Back Side
Granite
Off the Granite Chair, you can step it up a notch (or three) with steep runs groomed to velvety smoothness and mogul fields that test your thighs and nerves. The fall lines and views are utter perfection.
Limelight
For hardcore steeps, Limelight is it. This north-facing area is true double black with treed slopes, narrow chutes and virtual free-falls that give way to fields of powder. You’ll think you’ve dropped into a Teton Gravity Research film.
Favorite Stashes
If you’re looking for firsthand intel from Discovery denizens, you’ve found it. We polled our own staff and other locals; and here, by condition, are their favorite runs and powder stashes. Or at least the ones they’d tell us about.
Sunny Days
Berkeley – Almost always groomed to perfection, Berkeley offers great views of the Pintlers at every turn. It’s particularly good on cold sunny days because it gets more sun than most runs.
Orphan Girl – On a sunny day you can see the Mission Mountains and Swan Range (about 70 miles away) from the top of Winning Ridge. As you descend, the snow on Orphan Girl doesn’t get much sun exposure so it stays good. It is groomed at times, but still can have some fun bump lines. The waterfall section is the steepest part of the Granite Chair.
Medicine Ridge – With stunning views of the Flint Creek Valley, Medicine Ridge is the best of the limelight runs in bright sun. It tends to hold snow well and not get too baked. It also offers great steepness for intermediate skiers looking to take it up a notch.
Windy Days
The Pitch – If the wind is accompanied by snow, the Pitch usually gets the snow blown off the west-facing side of Limelight. Also, there is good protection in the trees on both sides from the wind.
Ajax/Maverick – Here the tree cover eliminates the cold wind, and if there’s fresh powder it tends to deposit at the bottom where the two runs converge. You drop down through the trees and into an open but protected powder field. Perfect.
Gold Bug – Great with kids because you are never far from the lodge. It’s the ideal run to learn on and in the early season, it is always the first run that is well covered.
Snowy/Powder Days
Catch-A-Wave Chutes – If you like speed, catch this one on a powder day. The tight trees ensure untouched lines. There are some challenging (though small) cliff drops with tight run-outs. And at the bottom, a huge powder field awaits. Experts love Catch-A-Wave later in the season when the powder has piled up. But even then, don’t go in here without someone who knows it well. There are lots of hidden rocks and cliffs.
The Fingers – The three fingers offer a variety of exposures, pitches and aspects. You can tackle tree skiing, chutes, cliffs, open bowls and gullies. Get here early to get the freshest powder. But no matter how many people have skied the fingers, you’ll be able to grab a few powder turns for days after a big snowfall.
Boiler Maker – This is a great intermediate powder run. Typically, it’s groomed so the powder doesn’t hide bumps and you don’t have to worry about snags, cliffs or rocks like you do on the Limelight chair. Plus, it’s just the right length so that your legs won’t be shot at the bottom.
Sluice Box – If you can catch a powder day after Sluice Box has been recently groomed it is the quintessential powder run. It serves up a 44% grade from start to finish, is easily accessible, and you can see your tracks the next time up the chair.
First Run of the Day
Claimjumper – The first run cut and skied at Discovery in 1974, it is perfect for everyone in your family. Early in the morning you can beat the crowds and warm up your legs for some of the steeper terrain.
Red Lion – This is a long run that most always has ample corduroy in the morning. Fun, rolling hills and changing slopes make this run a great way to warm up for your day at Discovery.
Winning Ridge – The longest run at Discovery (1.5 miles) is always well groomed in the morning. If you can make it start to finish without a stop, you’re ready to take on steeper terrain.
Terrain Park
Rule number one for a terrain park? Be fun, and ours is. Whether you’re practicing landing switch or perfecting board slides, our rollers, tabletops, rails and fun-boxes fit the bill. And to ensure everyone has fun in a safe environment, our park is set up with family appeal.
Features are spaced appropriately so you don’t have people landing on your toes. Jumps are built in a variety of sizes to suit any experience level. We take pride in developing a safe, fun environment for your enjoyment; before you visit our park, spend a moment on discoverysnow.org to brush up on safety and etiquette.
Location
The Sunnyvale Terrain Park is located on Sapphire, which is accessible from the Jubilee lift. The upper section contains our more advanced features while the bottom contains smaller and shorter features. This park is only open Thurs – Sun.
Our beginner terrain park – The Pentecost Terrain Park – is located on Gold Bug and features smaller beginner features for perfecting your style or learning to slide and jump. This park is open every day (weather & conditions dependent).
Hours
The park is open Thursday – Sunday and most holidays 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., weather and safety permitting. As we get fresh snow, we continue to freshen up the park by adding and removing features throughout the season. For today’s park status, visit our Trail Report
Safe Riding
Safety is vital to having fun. Our park is aimed at beginning and intermediate park riders, but we recommend that you be an intermediate-advanced all-mountain skier/rider or better. Skiing and snowboarding are inherently dangerous; please ride within your ability. For more on safety, watch this video.
Nordic Skiing
The Georgetown Lake Area is well known for its beautiful views, wildlife opportunities and solitary landscapes. Whether you are an accomplished cross-country skier or trying it out for the first time, this trail network will have something for you. Echo Lake Trails Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) is dedicated to promotion of winter and summer opportunities involving all ages in the Georgetown and Echo Lake areas. Trails are groomed regularly based on snow conditions.
Contact & Hours
General Contact Info
Address
Discovery Ski Corp.
PO Box 1250
Philipsburg, MT 59858
info@skidiscovery.com
Phone
(406) 563-2184
Ski Patrol Dispatch
(406) 560-7741
Snow Report
https://www.skidiscovery.com/snow-report/
Snow Safety
Stay Safe at Discovery >Social Media
Hours of Operation
Winter Season
Early Dec Weather Permitting - April 7
LIFTS
9:30 A.M. - 4 P.M.
BACKSIDE LIFTS
10 A.M. - 3:45 P.M.
CAFE
10 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. BY RESERVATION
TAP 'ER LITE BAR
Open Fri - Sun 10am - 5pm
TICKET OFFICE
9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
RENTAL SHOP
MUST RESERVE ONLINE
HALF-DAY TICKETS
12:30 P.M.
Summer Season
Mid May - Mid-October
FRI- SUN
1pm-7pm FRIDAYS, 11am-5pm SAT & SUN
Discovery Ski Area is operated under a special use permit with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.