Big Sky, Northern Rockies

Big Sky: 5 things to know before you go

Northern Rockies, United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

Big Sky is the largest skiable terrain in the United States, a Montana giant where the iconic cone of Lone Peak rises to 3403 m and the new 2023 Lone Peak Tram, the costliest aerial cable car in North America, hauls you to its summit. Below, 350 km of piste and roughly one skier per 3.6 hectares.

1.Is the snow reliable in Big Sky?

Yes. The base sits at 2073 m and the top reaches 3403 m, which puts snow reliability among the very best on our index (score 92/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Ski-in/ski-out depends on the address here: some hotels are on the snow, others need a short walk or shuttle. Pick a slopeside address if skiing from the door matters to you.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

It is one of the bigger domains on the site: 350 km of piste on 36 lifts, enough to ski a different sector every day of the week. The terrain is balanced (30 green, 90 blue, 70 red, 60 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Big Sky stands out for a vast, multi-sector domain and demanding terrain for strong skiers.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Nov 23 to Apr 14 (about 20 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. The altitude also holds spring snow, so late-season skiing stays good well into spring.

The full Big Sky guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Big Sky guide β†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Big Sky have?
About 1330 m of vertical, from a 2073 m base to 3403 m at the top.
Is Big Sky part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 350 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Big Sky good for beginners?
Yes. With 30 green and 90 blue runs, there is plenty of gentle terrain to learn on.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Big Sky Resort
4.63.9k reviews
€270
β˜… Top pick

Big Sky Resort

Excellent Β· 3.9k reviews

Why we like it

A polished, high-end base for Big Sky when you want to be properly looked after after a day on the snow.

Guests rate this hotel as excellent (4.6/5 from 3,940 reviews). It sits about 1.0 km from the slopes. A luxury option for Big Sky, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

β‰ˆ 1.0 km to the slopesLuxury
From
€270/ night
Check availability β†’
Montage Big Sky
4.7470 reviews
€280

Montage Big Sky

Excellent Β· 470 reviews

Why we like it

One of the highest-rated places to stay in Big Sky, with guests singling out the service and comfort.

β‰ˆ 3.8 km to the slopesLuxury
From
€280/ night
Check availability β†’
Huntley Lodge
4.2412 reviews
€210

Huntley Lodge

Great Β· 412 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Big Sky, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

β‰ˆ 200 m to the slopesUpper-scale
From
€210/ night
Check availability β†’
The Summit Hotel
4.4225 reviews
€260

The Summit Hotel

Very good Β· 225 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Big Sky, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

β‰ˆ 100 m to the slopesLuxury
From
€260/ night
Check availability β†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: United States