Red Lodge sits at 5,568 feet in the Beartooth Mountains of south-central Montana, about an hour southwest of Billings. In summer, it’s known as the gateway to the Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. In winter, the highway closes under deep snow — and Red Lodge transforms into a quieter, colder, and arguably more authentic version of itself. The ski mountain fills up, the Nordic trails get groomed, the town’s historic downtown stays open for business, and winter-specific events bring locals and visitors together. Here are ten things worth doing in Red Lodge when the snow flies.
1. Ski or Snowboard at Red Lodge Mountain
Red Lodge Mountain is the main attraction in winter, and it has a character that’s distinctly different from Montana’s bigger-name resorts. The mountain covers over 1,600 skiable acres across 70 trails, receives an average of 250 inches of snow per season, and runs from roughly Thanksgiving through mid-April. Lift tickets are notably cheaper than at Big Sky or Whitefish, and lift lines are often nonexistent.
The terrain ranges from gentle beginner runs to steep, ungroomed expert terrain. The Main Lodge offers cafeteria-style food, rentals, and lessons. For families, the combination of affordable pricing, manageable size, and lack of crowds makes Red Lodge Mountain one of the best starter ski mountains in Montana. The mountain also hosts the annual Winter Carnival, typically in March, featuring races, costumes, and fireworks.
2. Cross-Country Ski at the Red Lodge Nordic Center
The Red Lodge Nordic Center sits at the base of the Beartooth Mountains, about three miles west of town, and offers 15 kilometers of groomed trails set for both classic and skate skiing. The trails wind through open meadows and rolling aspen groves with mountain views throughout. Four kilometers are rated easy, seven are more difficult, and four are most challenging — enough variety for beginners and experienced Nordic skiers alike.
The center operates from roughly late November through March, conditions depending, and offers ski rentals, lessons, and a snack bar on-site. Snowshoeing is also permitted on designated trails. For a longer, free Nordic experience, the Beartooth Recreational Trails Association grooms the West Fork Road weekly from Wild Bill Lake to Cascade Campground (roughly December through April) for both classic and skate skiing, as well as fat biking and snowshoeing.
3. Watch Ski-Joring at the National Finals
Ski-joring — in which a horse and rider tow a skier at high speed through a course of slalom gates and jumps — is one of the most uniquely Montana winter spectacles you’ll ever see. Red Lodge hosts the National Finals Ski-Joring Races every March at the Home of Champions Rodeo Grounds west of downtown. Speeds can reach 25 mph, the jumps are real, and the crashes are spectacular. It’s competitive, chaotic, and genuinely thrilling to watch.
If your winter trip falls during ski-joring weekend (typically mid-March — confirm dates online as they shift annually), this is unmissable. The event draws competitors from across the region and spectators who treat it as a party. Wear tall waterproof boots — the rodeo grounds can get slushy on warmer March days.
4. Snowshoe Into the Backcountry
Snowshoeing is one of the most accessible winter activities around Red Lodge, requiring minimal skill and no expensive equipment (rentals are available in town at gear shops like Silvan Peak). Several routes within the Custer Gallatin National Forest are suitable for winter snowshoeing, including the Lower Lake Fork Trail and the West Fork Road area, both of which offer relatively gentle terrain through snow-covered forest with mountain views.
For a more structured experience, the Red Lodge Nordic Center allows snowshoeing on designated trails. The key advantage of snowshoeing over skiing is that it works almost anywhere there’s snow — you’re not limited to groomed trails or marked runs. Pick a clear day, pack water and snacks, and head into the quiet winter backcountry.
5. Visit the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, located between the high school and Coal Miners Memorial Park, provides permanent care to animals native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that can’t survive in the wild. The facility houses roughly 40 animals, including bison, black bears, mountain lions, and several raptor species (hawks, owls, and falcons). The sanctuary received accreditation from the American Sanctuary Association — the first facility in Montana to earn it.
During winter (November 1 through the end of February), the sanctuary is open on weekends only. It’s a short, easy stop that works well combined with a walk through downtown or a meal in town. Special animal encounters can be arranged by prior appointment.
