Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors – there’s plenty of fun winter outdoor activities for families near Belgrade, Montana. From sledding at local parks to hitting the nearby ski hill, there’s lots of things you can do outside that’ll keep you entertained all winter long. Bundle up the kids, grab your gear, and discover why winter is one of the best times to explore this beautiful corner of Big Sky Country.

Head to Chalet Sports or Round House Ski & Sports Center in Bozeman to rent or purchase most winter gear. For ice fishing supplies, pop into Yellow Dog Flyfishing or Bozeman Fly Supply.

8 Winter Outdoor Activities For Families Near Belgrade, Montana

#1 Cross Country Skiing at Bridger Creek Golf Course

Cross country skiing is popular in Belgrade, and we recommend starting at the Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman. Not only are the surroundings beautiful – you’ll have great views of the Bridger Mountains, a babbling creek, and groves of snow-covered trees – but it’s easy to get to and is made up of mostly flat, groomed trails, making it perfect for beginners.

Other popular places to try cross country skiing (with groomed tracks) include Sunset Hills, Highland Glen, Crosscut, Hyalite, and Sourdough Trail.

Check the Bridger Ski Foundation’s website for grooming reports of trails around town.

#2 Skiing at Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Bridger Bowl is just a 30-minute drive from Belgrade, and with over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, you’ll practically discover something new every time you visit.

A good portion of the mountain is beginner and intermediate (about 25% and 35%, respectively), meaning there’s lots for kiddos newer to the sport to explore. Bridger Bowl provides convenient rental gear, group and private lessons, and a large bunny hill for brand new little ones.

#3 Ice Skating at Bogert Park

The City of Bozeman maintains four outdoor ice rinks during the winter months (all free of charge), and we highly recommend Bogert Park. This is because it’s the only covered rink, making it ideal if the weather’s not great but you still want to skate, and because it’s the only one with a railing, helpful for those learning to skate.

Lights come on after dark, allowing you to skate until the rink closes at 10:00 p.m. Stay cozy in the small warming hut beside the rink. You can also sign your kids up for ice skating lessons through the Learn to Skate USA program.

#4 Sledding at Lindley Park

Want an adventure they’ll never forget? Take the kids to Lindley Park in Bozeman! Not only is the scenery gorgeous – lots of wide open space and tall trees – but it’s also easily accessible as it’s right in town, located at the edge of the downtown area by the Bozeman Library. This makes it easy to pop into the library and attend one of their kid-friendly programs or check out some books!

You’ll find both smaller and larger hills here, making it easy to choose your own adventure. Afterwards, make snow angels, build a snowman, or toss some snowballs at each other!

#5 Winter Walks

Belgrade and Bozeman both offer several opportunities for easy winter walks. Here are just a few of our favorites:

• Downtown Belgrade: Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from Revamped Coffee Co. (decorated in a fun Halloween theme all year-round) and walk around the snowy streets.
• Peet’s Hill: Check out this short, easy loop with a magnificent view of Bozeman, including the downtown area and Montana State University’s campus.
• Neighborhood Trails: Prescott Ranch’s neighborhood in Belgrade affords plenty of scenic walking trails.
• Middle Cottonwood: This short, out-and-back trail near Belgrade is slightly uphill, but follows a scenic creek the whole way up.
• Cherry River: A short, flat loop with stunning views of the Bridger Mountains, a river, and pond.
• Downtown Bozeman: Take a leisurely walk around Bozeman’s downtown area and grab a warm drink from Rockford Coffee or Steep Mountain Teahouse.

#6 Ice Fishing on Hyalite Reservoir

Want to try something relaxing in a scenic setting? Try ice fishing at Hyalite! The reservoir is usually frozen in December; you’ll know it’s safe if you see ice fishing tents dotting the surface. You’ll usually see them every weekend until the ice melts in the spring.

Kids will get a kick out of the whole process, from drilling a hole in the ice to catching their first fish. Bring snacks and hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course).

Rent or purchase ice fishing gear at one of the many fishing shops in Downtown Bozeman. Several outfitters offer guided ice fishing trips, like Montana Trout on the Fly and Dave McKee Fly Fishing Outfitters.

#7 Snowmobiling in Bridger Canyon

If you’re looking for something unique that’s fun for the whole family, try snowmobiling! You can rent snowmobiles from Big Boys Toys in Bozeman; there are two-person options if the kids aren’t old enough to ride their own.

There are lots of fun options for snowmobiling in Bridger Canyon, and rental personnel can help you decide which one is right for you and your family depending on skill level and snow conditions.

#8 Dip in the Bozeman Hot Springs

Bozeman Hot Springs is the closest and largest hot spring to Belgrade – it’s less than a 15-minute drive. On a cold, snowy day, there’s nothing like it!

With 12 different pools of varying temperatures – ranging from the 59 degree cold plunge to the 106 degree hottest pool – kids will have a blast trying out each one. Enjoy live music on select evenings, a sauna, and food from the cafe.

Living in Belgrade puts you right in the heart of some of Montana’s best winter recreation. Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon outing or a full day of adventure, the Gallatin Valley offers endless opportunities to embrace the snowy season. With world-class skiing, scenic trails, and family-friendly activities just minutes from home, you’ll find that cold Montana winters are anything but boring!