Anaconda sits 25 minutes northwest of Butte, population 9,400, where a 585-foot brick smokestack rises against the Pintler Mountains. The town processes copper no more. Winter now brings cross-country skiers to a golf course built on smelter ruins, ice fishermen to Georgetown Lake, downhill runs at Discovery Ski Area for one-third what Big Sky charges. Three-day trips here average $400 total. The same itinerary at Montana’s famous resorts runs $2,000.
Most visitors drive Interstate 90, miss the exit, continue to Yellowstone. Anaconda keeps its Victorian storefronts, four National Register historic districts, and quiet.
The smokestack that defines the skyline
The Anaconda Smokestack stands 585 feet tall, completed in 1910 when the copper smelter needed to vent fumes higher. It remains the world’s tallest freestanding brick structure. The National Register added it in 1980. Montana designated it a state park in 1985.
Upper Works Trail runs 0.9 miles on paved surface to viewing areas. Winter access requires snowshoes when snow depth exceeds 6 inches. The stack casts a shadow visible 10 miles away at sunrise. Ranger talks happen summers only. One day each August during Smelterman’s Day, interior tours allow 50 people inside.
February mornings at 7am bring temperatures around 10°F. The stack appears rust-red against white Pintler peaks. No crowds. The trail parking lot holds 12 cars, rarely fills.
Winter sports at company town prices
Old Works Golf Course opened in the 1990s on EPA Superfund land where smelter waste sat for decades. Jack Nicklaus designed 18 holes using black slag from copper processing as bunker material. Summer greens fees run $40-70. Winter brings groomed cross-country ski tracks, lit for evening use.
The Anaconda Winter Festival runs February 14-17, 2025, offering free cross-country demos and equipment trials. Course yardage measures 6,950 from back tees. The Pintler Mountains frame every fairway.
Downhill skiing 15 minutes away
Discovery Ski Area receives 200-plus inches of snow annually. Weekday lift tickets cost significantly less than Big Sky’s $180-plus rates. Lift lines stay under 5 minutes most days. The Silver Chief chairlift runs scenic rides for non-skiers. February sees around 500 daily visitors compared to Big Sky’s 5,000-plus.
Ice fishing Georgetown Lake
Georgetown Lake sits 10 miles west, 2,800 acres freezing by late November. Ice thickness reaches 12-24 inches in February. Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout swim below. Day fishing licenses cost around $20-30. Guided trips run $150-plus, but most anglers drill their own holes. The Pintler backdrop reflects in morning ice. Hut density stays sparse even on peak weekends.
Victorian heritage in four historic districts
Anaconda’s commercial core, Goosetown neighborhood, Westside residences, and Butte-Anaconda Railway corridor all hold National Register status. Hundreds of Victorian structures date from the 1880s-1910s copper boom. The town peaked at 26,000 residents in 1910. Current population holds around 8,000.
Main Avenue mornings at 8am show minimal foot traffic. String lights hang on select blocks, lit dusk to 10pm. Snow crunches underfoot. Golden dawn light hits brick facades. The Poconos town that preserves Victorian architecture shares similar quiet appeal.
Washoe Theater still shows movies
Built in 1936, the Washoe Theater maintains its Art Deco interior. Original capacity seated 1,000. Current screenings draw intimate crowds. Tickets cost around $10. The marquee glows at night. National Register listing protects the structure. Recent restorations normalized post-COVID schedules.
Free admission at Copper Village Museum
The 1895 City Hall houses mining artifacts, an original jail cell, and exhibits on early smelter life. Hours run Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Wheelchair accessible. No admission charge. Permanent collections show copper tools, historical photographs, worker housing models.
Local food and craft beer
Smelter City Brewing operates in a restored early 1900s building. Pints run $6-8. Huckleberry ales use Montana berries. Live music plays weekends. A firepit patio stays open weather permitting. Winter crowds stay minimal compared to summer tourist season.
Main Avenue dining includes Jack’s Grille for Montana beef, O’Bella for Italian, Gallicanos for pizza. Average meal costs $12-20, running 20-30% below national averages. Pasties reflect Cornish miner heritage. Fresh trout comes from Georgetown Lake catches.
Black Dog Salvage fills 10,000 square feet with Butte-Anaconda mining memorabilia, vintage tools, architectural salvage. Cash preferred. Open Thursday-Sunday. Easy to spend two hours browsing. Similar to winter activities around Lake Huron, costs stay reasonable.
Lost Creek Falls and hot springs
Lost Creek State Park sits 20 miles from Anaconda, about 25 minutes driving. The 1.2-mile trail leads to a 50-foot waterfall between towering limestone cliffs. February freezes the cascade into ice formations. Trail surface stays snowy but accessible. Free entry off-season. No facilities December-April. The park covers 600-plus acres.
Fairmont Hot Springs lies 35 miles south, 40 minutes by car. Natural springs reach 160°F at source. Indoor and outdoor pools stay open year-round. Day passes cost around $12-15. Lodging runs $80-200 per night, one-third Big Sky rates. The Colorado canyon offering solitary skiing provides similar uncrowded winter access.
Activities beyond the obvious
Montana Zipline Adventures operates a 9,300-foot course through pine forest about 5 miles from downtown. Winter tours run weather permitting. Group rates around $100 per person. Multiple platforms and bridges offer Pintler views at a fraction of resort adventure costs.
Kennedy Commons hosts free ice skating during the Winter Festival. Couples sessions happen Valentine’s Day. Hot chocolate served. Races and family events draw community-scale crowds, not resort-level masses. Skate rentals available.
The 1936 vintage bus tour runs summer weekdays at 10am from the Visitor Center. Winter visitors walk the historic districts self-guided via smartphone app, free download. Maps available at the Visitor Center. Victorian homes display garland decorations December-February.
Your questions about Anaconda answered
What’s the best time to visit for winter activities?
February offers ideal conditions. Snow depth reaches 50-plus inches. Temperatures range -5°F to 30°F. Discovery Ski Area operates full schedule. Georgetown Lake ice stays thick for fishing. Winter Festival runs mid-February. Crowds stay minimal compared to summer or major resort towns. The Death Valley alternative offering canyon access provides similar off-peak advantages.
How does Anaconda compare to Big Sky or Yellowstone gateway towns?
Lodging averages $80-120 per night versus $250-plus at Big Sky. Discovery Ski lift tickets cost significantly less than Big Sky’s $180-plus rates. Three-day trips total around $400 including lodging and activities. Big Sky equivalents run $1,500-2,000. Daily visitors number around 500 versus Big Sky’s 5,000-plus. Authenticity stays higher with preserved company town heritage versus resort development.
What makes the smokestack significant?
At 585 feet, it remains the world’s tallest freestanding brick structure. Construction finished in 1910 to vent copper smelter fumes. The National Register added it in 1980. Montana designated it a state park in 1985. One annual interior tour happens during Smelterman’s Day in August, limited to 50 people. The structure symbolizes Anaconda’s copper heritage, visible 10 miles away.
Dawn breaks over the smokestack around 7:30am in February. The brick glows rust-red. Snow covers the Pintlers behind it. Main Avenue stays empty. A deer crosses near the old City Hall. The quiet holds.