Winter is a magical time in Montana. It's the perfect complement to our bustling summers, providing a valuable season to rest, read, and take it easy. Not to mention the state looks like an enchanting snow globe after fresh snow makes an appearance.
But it’s not just sitting by a fire drinking hot cocoa. There are plenty of ways to stay toasty throughout the season. From active endeavors like ice skating and skiing to indoor activities like concerts and clubs – if you’re not a fan of winter yet – wait until you experience it in Montana.
Check out some of my favorite ways to stay warm during winter:
Ice Skating and Firepits
UM has various fire pits scattered around the Oval for students to enjoy throughout the year. You can roast marshmallows for s’mores or just sit around and enjoy the warmth. The fire pits are great spaces to hang out and enjoy the winter scene.
Every winter, weather-dependent, part of the Oval is turned into an ice rink for students and the public to use. You can rent ice skates from the Gaming Den if you don’t own your own. The ice rink is a great way to get out with friends to skate.
Read More: Campus Traditions: What Makes Us Montana
UM Fitness and Recreation Center
UM’s Fitness and Recreation Center is the place to work up a good sweat. Alongside a gym with free weights and machines, the Rec Center has a track, basketball/volleyball courts, and a two-story simulated rock wall. They also have racquetball courts, full locker rooms and towel rentals.
The Gaming Den
For those of you who prefer indoor activities to stay warm this winter, the Gaming Den might be the perfect place. With billiard tables, table tennis, video games and more, they have all you’d need to enjoy the winters indoors with friends. There are occasional game nights that the Gaming Den hosts, like Bingo night and Shrekfest, to shake up your routine.
Downhill Skiing
Downhill skiing is a very popular activity during the winter in Missoula. The Snowbowl is a skiing area with 950 skiable acres available for skiers, visible from campus and about a thirty-minute commute to the chairlifts. They offer mostly daytime skiing with limited opportunities for nighttime skiing. There is a shuttle offered, with a small fee, to give rides to Snowbowl when the season is active.
Dive into Esports
Joining the UM Esports team can make winter more enjoyable indoors. You can play games like League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Valorant, and more. Joining UM’s Esports team can provide a great sense of community with people you connect with and share interests.
Read More: Level Up with Grizzly Esports
Exercise and Group Fitness Classes
If you want to stay active indoors during the wintertime, UM offers many different group fitness classes at the gym. You can be as physical as strength training classes or as chill as yoga classes. Other classes are between, such as dance fitness classes like Oula or belly dancing. There really is something for everyone.
Find a Cozy Club
UM’s Griz Hub has a list of over 400 clubs available for students to join. There are many indoor, cozy options, such as Origami Club, Songwriters and Musicians Group, and University Crafters. These clubs can help you find people who have similar cozy interests and give you the opportunity to learn new things.
Read More: How to Join a Club at UM
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Missoula has many cross-country skiing trails as well as snowshoeing trails for you to enjoy during the winter season. Snowshoeing is a great way to get outside while having a nice relaxing walk to enjoy the outdoors. Cross-country skiing is a more active but just as rewarding activity to do in Missoula.
Go to a Concert or Catch a Show
Seeing your favorite artist with friends and family can make your winter more exciting, while you can also enjoy the comfort of the indoors. Some of Missoula’s concert venues include Top Hat, The Wilma and the Kettlehouse Amphitheater. If you’re a theater kid, going to see a show at the Missoula Children’s Theater, or even a musical at the Roxy, could make your winter that much warmer.
Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry skiing is another very popular winter activity in Missoula. It is more affordable but comes with its own risks as well. UM offers classes and free lectures on avalanche awareness for skiing safety located under the “Snow” header. There are also refresher courses if you already have a working knowledge of safety while backcountry skiing.
More Tips on How to Survive Winter
Sometimes it’s just as simple as wearing layers and your favorite winter hat to enjoy the winter. Missoula is beautiful in the winter and it’s hard not to enjoy the snowy hills around you. For more general tips on surviving winter in Missoula, check out this blog that lays it all out for you.
Madison Knapp is a student at the University of Montana majoring in creative writing and minoring in French. She is an out-of-state student from Bellingham, Washington, and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at UM. She is also a DHC student and a proud member of the Grizzly Marching Band.
