Lost Trail Powder Mountain: ski area on the Montana-Idaho border

The ski area

Lost Trail sits at 7,000 ft (2,134 m), straddling the Montana-Idaho border. According to its stats page, it has 69 trails, a vertical drop of 1,800 ft (550 m) and a longest run of 1.2 miles (2 km). The lifts are five double chairs and three rope tows. The ski area reports more than 300 inches (more than 7.6 m) of snow a year.

It describes itself as a family-friendly area with no lift lines and more than 80 years of history. It sits on the Continental Divide, atop the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forests. The US Forest Service describes it as a privately owned ski area operating under permit on national forest lands.

Operating days

The ski area welcomes visitors Thursday through Sunday, as well as on major holidays. Season opening dates and the hours for the office, lockers, rentals, ski school, lifts and kitchen are posted on the Hours page of the ski area’s site, which is updated each season.

Getting there

From US 93 heading south, turn onto Lost Trail Ski Area and continue to the entrance. From MT 43 heading west, continue straight to the entrance. The ski area gives estimated driving times of 1 hour 45 minutes from Missoula, 2 hours 45 minutes from Helena and 3 hours from Bozeman.

Parking, pets and on-site rules

Extended overnight parking is not allowed for any vehicle, with no exceptions. Pull-behind campers are not allowed in the parking lot, nor are vehicles over 27 ft (8.2 m). For overnight parking, you must come to the office during business hours, pay and be assigned a designated spot; the parking pass is displayed on the windshield. The fee is US$20 a night per vehicle, for a maximum stay of 2 nights. For more nights, ask at the office.

Pets must be on a leash or in a vehicle at all times. The ski area has set up a designated pet relief area, the only place where owners may let their pets relieve themselves.

Rentals, lessons and conservation

Skis, boards, boots and poles are rented in person only, at the ski area’s rental shop. The Lost Trail Snow Sports School offers group and private lessons. Children 5 and under do not pay for a lift ticket.

Lost Trail is a certified Whitebark Pine Friendly Ski Area, in partnership with the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation. The ski area says the whitebark pine has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2022.