Sawtooth Lines - Cooke City
Explore Montana Backcountry Skiing with Expert Cooke City Guides
Cooke City Backcountry Skiing: The Wildest, Deepest Powder in the Lower 48
Remote. Snow-rich. Untouched. Cooke City sits deep in the mountains outside Yellowstone National Park — accessible through Yellowstone National Park or by snowmobile in winter. It is the true mecca of Montana backcountry skiing, with cold-smoke powder, endless terrain, and alpine vistas like nowhere else on earth.
Why Cooke City Is the Ultimate Backcountry Ski Destination
Cold Smoke Snowfall
Cooke City receives some of the highest snowfall in the Rockies, with consistently light, dry “cold smoke” powder.
Remote Winter Access
You can only drive into Cooke City in winter thorugh Yellowstone National Park or — you snowmobile in. The moment you arrive, you feel the transformation into a true winter wilderness.
Ski Right From Your Door
Step off the porch and clip in. The town is literally surrounded by ski lines minutes from your lodging.
Yellowstone Backcountry Terrain
Cooke City sits on the border of Yellowstone National Park, with alpine bowls, steep couloirs, mellow powder glades, and iconic ridge lines.
A Wild West Ski Town
Cooke City in winter feels untouched by time — small, rugged, quiet, authentic. No crowds. No chaos. Just mountains.
A Stunning Journey
Access Cooke City via a breathtaking winter drive through Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley — one of the most beautiful journeys in North America.
Your Backcountry Ski Professionals Since 1994
Backcountry skiing in Cooke City is world-class—but it’s also complex. The terrain is vast and varied, avalanche conditions change quickly, the snowpack demands close attention, and navigation takes real experience. It’s a place you want to explore, but not a place to go alone. As the longest-operating guiding company in the Beartooths and Cooke City region, Beartooth Mountain Guides brings deep local expertise, AAA-standard training, and Avalanche Pro 1–certified professionals under the oversight of IFMGA/AMGA guide Akio Joy. We know the weather patterns, the terrain traps, the safe routes, and the snowpack better than anyone—and we’ll show you the best skiing Cooke City has to offer.
Akio Joy, IFMGA Mountain Guide
Nick Gaddy, Ski and Mountain Guide
Austin Hart, Ski and Mountain Guide
How It Works
1. Fill out the Backcountry Ski Questionaire
Share more about your ski
experience in and out of the
resort.
2. Choose your dates
Easy online reservation - you tell us the dates and we'll put you on the calendar.
3. Ski Hidden Terrain
Enjoy powder turns in Montana’s and Wyoming’s best backcountry zones.
“The best guided ski experience in Montana. Our guide knew every safe stash near Cooke City — unforgettable turns”
-- Bob H., Bozeman
“We had an unforgettable experience with Akio and Anju from Beartooth Mountain Guides. I highly recommend them if you're looking for expert guidance tailored to your skill level.”
- Hana M, California
Not Ready Yet?
Download our free Cooke City Ready Checklist for Bozeman, Red Lodge, and Cooke City skiers.
Frequently asked questions
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Starts Apr 3, 2026
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