A Complete Guide To Skiing at Big Sky, MT
We have been skiing at Big Sky near Bozeman, MT for over 15 years. It has been our family’s annual winter escape. Our two daughters, who grew up skiing Big Sky, have enjoyed the soft powder and groomed trails since they were 4 years old.
We’ve consistently found Big Sky to be the perfect combination of family-friendly, unpretentious, and less crowded compared to other large western ski resorts.
The breathtaking scenery, dominated by the iconic Lone Peak, minimal lift lines, and variety of ski terrain keep us coming back every year. There’s not much to do here–the focus here is all about skiing, and that’s a good thing for us.
Another reason we love Big Sky is its manageable altitude. The base sits at 7,500 feet, allowing us, as flatlanders, to acclimate quickly. (For the record, the summit of Lone Peak reaches a staggering 11,166 feet!)
I remember that planning our first trip to Big Sky Resort was a bit daunting—navigating accommodations, understanding the mountain layout, and figuring out what to expect in general.
This guide is for anyone thinking about skiing at Big Sky, MT or actively planning their ski trip. We’ll cover how to get there, best places to stay, restaurants, ski terrain, and all the tips we’ve learned over our years skiing at Big Sky.
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Best Time To Ski Big Sky
Big Sky Resort opens the day before Thanksgiving and closes near the end of April. Opening day in November generally doesn’t have many runs open, but with snow making capabilities, there will always be something to ski during November. Might not be much, but you can ski!
Averaging 400” of snow per year, Big Sky receives fairly consistent snow throughout the season even into April.
Even seasons with lower snowfall still have skiing conditions that are good enough to warrant a trip.
Overall, you’ll likely get at least a bit of fresh powder over a week’s stay and the 2025-2026 snow forecasts are looking good!
AI models predict Big Sky Resort will receive between 113% and 123% of its annual average snowfall at the mid-mountain Lobo station, equivalent to 300 to 325 inches of snow—Nedved notes 300 inches below the treeline “is a big year for us” and that snowfall totals are typically up to 15% deeper at higher snow stations.
Explore BIG SKY OCT 6 2025
The busiest weeks at Big Sky include the week between Christmas and New Years, MLK Weekend in January, President’s Day Weekend in February, and any weekend with recent powder. March can also be fairly busy with school spring breaks.
All of that being said, there is plenty of mountain to ski, so it never feels that crowded and lift lines have always been manageable, generally less than a 10 minute wait tops.
We think overall February has the best guarantee of good snow, but we’ve always found good groomers and pockets of powder throughout the season. Tip: April continues to offer really good skiing at discounted prices.
Closest Airport To Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky Resort is located in southwest Montana, and the closest airport to Big Sky is Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in the wonderful town of Bozeman, Montana.
Car rental at the Bozeman Airport is super easy, and the airport is small which means no bus shuttles to retrieve your car. Just walk out to the parking garage and off you go!
Driving To Big Sky From Bozeman
Upon arrival, we often grab some groceries near the airport at Albertsons in Belgrade (you can even order ahead), and then drive to Big Sky Resort which is a beautiful 1 hour and 10 minute drive south on US 191. (There are grocery stores in Big Sky (Roxy and Hungry Moose) but they are definitely more expensive.)
The drive to Big Sky is a beautiful drive winding alongside the Gallatin River through the Gallatin Canyon before heading up Lone Mountain Trail to the resort.
We’ve never had any problem driving to Big Sky due to weather conditions, but we always rent an all-wheel drive vehicle.
Tip: Need a place to eat after your flight and before you begin your drive to Big Sky? MacKenzie River Pizza (11am-9pm) in Belgrade is close by or grab sandwiches to go from Chalet Market (closed Sundays) on Jack Rabbitt Lane.
Note that the weather in Bozeman is not necessarily the weather you’ll find in Gallatin Canyon!
For the most part, US 191 through Gallatin Canyon is sanded and plowed often. That being said, I recommend driving during daylight hours if you can.
Not only will you be able to experience this scenic drive firsthand, but it will give time for snowplows and traffic to pave the way during inclement weather.
