Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Resort spreads across Lone Mountain and its neighbouring peaks in southwest Montana and is one of the largest ski areas in the United States. It covers 5,850 acres with a vertical drop of 4,350 feet, from the 11,166-foot summit of Lone Peak, and it markets itself as the "Biggest Skiing in America". The resort is in Madison County, about 50 miles south of Bozeman; the community of Big Sky below it straddles Gallatin and Madison counties.

The resort was founded by Chet Huntley, the former NBC News anchor, and opened in December 1973. Boyne Resorts bought it in 1976. In 2013 neighbouring Moonlight Basin merged into Big Sky and the Spanish Peaks terrain joined the lift system. The lift system numbers around 40 and serves more than 300 trails; since December 2025 the Explorer Gondola links the base to the Lone Peak Tram, and the glass Kircliff observatory at the summit opened the same season. Every lift ticket now includes the tram and Kircliff. The longest run is about 6 miles. In 2018 the resort opened Ramcharger 8, the first eight-seat chairlift in North America. The new Lone Peak Tram, replacing the 1995 tram, opened on December 19, 2023, with two cabins planned to hold up to 75 passengers each, and carries skiers to the summit and its steep expert terrain.

For winter 2026/27, the resort's website gives November 25 as opening day; early-season terrain depends on snow and snowmaking. Day tickets are dynamically priced and among the most expensive in the country: SnowBrains reported a window price of $289 for Saturday, December 26, 2026, about $260 if bought online. Buying online and in advance is the main way to save. The resort accepts the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective.

In summer the mountain offers zip lines, hiking, mountain biking and tram rides, with golf and horseback riding nearby.

Plan on a full day, and more if you want to ski both sides of the mountain. The drive from Bozeman follows US-191 through Gallatin Canyon, a two-lane road that is slow in snow and at weekend peaks, then climbs Lone Mountain Trail (MT-64) to Mountain Village. Start early on storm days, and check the resort's site for the current lift and terrain status.