2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Montana
Where to Snowkite in the United States: Montana
Tools like Google Earth and good old fashioned scouting has helped us discover amazing snowkite locations on a seemingly daily basis around the world. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top known spots in the US and provided some detailed information on each so you can go check them out. We have also named other locations to go discover on your own. If you know of a spot that isn’t listed, drop us a line so we can add it to the growing list.
Windy Pass
Description: Backcountry location with about 3 square miles of kitable mountain terrain. Trees are present in some areas and large cliffs lie downwind.
Conditions: Southwest 10 – 50 mph, other wind directions will work here, too.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Directions: Gallatin County. Take Highway 191, 29 miles south of “Four Corners” (west of Bozeman) to Portal Creek Road (Forest Service road #2686). Proceed 7 miles up Portal Creek to Windy Pass trailhead. Hike 2.5 miles up Forest Service trail #82 to Windy Pass. Portal Creek Road is gravel (and mud) and is open in the autumn until snows close it in late November. It reopens again on June 1st. The hike to the pass is moderate with a few steep sections.
Local Info: Montana Kite Sports
Facilities: No facilities except for the Windy Pass Forest Service Cabin just below the pass. Cabin is available to rent from the Bozeman Ranger District.
Shops/Schools: Montana Kite Sports
Restrictions: Grizzly bears present in the spring and autumn.
Other: This area often will have wind even when predictions are for no wind. Closest wind meters are one mountain range west in the Madison Range at Big Sky Ski area and at Yellow Mule.
Georgetown Lake
Description: Frozen lake with lots of powder and a small hill on the north side.
Conditions: West/southwest, some north and an occasional east wind. 10-20 mph most days and often stronger when a system moves through. Windblown hard pack to ankle deep powder with a regular amount of new snow all winter. G-Town has a long season – the lake is frozen and ready to go from mid November to late April.
Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Directions: 18 miles west of Anaconda, MT on Hwy. 1. To get to Denton’s point head west past the Brown Derby 200 yards and take a left on Georgetown Lake road.
Local Info: Montana Kite Sports. Check out the forums, maps, and weather links.
Facilities: Adesignated parking lot and two restaurants/bars.
Shops/Schools: Montana Kite Sports
Restrictions: There are a few access issues, with a lot of private land ownership around the lake. Be nice to the ice fisherman and they might be nice to you.
Other: Discovery ski area is only 8 miles from the lake.
Mt. Haggin
Description: 10-mile-long valley with miles of terrain to explore with powder fields, small to medium size hills, natural half-pipes, a mile long cornice that runs from 30 – 150ft in height. Epic.
Conditions: West/southwest 10-20mph, wind packed to knee deep powder. 200+ inches of white stuff some years.
Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Directions: Head 4 miles east on Hwy. 1 from Anaconda. At the end of the giant smelter mounds, take a right and head south on Mill Creek Rd. It’s 8 miles up the pass to Sugar Loaf Cabins, then another 3 miles to the valley.
Local Info: Montana Kite Sports
Facilities: Plowed parking along the road at Dry Creek, and Moose Creek. The best soup and homemade bread in the world at Sugar Loaf lodge and cabins. Across the street there is a groomed cross-country ski trail system and a huge plowed snowmobile parking area with a port-a-john most of the winter.
Shops/Schools: Montana Kite Sports.
Restrictions: The Wildlife Management Area is strictly for public use only! No lessons are available and the area is not to be used commercially in any way.
Other: Go to Sugarloaf Lodge and Cabins to get the snow report or call (406)491-3748
Macdonald Pass
Description: Terrain with a few power lines and radio towers.
Conditions: West thermal winds anywhere from 15-45 mph, windblown hard pack with occasional powder. It’s best to hit it just after a storm, because it gets blown off quick.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Directions: 20 miles west of Helena on highway 12.
Local Info: Montana Kite Sports and go to the kite spots page for info
Facilities: Plowed parking on the side of the highway at the top of the pass and also at the bottom of the west side. Just a short hike up to the wind.
Shops/Schools: Montana Kite Sports.
Restrictions: The pass is a mixture of public/private land. It’s open to the public in most places except where marked.
Other: On sunny high pressure days, Macdonald pass usually generates enough wind to have a great session. The winds are unpredictable when a weather system goes through.
More snowkiting goodness...
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Colorado
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Michigan
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Minnesota
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Utah
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: New York
The photo for Montana appears to be in Wyoming….. Looks like Bald Mtn in the Bighorns.
Thanks for changing the pic.