Tip: Check Facebook Group “Gallatin Canyon Road Conditions” for updates on road conditions.
Make sure to be on the look out for eagles, elk, and bighorn sheep on your way up to Big Sky. We almost always spot bighorn sheep at the beginning of Lone Mountain Rd on the right side, and elk herds are often congregating a bit further up.
Lone Mountain Trail (Route 64) which takes you to Big Sky Resort is generally plowed as well but can be slick after storms.
Tip: If we have a late night flight arrival or an early return flight, we stay the night in a hotel in Bozeman. The Holiday Inn Express and EVEN Hotel are closest (less than 5 minutes from the Bozeman Airport) and both are quiet, comfortable, and clean. Or better yet, try downtown accommodations at the Lark Hotel, The Element, or the new Armory Hotel and be within walking distance of shops and restaurants yet still within 20 minutes of the airport. Staying in Bozeman? See our blog post: A Simply Awesome Day in Bozeman, MT.
Do I Need A Car In Big Sky?
Overall, I recommend renting a car to get to Big Sky from the Bozeman Airport. However, it depends on where you are staying in Big Sky and the cost of the shuttle.
For our family of four, it has always been cheaper or at least the same price to rent a car rather than book 4 roundtrip shuttles to/from the airport. However, if you are worried about driving in snowy conditions, the shuttle could be a good option for you.
If you stay in lodging at Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Village near the base where you can essentially walk to the lifts and restaurants, you could easily do without a car during your stay.
Huntley Lodge, The Summit Hotel, Shoshone Hotel-Condo, Village Center Condos, and Stillwater Condos are all within easy walking distance to Swift Current, Ramcharger, and Explorer lifts, restaurants, ski rental, etc. in Mountain Village.
See our Where To Stay When Skiing At Big Sky for all the details.
If you stay in Big Sky Resort’s Moonlight Basin area or down the mountain in Big Sky Town Center or want the flexibility to travel to additional restaurants, I recommend having a car.
Skyline Bus operates a free shuttle service from various areas in Big Sky to the ski lifts at Big Sky Resort, but they can be somewhat unreliable.
If staying at the new Wilson Hotel in Big Sky Town Center, they offer transport up the mountain to the base at Big Sky Resort.
Shuttles From The Bozeman Airport To Big Sky
We’ve never taken the shuttle from the airport, but we have friends who have taken Karst Stage and all went very smoothly for them.
Karst Stage– A very well known and reputable company. It’s a large motorcoach or van driven by experienced drivers, and there’s plenty of room for your luggage and skis.
Roundtrip is $165 per adult and $77.50 children ages 3-12. You can reserve online. Karst will even stop for grocery orders that have been prearranged with Albertsons in Belgrade 2-3 days prior to arrival.
Peak Shuttle is another option to transport you from the airport to your hotel or vacation rental in Big Sky.
Big Sky Resort is about 1:10 drive from Bozeman/Yellowstone Airport.
Skiing At Big Sky
Let’s get to it. How’s the skiing at Big Sky? Big Sky Resort boasts the “Biggest Skiing in America” with 5,850 skiable acres, 4,350 feet vertical drop, 39 lifts, 320 ski runs, and average annual snowfall of 400+ inches.
Lone Peak is the prominent mountain peak at Big Sky Resort topping out at 11,167 feet.
You can easily discover new runs for every day of your visit. Big Sky Resort is known for its challenging terrain, but we’ve found plenty of great runs for beginners as well as advanced skiers. And after 15 years of skiing, we are still discovering new runs. It’s just that big!
Getting The Lay of the Land
Big Sky is big. The options and size of the ski resort can be daunting to first time visitors. The resort has two base areas: Mountain Village (the main base) and Madison Base which is further up Lone Mountain Rd in the Moonlight Basin area.
Our approach to the mountain is to pick an area of the mountain to ski and stay put for a while so you’re not wasting time traversing to other parts of the mountain.
We’ve always spent most of our ski time on runs accessed from the Mountain Village base area with its Explorer lift for beginner ski runs and the heated Swift Current and Ramcharger lifts once the family advanced from Explorer.
