Getting To Whitefish, Montana, Is Easier Than You Think

Whether you’re an East Coaster looking for bigger descents and snowier slopes, or a city-slicker that wants to reach the biggest ski resort as quickly as possible, there are a handful of usual suspects that fit the bill.

These mega-resorts pay for billboards thousands of miles away and cash in on generations of word-of-mouth marketing. Getting there is easy, or so you’ve been told, so you book the trip and off you go.

What’s often overlooked, as is the case with Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, is that dozens of lesser-known ski areas and resorts are as easy, if not easier, to reach than the popular resorts. The easy-access reputation hasn’t been bestowed on these handful of lesser-known gems, likely because they were hard to reach years ago, but getting there certainly isn’t challenging, at least not in 2026.

Whitefish Mountain Resort, along with the town of Whitefish itself, is a prime example of this phenomenon. While many East Coast skiers stop their journey in Denver or Salt Lake City, they miss out on the shorter lift lines, cheaper lift tickets, better ski-town vibe, and deeper snow totals of Whitefish.

After visiting Whitefish a few seasons ago, I now feel compelled to dispel the myths about reaching this iconic ski destination. Yes, Whitefish is tucked away in the northernmost part of Montana, but getting there is easier than expected.

Let’s break it down.

Air Travel

Reaching Whitefish via plane is easier than ever. This is thanks to Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The airport has recently undergone a transformative expansion and renovation, which has more than doubled its size and capacity.

While Glacier Park International Airport was built to attract summer tourists to nearby Glacier National Park, flights operate year-round. Major airlines, including Alaska, United, Delta, and American, all service the airport.

During the 2025/26 ski season, the airport boasts direct flights to and from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City.

To put that into perspective, if you’re an east or west coaster traveling via air for a ski trip, you’ll most likely need to travel through a major hub, regardless of where you’re going. In the case of Denver and Salt Lake City, travelers could follow the masses to each city’s famous resorts, or they could go straight to Glacier Park International and Whitefish. It’s that easy.

Shuttle services and rental cars are available at Glacier Park International Airport to reach Whitefish and the resort. I recommend booking a ride service to get from the airport to town. Once there, Whitefish is easy to navigate with its free shuttle service, the S.N.O.W. Bus, that goes to and from the resort every day of ski season.

Skiers can easily enjoy the walkable downtown area of Whitefish, the free S.N.O.W. Bus, and never need to set foot in a car.

You should only consider renting a vehicle if you book accommodations outside of town.

By Car

Reaching Whitefish by car doesn’t work for the majority of ski travelers, but if you live in the greater Seattle, Portland, and Salt Lake City areas, it’s easier than you think.

For Pacific Northwesterners, Whitefish is easily accessible by driving along I-90 East to St. Regis, Montana. From there, motorists take a scenic route that passes through charming Montana towns and along the stunning shore of Flathead Lake.

Traveling to Whitefish via car takes longer than the drive to the Seattle area’s local ski resorts, but the extra effort goes a long way. Crowds are smaller, and the snow stays cold and untouched for longer periods of time.

Interestingly, the drive time from Salt Lake City to Whitefish is only 45 minutes longer than the drive time from Seattle. So, if you’re a Utah skier looking to chase snow somewhere other than the Beehive State, Whitefish should be on your radar.

Take a look at the drive times from major cities in the West.

What’s a few extra hours of driving when it pays off in a big way?

Drive Times to Whitefish From Major Cities

• Spokane, Washington: 4 hours, 18 minutes
• Seattle, Washington: 8 hours, 44 minutes
• Salt Lake City, Utah: 9 hours, 30 minutes
• Portland, Oregon: 9 hours, 42 minutes
• Boise, Idaho: 9 hours, 48 minutes

Ski Train

The Europeans have ski travel figured out. Their endless string of railways and trains makes reaching remote destinations with challenging road conditions seamless.

We’re decidedly lacking when it comes to rail travel here in the United States, but Whitefish is one of a handful of ski towns that can easily be reached by rail.

With a centrally located train stop in the heart of town, Whitefish is situated along Amtrak's historic Empire Builder route that connects Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago. From the east, rail passengers pass through Glacier National Park.

The Empire Builder earned a reputation as Whitefish's "ski train" in the 1950s and 1960s, and although it's less utilized today, it remains a unique and memorable way to kick off your ski trip. From the west, the train arrives in Whitefish around 7 a.m. each morning—just in time to eat breakfast and be on the mountain when the lifts start spinning.

After a few days of visiting and skiing Whitefish (or longer), hop back on the train in the evening and be back at your desk before lunch the next day.

Rail travel isn’t always cost-effective, but if you’re looking for a different way to traverse the country for a ski trip, consider hopping on an Amtrak bound for Whitefish. You’ll undoubtedly have a story to tell afterwards.

Insider’s Tip: Many hotels are within walking distance of the station. Some hotels even have shuttle pickups that will store your bags while you hop on the free S.N.O.W. Bus to get in a full day of skiing, all before checking in.

Social media and targeted advertising make the glitzy, big-name ski resorts nearly irresistible. But, if you’re willing to hop on a slightly longer flight or drive a few extra miles, Whitefish should be at the top of your ski destination bucket list.

Just think about how much fun it will be to tell your co-workers that you didn’t wait in a single lift line on your ski trip to Whitefish.

Their big trip to Colorado and Utah won’t seem as glamorous.