The Best Outdoor Winter Activities in Bozeman & Belgrade
Here at Prescott Ranch, we welcome winter – and truly embrace it! The winter season brings an entirely different set of outdoor activities, like skiing and ice climbing, that are only possible when it’s below freezing. After all, cold weather is just an invitation to create unforgettable memories!
From powder-packed ski slopes to serene cross-country trails, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or a relaxing outing, check out our list below for a variety of outdoor winter activities in Bozeman, Belgrade, and the Gallatin Valley!
Head to Chalet Sports or Roundhouse Sports in Bozeman to rent or purchase most winter gear. For ice climbing or backcountry needs, check out Uphill Pursuits. And for winter fly fishing or ice fishing supplies, pop into Yellow Dog Flyfishing or Bozeman Fly Supply.
The Best Outdoor Winter Activities in Bozeman & Belgrade
1. Cross Country Skiing
Cross country skiing is big in Bozeman thanks to the many trails both in and outside of town. If it dumped snow in town, you might even see people skiing on the sidewalks!
Beginners will enjoy the flat, easy trails at Sourdough, the Bridger Golf Course, or in parks around town. More advanced skiers will love the variety of terrain at Hyalite and Crosscut (although there are some easier trails for beginners at both those locations too!).
Check the Bridger Ski Foundation’s website for grooming reports of trails around town.
2. Skiing
It’s not surprising that skiing is popular in Belgrade. With two ski areas within an hour’s drive, you can hit the slopes every weekend – or even every day!
Both Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl Ski Area offer a variety of terrain for every level of skier and snowboarder. While Big Sky is bigger with more runs, Bridger Bowl lends a more mom-and-pop feel. Both are great options depending on what you’re after.
If you’d like to venture further out, there are still plenty of hills to check out. Discovery Ski Area (“Disco” for short) and Showdown are both about two hours away from Prescott Ranch.
3. Ice Skating
While you can skate indoors at the Gallatin Ice Rink in Bozeman, we think outdoor skating is just as fun! And fortunately, there are plenty of places to skate in the open air.
In Bozeman, some of the local parks turn into rinks in winter. The City of Bozeman builds and maintains outdoor rinks at Beall Park, Southside Park, and Bogert Park. Plus, residents take it upon themselves to maintain small ice rinks on some lakes and ponds in town.
If you’re into speed skating (or simply want to skate on a longer track), check out the 400-meter oval on Cattail Lake. For a truly memorable experience, you can even try ice skating at Hyalite Reservoir. While Hyalite only makes a good ice skating location a small portion of the year (it has to be cold but free of snow, so it’s usually best earlier in the winter), it’s truly worth it when it’s skateable. Just make sure it’s safe first, of course.
4. Ice Climbing
Ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon is extremely popular thanks to the many easily accessible routes all in one location. People come from all over to climb ice in the area, and it’s so popular Bozeman even hosts the Bozeman Ice Festival every December.
If you’re new to ice climbing, you can always hire a guide to teach you the ropes (literally), like those from Mountain Alpine Guides. Or, if you’re a seasoned veteran, rent and shop for gear at Uphill Pursuits.
5. Hiking
It might even be more peaceful to hike in the winter than in the summer! The scenery is gorgeous, there’s way less activity, and the snow creates a quiet blanket that emits a soft crunch with each step.
You typically don’t need snowshoes to hike the more popular trails as they’ll get packed down pretty quickly, but we do recommend renting or purchasing microspikes. They attach to the bottom of your shoes and provide extra traction – trust us, slipping on ice is no fun. Micro spikes help grip into the snow and keep you stable.
Here are some of our favorite winter hikes in Bozeman, Belgrade, and the Gallatin Valley:
- Palisade Falls in Hyalite: A 4-mile out-and-back walk with a frozen waterfall.
- Triple Tree in Bozeman: A 5-mile round trip hike with gorgeous views of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley.
- Lava Lake in Gallatin Canyon: A 6-mile out-and-back trek featuring a frozen lake.
- North Cottonwood in Belgrade: This out-and-back hike features gorgeous views of the Gallatin Valley near the beginning of the trail, so you can turn around after just a couple miles – or you can connect to one of the many routes in the Bridger Mountains.
6. Ice Fishing
Ice fishing on Hyalite Reservoir is another well-loved winter activity. The reservoir is usually frozen enough to safely stand on sometime in December, and you’ll see ice fishing tents dotting the surface until the ice melts in the spring. You might also see people fishing from lakes around Belgrade and Bozeman.
Rent or purchase ice fishing gear at one of the many fishing shops in Downtown Bozeman. Several outfitters offer guided ice fishing trips, like Montana Trout on the Fly and Dave McKee Fly Fishing Outfitters.
7. Snowshoeing
Venture away from the more trafficked trails, and you’ll likely need snowshoes. This certainly creates a fun adventure for all abilities!
While you can snowshoe on more popular trails, the snow is usually packed down enough so you don’t actually need them. However, you can just simply walk next to the trail where the snow
Here are some snowshoeing trails in Bozeman and the rest of the Gallatin Valley:
- Brackett Creek in Bridger Canyon: A wide forest service road that’s perfect for a relaxing walk in the woods.
- Moser Creek in Hyalite: Popular with cross country skiers, Moser is also a snowshoeing destination – it’s relatively flat, and great for a family outing.
- Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bridger Canyon: Purchase a day pass to use Crosscut’s snowshoe trails.
- Hyalite Lake in Hyalite: An 11-mile sufferfest up to a frozen lake.
8. Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is big in Montana, and it doesn’t stop in the winter! Grab some insulated waders and lots of layers, and you’re good to go. Since fly fishing isn’t as popular during the colder months, you’ll likely get your spot on the river all to yourself.
If you’d like to stay close to town, check out the East Gallatin River, which typically doesn’t freeze completely in the winter. You’ll usually have the best luck fishing in the sections near Belgrade and Manhattan. Beartrap Canyon is another great winter fly fishing spot near Bozeman, and is located in a gorgeous wilderness area near Ennis.
9. Cut Down a Christmas Tree
Cutting down your own Christmas tree is a popular activity in Bozeman and Belgrade, and it’s clear why! Not only does this help thin the forest and decrease fire risk, but it’s also a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Just make sure you purchase a (very cheap) Christmas tree permit from the forest service first. Locals typically head to Hyalite, but you can also head to other nearby forests too.
10. Snowmobiling
We speak from experience when we say snowmobiling is a blast! Picture yourself zipping through the frosty air, the picture-perfect scenery whizzing by around you. Bozeman offers a number of areas that work well for snowmobiling, whether you’re an experienced rider looking to tackle the trails on your own, or a beginner who feels more comfortable with a guided trip.
You can rent snowmobiles from Big Boys Toys in Bozeman. Or, book a guided trip. Unfortunately, most guided trips are down in Big Sky and West Yellowstone, but it’s worth it if you’re up for a drive.
If you feel confident snowmobiling on your own, head up Bridger Canyon Road, where trails are plentiful. We love Fairy Lake Road, where you’ll get the unusual chance to see Fairy Lake without the crowds. Brackett Creek and Olson Creek are great choices too.
We hope this post has gotten you excited about all the fun outdoor winter activities in Bozeman, Belgrade, and beyond. There’s so much to choose from – and in fact, we highly recommend trying them all!