Moonlight Basin’s Madison base area offers plenty of ski runs for all levels as well, but we’ve always stayed in Mountain Village so we primarily accessed the runs from Swift Current and Ramcharger lifts.
See our post Where To Stay In Big Sky for the best places to stay on your ski vacation. I describe the two main areas of lodging and the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision.
If you’d like to sample a bit of everything Big Sky has to offer, check out their “Ski The Sky Loop Challenge.” This curated ski plan takes you on a total of 27 runs scattered throughout the different areas of the mountain. It’s designed for intermediate skiers and can be started from any base area- Madison Base (Moonlight) or Mountain Village.
Another option for getting the lay of the land is joining up with a mountain host during your first couple of days. These green jacketed hosts lead free 90 minute tours for intermediate skiers and above. See the website for meeting times and places. We wish we had known about this sooner!
Tip: The Big Sky App is worth a download for quick access to updated conditions and weather reports, parking lot status, trail and lift status, trail maps, and even a ski tracker to record your ski runs.
Our Favorite Ski Runs At Big Sky
Big Sky Green Runs
Big Sky has plenty of greens for beginning skiers. After graduating from the Magic Carpet/Bunny hill, the green Lone Wolf run is the perfect first off the chair run while White Wing offers a bit more variety but similar difficulty.
Mr. K., accessed from Swift Current Lift, is an all-time family favorite run even today. It 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. Lower Morningstar is comparable to Mr. K as well.
Tip: Take the requisite Instagram photo of the Big Sky lettering at the top of Swifty! (see image below)
From Ramcharger lift, you’ll have access to some more of our very favorite green runs in Big Sky: Sacajawea and Deep South.
Green Run From Madison Base– The green Cinnabar run is very similar to the Mr. K run described above. We’ve only skied this run a few times over the years as we are typically based in Mountain Village.
See our blog “Is Big Sky Good For Beginner Skiers? Yes!” for a beginner’s guide to skiing Big Sky Resort. Also, see our “Family Ski Trip Packing List” to make your trip planning that much easier!
Our Favorite Blue Runs At Big Sky
We’ve found the Blues at Big Sky to be a more challenging version of the Blues found on the East Coast. Some of our favorite blue runs include Calamity Jane, Pomp, Lizette, and oh so many more.
Some of the more challenging Blue runs that we enjoy include Elk Park Ridge, Elk Park Meadows, Tippy’s Tumble, and Silver Knife.
You could pretty much never ski the same Blue run twice. You have plenty to choose from at Big Sky!
Our Favorite Black Runs At Big Sky
Shedhorn and Dakota lifts supply endless challenging terrain to explore. With good snow coverage, the Black runs off of Challenger offer amazing views and thrilling runs for the expert skier.
For more ski run info, check out Visit Bozeman’s Best Big Sky Runs and Discover Big Sky’s Best Intermediate Runs at Big Sky Resort. Big Sky Resort’s winter trails map can be found here.
Also, see our “Family Ski Trip Packing List” to make your trip planning that much easier!
Big Sky Resort Lift Tickets & Passes
Lift tickets can be purchased online ahead of your visit. The more days you bundle, the better the daily rate. A 4 of 5 day adult lift ticket (meaning you pick the 4 days out of a 5 day window that you’d like to ski) ranges from $800-900 during the months of February and March.
A child lift ticket (ages 7-15) costs $500-$600 for a 4 of 5 day lift ticket for that same time period.
Tip: The daily price of lift tickets fluctuates based on demand, so early ski season and late ski season is less expensive as are lift tickets to ski Monday thru Thursday. Weekends will always be priced higher.
Beginner Lift Ticket– As mentioned above, you can purchase a discounted Beginner lift ticket if you plan to stick to just the Explorer Lift in Mountain Village or the Derringer Lift at Madison Base. It also includes the Magic Carpet/Bunny Hill. No online purchase, so you’ll have to purchase tickets at base.
Big Sky Resort welcomes Mountain Pass Collective pass holders as well as the Ikon Pass. Mountain Pass Collective includes 2 days of skiing at Big Sky with your pass, then 50% off lift tickets. Reservations required, so book ahead of time for preferred dates.
