Bozeman in the winter is a great time to visit with kids. I know it might seem a little scary to think about a holiday with mountains of snow or low winter temperatures, but it is really not too bad if you dress for it. Thankfully the warm sun comes out quite frequently and there are so many fun things to do there in the winter. Here’s my list of the 11 best kid-friendly things to do in Bozeman in winter that adults will enjoy too!

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11 Top Things To Do In Bozeman In Winter

Bozeman is all about the outdoors, even in the winter. As you will see on this list, the majority of the activities are out in the wilderness. Topping the list is one of Bozeman’s most popular winter hobbies in the area. 

Alpine Skiing And Snowboarding 

There are two ski resorts where you can hit the thrilling slopes near Bozeman, Montana. Bridger Bowl is a local resort, but still has some pretty epic skiing. Big Sky Resort is about an hour away and is one of the largest and best ski resorts in the United States. 

Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Resort is one of our favorite places to ski. It is huge! With 5,850 skiable acres, there are plenty of scenic trails to explore. Even though it is pricier, Big Sky is our family’s choice for where you should ski if you are in the Bozeman area. The picturesque trails are so plentiful and great for family skiing. You can also get away from the crowds here whereas Bridger is more condensed. 

Bridger Bowl Resort

Bridger Bowl is also a great option for skiing with your family. If you are looking for a cheaper ski school option, I would choose Bridger Bowl. This is where our kids first learned to ski when they were youngsters! Even though this is more of a local ski resort, it still has 2000 acres of skiable terrain that spans all skill levels making it exhilarating for all! 

Find out which ski resort is best for your family: Best Ski Resorts Near Bozeman: Big Sky Or Bridger

Relax Your Muscles In A Steamy Hot Spring

There is no better way to relax in Bozeman than to lounge in a natural hot spring. There are quite a few therapeutic hot springs in the Bozeman area and you really can’t go wrong. 

Bozeman Hot Springs

The closest hot spring is right outside of Bozeman. Bozeman Hot Springs has 12 different relaxing pools to choose from and musical events every Thursday and Sunday. 

Norris Hot Springs

Norris Hot Springs is one of my favorite hot springs in the Bozeman area. It is a smaller pool, but it is also usually less busy and you can enjoy a drink or food while you lazily soak up the natural benefits and the kids swim happily around. 

Chico Hot Springs 

Chico Hot Springs is a fantastic hot spring to visit with the family. They have a couple of different outdoor pools. The smaller one is for adults only and next to the bar while the larger pool is perfect for the kids to play in. 

Yellowstone Hot Springs

One of the newest hot springs to open in the Bozeman area is the Yellowstone Hot Springs. Located near the north entrance of the National Park, this steamy outdoor hot spring is a brilliant way to end the day after exploring Yellowstone. 

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Visit Yellowstone National Park In The Winter

A trip down to Yellowstone National Park in the winter is definitely worth the drive. Yellowstone is magical year round, but it is even more special in the frosty weather. There are fewer visitors making it feel like you have the park to yourself. The beauty of the snow covering the bison is also something everyone should witness. 

Mammoth Hot Springs

One of our favorite areas to visit in Yellowstone in the winter is the Mammoth Hot Springs area. You can still enter Mammoth by car, making it easy to access. The snow in contrast to the vaporous hot spring is a beautiful sight. 

Lamar Valley

One of the best spots to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park is the Lamar Valley and the winter is no exception. You will see hundreds of snow-covered bison and you might even spot the elusive wolves. 

Snowmobile Trip From West Yellowstone

One of the adventures that is on our bucket list, but we haven’t gotten around to doing yet is a snowmobile trip in Yellowstone. Much of Yellowstone National Park is closed off to vehicles in the winter, so there are only a couple of ways to enter. One of them is by snowmobile. You can take a guided tour out of West Yellowstone and into the winter wonderland where you have the possibility of seeing moose, elk, and bison while traveling to the Old Faithful Geyser Basin or the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

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Find A Snowy Hill And Go Sledding In Bozeman In The Winter

For a fun, free activity that everyone in the family will enjoy, take an afternoon and go sledding. There are so many different hills in and around Bozeman to sled. Here are my favorite snow-covered options!

Hyalite Canyon

Hyalite Canyon is a beautiful spot to explore in the winter and a favorite place to go sledding. If you park near the reservoir, you can go sledding on the small hills next to the parking lot. This is a great area for younger children. If you want more of an adventure, take a short hike through the hiking trails and find a hill perfect for your kids’ enjoyment. You might even just choose to sled on the large hills of snow in one of the parking lots that the snow plow creates! 

