Crowd calendar · 2026-27 season
Showdown Montana
Neihart, MontanaIndy· Open Dec 11 – Apr 4
Snow in the forecast: Sun, Oct 11 (7.4"). Powder days fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Tap a day to see why, then plan a trip around it.
QuietModerateBusyPacked 3"+ snow forecast
December 2026
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January 2027
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February 2027
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March 2027
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April 2027
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Busy stretches to avoid
- Thanksgiving weekendNov 25 – Nov 29
- Montana muzzleloader season; hunters share the same parking areas as early skiersDec 12 – Dec 20
- School holidaysDec 20 – Dec 25
- Montana statewide winter break (planning estimate; confirm Great Falls district calendar)Dec 23 – Jan 1
- Christmas–New Year peakDec 26 – Jan 1
- School holidaysJan 2 – Jan 3
- MLK weekendJan 16 – Jan 18
- Presidents' Day weekendFeb 13 – Feb 15
- Presidents' week school breakFeb 16 – Feb 19
- Easter weekendMar 26 – Mar 29
- Montana statewide spring break (planning estimate; confirm Great Falls district calendar)Apr 5 – Apr 9
Beating the crowds
- Tuesday to Thursday is quietest almost everywhere, and often cheaper.
- Showdown is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so Wednesday through Friday are the quietest days to ski. Youth Ski League Saturdays are the busiest days, and Showdown is blacking those out for Indy Base pass holders.
- Lifts run 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrive before 9:30 to be in line at the ticket window and on the Prospector triple when the lifts open.
- Plan for the pass road. US-89 crosses Kings Hill Pass at about 7,385 feet, where snow drifts in storms. Check road conditions before driving from Great Falls, and watch for elk and deer.
- The first two weeks of December are quiet on the highway, but Showdown's opening depends on natural snow, so check the snow phone (406-771-1300) before driving.
Ski Showdown Montana for less
Get every cost per person with sources, the cheapest place to stay, quiet dates and a day-by-day plan. Takes about a minute.
Plan a cheap trip herePlaces to stay nearby
The cheapest beds are usually a town or two down the road. Split a whole house with your group.
This is a forecast from patterns: weekdays, national holidays, school breaks, pass blackout dates and events. Resorts don't publish lift-line data, so treat it as a guide. Snow forecast from Open-Meteo.
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