Surviving Winter in Missoula

No, we don’t all own snowmobiles. And we don’t live in ice shacks. But the hard, cold (get it?) fact is Missoula sits squarely on a far northern latitude and winter here is the real deal. In truth, we love it.

Curious about how to prepare for winter in Montana? We've compiled a few tips to keep in mind.

How much does it snow in Missoula?

There’s nothing normal about a Missoula winter but you can expect, on average, around 40 inches of snow for the season. Luckily, it doesn’t come all at once. Usually. The first snowfall usually arrives in October, then melts before winter really sets in. Spring thaw comes around April, but then it occasionally snows in June. Some years, there’s a lot of snow in town throughout winter, other years it stays in the mountains and town can be relatively snow-free for most of the winter. It often depends on if we’re in a La Nina or El Nino cycle. Love to geek out on the weather? Check out the Montana Climate Office, located right here on campus.

How cold does it get in Missoula?

Average winter temperatures in Missoula range from lows in the teens to highs in the 30s and 40s. It gets colder, of course, but not for impossibly long stretches. Still, you’ll complain at some point about the cold. Everyone does. But one of the best parts of living in Missoula is experiencing each of the four seasons distinctly. Can you really appreciate an 85-degree afternoon on the river (average temp in July) if you haven’t felt the sting of -2 in February? We don’t think so.

Layers, layers, layers

Clichés work well in winter. And this one should be your mantra. Start with a base layer, your second skin, that wicks away sweat (translation: not cotton), add to that a second layer that keeps you warm while still breathing (think fleece or wool), and an outer layer that protects you from the elements. Like snow. If it’s really cold, consider adding a layer of down in there somewhere.

Wear your hat

Cliché No. 2. Forget about your hair for the next four months. Wear a hat. That covers your ears. And is maroon. Speaking of maroon, if you need Griz Gear, check out the UM Bookstore on the first floor of the University Center for all your school spirit attire.

Pack your stilettos till spring

It’s an age-old question: Are Uggs winter boots? Sadly, the answer is no. They aren’t waterproof. But never fear, sensible footwear can still be fashionable. Find yourself a pair of waterproof boots with stout tread and consider sizing up to allow for thick socks. Slip on some ice cleats when the going gets slippery. Ran out of room while packing for college and left your boots behind? No worries, we’ve got lots of retailers to outfit you, including REI, Cabela’s, Scheels and local favorite Bob Wards. Heck, we’ve even got a Boot Barn.

Walk like a penguin

Don’t laugh. When was the last time you saw a penguin using crutches? When approaching a patch of sketchy walkway, keep your feet pointed out, your knees slightly bent, your arms out for balance and your humor intact. Remember: Looking like a goober is better than looking like a mummy.

Get outside and have some fun

Staying cooped up in your room does you, and your roommate, no good. Grizzlies thrive on winter sports.  And there’s lots to do here. Consider:

• Lace up and hit the ice. Every winter UM installs an outdoor ice-skating rink in front of Main Hall and puts out propane fire pits on the Oval to stay warm. You’re probably not going to look as good as these two professional skaters who enrolled at UM when the pandemic stalled their Disney on Ice tour, but you’ll have some fun.
• Break out your Nordic skis and kick and glide your way to warmth. UM’s golf course (yes, we have a university golf course) is groomed throughout the winter for cross-country skiing. Got a car? Head up to UM’s Lubrecht Experimental Forest (yes, we also have a university forest) and explore 12 miles of ski trails. (Special thanks to Missoula Nordic Ski Club for maintaining the trails at the golf course and Lubrecht!)
• Keep hiking all the trails you love during the spring, summer and fall. Wear ice cleats. Or – and now we’re getting serious – snow shoes.
• Hit the slopes. Montana Snowbowl is our hometown ski resort and it is legendary, for many reasons. Just ask anyone who’s skied there. Located just 12 miles from town, you can see the mountain from campus. In addition to Snowbowl, there are four other ski areas located within two hours of Missoula (Lookout, Lost Trail, Discovery, Blacktail), skiing is a major winter hobby around here. You can even take a one-credit class to learn skiing, snowboarding or telemarking.
• Rent the winter equipment you need – including ice axes and snow saws! - from the Outdoor Program. While you’re there, sign up for an avalanche safety course or learn to tune your own equipment in a Ski and Snowboard Maintenance Class.

Winter transportation

If you bike, buy studded tires. If you drive, buy winter tires. Get a good window scraper. Keep your window wipers raised when parked – it reduced ice build up and makes removing snow easier.

Or save your sanity and ride the bus! UM’s Office of Transportation operates the UDASH bus service and all routes are free and open the public. UDASH takes students to and from the Lewis and Clark Village apartments, family housing, Missoula College and the Fifth and Sixth Street corridor that runs through the center of town.

Mountain Line, Missoula's municipal transit agency, is also free and open to the public. Routes 1, 8 and 12 travel past or through campus.

Karma thrives in cold

Never laugh at a classmate taking a spill on the ice. It will happen to you in a very short order. We know because we’ve laughed. And, we’ve fallen.

Don’t be that person

Even when temperatures dip to degrees that liquify natural gas you’ll always see someone running across campus in shorts and flip flops. We don’t recommend it, even if you’re late to class.