In Montana's mountains, the powder is light and dry, the ticket prices are low, and lift lines? What lift lines? Resorts here run the gamut from swank destinations to wear-your-Carhartts local hills, but the happy-go-skiing attitude is pretty much ubiquitous. Watch for waving lifties, homebaked lodge cookies and those pesky grew-up-skiing toddlers who always school you on the slopes.

Northwest Nirvanas

Did you know that you can rent an entire mountain for just you and your favorite friends? Friday through Sunday, the steep, deep and cheap Turner Mountain shines as a one-chair local hangout, but any other day of the week, it's up for grabs. A little farther south, Flathead residents face a tough decision: destination resort Whitefish Mountain or its hometown-y neighbor, Blacktail Mountain? If you're the type who can't ever decide, Lookout Pass lets you preserve your dual nature skiing two states on one hill. When the day is done, local communities offer a place to warm up and chill out.

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Buzz

Skiing Steal: Bridger Bowl was ranked a Top 10 Ski Deal by Budget Travel magazine.

Local Scoop

Julia B. recommends the "fragrant, peaceful pine forests" on her favorite run, Southern Comfort at Lost Trail Powder Mountain.

Southwest Stunners

Speaking of two-for-ones, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin's ample acreage creates literally the Biggest Skiing in America with apres ski offered at both. But our mountains pack wicked terrain into smaller spaces too, like retro one-lift Maverick Mountain. Find a nice balance at Bridger Bowl, Lost Trail and Red Lodge Mountain; affordable mid-size resorts that boast destination-resort-worthy snow without a spa, slopeside condo, or valet in sight.

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Everything In Between

Only when it comes to skiing do people offer to work for free, like the staff of all-volunteer-run Bear Paw Ski Bowl, on the Rocky Boys reservation. Montana's midwestern ski areas harbor secret stashes that leave the world behind and you in the moment: tight moguls at Montana Snowbowl, a steeeeep backside at Discovery, and starlit skiing at Great Divide. Ski by day at Showdown Montana and relax by night at nearby Spa Hot Springs. Say goodbye to lift lines at family-friendly Teton Pass Ski Area.