The Ski Resort of Big Sky

Big Sky

Far from the crowds in southwest Montana, Big Sky is the place to go for keen skiers wanting chutes and gullies, plus some of the United States’ toughest in-bounds skiing on upper Lone Peak’s steep, exposed slopes. With 150 trails and 4,350 feet (1,326 m) elevation from top to bottom, Big Sky offers more vertical than most other resorts.

Our Rating:

Advanced		****
Intermediate		****
Beginner		****

Big Sky, Montana, used to be considered an intermediate’s deserted paradise by the few who had heard of the resort. But all that changed in 1995 when the tram (a small cable car) was built to the top of Lone Mountain, the highest peak in the region, opening up a hill from which there is no easy way to descend. Overnight it became a yardstick by which experts can measure themselves while it remains short of waiting lines even by U.S. standards; it’s still Montana, after all.

Big Sky is right up there in every sense: just a few hundred miles further north is Canada; Lone Mountain, the resort’s highest point, towers 11,150 feet (3399 m) above sea level, and the area’s skiing puts the resort at the top of the league for keen intermediates, advanced and expert skiers.

But the telling word is keen. It’s a long way to Montana from most places and Big Sky as a resort is not big on anything other than skiing. There are saving graces, specifically Yellowstone, the oldest National Park in the U.S. and a unique winter destination in its own right, just down the road. Within the resort accommodation standards are high even if the architecture—which features a 10-story hotel block —doesn’t take your fancy.

With around 400 inches (1,016 cm) falling throughout the season, snow is seldom a problem although cold and wind can be. They say that the highest elevations rocks “float” thanks to the scouring gales that blow there. But if you’re a Big Sky type of skier, that won’t put you off, nor should it: you’re going there for some of the most challenging and extensive terrain in North America.

Big Sky, MT at a glance

On the mountain

Ski area

Big Sky’s skiing takes place on two main mountains, Lone Peak and Andesite; total trail length is 85 miles (137 km). The truly unique element of the resort is the huge amount of lift- accessible terrain from the top of the Peak. more...

Lift system

Big Sky has 17 lifts serving over 3,600 skiable acres (1,457 ha.) With the high proportion of trails emanating from just one point—the top of the single-span tram on Lone Peak—the rest of the area is more densely supplied than the figures imply. more...

Ski schools & guiding

Big Sky Snowsports School, based at the Snowcrest Lodge, provides ski, snowboard, and telemark lessons as well as guiding services. more...

Beginner

Just because Big Sky has developed an extreme reputation doesn’t mean to say you can’t learn there, although it would be a long way to travel just to give skiing a try. more...

Intermediate

Before the opening of the top half of the mountain, intermediate terrain was Big Sky’s bread and butter. It still accounts for a quarter of the resort’s skiing and has benefited from recent lift improvements too. more...

Advanced

A glance at the trail map might make advanced skiers head straight to the top of Lone Mountain. In fact there's just one single black diamond trail to be found there—the Liberty Bowl. more...

Boarding & freestyle

Strong freeriders can get all over the mountain, though there is some traversing involved to reach the best spots. more...

Mountain restaurants

There are only two on-mountain restaurants, including the Dug Out on top of Andesite. more...

Ski Map

: open map 2 Ski map

Navigation

Quick access

Resort shortcuts

Big Sky facts

Ski Area

Base	6,800 ft 2,073 m
Summit	11,166 ft 3,403 m
Elevation	4,366 ft 1,330 m
Area size	3,600 a 1,457 ha

Trails/runs

Number of trails	150
Advanced	58 %
Intermediate	25 %
Beginner	17 %

Lifts

Gondolas/Cable cars	2
Surface lifts	3

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