Overview
Red Lodge Mountain is a hidden gem tucked away in Montana, offering excellent skiing without the crowds that plague many larger resorts. This smaller resort may not be on everyone's radar, but that's precisely what makes it special. Sitting at an elevation range from 2138m to 2870m, Red Lodge Mountain delivers an overall rating of 3.86/5 from our Snomad community.
The mountain particularly shines for advanced skiers (4.67/5)) and boasts impressively quiet slopes (4.29/5), making it perfect for those who prefer their skiing without the hustle and bustle. Jim, an advanced skier in our community, confirms this, noting that "This is a great resort, off the beaten path. It is uncrowded except for weekends."
Another standout feature is its value for money (4.00/5), with one Snomad user describing the price as "very affordable!"
The Skiing in Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain offers 70 runs spread across its terrain, with a breakdown of 13 beginner, 18 intermediate, and 25 advanced runs. The resort is serviced by 5 chairlifts, some of which Kevin, an expert skier in our community, describes as "older lifts" that "may give your legs more of a chance to recover than you wanted."
While Marc, an expert skier from the United States, calls it "a good beginner mountain," the mountain actually scores highest for its advanced terrain. Sam, an advanced skier, agrees: "Lots of terrain for most levels of skiers. I personally don't think this is a beginner mountain but great for intermediate and advanced skiers."
The mountain scores well for groomed runs (4.14/5), with David mentioning that "the trails are well maintained." For those seeking more challenging terrain, the resort offers tree runs (3.86/5) and mogul fields (3.80/5) that rate highly among our users. Maeryn, an intermediate skier, confirms: "if you like moguls this is the place to be."
The off-piste areas (3.57/5) and powder zones (3.43/5) also receive solid ratings, with Kevin noting that "When the weather cooperates and provides some snowfall, the skiing can be pretty darn good. The natural-snow expert terrain—when it has snow—provides plenty of challenge for most skiers and riders."
Eating Out in Red Lodge Mountain
The dining options at Red Lodge Mountain receive a respectable eating out rating of 3.50/5. According to Kevin, "The on-mountain F&B is limited but pretty decent, and the lodging, dining, and après opportunities in downtown Red Lodge are excellent."
Sam points out that "an early lunch would be smart because the lodge seating is not that spacious," suggesting that the on-mountain facilities might get crowded during peak times.
While the mountain itself may have limited options, the nearby town of Red Lodge appears to make up for it with excellent dining opportunities, giving visitors plenty of choices after a day on the slopes.
The Après-Ski in Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain isn't known for its wild nightlife, scoring a modest après-ski rating of 1.33/5. This makes it better suited for those who prefer a quieter evening after skiing rather than those looking for buzzing bars and clubs.
Kevin mentions that "après opportunities in downtown Red Lodge are excellent," suggesting that while the mountain itself may not offer much in terms of après-ski, the nearby town has some worthwhile options for evening entertainment.
If you're after a resort with vibrant nightlife and partying till dawn, Red Lodge Mountain probably isn't your best bet. However, if you prefer focusing on the skiing itself followed by relaxed evenings, you'll likely appreciate the laid-back atmosphere here.
Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort, Montana for Families
Red Lodge Mountain scores exceptionally well for family friendliness (4.17/5), making it an excellent choice for those skiing with children. The resort's uncrowded nature, as mentioned by several users, creates a safer and more relaxed environment for younger skiers to develop their skills.
Jim points out that there's "a variety of terrain for first time beginners, to hair raising double blacks," meaning families with mixed ability levels can all enjoy the mountain. The resort also receives a solid rating for ski school quality (3.67/5).
The affordable prices highlighted by users make it an attractive option for family ski trips where costs can quickly add up. Additionally, the quiet slopes provide a less intimidating environment for children learning to ski or improving their abilities.
Accommodation Options in Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain's accommodation options (2.00/5) are somewhat limited according to our community ratings. Kevin mentions "lodging, dining, and après opportunities in downtown Red Lodge are excellent," suggesting that staying in the town itself might be the preferred option rather than on-mountain accommodations.
