This element of family, both literally and not, only strengthens Showdown's sense of community. George Willett owned and operated Showdown Montana ski area for 47 years. Courtesy photo ...

He knows that Montana's smaller ski hills don't have the glitz and glitter of the large resorts, which he believes is its own draw and will keep Showdown busy for the next 70 years.

The institute surveyed skiers at Red Lodge Mountain, Bridger Bowl, Moonlight Basin, Big Sky Resort, Showdown Montana, Discovery Basin and Whitefish Mountain. There are 16 ski areas in Montana.

And Showdown Montana announced last week on Facebook that it would stick to its normal opening day, Dec. 8, dashing tentative plans to open a week early.

HELENA, Mont., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Montana's ski areas continue to receive copious amounts of snow this winter, many of the local mountains will remain open through early April ...

SHOWDOWN SKI AREA — Avery Patrick wears a lot of hats. She has to, as the vice-president, marketing director and co-owner of Showdown Montana, the oldest operating ski area in the state.