Big Sky Resort

State: Montana. Type: four-season ski resort community in Madison County (the wider Big Sky area straddles Madison and Gallatin counties), on the eastern face of Lone Mountain. Opened December 1973, founded by broadcaster Chet Huntley; owned by Boyne Resorts since 1976. Base elevation about 7,500 ft (Mountain Village); summit (Lone Peak) 11,166 ft; 4,350 ft vertical drop; 5,850 skiable acres; 40 lifts including the Lone Peak Tram. About 45 miles south of Bozeman on US Highway 191, roughly 45 miles north of West Yellowstone.

Big Sky Resort sits on the eastern flank of 11,166-foot Lone Mountain in southwestern Montana's Gallatin Canyon, roughly halfway between Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park. Montana-born NBC News anchor Chet Huntley championed the resort's creation, and it opened for skiing in December 1973; Boyne Resorts, a Michigan-based ski company, has owned and run it since 1976. A major 2013 expansion merged Big Sky's lift system with the neighboring Moonlight Basin ski area and added acreage on Spirit Mountain, creating one of the largest connected ski areas in the United States at 5,850 acres. The Lone Peak Tram carries skiers to the summit for some of Montana's most dramatic alpine terrain, while the resort's base areas, Mountain Village and the Madison Base Area, anchor lodging and dining. Beyond winter sports, Big Sky has built out a year-round identity with summer hiking, biking, golf and easy access to Yellowstone, alongside the fly-fishing culture of the Gallatin River running alongside the highway into town.

Big Sky sits along US Highway 191 in the Gallatin Canyon of southwestern Montana, roughly 45 miles south of Bozeman and about 45 miles north of West Yellowstone, the northwest gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The community spans parts of both Gallatin and Madison counties, with the resort's base areas, Mountain Village and the Madison Base Area, on the eastern face of Lone Mountain. Big Sky Town Center, the community's commercial hub, sits a few miles from the mountain itself.

Big Sky has a high-elevation mountain climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, dry summers; the resort reports roughly 400 inches of average annual snowfall. Winter daytime highs commonly stay in the 20s-30s Fahrenheit with nighttime lows well below freezing, while summer days are typically mild (60s-70s F) with cool nights given the base elevation above 7,000 feet. Mountain weather can shift quickly, so check current conditions before traveling in any season.

For skiing and snowboarding, the core season runs roughly late November through late April; the 2025-26 season was scheduled for around November 26-28, 2025 through April 26, 2026, weather and conditions permitting, with December through March generally offering the most reliable snow. For summer activities such as hiking, biking and golf, June through September offers the mildest, driest weather. Confirm exact opening/closing dates on bigskyresort.com each year, since they depend on snowfall.

Big Sky Resort was conceived and developed by Chet Huntley, the Montana-born NBC News anchor who wanted a destination resort in his home state; it opened for skiing in December 1973. Huntley died in March 1974, shortly after the resort opened, and Boyne Resorts purchased the property in 1976, operating it ever since. The resort expanded significantly in 2013, acquiring roughly 200 acres on Spirit Mountain and merging its lift system with the neighboring Moonlight Basin ski area, creating one of the largest connected ski terrains in the country. In 2018, Big Sky installed the Ramcharger 8, described as North America's first eight-person detachable chairlift, and the original 1995 Lone Peak Tram has been slated for eventual replacement following a 2022 announcement.

Winter visitors ski or snowboard across 5,850 acres served by 40 lifts, including the Lone Peak Tram to the 11,166-foot summit, with terrain parks, snowshoeing and other snow activities also available. Summer brings lift-served mountain biking, hiking trails, guided horseback riding, a zip-line canopy tour, and golf near Meadow Village. The Gallatin Canyon corridor also offers fly-fishing on the Gallatin River, and Yellowstone National Park is within easy day-trip distance.

Lone Peak, at 11,166 feet, is the resort's signature summit, reached via the Lone Peak Tram for panoramic views across the Madison and Gallatin ranges. Big Sky Town Center serves as the community's gathering place for shopping, dining and events. Mountain Village, at the base of the ski runs, and Meadow Village, a few miles down-canyon, anchor the resort's lodging and amenities. The Gallatin River, running alongside US 191, is a well-known fly-fishing destination, and Yellowstone National Park's northwest entrances are within about an hour's drive.

