Big Sky Beginner Ski Guide
Big Sky, MT holds a special place in our family’s story and has been our favorite ski resort for over 15 years. Our daughters learned to ski at Big Sky, and it’s been delightful to watch them develop their ski skills over the years.
And, yes, Big Sky Resort has plenty of good greens for beginning skiers. This Big Sky Beginner Skier Guide is dedicated to families like ours, outlining a progression path from the very first ski runs from the magic carpet to mastering some of our favorite beginner terrain.
Whether you’re a parent looking to guide your little ones or an adult newcomer to skiing, this guide will help you navigate your way!
First time visitor to Big Sky? See our Skiing Big Sky– Everything You Need To Know— a one stop shop for all you need to know to plan your family’s first visit to Big Sky.
Tip: Take the requisite Instagram photo of the Big Sky lettering at the top of Swift Current’s jaywalk! (See photo above)
For more helpful planning tips, see our Family Ski Trip Packing List and Where To Stay In Big Sky.
Green Runs In Big Sky Mountain Village
Yes! Big Sky Resort has plenty of good greens for beginning skiers. From the very first runs from the magic carpet to runs on some terrific beginner terrain, Big Sky accommodates all levels of skiers.
Big Sky Resort has two ski base areas: the main base is in Mountain Village, and the second base area, Madison Base, is located in the Moonlight Basin area of the resort. Both ski bases offer lessons, lift tickets, magic carpet, and beginner lifts.
For beginners, Mountain Village offers the magic carpet and the Explorer Gondola, while Madison Base offers the magic carpet and the Derringer chair lift. These lifts will take you to beginner green runs.
Although advanced skiers can ski to both base base areas, beginner skiers will want to choose one location as you would have to drive from one base area to the other.
Beginner Lift Tickets
Note: If you don’t anticipate using Swift Current or Ramcharger lifts in Mountain Village or the Madison 8 lift at Madison Base, you can purchase a “Beginner Lift Ticket““ which gives you access to the magic carpet and Explorer Gondola at Mountain Village and the magic carpet and Derringer lift at the Madison Base area.
It also includes access to the Magic Carpet/Bunny Hill. The Beginner lift ticket can’t be purchased online, so you’ll need to buy your ticket at ticket windows at base camp. They cost much less than a day pass.
Our Favorite Big Sky Greens From Explorer Gondola
Once skiers graduate from the magic carpet and bunny slope, the Explorer Gondola in Mountain Village is the next progression for young or beginner skiers. Formerly a slow and cold chairlift ride, Big Sky has replaced the chairlift this season (2025-2026) with the Explorer Gondola which will have heated seats and floor to ceiling glass panels to soak in the mountain views.
The 10-person gondola will have a ride time of approximately 4 minutes between the base and mid-station which takes you to very similar terrain as the bunny slope.
The green Lone Wolf run is the perfect first off the chair run from the Explorer. And once comfortable with it, White Wing offers a bit more variety but similar difficulty.
Once our kiddos were comfortable and maintaining control (hello french fries and pizza!) on Lone Wolf and White Wing Runs, we were ready to venture out to the other chairlifts in Mountain Village: Swift Current and Ramcharger.
Our Favorite Big Sky Greens From Swift Current Lift
The Greens accessed by Ramcharger and Swift Current mainly differ from the Greens found from Explorer in their length. There are a few sections that are just slightly steeper than sections of Lone Wolf, but it is a very manageable next step.
The heated 6-seater Swift Current lift provides access to one of our all time favorite runs- Mr. K.
Mr. K is a wide and long groomer with a gentle slope, so you get plenty of practice for turns, stops, and building confidence on longer runs.
It’s a fun run for all levels of skiers, so it’s a good one for families skiing together. It’s always been our first and last run of the day.
Mr. K offers more terrain variability than Lone Wolf, so more advanced skiers in the family can find some less groomed terrain on the sides as well as areas to enter and exit short trails within the trees.
You can take Mr. K to its end in Mountain Village, hop on Swift Current, and repeat!
Nearby Lower Morningstar is comparable to Mr. K as well.
Our Favorite Big Sky Greens From Ramcharger Lift
Ramcharger, a heated 8-seater, is the other high speed lift at the base of Mountain Village. The loading and unloading is the same as Swift Current with gates, the conveyer, and then loading the chair.
Once at the top of Ramcharger, you’ll have access to some more of our very favorite green runs in Big Sky: Sacajawea and Deep South.
With Ramcharger’s access to the Southern Comfort lift, you can ski Sacajawea, Deep South, and other runs repeatedly without returning to base. The Southern Comfort lift is a 4 person seater.
The green Sacajawea and Deep South runs offer wide, gently sloping terrain for those just starting out. The Southern Comfort lift also accesses the blue Pomp and Lizette runs for some manageable terrain in the trees for those comfortable skiing blue runs.
Our family easily spends a better part of a day in the Southern Comfort area with some of us sticking to the greens of Sacajawea and Deep South or combining greens and blues with runs down Pomp and Lizette.
All of which meet in the same area at the end of the respective runs.
When you’re ready to head back to base at Mountain Village, simply ski down the green Pacifier run for an easy return.
For beginning skiers, the progression from magic carpet to Lone Wolf and then to Mr. K and Sacajawea will leave your kiddos feeling like they’ve accomplished some big mountain exploring.
Even with varying ski ability in the family, we’ve always enjoyed (and still do!) the greens Mr. K, Sacajawea, Deep South and blues Pomp, and Lizette.
Big Sky Resort’s winter trails map can be found here.
Madison Base Green Runs
Madison Base area also offers ski lessons, rentals, and lift tickets. It’s a smaller operation here compared to Mountain Village. It is not a sprawling complex like Mountain Village, but it has all you need including one place to eat, Headwaters Grille. Overall, it has a lovely, laid back feel and a good vibe.
Beginners will use the Derringer Lift to take the beginner runs. The green Cinnabar run is very similar to the Mr. K run described above. We’ve only skied Madison Base area a few times over the years as we are typically based in Mountain Village.
In addition to the Cinnabar green run, Madison Base offers access to more advanced terrain from its Madison 8 lift.
Hope this guide has been helpful! You will love learning to master the scenic and fantastic ski terrain at Big Sky Resort. Happy trails!
More Information About Skiing In Montana
BRIDGER BOWL IN BOZEMAN: Skiing In Bozeman
BOZEMAN LODGINGS: Where To Stay In Bozeman
DISCOVERY SKI AREA: Discovery Ski Area- The Best Skiing You Have Never Heard Of
GUIDE TO BIG SKY RESORT: Skiing Big Sky- Everything You Need To Know
WHERE TO STAY BIG SKY: Where To Stay When Skiing At Big Sky
BIG SKY & BEGINNERS: Is Big Sky Good For Beginner Skiers? Yes!
EATING IN BIG SKY: Places To Eat In Big Sky Montana
