Backcountry Skiing
With easily accessible backcountry terrain, backcountry yurts and huts, and great powder, the Bitterroot Valley is home to a dedicated backcountry skiing community.
| Locally known as Little St. Joseph Peak is just east of St. Joseph Peak is a long day trip accessible from Bass Creek campground throughout winter and spring. Elevation: 9,587 |
| Due to the lower elevation of the trailhead, access to ridge of Sweeney Peak is often possible through most of winter. Elevation: 9,161 |
| This area provides good open slope skiing off surrounding ridges and nice open ridge and glade skiing on eastern trail approach. It is often accessible in late fall and in spring once access road to trailhead melts off. Elevation: 9,351 |
| Midwinter access is dependent upon road conditions. It is always accessible in late spring with great subalpine terrain and a great open bowl just to the south of the summit. The lake basin and ridge northwest of Glen Lake is a short spring trip with fine north and east facing open slopes and glade skiing from the 8,800? elevation ridge top down to unnamed lake at head of unnamed fork of Big Creek. Elevation: 8,886′ |
| Trailhead on plowed Roaring Lion Road makes this a great midwinter day trip with alpine to subalpine glade skiing above wonderful tree skiing through 1994 burn area. Elevation: 9,119` |
| Excellent spring day trip with extraordinary open alpine slopes above subalpine glades. Also great midwinter overnight trip from West Fork Road. Northeast slopes of Trapper Peak from Gem Lake. Nice spring skiing on open slopes and chutes above Gem Lake, once road to Baker Lake trailhead opens. Boulder Point is often accessible in midwinter and also provides fine spring skiing on south facing slopes. Elevation: 10,157` |
| This area out of Chief Joseph Pass along the Continental Divide Trail is easy access for good backcountry skiing. |
| Private or personal snowmobiles can provide access to the Twin Lakes area in Lost Horse Canyon, the skiing is phenomenal. Elevation: 4,242′ |
| Hike or ride the road to the Grubstake Restaurant, skiing above the restaurant is really good. |
| The south-facing hill above the lake is very good with easy access. Little Rock Creek provides excellent access and skiing. Elevation: 4,292` |
