If you are contemplating a trip to Montana this is your sign to go! We took a 5 day family ski trip to Red Lodge, Montana and this blog shares everything you need to know about Red Lodge mountain, lodging, activities and dining!
This trip was hosted by Yellowstone Country but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nestled in the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by the Custer National Forest, Red Lodge Montana is one of the most quaint mountain towns I've ever visited. Idyllic downtown Red Lodge is home to a historic hotel, a brewery, bars, shops, restaurants and true western hospitality. The people we met were all extremely kind and patient with children (always a win)!
GETTING TO RED LODGE
We flew into Bozeman International Airport which has quite a few non-stop flights across the US (including Austin). The airport itself was small and felt like we were in a cozy log cabin. No lines, no fuss type of airport. We rented a car via Turo which was extremely convenient. When we exited the airport we walked outside to the adjacent parking lot (very close) and grabbed our key in a lockbox located on the vehicle. I recommend a vehicle with 4 wheel drive, but you do not need snow tires. We then drove 2.5 hours to Red Lodge which is a beautiful scenic drive. Billings airport is only an hour from Red Lodge but there are less flights going through it and only one direct flight from Texas which is Dallas.
We flew into Bozeman International Airport which has quite a few non-stop flights across the US (including Austin). The airport itself was small and felt like we were in a cozy log cabin. No lines, no fuss type of airport. We rented a car via Turo which was extremely convenient. When we exited the airport we walked outside to the adjacent parking lot (very close) and grabbed our key in a lockbox located on the vehicle. I recommend a vehicle with 4 wheel drive, but you do not need snow tires. We then drove 2.5 hours to Red Lodge which is a beautiful scenic drive. Billings airport is only an hour from Red Lodge but there are less flights going through it and only one direct flight from Texas which is Dallas.
ACTIVITIES
Skiing/Snowboarding
Red Lodge Mountain prides itself on great skiing and great people over glitz and glamour. No lines, no big prices. All day lift tickets range from $65-$89, and 2 hour ski lessons are around $100 in the holiday peak season. My kids did 2 hour lessons in the morning (9-11am) and then the boys would usually continue skiing with Alex while Whitney and I relaxed in the lodge. Check out their pricing for lift tickets and lessons here. The mountain has 6 lifts and a good mix of black, blue and green runs. A few of the lifts were closed due to not enough snow, and we were told January-March is when they get the heaviest snow. We rented two lockers to hold our gear after a day on the mountain which was very convenient when you have tired kids on your hands.
Getting to the Mountain
- We drove our car to the mountain which is only 6 miles from downtown Red Lodge but takes about 15 minutes because of the winding road. We arrived around 8:30am to get our gear on and the lifts open at 9am.
- There are two parking lots both very close to the entrance (both are free)
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
One of our favorite activities of our trip was visiting the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. They provide lifelong sanctuary to non releasable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife, which was an amazing way for all of us to learn about the animals in the area.
We spent most of our time outside learning about the animals so dress warm if you come in the winter! My kids especially loved the coyotes, bobcats, bison, and foxes. They do have black bears but they were hibernating. You can see the full list of their residents here.
Tickets: Adults $10, Children 4-12 $4, Children under 4 - FREE
Hours: Open daily 10-4pm, Closed on Tuesdays
Ice Skating
Take the family skating at the local ice skating rink in the center of town for $5 per skater or $20 per family! Check their hours here as they do close if the weather is too warm.
Take the family skating at the local ice skating rink in the center of town for $5 per skater or $20 per family! Check their hours here as they do close if the weather is too warm.
LODGING
Red Lodge does not have chain hotels but instead small local hotels including the famous Pollard Hotel downtown. If you are traveling with family I recommend booking a cabin or house in town. The town is very small so you really can't go wrong anywhere you stay. We like to rent a home with a washer/dryer so we limit the clothes we bring. Our rental home was 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and had a great living room and dining area. The kitchen was stocked with all supplies we would need to cook at home minus the food 😉. It was just a few blocks from the main street. AAA Red Lodge Rentals is the property owner and have many gorgeous properties in Red Lodge.
Red Lodge does not have chain hotels but instead small local hotels including the famous Pollard Hotel downtown. If you are traveling with family I recommend booking a cabin or house in town. The town is very small so you really can't go wrong anywhere you stay. We like to rent a home with a washer/dryer so we limit the clothes we bring. Our rental home was 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and had a great living room and dining area. The kitchen was stocked with all supplies we would need to cook at home minus the food 😉. It was just a few blocks from the main street. AAA Red Lodge Rentals is the property owner and have many gorgeous properties in Red Lodge.
