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Video: Pond skim at Lost Trail's Skiesta; other western MT ski areas set to close

Video: Pond skim at Lost Trail's Skiesta; other western MT ski areas set to close
A pond skimmer at the annual Lost Trail Skiesta party on March 28, 2026. / DAVID ERICKSON, Missoulian

LOST TRAIL PASS — It was a pajama party on Saturday at Lost Trail ski area a couple hours south of Missoula.

That was the theme and dress code for this year's Skiesta, the annual closing celebration that Lost Trail hosts on the final Saturday of its season, and the hundreds of skiers and snowboarders that showed up didn't disappoint.

It was a bright, sunny day on the slopes and the parking lot was completely full by mid-morning. The party ended with live music and a bonfire just outside the lodge, capped off by Missoula's DJ Briggs.

Skiesta fell on March 28 this year, with Lost Trail's last ski day on Sunday, March 29. That was only a day earlier than last year. The ski area closed on April 7 in 2024 and on April 1 in 2023.

Other ski areas in western Montana are set to close this weekend. Discovery Ski Area, near Philipsburg, is set to close on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Snowbowl, just outside Missoula, has its final day set for April 5 as well, with a barbecue and Easter egg hunt. (They are closed on Wednesday, and will reopen on Thursday with prices for tickets at $25 for ages 6-12 and $55 for those 13 and up).

Whitefish Mountain Resort will host their annual Pond Skim on April 4, with their final day of the season set for on April 5.

Lookout Pass hasn't listed an expected closing date on their website yet, but they are having a rail jam party on April 4, an Easter egg hunt on April 5 and a cardboard box derby on April 12.

Blacktail Mountain and Maverick Mountain are already closed for the season.

Teton Pass looks like it may be open, but their website didn't list a date other than saying it would probably close in early to mid-April, and nobody answered the phone on Tuesday.

Showdown Ski Area near Great Falls lists April 12 as its final day of the season.

Near Bozeman, Bridger Bowl is already closed for the year but Big Sky resort is open till later in April.

Great Divide ski area near Helena says it plans to open on April 4.

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