Things to Do in Billings in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Billings
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Montana winter at its most accessible - February typically sees temperatures that actually allow you to explore downtown Billings without the brutal cold snaps of December and January. That 19°C to 39°C (67°F to 102°F) range means you'll catch those surprisingly warm chinook winds that can push midday temps into comfortable territory, perfect for walking the trails along the Yellowstone River without layering like you're heading to the Arctic.
- Ski season hits its stride at Red Lodge Mountain (97 km/60 miles southwest) - February snow conditions tend to be excellent with a solid base built up from earlier winter storms, fewer holiday crowds than January, and lift ticket prices that drop after Presidents' Day weekend. You're looking at 8-10 feet of accumulated snowpack by mid-February in most years.
- Genuine local culture without tourist crowds - Billings in February is authentically Montana. The breweries, restaurants, and live music venues along Montana Avenue are filled with actual residents, not summer RV tourists. You'll get real conversations at TEN, genuine service at local spots, and zero wait times at popular breakfast places that have hour-long lines come July.
- Strategic positioning for Yellowstone's winter transformation - While the north entrance near Gardiner stays open year-round (just 283 km/176 miles south), February offers that sweet spot where you can experience Yellowstone's winter wildlife viewing and geothermal features in snow without the extreme cold of January. Bison congregate near thermal areas, and you'll see wolves more easily against white landscapes.
Considerations
- Weather volatility is real and requires mental flexibility - that 0.0 mm rainfall figure is misleading because February in Billings means snow, and those 10 precipitation days could dump anywhere from light flurries to legitimate blizzards. The temperature swings are dramatic too. You might have a 10°C (50°F) day followed by -15°C (5°F) the next morning. This isn't gradual seasonal weather, it's Montana being Montana.
- Outdoor activities require actual winter gear and experience - this isn't a casual hoodie-and-sneakers destination in February. Hiking trails can be icy, driving to attractions means potential black ice and sudden whiteouts, and that 70 percent humidity combined with wind chill creates conditions that feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests. If you're not comfortable driving in winter conditions or don't want to invest in proper gear, February will frustrate you.
- Limited daylight cuts into your exploration time - sunset hits around 5:45 PM in early February, improving to about 6:15 PM by month's end, but you're still working with roughly 10 hours of usable daylight. Combined with the fact that outdoor activities often require more prep time in winter (warming up vehicles, layering gear, checking road conditions), you'll accomplish less per day than you might expect.
Best Activities in February
Yellowstone National Park Winter Wildlife Expeditions
February is genuinely one of the best months for spotting Yellowstone's wildlife, particularly in the northern range accessible from Billings. Bison cluster near thermal features to stay warm, making them easier to photograph. Wolf packs are more visible against snow, and the Lamar Valley becomes a natural amphitheater for watching predator-prey dynamics. The north entrance through Gardiner remains open for vehicle traffic, though you'll want a 4WD or AWD vehicle. Temperatures inside the park run colder than Billings, typically -10°C to -5°C (14°F to 23°F), but the geothermal features create surreal steam clouds in cold air. Most importantly, you'll share the park with maybe 10 percent of summer visitor numbers.
Red Lodge Mountain Skiing and Snowboarding
February delivers Red Lodge's most consistent snow conditions without the holiday crowds or spring slush. The mountain typically has 2.4 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) of base by mid-February, all 70 trails are usually open, and you'll find genuine powder days after storm systems move through. The drive from Billings takes about 90 minutes in good conditions, longer if roads are icy. What makes February ideal is the combination of stable snowpack, longer days than January, and the fact that most families wait until spring break in March. Lift tickets run 75 to 95 dollars for adults, with multiday packages dropping the daily rate.
Pictograph Cave State Park Winter Hiking
Just 11 km (7 miles) south of downtown Billings, Pictograph Cave offers a surprisingly accessible winter hiking experience when conditions cooperate. February can be hit or miss here - warm chinook days make the 0.8 km (0.5 mile) paved trail to the caves perfectly walkable, while cold snaps or fresh snow require traction devices. The pictographs themselves, some over 2,000 years old, are actually easier to see in winter's angled light, and you'll have the place nearly to yourself. The elevation gain is minimal at about 30 meters (100 feet), making this doable for most fitness levels. Entry costs 6 dollars for non-Montana residents.
Downtown Billings Brewery and Distillery Circuit
February is actually ideal for exploring Billings' craft beverage scene because locals are out in force and the tasting rooms have that cozy winter atmosphere you don't get in summer. The downtown brewery district along Montana Avenue includes roughly a dozen craft breweries, distilleries, and cideries within a 1.6 km (1 mile) walkable radius. Most places offer flights for 12 to 18 dollars, letting you sample 4-5 different products. The scene here reflects actual Montana brewing culture, not tourist kitsch - you'll find experimental sours, traditional German lagers, and bourbon barrel-aged stouts. Thursday through Saturday evenings often feature live music, usually local folk, Americana, or indie rock acts.
Beartooth Highway Planning and Winter Scenic Drives
The famous Beartooth Highway itself is closed from mid-October through late May, but February is when you start planning summer trips and exploring the lower elevation scenic drives that give you a taste of Montana's landscape. The drive from Billings toward Red Lodge along Highway 212 offers stunning views of the Beartooth Mountains, and several pullouts provide photo opportunities of snow-covered peaks. For actual winter driving scenery, the Chief Plenty Coups State Park route (69 km/43 miles south) combines history with landscape, and the drive along the Yellowstone River toward Livingston (193 km/120 miles west) showcases Montana's famous big sky country with ice formations along the river.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument Winter Visits
Located 45 km (28 miles) east of Billings, this sandstone outcropping features William Clark's signature from the 1806 Lewis and Clark expedition - the only remaining physical evidence of the expedition you can still see. February visits offer solitude you won't find in summer, though the monument keeps limited winter hours and the boardwalk to Clark's signature can be icy. The visitor center provides context about the expedition and Indigenous history of the area. When conditions allow, the 0.4 km (0.25 mile) trail to the top offers views across the Yellowstone River valley. Entry is free, making this an excellent budget-friendly historical stop.
February Events & Festivals
Montana Winter Fair
Typically held at MetraPark in late January through early February, this agricultural expo showcases Montana's ranching and farming culture with livestock shows, rodeo events, commercial exhibits, and kids' activities. It's genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented - you'll see 4-H kids showing cattle, ranchers evaluating breeding stock, and families treating it as their major winter outing. Admission runs around 10 to 15 dollars for adults. The event includes evening rodeo performances that give you authentic Montana cowboy culture without the summer tourist markup.
Presidents' Day Weekend Events
The third Monday in February brings a long weekend that Billings uses for various community events, winter festivals in local parks, and special programming at museums. ZooMontana sometimes offers winter enrichment activities for animals during this weekend. It's also when Red Lodge Mountain sees its last major crowd surge before spring break, so ski conditions are typically excellent but lift lines get longer. Many Billings restaurants offer special menus, and breweries host extended hours.