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Big Sky
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
- open map 1 Ski map
Off the mountain
Village
Several areas make up Big Sky resort: the Canyon, the Meadow Village, and the Mountain Village, all connected by a free shuttle. more...
Accommodation
With just three hotels, choice is limited within the Mountain Village, which for practical purposes is the resort. The newest luxury hotel is the 10-story 213-room Summit, complete with all amenities. more...
Après-ski
The skiing, not the après ski, is what you visit Big Sky for. There are no nightclubs but Chet's bar has a “high energy show” featuring the Crazy Austrian brothers playing their classic cover songs; there's also poker and pool. more...
Other information
Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dogsledding, horseback riding are the main alternatives to skiing. more...
Getting there
Big Sky is in the Madison Mountain Range—part of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Montana. more...
Boxes leftside
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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