Montana Snowbowl is an alpine ski area on Lolo National Forest northwest of Missoula, known for its old-school character, minimal base development, and unpaved access road. Opened in December 1962, it was first promoted for having the Pacific Northwest’s greatest vertical drop. Its terrain remains notable for steep slopes, long expert runs, and a total vertical rise of 2,600 feet, with West Bowl especially prominent. The lift system includes four chairlifts and two surface lifts, reinforcing its throwback reputation. Expansion plans announced in 2011 led to the Snow Park expansion, which opened in January 2020, while the separate TV Mountain extension was abandoned.