6. Explore Red Lodge’s Historic Downtown
Red Lodge’s downtown along Broadway Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stays lively through winter, with restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops open year-round. The town has a surprising depth of dining for its size, from breakfast spots known for oversized cinnamon rolls to craft beer at Red Lodge Ales’ Sam’s Taproom to sit-down dinners at The Pollard Hotel, a restored 1893 landmark that once hosted Buffalo Bill Cody.
The Carbon County Arts Guild, one of Montana’s oldest cooperative art galleries, is worth a browse. The Montana Candy Emporium on Broadway is a multi-generational local institution stocked to the ceiling with taffy, fudge, jawbreakers, and old-fashioned candy you haven’t seen since childhood. The Roman Theater, built in 1917 by an Austrian immigrant, is Montana’s oldest continuously operating movie theater — doors open at 6:30 p.m. for evening showings. On a cold winter evening, a movie here followed by a drink at Sam’s Taproom is an ideal low-key night.
7. Go Snowmobiling
The area around Red Lodge offers hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails through the Custer Gallatin National Forest and surrounding terrain. While there are no snowmobile rental businesses directly in Red Lodge (you’ll need to bring your own or rent from outfitters in the broader region), the trail access from the Red Lodge area is excellent. Groomed and ungroomed routes lead into high-elevation terrain with mountain views that few visitors ever see in summer.
For guided snowmobile experiences, some operators in the wider Yellowstone gateway area offer day trips that can be arranged from Red Lodge. The town’s position between the Beartooth and Absaroka ranges puts riders in some of Montana’s most dramatic winter scenery.
8. Learn Local History at the Carbon County Museum
The Carbon County Museum, housed in a 1909 building that originally served as the state’s first Labor Temple, traces the area’s history from Indigenous peoples through the coal mining era to modern rodeo traditions. The exhibits include artifacts, old photographs, and rotating displays. Staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about telling the story of this part of Montana.
The museum hosts a monthly lecture series (last Wednesday of the month, except November and December) featuring guest speakers on local history topics. Guided walking tours of historic Red Lodge are available through the museum. In winter, when outdoor options may be limited by weather, this is a solid indoor activity that takes about an hour.
9. Ice Skate at the Red Lodge Community Rink
When temperatures drop below freezing — which is most of winter in Red Lodge — the community ice rink at Lions Park opens for public skating. The rink has been volunteer-built and maintained since 2006 and offers free open skating sessions alongside scheduled hockey and figure skating times. Pick-up hockey leagues for adults and kids run throughout the season, and no prior experience is required to join.
The rink is outdoors and weather-dependent, so conditions vary. It’s a genuine community gathering spot rather than a polished commercial facility — which is part of the charm. Bring your own skates or check locally for rental availability.
10. Attend the Winter Carnival and March Events
Red Lodge packs its winter event calendar into the first two weeks of March, making it the best time to visit if you want to experience the town’s winter culture at its peak. The Winter Carnival at Red Lodge Mountain features ski and snowboard races, costume contests, and fireworks. The National Finals Ski-Joring (see above) draws competitors and spectators from across the region. The Monster Dog Pull at Sam’s Taproom, where dogs compete to pull a keg-loaded sled in the fastest time, is exactly as wonderfully absurd as it sounds.
Outside of March events, the town hosts smaller gatherings throughout winter — live music at local venues, holiday celebrations, and community dinners. Check the Red Lodge events calendar before your trip to see what’s happening during your visit.
Practical Notes
Red Lodge is roughly 60 miles (one hour) southwest of Billings via Highway 212. Billings Logan International Airport is the nearest commercial airport with daily flights to Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Winter driving to Red Lodge is generally manageable — the highway is maintained — but carry chains or have four-wheel drive, and check road conditions before departing.
The Beartooth Highway (the scenic route to Yellowstone) is closed in winter, typically from mid-October through late May. Do not plan to drive to Yellowstone via this route in winter. If you want to visit Yellowstone in winter, you’ll need to approach from other entrances.
January averages a high of 31°F and a low of 17°F. Dress in layers, bring serious winter gear, and expect cold. The best months for the full range of winter activities are January through mid-March. For more Montana and mountain town winter planning, see our guides to snowmobiling in Grand Lake and dog sledding in Keystone.
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