Ikon Pass offers 5 and 7 day passes with no blackout dates as well as 2, 3, 4, or 5 day passes with blackout dates. Blackout dates are generally the week between Christmas and New Years, MLK weekend, and President’s Day weekend. Passholders must make reservations, so book early for best availability.
Lone Peak Tram– Note: Lift tickets include unlimited access to Lone Peak Tram Rides. Per Big Sky Resort: Lift tickets and Big Sky Resort Gold & Double Black season passes include access to the Lone Peak Tram. Other Big Sky Resort Passes, plus Ikon and Mountain Collective Passholders, will use Autocharge to access the Lone Peak Tram. Tram Autocharge rates range between $10-$40+ per ride.
The Lone Peak Tram is accessed via the Jay Walk run off Swift Current 6. You can take the Tram up and ski the challenging terrain back down or take a scenic ride and return on the Tram.
Note: Pick up your lift tickets at any Sky Card Express box. You’ll find a convenient one at the Base Camp building in Mountain Village. Just scan the QR code in your confirmation email, and it’ will print out your Sky Cards with your lift tickets pre-loaded. Place your Sky Card in a pocket of your ski coat by itself. Your Sky Card is reusable year after year, so hang on to it!
Where To Stay in Big Sky
I remember when I first looked into lodging here, I found it terribly confusing without having visited Big Sky before. Hope this helps! To make the best lodging decisions at Big Sky, it’s helpful to first understand the general layout of Big Sky Resort in relation to the town of Big Sky.
There are essentially 3 main lodging areas to consider when skiing at Big Sky Resort:
- Big Sky Resort Mountain Village Hotels and Condos Located at Base (some are walkable to everything while others are ski-in/ski-out or drive or shuttle to base area at Mountain Village))
- Big Sky Resort Moonlight Basin at Madison Base (mostly ski-in/ski-out townhomes and chalets)
- Big Sky Town Center/Meadow Village (condos and hotel- 15 min drive or shuttle to Big Sky Resort)
Overall, I prefer to stay in Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Village for its easy access to Swift Current, Ramcharger and Explorer chairlifts, ski rentals, lessons, a small grocery, and restaurants.
The properties below are all located in Mountain Village and are the first properties I look for. For us, walkability and convenience is a must with the kids.
The 1 bedroom Shoshone Hotel-Condos in Big Sky’s Mountain Village are always are first choice. Walkable to lifts, restaurants, a small grocery, etc.
- Shoshone Hotel-Condos- 1 bedroom sleeps 4-6 (our first choice)
- Huntley Lodge (nicely appointed hotel room and recently remodeled; pool access)
- The Summit Hotel (hotel rooms and 1 and 2 bedroom suites)
- Village Center Condos (studio, 1 bedroom, 3 bedroom)
- Stillwater Condos (1 bedroom, 1 bedroom +loft, 2 bedroom- sometimes units are a bit dated)
For a detailed overview of lodging options and more recommendations on where to stay, see our “Where To Stay When Skiing In Big Sky.” and “7 Reasons To Stay At Shoshone Big Sky.“
Ski Rentals In Big Sky
When we first started skiing at Big Sky, we rented from the resort at Big Sky Rentals. Never had a problem and great service. With our younger daughters, we wanted the flexibility of an on-mountain provider in case the fit wasn’t right for their growing feet.
Our most recent rentals over the last few years have been from East Slope Outdoors located down the mountain in Town Center. We like the price, service, and selection there. All of these are great options:
Big Sky Rentals, located in the Mountain Village, is the most convenient option. They are ready to fit you in the perfect skis for the week. A nice, helpful staff within the center of Mountain Village. You can pick up your skis the afternoon (2-4pm) before your first ski day. Save 20% booking online.
If you want more to choose from, Christy Sports also rents skis and is also located in Mountain Village within walking distance of lifts and lodging. The price seems comparable to Big Sky Rentals.
East Slope Outdoors, located in Big Sky Town Center 15 minutes down the mountain from Big Sky Resort, has become our “go to” for ski rentals. We usually stop on the way up the mountain to check-in to our lodging.