Click here for vacation rentals in the area or check out AirBnb/VRBO. Most are very affordable per night!
DINING
Marli's at The Pollard Hotel
Located inside the historic Pollard Hotel you'll find Marli's. I loved the design and vibe of this restaurant and they had the best cocktails! Americana style menu serving French onion soup, crab cakes, meatloaf, fish and chips, ribeye, cauliflower wings and more. I had the beef stroganoff ravioli and while it was very rich it was delicious!
Red Lodge Pizza Co.
I can't say enough good things about Red Lodge Pizza Co.! We dined here the first night and I craved it multiple times during our trip because our "Cliff Claven" pizza was one of the best I've ever had (BBQ chicken, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and mozzarella cheese on BBQ sauce). Their pizzas are made from scratch including the house made sauces and crust made from Montana wheat. They also have a large menu of salads, burgers, calzones, and pizza by the slice. The restaurant is in a historic building downtown and has a full bar (liquor included) and serves a large selection of ice cream. The kids ordered milkshakes for their meals which were DELICIOUS, and Alex and I ordered their famous "Crazy Cookie" for dessert. The Crazy Cookie is a 6" ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie topped with two scoops of ice cream (your choice of flavor) and covered in chocolate sauce. Check out their Instagram here!
Eating at Red Lodge Mountain
If you are skiing you'll likely want to eat lunch on the mountain which is what we did every day. At the bottom you'll find the Main Lodge which has a large seating area for skiers and serves food cafeteria style. You'll find hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, chili and hot chocolate served here.
Bierstrube next door to the main lodge offers hearty pub fare and ten beers on tap. We had amazing Irish nachos while the kids enjoyed chicken tenders, burgers and Shirley Temples. It is open daily but fills up quickly as it has the perfect view of the mountain so I strongly advise making a reservation ahead of time!
Midway Chalet is located mid-mountain atop the Willow Creek chairlift, and has a beautiful scenic backdrop. This was the perfect stop for a beer or hot chocolate to take a break from skiing. Ski in for burgers, sandwiches, beer, wine, and snacks under vaulted ceilings while enjoying views of five mountain ranges and the comfort our their huge stone fireplace! Open Thursday through Sunday.
Prerogative Kitchen
Prerogative Kitchen is a fun and casual restaurant with a a la carte menu and a great beer and wine list! You walk up and order off their chalkboard menu and then are seated in their vibrant and eclectically decorated dining area. They were a James Beard Nominee in 2022 which says a lot about their food! Their menu selection changes but some delicious dishes we enjoyed included ramen, buffalo brussel sprouts, burgers, chicken thighs and a kid's steak. I've never seen a kids menu with a steak on it, and Whitney was in heaven! They have lots of vegetarian and gluten free options.
Cafe Regis
When you envision a quaint mom and pop diner where the locals meet for morning coffee, Cafe Regis is exactly that! We walked in and saw a group of 8 men sitting around having their early morning coffee and I knew we were in the right place. They serve breakfast and lunch, however breakfast is served all day. The kids enjoyed berry french toast while I loved their made from scratch corn cakes with a side of hash browns. They have an organic garden where they source many of their herbs, vegetables and fruit. Open Thursday-Monday 7am-2pm.
Cattail Bakery
For fresh coffee and homemade pastries check out Cattail Bakery! They open at 7am so I stopped in before we got ready for the mountain to grab a latte and chocolate croissants for the kids.
Nightlife
There are some great local spots to have a drink and relax after a day on the mountain. For craft cocktails I recommend One Legged MAGPIE and for a great dive bar with pool tables, music and locals I recommend Snow Creek Saloon or Snag Bar!
I think one of my biggest takeaways from vacationing in Red Lodge was the pace. I truly enjoyed how quiet and calm the town was, and it gave my family the perfect opportunity to slow down in the chaos of life. We were able to breath, relax, and take in the nature around us which was truly a gift coming from a big city. We also loved how friendly the people were. Whether they were local to Red Lodge or skiers from Montana, everyone we met was kind and excited to share about the great state of Montana. We loved learning about all the different areas to explore and the history of the town. I'm already planning my trip back but this time to experience it in the spring/summer! For more in depth info about Red Lodge visit their site here.
1 comment:
Accurate description of our lovely town except for your ice skating error. There is no charge. Skating is FREE!
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