The Lodge, accommodating up to 19 people, offers upscale amenities including a massive fireplace, commercial kitchen, jacuzzi and sauna. Rates are flexible and vary depending on the season
Downing Mountain Lodge is located 1.5 hours south of Missoula, MT, nestled in the Bitterroot Valley. The bowls, faces, and glades of Downing Mountain are uphill and to the west of the lodge with Forest Service access to the endless Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Ski runs vary from short, intermediate runs near the lodge to 2,800-foot fall-line descents off the summit ridge. And, while visitors can also expect to find steep alpine bowls and faces, there are plenty of moderate, north-facing glades for those high avalanche danger days.
Inside the lodge, guests will find a massive central fireplace, a large community living room, three bedrooms and a loft with beds for groups sized from 10 to 14 people. Other amenities include wireless internet access, a stereo, two bathrooms with a shower, a full commercial kitchen, a host of games (including a foosball table), as weel as a hot tub & sauna. In the winter, Downing Mountain Lodge supplies top sheets, pillows, and pillowcases in the bedrooms, as well as numerous extra blankets. Duvets are available to use for $25 each, but guests are encouraged to bring their own bedding / sleeping bags / towels.
Rates vary with the season (and for both weekday & weekend dates), and the latest rates are best found on the Downing Mountain Lodge website. For primetime ski weekends, there's a ten-person minimum at $175 per person per night, alternating with hostel-style bookings for $135 per person during the weekdays. Spring Season rates (April 1st - April 30th) are $95 per person per night, and an 8% lodging tax will be added to all overnight stays.
For those interested in the Guided offering, Bitterroot Backcountry Guides is the only authorized and permitted backcountry ski guide service on the Bitterroot National Forest. You can expect ski guiding opportunities on thousands of acres of Bitterroot National Forest lands. New for 2026, first-time trip leaders and their groups may request a complimentary lodge orientation and guided tour to the first summit with lodge owner and lead guide John Lehrman on arrival afternoon. This optional service helps new trip leaders and groups get acquainted with the lodge and terrain.
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