Discovery Ski Area--The Best Skiing You Have Never Heard Of
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 in March 2021 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 to spend the whole time at Discovery. It was that good.
Everybody having fun skiing at Discovery. How could you not with those views and having the slopes basically to yourself.
Why You Should Check Out This Awesome Ski Mountain In Montana
FANTASTIC SKIING
At 2,000 acres, Discovery has enough size to field plenty of variety of runs. 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.
NO CROWDS (OR FROUFROU EXTRAS)
Discovery’s off the beaten track location means crowds and lift lines are rarely an issue. We never waited in line for any lift and most of the time had entire runs to ourselves. Crowded runs were shared with maybe 3 or 4 other people.
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. (Some of the black diamond lifts were not my favorite though as they were very old school and I like safety bars.)
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.
If all of this sounds awesome, Discovery is the place for you.
The Lodge at the base at Discovery. The cafeteria, the rental shop, the lift ticket sales office, and lockers are all here. The parking lot is just behind me as I took the picture. This is basically the only building on the mountain which makes meeting up with people for lunch or apres ski beers a breeze.
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.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRICING
We took a family of 6 (2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 pre-teens) skiing for the entire day. Lift tickets, rentals and even lunch on the mountain came to $452 total for all of us. 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.
Here is how it broke down for us:
Lift Tickets for 6 people = $272 (4 adult tickets and 2 kids)
Adult lift tickets (ages 13+) - $54 each
Kids lift tickets (12 and under) - $28 each
You can also get senior tickets for 65+ for $40 each while kids 5 and under are free with an adult
Ski Rentals for 5 people = $114 (3 adults and 2 kids)
Adult complete ski package (boots, skis, poles)- $ 26 each
Kid (12 and under) complete ski package- $18 each (Uh huh, you read that right!)
1 adult in our group had their own gear so we only had to rent for 5
No discount for just renting boots or just skis as they only rent complete packages
Helmets are included
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- $66 for 6 people (again, you read that right)
We had huge bowls of chili, sodas, beers, and split some desserts. 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 here.
Definitely look out for the big horn sheep sculpture on Gold Bug Run, the kids loved it.
The Details About Discovery Ski Area
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
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)
The front side of the mountain. We are on Gold Bug run looking across to Anaconda lift.
The front side of Discovery
The back side of Discovery
Our Favorite Runs At Discovery
On The Front Side
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.
Southern Cross run at Discovery Ski Area
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
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 spectacular that the time flies while you are ogling your surroundings.
Map of Montana with Discovery marked (map courtesy of Google). Click to enlarge.
Map of route from Butte to Discovery Ski Area. It is an easy drive on a well- maintained and plowed highway. Map courtesy of Google. Click to enlarge.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BOZEMAN TO BUTTE
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 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
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!!) And 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.
Coming up to Discovery Ski Area from Hwy 1. Georgetown Lake is to your left. This is just before you turn off Hwy 1 to take the road to the mountain.
If You Don’t Downhill Ski
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.
Ice Fishing
We saw a few ice huts and a couple of fisherman trying their luck on Georgetown Lake as we drove by. Looked like a very chilly activity to me but hey, each to their own! If interested, check this local webpage that lists guides and outfitters.
Hwy 1 takes you along the edge of Georgetown Lake as you head to Discovery. You can see fishermen’s tracks as well as snowmobiles all over the ice.
Where To Stay
You have a quite a few options here surprisingly enough in this out of the way place.
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).
Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never taken a trip or recommended a place in exchange for a free stay or even a free drink. We recommend only places we take our own families. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we get a small commission from those corporations. Thanks! Full Disclosure Statement.
Around Georgetown Lake
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
Philipsburg is close to Discovery as the crow flies but is actually off the back side of the mountain so you need to drive longer than you think to get to the parking area at the front. 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.
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 and Butte
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 minutes away)
Butte is a decently large city (for Montana) and your best bet if you are looking for more nightlife than tiny Philipsburg or Anaconda might offer or you need things to do for those who don’t ski (check out the free Mineral Museum run by Montana Tech). It 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.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for fantastic family-friendly skiing without mortgaging your home, then Discovery Ski Area might be the place for you.
If you don’t care about ski-in/ ski-out access or fancy dining slope side and just want epic runs, then Discovery might be the place for you.
If you want to spend all your time actually skiing and not waiting in lift lines, then Discovery is definitely the place for you.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day at Discovery Ski Area and will be back. Sometimes it does pay off to take a chance and discover some place new!
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