The resort's smaller size means there aren't as many ski-in/ski-out options as you might find at larger destinations. Most visitors likely stay in the town of Red Lodge and make the short commute to the mountain each day.
Clay, an intermediate skier in our community, simply states that "this resort is very nice," which while not specifically about accommodation, suggests a positive overall experience that would include where they stayed.
Environment and Sustainability in Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain operates with a focus on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing the natural skiing experience. The resort benefits from a relatively low reliance on artificial snowmaking compared to many larger ski areas, though specific sustainability initiatives aren't widely promoted.
The mountain's less developed nature and focus on natural terrain rather than extensive infrastructure development aligns with a lower environmental footprint. The resort's smaller scale and local focus suggest a more sustainable approach than mass tourism destinations, though there's limited information about specific green certifications or renewable energy usage.
For skiers concerned about environmental impact, Red Lodge offers a more stripped-back, natural skiing experience that inherently requires fewer resources than mega-resorts.
Red Lodge Mountain Pros: Why the Snomad Community Loves It
From the Snomad user reviews, the top things people love about Red Lodge Mountain include:
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Excellent variety of terrain - Jim, an advanced skier, highlights the "variety of terrain for first time beginners, to hair raising double blacks."
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Uncrowded slopes - Jim also mentions it's "uncrowded except for weekends," which is backed up by the high 4.29 rating for quiet slopes.
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Good value for money - Users appreciate that the "price is very affordable," which aligns with the solid 4.0 rating for value.
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Great for mogul enthusiasts - Maeryn, an intermediate skier, points out that "if you like moguls this is the place to be," reflected in the strong 3.8 rating for mogul fields.
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Strong appeal for advanced skiers - Kevin notes that "the natural-snow expert terrain—when it has snow—provides plenty of challenge," with Sam adding it's "great for intermediate and advanced skiers." This matches the impressive 4.67 rating for advanced skiers.
Red Lodge Mountain Cons: What Snomad Skiers Say Could Be Better
According to Snomad users, there are a few drawbacks to Red Lodge Mountain:
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Snow quality can be inconsistent - Maeryn, an intermediate skier, mentions "The snow wasn't great" and adds that poor snow conditions are somewhat expected at the resort.
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Limited seating in the mountain lodge - Sam, an advanced skier, warns that "the lodge seating is not that spacious" and recommends an early lunch to avoid crowding.
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Double black diamond runs that don't live up to expectations - Sam also points out that "the double blacks aren't that fun to ski, just steep and shelves made by skiers."
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Older, slower lift systems - Kevin notes that "some of the older lifts may give your legs more of a chance to recover than you wanted," suggesting they're on the slow side.
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Small size of the resort - Marc mentions that "most days you can hit every lift and run before 2," indicating the mountain can be fully explored quite quickly.
Recent Reviews
The on-mountain F&B is limited but pretty decent, and the lodging, dining, and après opportunities in downtown Red Lodge are excellent.
Red Lodge Mountain Resort Stats
Red Lodge Mountain Travel Information
FAQs Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Red Lodge Mountain FAQs: Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Is Red Lodge Mountain snow-sure?
Red Lodge Mountain isn't particularly snow-sure. One Snomad community member, Maeryn, specifically mentioned that "the snow wasn't great" and added they'd "heard it doesn't tend to get great snow so it was to be expected." With a base elevation of 2138m and top at 2870m, the mountain gets enough snow for decent skiing when conditions cooperate, but reliability can be an issue. The resort scores 3.43/5 for powder zones, reflecting this mixed snow reliability.
What mountain range is Red Lodge Mountain part of?
Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort is located in the Beartooth Mountains, a subrange of the Northern Rocky Mountains. The Beartooth Range extends from south-central Montana into northwest Wyoming, with Red Lodge situated at the northeastern end of this impressive mountain chain, just outside Yellowstone National Park.
When does the ski season start and end in Red Lodge Mountain?