The folks there are super nice and helpful, and we have made this our first stop each time we come. They offer some really nice choices for skis, and the rental is less expensive than the resort. Just keep in mind that you will need to transport them up the mountain.
Ski Camp/Lessons
Our philosophy is that you’ll never regret taking a ski lesson. You can book private lessons, group lessons, private family ski lessons, and even a “Teen Mountain Experience” for your 13-17 year-old. Find out all the info here at Big Sky’s Mountain Sports School.
Throughout the years, our daughters have loved the 1/2 day kid’s ski camps. You can enroll children ages 4-6 years old in a 1/2 day of “Mini Ski Camp” or “Kids Camp” for ages 7-14 is offered for a full day.
Sign up online for lessons in advance. Multi-day lessons are discounted. Note that the Teen Mountain Experience is only held at Mountain Village. The 4-6 Mini Kids Camp and the 7-14 Kid Camp can select either Madison Base in Moonlight Basin or Mountain Village.
If you plan on enrolling your teens, you might want to book your lodging in Mountain Village for the convenience of pickups and dropoffs.
Note: Lift tickets are not included in the lesson price. $75 add-on when enrolling.
We have found the staff to be super friendly and will advise you on the best plan for your family. They also offer group lessons and private lessons for adults. Consider taking at least one day of lessons on the first day of skiing.
Big Sky’s Lone Peak Playhouse offers childcare daily for children 6 months to 8 years at both the Mountain Village and Madison Base locations. You can coordinate time at Lone Peak Playhouse and Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Sports School for private lessons along with day care.
Parking At Big Sky
Parking is free (perhaps the only free add-on at Big Sky!), and Big Sky runs frequent open-air shuttle trailers to transport you from the parking areas to the base. In general, parking is hassle-free, but lots can fill up during peak weeks, especially on President’s Day weekend and also on weekends with fresh powder.
As in life, the key is to arrive early on those busy days. The Big Sky App also has parking info that gives the status of the lots (open, full, what % percentage full), so you can plan accordingly.
If you have 3 or more passengers in your car, you can park in the small carpool lot.
Where To Eat In Big Sky
Big Sky has a nice variety of restaurants to choose from both at the resort and in the Big Sky Town Center down the mountain. We don’t eat out every night as the resort restaurants are indeed expensive, and the 15 minute drive down Lone Mountain Trail to Town Center at night isn’t one of my favorites with tired kids who just want to chill out.
For that reason, most nights we are either heating up “to go” food from Hungry Moose or Roxy’s Market, picking up a pizza from Vista Food Hall in Mountain Village, or putting together an easy chili or soup in our rental.
For a quick lunch, we head to the Exchange Building at Mountain Village and get food from one of the various eateries at Vista Food Hall or grab a sandwich downstairs from Hungry Moose. Yeti Dogs is another good option for a quick bite in Mountain Village— look for the line out the door!
Montana Jack and Scissor Bills Saloon have been good for a casual beer and burger, and they have a kids menu as well. Westward Social has been good as well.
For more restaurant recommendations, see our blog “Where To Eat In Big Sky.”
Things To Do In Big Sky, MT In Winter (Besides Ski!)
When you check in to your lodging, you will receive a list of all the activities taking place at the resort for the week. Be sure to check it out.
Sometimes, they have fun movies playing or arts and crafts activities for when the kiddos are too tired or cold to ski. Yoga classes for after ski stretching are also available.
Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and many other activities like a snow coach tour to Yellowstone’s Old Faithful can be arranged. P.S. The winter Yellowstone tour is amazing!
You’ll also want to check out Big Sky’s brand new experience this season- take the Explorer Gondola and tram to the very top of Lone Peak to take in the view from the brand new two story glass viewing platform called Kircliff.
This is a great way for those who don’t ski or who stick to the tamer runs to experience the amazing views from an elevation of 11,166 feet.
Here are some suggestions for activities for any non-skiers in your group or for your off ski day: 10 Things To Do In Big Sky.
Hope you enjoy your first time to Big Sky! We guarantee you’ll want to return! Happy Trails! – Also, see our “Family Ski Trip Packing List” to make your trip planning that much easier! Amy
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
