Best place to ski near Helena?

What's b/sd?

I think b/sd is referring to Bridger or Showdown. I grew up skiing Showdown and also put a lot of time in at Great Divide and Bridger.

Great Divide has the best park options, it often time lacks in snow. There are some really cool areas and tree skiing on that mountain, it rarely fills in though.

Showdown is a small, very laid back "mom and pop" style hill. The snowpack and snow quality is usually very good and the snow stays dry for a long time. There is some good steep terrain, 38 degree mogul runs,and some fun tree skiing. Its a really fun mountain when it snows, other times you have to find ways to be creative or go charge moguls or you'll get bored. There is a small amount of touring on the surrounding mountains but the snowpack is usually pretty sketchy until early February.

Bridger is bigger than Showdown in every way (lifts, terrain, crowds. etc...) It has some very sick and unique terrain (slaschmans, ridge terrain, etc...) Bridger can also get very crowded and skied out very fast. The amount of people, and Montana snowpack also means it can get very rocky.

I would say Bridger would be your best option for terrain, Showdown's snow quality and crowds are a lot better.

So is great divide worth it If I don't like skiing park? And right now bridger is sounding the best but would like to hear a few more opinions +k to all posters so far

I haven't really gone to Great Divide on a non park mission. I know that they have some really fun terrain, old mine features, etc... I have never been there when the base depth seemed adequate though.

There is mediocre non-park skiing at Great Divide.  From the sounds of what you are looking for I would go with Bridger.  I live in Helena but go to Bridger almost every weekend despite the almost 2hr drive, it well worth it if you are looking for real terrain, Great Divide does have great parks and fun night skiing but lacks in any kind of technical terrain.