The typical ski season at Red Lodge Mountain runs from late November to early April, weather permitting. Our users note that snow conditions can vary, with one Snomad community member mentioning that sometimes "the snow wasn't great." The mountain relies on both natural snowfall and snowmaking capabilities to maintain its 70 runs throughout the season, though early or late season skiing may be limited to certain areas of the resort.
Is Red Lodge Mountain good for beginners?
Red Lodge Mountain offers mixed experiences for beginners. Some Snomad users suggest it's better for intermediate and advanced skiers, with Sam specifically noting "I personally don't think this is a beginner mountain." However, Marc describes it as "a good beginner mountain," and the resort does feature 13 beginner runs. With family friendliness rated at 4.17/5, it can accommodate novices, but might not be the ideal first-timer's resort.
Is Red Lodge Mountain good for intermediate skiers?
Red Lodge Mountain offers a mixed experience for intermediate skiers, with an overall rating of 3.86/5 and 3.00/5 specifically for intermediates. With 18 intermediate runs out of 70 total, there's decent variety but some Snomad users suggest it's better suited to advanced skiers. Clay, an intermediate skier, found "the lifts are good and the runs are also really good," though Maeryn mentioned the snow quality wasn't great. Best for intermediates who enjoy well-maintained trails (4.14/5) and don't mind moguls.
Is Red Lodge Mountain good for advanced skiers?
Yes, Red Lodge Mountain is excellent for advanced skiers, scoring 4.67/5 for advanced terrain. Our users consistently highlight its challenging runs, with one Snomad community member mentioning "hair raising double blacks." Kevin, an expert skier, notes that "the natural-snow expert terrain—when it has snow—provides plenty of challenge." The mountain offers 25 advanced runs, though some users point out the double blacks are more steep shelves than fun technical runs.
Is Red Lodge Mountain good for expert skiers?
Red Lodge Mountain offers solid options for expert skiers, scoring 3.50/5 for experts. When fresh snow falls, the natural expert terrain provides plenty of challenge, according to Kevin, an expert Snomad user. The mountain scores particularly well for advanced skiers (4.67/5). Some users mention that double blacks can be steep with shelves formed by skiers rather than truly fun expert terrain. Weekdays offer uncrowded slopes for those seeking challenging runs.
Is Red Lodge Mountain good for non-skiers?
Red Lodge Mountain offers limited options for non-skiers. With a low rating for après-ski (1.33/5), it's not ideal for those seeking vibrant off-slope activities. However, the town of Red Lodge itself provides excellent dining and après opportunities according to our users. Kevin notes that "lodging, dining, and après opportunities in downtown Red Lodge are excellent," making it a better base for non-skiers than the mountain itself.
Is there snow at Christmas in Red Lodge Mountain?
While Red Lodge Mountain typically opens for the season in late November or early December, Christmas snow conditions can vary. One Snomad community member notes that "when the weather cooperates and provides some snowfall, the skiing can be pretty darn good." However, another user mentioned "the snow wasn't great" during their visit. The resort's base elevation of 2138m helps maintain conditions, but natural snowfall around Christmas can be hit-or-miss.
Where should I stay in Red Lodge Mountain and what type of accommodation is available?
Most Snomad users opt for accommodation in the charming town of Red Lodge, about 6 miles from the mountain. Downtown offers a mix of cosy lodges, hotels, B&Bs, and holiday rentals with excellent dining and après options, as mentioned by Kevin, an expert skier. The resort itself has limited on-mountain lodging, but what it lacks in convenience, it makes up for in value for money (4.00/5) and authentic Montana character.
What's the best way to get to Red Lodge Mountain?
For international travellers, the most convenient route to Red Lodge Mountain is flying into Billings Logan International Airport, about 60 miles north of the resort. From there, you can rent a car for the scenic 1.5-hour drive along Highway 212. The mountain is just 6 miles from the charming town of Red Lodge. Some Snomad users mention it's "off the beaten path" but worth the journey.