive was on interstate and you can go 80 mph in Montana. Figuratively, because the scenery is so pretty that the time flies while you are ogling your surroundings.

You drive west on I 90 from Bozeman for about 85 miles until you pass Butte (cue the kids in the back making the requisite jokes). About 15 miles past Butte, you turn onto Hwy 1 through Anaconda (cue the adults humming ‘Baby Got Back’). There are good signs for Highway 1 and Anaconda at the exit from I 90.

From Anaconda, stay on Highway 1 until you see the big Georgetown Lake on your left about in about 15 miles. Keep an eye out for the brown ‘Ski Area’ sign on you right just before you turn right onto Southern Cross Road. Then just keep following the signs to the ‘Ski Area’ or use Google Maps as you wind through some vacation cabins and then national forest to the parking lot at the base of Discovery.

Google Maps worked great for us the whole way from Bozeman to Ski Discovery and I didn’t have a problem with cell reception.

Both I 90 and Hwy 1 were well maintained, plowed, and not very hilly so we had no problems making the trip. The road to Discovery itself turns into packed gravel not too far from the mountain but it was also plowed and well maintained without too many giant potholes.

We drove a Suburban and never needed 4 wheel drive and there were all kinds of cars and trucks in the parking lot of Discovery, so I think it is pretty doable for most vehicles. But of course we there on a warm March day so you might want to double check road conditions if you are going in super cold weather or after a big snowfall.

How Long It Took Us To Do The Drive

It was right at 2 hours for us from our hotel in Bozeman to the parking lot at Discovery. We left our hotel in Bozeman at 7 am and were on the lift at Discovery at 930 am, with ski rentals and everything. (No crowds is the best!!) We were in the car for the return journey by 430 pm, arriving back in Bozeman by 630 pm.

If we were going to ski more than one day at Discovery though, we would have absolutely booked a place closer than Bozeman. That would be a long road trip to do repeatedly.

*Pro Tip- If you do decide to take a road trip to Ski Discovery from Bozeman, pack ALL the snacks. The kids were like hungry locusts after we got off the mountain and there isn’t much in the area to replenish supplies. Whole Costco-sized bags of trail mix and boxes of bars disappeared like magic.

If You Don’t Downhill Ski There Are Still Fun Activities At Discovery Ski Area

Cross-Country Skiing

We saw several cross-country trails on our way up to the base of the mountain in the surrounding national forest. Echo Lake Trails Association is the local group responsible for the trails, and their website has more info and a trail map. The lodge at Discovery rented Nordic skiing gear.

Per Discovery’s website:

The Georgetown Lake Area is well known for its beautiful views, wildlife opportunities and solitary landscapes. Whether you are an accomplished cross country skier or trying it out for the first time, this trail network will have something for you. Echo Lake Trails Association, a non-profit 501c3 is dedicated to promotion of winter and summer opportunities involving all ages in the Georgetown and Echo Lake areas. Trails are groomed regularly based on snow conditions, please see updated nordic trail report. Cross Country Ski Rentals are available in the Discovery Rental Shop for $20 per day. We recently updated the nordic fleet with Rossignol metal edge, waxless skis perfect for those learning and also the more adventurous traveler. Skis and boots can accommodate sizes beginning with Junior size 3 boot up to Adults size 12.5 boot.

Where To Stay Near Discovery Ski Area

You have quite a few options here surprisingly enough in this out of the way place. There are no lodgings at the ski resort itself though so nothing ski in/ski out.

Nearby Georgetown Lake is a popular tourist place with lots of hunting, fishing, and general outdoor enthusiasts coming all year long, so there are enough visitors to support a decently large vacation rental industry.

Or you can choose to stay in the larger towns of Philipsburg, Anaconda, or even Butte (at only an hour away).

Or you can be like us and stay in Bozeman and drive over for the day.

Around Georgetown Lake (10- 20 min away)

There isn’t much around the lake in terms of grocery, gas, or restaurants but there are gorgeous views and lots of wildlife, plus the easiest access to Discovery Ski Area.

Lake House At Georgetown- Just Steps From The Marina. A 2 bedroom/ 2 bath rustic house with 5 beds that sleeps up to 8 people total and is just 7 miles from Discovery Ski Area. Gorgeous views of Georgetown Lake from the house.

Georgetown Lake Lookout – Amazing Lake Views and Year-Round Fun! A 2 bedroom/ 2 bath house with 4 beds that sleeps 6 people total. 5 miles from Ski Discovery. Great views of Georgetown Lake and you can go sledding right from the house.

Spacious Georgetown Lake Log Home A large 5 bedroom/ 3 bath house that sleeps 15 people total. 5 miles from Discovery Ski Area. A beautiful log cabin home with lake views and room for a crowd.

In Philipsburg (30 min away)

Philipsburg is close to Discovery as the crow flies but is actually off the back side of the mountain so you have to drive around it to get there. It is about 17 miles and 30 minutes driving from Philipsburg to Discovery.

This former mining town has a quaint little main street with a brewing company, a couple of restaurants, and a few shops. It is gaining a reputation as one of Montana’s hidden gems although it was featured on the Today show I believe so not sure how “hidden” it still is.

Philipsburg Hilltop Getaway A 2 bedroom/ 1 bath house with 3 beds and a sleeper sofa that sleeps 7 people total. A detached cottage behind the house can also be rented for additional queen bed and bathroom. It is walking distance (albeit a hill) from downtown.

The Douglas Creek Cottage Comfortable, with Dish Network TV and WiFi A 3 bedroom/ 1 bath house with 3 beds that sleeps 6 people total. Not quite walking distance from downtown, especially in the winter but still very close. Dog friendly.

Perfect place for comfort and style with the best of all amenities A 3 bedroom/ 2 bath house that has 5 beds and sleeps 7 people total. Dog friendly. Walking distance to town in summer, probably drive in winter.

Anaconda (30 min away)

Anaconda is a small town (but larger than Philipsburg) with a few restaurants, a brewery (Smelter City Brewing), and a grocery store (Albertson’s). It is also home to one of the tallest free standing brick structures in the world, an old smelter stack, which is a state park now and interesting for those who like their tourist sights on the eccentric side.

Anaconda is a great place for inexpensive VRBO lodgings. Charming and Convenient is a cute little 3 bedroom/ 2 bath house with 4 beds that sleeps 6 and has a game room with ping pong table for the kiddos (or adults). It is just a minute or two outside of downtown proper so not walking distance but still easily close enough for the restaurants and the grocery store.

Butte (60 min away)

Butte is a decently large city (for Montana) and is your best bet if you are looking for more nightlife than tiny Philipsburg or Anaconda might offer. Or if you need things to do for those who don’t ski (check out the free Mineral Museum run by Montana Tech).

Butte also has the best hotel choices in the area (and by best, I mean only) if you would rather do that than a vacation rental. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Butte and the Hampton Inn Butte would be my two top choices in Butte.

Plus you can stay near one of the nation’s largest superfund sites, the Berkeley Pit. It is a fascinating place and a good look at how much goes into remediating industrial pollution.