The nearest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), roughly 45 miles (about 45 minutes to an hour) north via US Highway 191. Driving is the standard way in, since Big Sky has no passenger rail or extensive scheduled bus service; some lodges offer shuttle service, and rental cars are widely available in Bozeman. West Yellowstone, at Yellowstone National Park's north entrance, is about 45 miles south on the same highway.

As of research, Big Sky Resort's 2025-26 winter season was scheduled to run from around November 26-28, 2025 through April 26, 2026, weather and conditions permitting; daily lift operating hours vary by lift and by season. Confirm current-season opening/closing dates and daily lift hours on bigskyresort.com before visiting, since both depend heavily on snowfall.

As of research, single-day adult lift tickets were priced on a dynamic scale from roughly $98 to $222 depending on the date and how far in advance they were purchased, with earlier purchases generally cheaper. Season passes and multi-day tickets are priced separately. Confirm current pricing on bigskyresort.com, since Big Sky uses demand-based pricing that changes throughout the season.

Ski trips typically run three days to a week to make use of the mountain's size; a single day is possible for visitors focused on one activity. Summer visitors often plan two to four days to combine hiking, biking or golf with a side trip to Yellowstone.

Lodging is concentrated in Mountain Village at the base of the lifts, including larger properties such as Montage Big Sky, a luxury resort with about 139 rooms and 39 residences, plus condominiums. Big Sky Town Center and Meadow Village, a few miles down-canyon, add more lodging and community amenities, and guest ranches along the Gallatin Canyon, such as Lone Mountain Ranch, offer cabin-style stays. Bozeman, about 45 miles north, has a wider range of chain hotels for visitors willing to drive further to the slopes.

Mountain Village has on-mountain dining at the base of the lifts, while Big Sky Town Center and Meadow Village add a wider mix of restaurants and bars for the broader community. Guest ranches along the Gallatin Canyon, such as Lone Mountain Ranch (home to the Horn & Cantle restaurant), offer farm-to-table and Western-style dining. Bozeman, the nearest full-service city, provides a considerably larger selection of restaurants and groceries.

Yellowstone National Park's northwest entrances are within roughly an hour's drive south via West Yellowstone. The Gallatin River and Gallatin Canyon, running alongside US 191, offer fly-fishing and river access. Bozeman, about 45 miles north, adds a college-town downtown, museums and additional dining and shopping.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the primary gateway, about 45 miles north. There is no passenger rail service to Big Sky; some lodging properties and shuttle services connect guests from the airport or from Bozeman, but a rental car offers the most flexibility for reaching the resort and exploring the surrounding area.

Mountain weather and road conditions can change quickly on US 191 through Gallatin Canyon, so check road and weather reports before driving, especially in winter. Altitude (7,000+ feet at the base, over 11,000 feet at the summit) can affect visitors unaccustomed to elevation; stay hydrated and pace strenuous activity. Skiers and riders should heed marked run difficulty and any avalanche-control closures, and summer hikers/bikers should carry bear awareness given the surrounding Custer Gallatin National Forest terrain. For any emergency, dial 911.

Layered winter clothing, waterproof outerwear, gloves and goggles are essential for ski days, while sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended year-round given the high elevation and strong mountain sun. Summer visitors should pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, sturdy footwear for trails, and bear spray if hiking in the surrounding national forest. A refillable water bottle helps with altitude adjustment in any season.

Buying lift tickets online in advance typically saves money, since Big Sky's demand-based pricing rises closer to the visit date. Because the resort sits about 45 minutes from the nearest commercial airport, renting a car in Bozeman is the most flexible way to get around. Pairing a Big Sky stay with a trip into Yellowstone National Park (about an hour south) is a common way to extend a Montana visit, and summer visitors should book guided activities like horseback riding or rafting in advance during peak months.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general resort information, contact Big Sky Resort through its official website, bigskyresort.com; a reviewer should confirm a current guest-services phone number there before publishing, since one could not be verified from the pages checked for this research.

Big Sky Resort - https://www.bigskyresort.com ; Visit Big Sky (tourism office) - https://www.visitbigsky.com

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.