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ODE TO BOZEMAN, MONTANA
Bozeman in the winter is something special. Snow—knee-deep, powdery—covers every rooftop, every tree branch, every open space. It transforms the town into a quiet, white wonderland, where the only signs of movement are the footprints of wildlife making their way through the fields. Just minutes from downtown, you feel deep in the wilderness.
Birds of prey perch on nearly every other tree, their calls echoing through the crisp air. Overhead, hawks glide effortlessly against the endless Montana sky. The drive up Gallatin Road to Big Sky is nothing short of awe-inspiring—serene, quiet, peaceful. The Gallatin River snakes alongside the road, frozen in places, rushing in others, a constant companion on the journey.
But it’s not just the landscape that makes Bozeman unforgettable. The people here are warm, welcoming, eager to share a conversation. They love and respect their land, and they expect visitors to do the same. That care and intention shine through in everything—from the farm-to-table meals that are nothing short of a masterpiece to the carefully curated shops and bookstores packed with stories waiting to be discovered.
Free Nordic skiing winds through town, while Bridger Bowl offers some of the best, fluffiest powder just minutes away. Or, take the scenic drive to Big Sky, where the lodge is laid-back, the après-ski is on point, and lift lines are nearly nonexistent—especially if you venture farther up the mountain.
Bozeman is the kind of place that doesn’t just offer adventure; it invites you to slow down and soak it all in.
INTRODUCTION
We were first introduced to Bozeman while on our honeymoon in October of 2020. We were staying in Yellowstone and decided to venture into Bozeman for the day. It completely blew us away. There’s a warmth to Bozeman that is a bit inexplicable. Like all of our favorite towns and cities, Bozeman was just a feeling.
That feeling has stayed with us all these years. Now living in Salt Lake City, we knew we had to make time to go up again, but this time stay longer. This year, we did the Ikon pass which has Big Sky on it. So, we decided to make this a ski holiday, and we stayed for 10 days.
Although it feels like we just scratched the surface on all of it’s beauty, I’ve listed below all of the places we did get to experience. I also included some places that stuck out to us or were recommended while there even if we didn’t get to go personally.
I hope this proves useful to you. As always, I’d love to hear about your time there if you end up going to Bozeman, or if you have been and feel like I’ve missed anything!
Alright, let’s jump in.
A Winter Guide to Bozeman, Montana
FOOD
Bozeman prides themselves on the farm to table experience. Throughout the town, there is so much praise and a desire to highlight each of the local ranches and farms. From the family that owns it, sustainable practices that they use, and even a breakdown of the numerous markets found throughout the state of Montana where one can visit at any time of the year.
GROCERIES
There are 2 locations: Downtown, West Main
Amazing selection of groceries, with a large fresh fish section and a massive bulk section for teas, grains, beans and more.
They also have hot and cold bars where you can serve a plate or fill a box to go. Your meal then gets weighed at checkout and there is a large open, communal hall upstairs with beautiful views of the downtown where you can enjoy it.
Mavens Market is a fun deli shop with amazing sandwiches made fresh on one side, and another side full of everything you might need for a charcuterie or picnic. They had all sorts of cheeses, meats, jams, and even gelato. We ordered some sandwiches to take with us on the mountain.
OTHER GROCERY STORES
Bozeman also has many standard grocery stores such as Safeway and Albertson’s, and even has a Costco.
CAFÉS
A MUST. I will preface this by saying that we came here every single morning! We couldn’t get enough. They have such a large selection of pastries, breads, desserts.. the list goes on and on.
I think I can be bold enough to say that they have the best ham and cheese croissant that we’ve had here in the states – large, flaky, not too buttery. The ham is thick and tastes fresh and the cheese, although rich, not overpowering and perfectly melted.
They also have a raspberry danish croissant that is divine, and their fruit tart was exquisite.
Every morning, as we sat at our table, we would look outside and watch the snow fill the streets. Just a perfect way to start the day.
Open space, really cozy, and some great specialty coffee.
They have multiple locations – one in the Downtown and then their Roasting Room in Northside, next to Wild Crumb.
MORE CAFES
Because we kept gravitating towards Wild Crumb while we were there, we admittedly didn’t get to try as many cafes as we would’ve liked, but here are some that were also recommended to us:
DINING
I know I keep talking about the farm to table that Bozeman has, but the flawlessness in the execution of keeping food as local as possible was so appreciated. Each dish that we enjoyed was a masterpiece, both aesthetically, and also in flavor.
Here are some of the restaurants we tried while in Bozeman, but do know this is a tiny list compared to the plethora of amazing eateries spread throughout.
We went for dinner after a long day on the mountain. We ordered a glass of red wine, which paired perfectly with it’s cozy, low-lit ambience. The burger was succulent and the pasta was hearty and delicious, all with local ingredients. Great portions and good prices.
An absolute gem of a spot for a nice dinner reservation. Low- lit, open space Italian restaurant, located right in the center downtown Bozeman. It was perfect for sharing in rich conversation over a delicious meal. We shared a carafe of red wine, and we both ordered their delicious, made-in-house pasta.
Right next to Wild Crumb is a really great delicatessen, offering fresh soups and sandwiches. We stopped by after breakfast each day to order some sandwiches for the mountain and they really hit the spot each time we pulled them out.
Really hearty pizza made with fresh, local ingredients. We ordered a Hawaiian pizza after a long day on the mountain, and enjoyed it by the fire in our flat.
This one may cause some eyes to roll, but hear me out. Ted’s Montana Grill, although a chain, has stuck to a smaller, curated menu. We may also have some bias since Ted’s has been a part of our story for a long time, but the meal we had there really did not disappoint. Try their bison burgers, medium rare, with either mashed potatoes or a loaded baked potato.