Gallatin County Regional Park

If you are looking for a thrilling hill that is perfect for all ages and super close to town, head to the Gallatin County Regional Park which the locals call the Dinosaur Park. This large city park has one exciting, snowy hill that is everyone’s favorite. It is easy to get to and the parking lot is big. 

Snowfill Recreation Area

Snowfill Recreation area is another exciting location close by that is perfect for sledding. Many locals sled here and bring their dogs as it is an off-leash dog park too. 

Yellowstone Alliance Adventures – Snow Tubing

If you are interested in renting tubes and sliding down a steep hill, look no further than a visit to Yellowstone Alliance Adventures. Their lively tubing hill is located south of Bozeman near the South Cottonwood trailhead where they have special hours for enjoying the downhill fun. Check their website for times and special events!

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Have An Adventure-Filled Day In Hyalite Canyon

If you are visiting Bozeman any time of year, a visit to Hyalite Canyon should be on your itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful areas near Bozeman where you can hike or enjoy the reservoir. Here’s a few enjoyable things you can do in Hyalite Canyon in the winter. 

Ice Climbing

One of the best destinations for ice climbing is Hyalite Canyon. I am not adventurous enough to try ice climbing, but if you are, this is the destination to do it. Even if you are like me and not intrigued by actually climbing, it is still pretty exciting to watch the ice climbers conquer the steep walls of ice. 

If you are interested in learning more about ice climbing, Bozeman holds the Bozeman Ice Festival every year. There are clinics for everyone that wants to try the sport, including beginners. They even have other fun related events in town when you aren’t ascending an icy wall. 

Nordic Skiing

Hyalite is one of my favorite places to go cross country skiing in Bozeman. There are so many trails that aren’t too difficult in the area right around the reservoir that are groomed throughout the winter. There are maps posted throughout the area too so you won’t get lost! 

Snowshoeing

There are so many possibilities for where to go snowshoeing and hiking in Hyalite. A few superb trails I would recommend are Blackmore Lake and Grotto Falls. 

Ice Fishing

If you are interested in going ice fishing, you can do it right on Hyalite reservoir. There are some regulations to which fish you can keep and which are catch and release only. Check out the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks website for more information. 

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Spend A Special Evening On A Sleigh Ride

An enchanting sleigh ride is a wonderful activity for everyone. The kids will love the thrilling ride and you will enjoy the idyllic setting. There are a few places around Bozeman that offer sleigh rides. I would recommend checking out one of the following. 

Lone Mountain Ranch

Lone Mountain Ranch is our top recommendation for a magical sleigh ride adventure. This legendary experience is unmatched. The horse-drawn sleigh will take you to a cozy cabin where you will devour a family-style prime rib dinner while a cowboy singer provides entertainment. Lone Mountain Ranch is one of the most beautiful ranches in the area and we’ve eaten at their restaurant numerous times. It is always a top-level dining experience. Please note that this is a very popular attraction and you will need a reservation well in advance.  

Bodhi Farms

Bodhi Farms offers a couple of different options for their sleigh rides. There is a shorter ride that lasts a little over an hour or opt for a bison, prime rib dinner sleigh ride.

Sunrise Pack Station

For a more affordable sleigh ride option, check out Sunrise Pack Station. This hour long sunset or evening sleigh ride will not disappoint! 

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Explore The Snowy Forests On A Dog Sled

Dog sledding is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you need to do. Add this fun-filled adventure to your Bozeman winter itinerary if you will be going to Paradise Valley or Big Sky during your trip. 

Spirit of the North Sled Dog – Big Sky

Imagine sitting back and relaxing while an experienced guide takes you and your family on an adventure you will never forget. Spirit of the North has guided husky tours in the Big Sky, Moonlight Basin area. I have heard only fantastic things about going dog sledding with Spirit of the North. If you can afford it, I would highly recommend it! 

Morrison Racing Kennel – Paradise Valley

If you are in Paradise Valley near Yellowstone National Park, another option for dog sledding is to take a tour with Morrison Racing Kennel. The pricing is a little more expensive than Spirit of the North, but Paradise Valley is an incredible area to behold. 

Take To The Trails – Winter Hiking In Bozeman

Hiking in Bozeman in the winter is not as easy as it is in the summer but it is still very enjoyable. I especially love the quiet and peacefulness of the forest when the snow has blanketed the ground. 

You might need snowshoes on some trails, but for the following hikes, spikes should be enough. They are well journeyed trails, so the snow should be packed enough to not have to use snowshoes, but spikes will make it less likely that you will slip.

