A late-season storm rolled through just before winter gave way to 70-degree days, and we knew we needed to get out and enjoy it. The temperature was somewhere between 20-30°F. The conditions were just right to spend a long day outside playing in the snow.
We skied through wide, empty hills, watching wind move snow across the landscape in soft shimmering patterns. The landscape felt simple and calming. Trees coated in rime ice stood frozen in place, and it reminded us of our trip to Finland the year before.
The goal was to make it to an abandoned fire lookout, but we found ourselves more drawn to features that reminded us of the Arctic.
Watch a Video From the Day
A short look at the wind, quiet, and movement across the landscape.
What a Late-Season Storm in Montana Can Feel Like
Late winter in Montana can be unpredictable. This year especially, snowfall has been sparse and the temperatures were alarmingly warm, which made this storm feel like a brief return to something we hadn’t had much of all season.
In the weeks leading into spring, snow can change fast. Warmer temps bring heavier, stickier conditions, and what feels light in the morning can turn sluggish by the afternoon. That contrast makes days like this stand out even more.
Snow Ghosts, Rime Ice, and Snow Sculptures: What We Experienced
Some of the most striking parts of the day were the trees. They were completely coated in thick, white ice called rime ice. It forms when supercooled fog freezes onto surfaces in high wind, building layer by layer until trees take on these sculptural, almost otherworldly shapes.
When enough ice builds up, those trees become what people often call snow ghosts. They are wind-shaped forms that barely resemble the trees underneath. It’s something you tend to see in exposed, high-elevation areas where wind and moisture collide. When it happens across an entire hillside, it transforms the landscape into something reminiscent of an Arctic landscape.
We also observed some intricate wind-formed snow sculptures. The shapes look ethereal, sometimes like a wave frozen in time or soft, gently draped fabric.
Where You Might See Snow Ghosts in Montana
Snow ghosts aren’t everywhere, but they show up in the right conditions.
You’re most likely to see them:
- At higher elevations
- In areas exposed to consistent wind
- During periods of cold fog or moisture
One of the more accessible places people often notice them is at Whitefish Mountain Resort, where conditions line up regularly enough for them to form. Beyond that, it’s less about specific locations and more about timing and environment. If you’re out after a storm in a high, windy area, you might get lucky.
What We Wore & Gear That Worked
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Layering: We both use brands of merino wool as our base layers and Outdoor Research softshell pants. Mitch uses an Outdoor Research shell jacket and Valerie uses Arc’teryx. Valerie has been experimenting using a Brynje fishnet base layer for breathability and warmth. See the Brynje base layer review for more. So far, it seems to add noticeable warmth when layered, though it’s still something being tested across different temperatures and activity levels.
Skis: Mitch’s skis are the Kōm skis from Altai. They’re a small handmade ski company, and we’ve tested a couple of their skis. They work well for him as a ski that can break trail well, has good grip, and floats. Valerie uses a pair of Fischer S-Bound 112 Crowns, which grip well and make for fun tele turns.
Winter Gear Recommendations
Tips for Late-Season Backcountry Skiing in Montana
A few things stood out from the day:
- Take advantage of short windows: Conditions can shift quickly this time of year. When a storm lines up, it’s worth getting out.
- Expect mixed snow: Even on a good day, you’ll likely encounter a range of conditions.
- Pay attention to temperature swings: Warmer temps can quickly turn snow sticky and slow.
- Be ready for unconventional terrain: We ended up skiing sections of snowmobile tracks, which created these rolling, uneven features which was honestly one of the more fun parts of the day. (You can see what we mean around 21:25 in the video above.)
- Let the day be what it is: Late-season skiing isn’t always about chasing perfect conditions. Sometimes it’s about being out there while winter still lingers.
01.
Winter’s most beautiful sculptures are often its most temporary.
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Sometimes the landscape gives you a better objective than the one you started with.
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Winter rarely announces its last day. It simply disappears.
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