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Overview

Big Sky Ski Resort Overview

Located in southwest Montana (approximately 50 miles south of Bozeman and an hour north of West Yellowstone), Big Sky Resort provides visitors with many different amenities, a well-developed infrastructure and over 5,850 acres of skiable terrain. Big Sky services its 4,350 feet of vertical via 24 chair lifts and 12 surface lifts. The ski area has a summit elevation of 11,166 feet and sees an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches. The resort has been lauded for it's incredible vertical drop and also the very minimal wait times due to it's advanced lift system. 

The resort is the basecamp to Yellowstone National Park and provides daily shuttles to Yellowstone’s west entrance. The resort has everything one would expect from a modern ski resort, including the Big Sky Mountain Village which features a variety of dining, lodging (including vacation rentals) and shopping possibilities. 

Big Sky offers 40 miles of mountain bike accessible trails during the summer as well as golf, hiking, zipline tours and more. It is truly an outdoor adventure destination all year long. 

Inside Scoop

Things to Do at Big Sky Resort

► Big Sky Essentials

• Take the Lone Peak tram to the top of Lone Mountain and gaze upon 3 states, 2 national parks and distant mountain ranges

• Be the first up the mountain with Everett’s 8800 first tracks, an exclusive guided experience

• Experience night skiing like you never have before with headlamp night skiing

• Don a luxurious robe by the fire at the Signature Collection properties

The Lone Peak Tram only carries fifteen passengers at a time so lift lines are guaranteed. When the wait time is too long, check out the Challenger Lift that grants access to excellent terrain options similar to what one would find off of the Lone Peak Tram.

► Non-skiing activities

While most people know the resort for its amazing skiing and boarding, it offers an array of other activities; it truly is a multi-faceted resort with activities to keep you busy for days.

• Golfing

• Mountain biking, including riding to Montana’s highest scenic overlook

• Zipline

• Trampoline

• Giant swing

• Snowshoeing

• Snowmobile tours

• Sleigh rides

• Dog sledding

► Events

The largest event annually at Big Sky is Big Sky PBR that takes place at the end of July. While centered around the bull riding event, it also includes a barn dance, live musice, an art auction and many other attractions. 

The resort knows how to do Halloween right with a three-day Haunted Peaks Halloween Festival. It has traditional candy-centered events but also live music, a horror festival and more. 

Restaurants

Best restaurants and bars at Big Sky

► For Breakfast

  • Grab a quick breakfast before heading to the slopes. Headwaters Grille is located at the Madison Base area.
  • For a grab-and-go breakfast, head to Blue Moon Bakery. There’s a wide selection of baked goods and bagels sandwiches.

► For Lunch and Dinner

  • The Cabin Bar & Grill overlooks the ski runs and provides a wide variety of entrees for lunch and dinner. 
  • For beef and vegetarian dogs and gourmet toppings, stop by Yeti Dogs. A good dog will satisfy even the hungriest visitor. 
  • Horn and Cattle offers exceptional food in a beautiful setting on a dude ranch in an oversized log cabin.
  • Olive B's Big Sky Bistro is one of the more upscale restaurants in the area with $30-40 entrees, but the quality is well worth it. 
  • Want a truly unique dining experience? Have dinner in a yurt! Montana Dinner Yurt provides candlelit dinner in the woods. 
  • While it is a bit further south from Big Sky itself, Riverhouse BBQ is a staple in the area. Fantastic, authentix Texas-style barbeque with large portions, you'll want to get there early to avoid what can be longer wait times. 

► Nightlife/Après

  • For some bistro fare and a good cocktail or beer, head to By Word of Mouth. You can find nearly anything on the menu along with a fine list of house-made cocktails. 

Best Time for Snow

Average Snowfall

70"
44"
29"
15"
9"
21"
Nov
58"
Dec
45"
Jan
56"
Feb
55"
Mar
38"
Apr
Beginners Runs
15%
Intermediate Runs
25%
Advanced Runs
42%
Expert Runs
18%
Runs in Total
317
Longest Run
6 mi
Skiable Terrain
5800 ac
Snow Making
400 ac

Total Lifts: 36

Gondolas & Trams
1
Eight Person Lifts
1
High Speed Sixes
2
High Speed Quads
5
Quad Chairs
3
Triple Chairs
7
Double Chairs
5
Surface Lifts
12

Elevation

Base
7500'
Summit
11166'
Vertical Drop
4350'

Important Dates

November 22, 20232023/11/22
Projected Opening
April 21, 20242024/04/21
Projected Closing
143
Projected Days Open
144
Days Open Last Year
51
Years Open
400"
Average Snowfall
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