DESSERT
I am always in the search for some great homemade ice cream. Thankfully, Bozeman seems to pride themselves on their ice cream. We were only able to visit one of these, but in doing research for the best ice cream, these were the places that came up again and again.
- Genuine Ice Cream – really delicious, homemade ice cream with a really fun space to enjoy it.
- Mavens Market – gelato
SHOPS
Being in Bozeman feels like you’re somewhere so different and disconnected, yet so homey at the same time. The shops in the downtown are all curated with so much detail and attention. Bozeman is one of those places where you want to set aside some time to browse the shops and take in the window displays downtown.
Here are some of the shops we explored while in Bozeman:
BOOKSTORES
We are always looking for unique books for our library at home, and Bozeman really delivered with their selection. We checked out 3 different bookstores and they all sucked us in for hours. Multiple floors filled with books from top to bottom.
VINTAGE STORES
I love going to vintage stores everywhere we go. It gives you a unique take on the people who live there. Especially in the mountain west, there is also so much culture found amongst the pieces throughout each store. Some of these are more curated boutique style vintage shops, while others are large consignment spaces. You are sure to score a find in any of these stores, and take back something meaningful as a souvenir.
BOUTIQUE STORES
The cutest gift shop in the downtown full of all sorts of things from books to hair clips to jewelry to candles, and everything in between. We took our time browsing through their carefully curated selection. I even found a very peculiar square hair clip that I absolutely love, that holds my thick hair but sits flat on my head. Highly recommend even if it’s to simply browse.
A shopping center filled with curated shops and various eateries, with a big open space to enjoy your coffee or meal. It is definitely worth taking some time to browse through each of the shops, as they each have a really neat selection of items from clothing to books to home decor and even plants.
HOT SPRINGS
You can not come to Bozeman without visiting one of the hot springs. Thankfully, the closest one, Bozeman Hot Springs, is one of the most beautiful experiences when it comes to hot springs. Especially in the winter, a hot spring after a long day is one of the best ways to relax the mind and allow your muscles to rest.
We were only able to visit Bozeman Hot Springs on this trip, but I also listed the other ones that are each about an hour from Bozeman.
Large pools outside surrounded by fire fixtures and a natural landscape with live music played all year round in the evenings. Inside, there is a cafe where you can order juices, small treats and teas with a large, open space to enjoy it by a beautiful fireplace in the center. The locker rooms are very modern and extremely spacious. They have showers, changing areas, and lockers that lock with a code. There are free towels on the property and they are stocked throughout. Inside, there are numerous pools – some cold plunges, some warm, and some hot pools, perfect for some hot cold therapy. There is a big swimming pool in the center. There is a dry sauna and a steam sauna, and there is even a gym on campus.
They do have camping onsite or open for drop ins, with no time-slot reservations necessary.
I can’t speak highly enough about Bozeman Hot Springs. It is definitely worth checking out when in Bozeman.
MORE HOT SPRINGS:
- Norris Hot Springs 45m Bozeman
- Chico Hot Springs 52m from Bozeman
- Yellowstone Hot Springs 1h 11m from Bozeman
MORE THINGS TO DO
For us, this was mostly a ski holiday with Big Sky being on Ikon, but here are some other activities that we did while in Bozeman. I also included some ideas for taking in the beautiful town in the Winter.
Skiing: Big Sky (on Ikon, 1h from Bozeman) or Bridger Bowl (25m from Bozeman)
Sunset at Peet’s Hill (right in the downtown area, amazing views of Bozeman)
Take a leisurely stroll along Main Street, browsing local shops, art galleries, and cafes
Delve into the region’s history and culture at the Museum of the Rockies or the Gallatin History Museum
Go to the Winter Farmers Market (every Saturday through the end of May)
Catch a show at the vintage Ellen Theatre downtown
Go to a concert at Rialto
Snow mobile in Yellowstone National Park (a bucket list item for me since being introduced to it on our honeymoon)
Nordic cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the beautiful Hyalite Canyon
There is a series of free xc skiing trails groomed by the Bridger Ski Foundation. On the Bridger Ski Foundation website, they have maps for all of the areas. Rent some nordic skis and try it out!
- Bozeman Creek/Sourdough Canyon
- Hyalite Canyon
- Sunset Hills & Highland Glen
- Bridger Creek Golf Course
- Sacajawea Middle School athletic fields
- Chief Joseph Middle School
WHERE TO STAY
We personally stayed in an Airbnb right in the downtown area. We wanted to be walkable to Main Street, which proved to be nice since the eateries were mostly walkable and strolling the downtown was such a delight in itself. I’ve included some boutique hotels and unique stays around Bozeman that would also be a fun experience.
A modern, minimalist boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown Bozeman that focuses on local experiences.
Also located right in the heart of downtown Bozeman, this hotel offers excellent amenities, including a rooftop pool with stunning views and 3 bars/restaurants.
Excellent location in downtown Bozeman, with fun amenities like a heated indoor saline pool and bikes for rent.
- Cabin Rentals or Guest Ranches throughout Gallatin
Found all throughout the surrounding areas of Bozeman, staying in a cabin or a guest ranch gives you a glimpse of true Montana living. Enjoy the peace of the Montana wilderness, and embrace a slower pace of life.
- Lone Mountain Ranch (located near Big Sky, renowned for its exceptional Nordic skiing programs in the winter)
- The Ranch at Rock Creek (great option for those looking for a very high end all inclusive ranch experience)
- Mountain Sky Guest Ranch (located in Emigrant, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park, has a strong emphasis on family-friendly activities)
Bozeman left a huge imprint on our hearts. I’m so excited to come visit it again and see the town transform with each season.
Let me know if I missed anything or if you end up trying anything recommended. I would love to hear about your experience there 🙂
Until next time,
Cristina Marie