South Cottonwood

South Cottonwood was my go to winter hiking trail. The walking path is always packed down enough (unless it just snowed), and it isn’t too much of an incline making it easy for a winter hiking trail. Even though it is packed down, it isn’t crowded. This makes it a perfect winter Bozeman hike in my opinion.  

Peets Hill

For a close to town option, Peets Hill is a great place to wander. This trail leads up a hill on the east side of the city providing spectacular views of the Bridger Mountains and the city below. There are many access points, but I prefer to park at the public library and take the trail behind the parking lot towards Peets Hill. 

Ousel Falls

Another well loved hike in Big Sky is Ousel Falls. This beautiful hike leads through the peaceful forest and ends at an amazing waterfall. If you are in the Big Sky area, this waterfall hike is a must-do.

Lava Lake

Lava Lake is the hardest hike I have on this list at 5.5 miles round trip. It feels like more of a trek in the winter than in the summer due to the snow. I have hiked it in spikes, but depending on when it snowed last, you might want to bring snowshoes along, just in case. You won’t want to miss out on the beautiful lake view at the end. 

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Glide Through The Pines By Nordic Skiing In Bozeman, Montana 

Hyalite Canyon

As mentioned earlier, Hyalite Canyon is a great place to go nordic skiing. There are over 30 kilometers of groomed trails and other ungroomed trails to choose from. I usually park at any of the parking areas between History Rock and the Hyalite Reservoir. The groomed trails around that area are a mix of easy and intermediate. 

Goose Creek

For an off-the-beaten-path location, try nordic skiing down the Goose Creek trail. The trails leading away from the trailhead are all wide and not too steep paths that are perfect for cross country skiing. Be on the lookout for moose in this area. 

Crosscut

If you have never tried nordic skiing, but would like to give it a try, Crosscut is where you should go. You can rent equipment and explore the over 45 kilometers of trails and even take lessons. If you would like to try fat tire biking or snowshoeing, you can also do these fun activities right at Crosscut as well. 

Lone Mountain Ranch

With over 85 kilometers of nordic skiing trails, there is no better place to cross country ski in the Bozeman area than Lone Mountain Ranch. There are scenic trails for all levels and have been rated as some of the best in the country. 

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Enjoy A Show

Bozeman has a surprisingly good amount of venues to enjoy a show, ranging from musical performances, small shows and performing arts. 

Warren Miller Performing Arts Center

For ballet or a theater performance, look into tickets at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big Sky. For example, you could catch the Montana Ballet Company’s production of the Nutcracker, if you are traveling in December! 

The Elm And The Rialto Theater For Live Music

The Elm and Rialto Theater are the venues to check out for live music and comedy acts. They have a constant line-up of fun bands to choose from. Check out their website to see if someone catches your eye. 

If you are looking for a small venue to see an entertaining show, there are restaurants around Bozeman that have music, like Red Tractor Pizza. Another couple intimate venues are Live From The Divide and The Armory Music Hall.  

The Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Montana State University’s campus also hosts a few large performances throughout the year. 

Get The Kids Energy Out At Jumptime

The kids will be overjoyed to be taken for an hour or two to Jumptime. This indoor trampoline park is perfect for them to burn energy and have a blast. If you don’t want to jump alongside the little ones, there’s a comfortable upstairs seating area where you can relax and keep an eye on the bouncing kids. 

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Frequently Asked Questions- Bozeman In The Winter

Is Bozeman Worth Visiting In The Winter?

If you enjoy winter outdoor activities, Bozeman is a great destination for the winter months. With two epic ski resorts, miles of nordic skiing trails, many options for relaxing hot springs and many other adventurous activities, you could fill your vacation days with so many exciting things to do in Bozeman in winter. 

Is It Better To Stay In Big Sky Or Bozeman?

If you are going to spend much of your vacation on the ski slopes of Big Sky Resort, staying in Big Sky might be better. However, if you are planning to vary your activities and see what other options are for things to do in Bozeman in winter, staying in Bozeman would be better. There are more restaurant options and the hotel options will be cheaper.

Does Bozeman Have Harsh Winters?

From my experience, there are some harsh moments in Bozeman’s winters with temperatures dropping below 0F. Usually, though, those really cold times only last for about a week and then the sun returns and more moderate temperatures reappear. It is important that you pack layers and warm clothing when visiting Bozeman in the winter. 

What Month Does Bozeman Get The Most Snow?

According to the U.S. Climate Data website, the snowiest month on average is December with January being a close second. You will see snowfall begin in Bozeman starting in October. Our boys usually went trick-or-treating in snow boots and winter coats. The last of the snowfall is usually in May. 

What Is The Coldest Month In Bozeman, Montana?

December and January are the coldest months in Bozeman, Montana on average. 

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