Big Sky Ski Resort

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. 

Big Sky Ski Area

Alpine ski area

Big Sky Resort boasts an impressive vertical rise of 4,350 feet. The mountain’s summit of 11,166 feet is serviced by the Lone Peak Tram that grants access to chutes and wide expansive bowls. From the top of the Lone Peak Tram, skiers and riders are able to see three states on a clear day, including Wyoming and Idaho. It is a truly unique experience for any outdoor lover! 

While the resort is known for impressive advanced and expert runs, it has over 2,300 acres for beginner and intermediate skiing. 

Before getting into the different areas of the mountain and where to find the best runs for each skill level, we must talk about the Ramcharger 8 chairlift. Heated seats! This eight-seat lift with a weather-proof bubble debuted in 2018 and is a truly unique experience within the sport. This isn't a gondola; it is a modern lift that you won't find anywhere else in North America. The fact that this high-speed lift drops you off in the middle of Andesite Mountain that highlights the best beginner and intermediate runs on the mountain (as well as some advanced runs) will ensure you make the most of your day on the mountain. 

As mentioned above, if you are a beginner skier, you'll want to stay on Andesite and Spirit mountains where there is a wide variety of beginner terrain. The combination of Lewis & Clark, Southern Comfort and the aforementioned Ramcharger 8 lifts will keep you on beginner terrain all day. Those truly experience skiing or boarding for the first time will want to stay at the Explorer area near the village. 

For intermediate skiers, the middle of the resort has a wide variety; either use Ramcharger or hunder Wolf to experience long, open runs like Big Horn or a bit steeper run amongh the trees like Tippy's Tumble. The Swift Curret high-speed lift also has a good amount of intermediate runs interspersed among the advanced runs. 

Then for those advanced or expert skiers, you are in for a treat. It is impossible to recap all of the options for those seeking a truly unique adventure; you can go up to Lone Mountain, take in the view, and then spend hours in the numerous expert options available to you. For the advanced skier, you'll want to head up Six Shooter and Lone Tree and enjoy the very long runs back down to base of the Six Shooter lift. 

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Big Sky offers a two-hour snowshoe tour through the Moose Tracks Gully, departing daily from the Mountain Village at 1:00p. For cross-country skiers, there are over 50 miles of groomed trails at Lone Mountain Ranch. There are professional instructors to teach you if needed, and there are beginner to advanced trails for all levels of expertise.

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.