Big Sky, Montana
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For the past few years, Montana’s Big Sky Resort has been the buzz of the ski travel industry. New hotels, amenities, dining and retail have been added, flights to the Bozeman gateway have increased and the resort is two years away from wrapping up a massive, decade-long infrastructure improvement plan called Vision 2025. That includes tens of millions of dollars in new very high-speed lifts, and there are four bubble chairs at the resort, more than any place else, including an 8-seater and the nation’s fastest 6-person chair. The final phase is two-segment, top to bottom connection with a new gondola from the base that will connect to an aerial tram reaching the resort’s highest point, gaining 4,350 feet. The tram is expected to open next season and the gondola the following winter, but the improvements to date have already increased uphill capacity from the base by 50%.
Big Sky is huge, with nearly 6,000-acres of skiable terrain and depending how you count acreage (the ski industry has no standard), it is either the second or third largest resort in the country. Size matters in skiing, but what increasingly matters more to many travelers is crowds, and Big Sky has long been one of the least crowded major resorts. Even with the recent growth in visitation, acceptance of both the Ikon and Mountain Collective passes, and opening of a couple new hotels, including the luxury Montage (and the first ever mountain property from luxury operator One & Only is under construction), lift improvements have kept pace.
Last year, according to the National Ski Areas Association, the American ski industry saw an all-time record number of skiers and snowboarder days (60.7 million), and in the past few years, long lift lines and crowded slopes have become the norm at many resorts. This has become a social media hot topic and spurred countless complaints among numerous areas’ locals and visitors. But I skied Big Sky last winter and saw firsthand how it has remained one of the least crowded top tier destination resorts in North America. Yes, there are a lot of people at the base, especially on weekends, but the ultra-modern lift system gets them out of there quickly and then things really spread out across the huge resort. Even on a Saturday in mid-winter, we had trail after trail completely to ourselves, especially at the Moonlight Basin side of the resort, where the new One & Only is going. The biggest lines tend to be for the old, small tram to the summit of Lone Peak, Big Sky’s experts-only area, with extremely steep double black diamond terrain. But this affects only a small percentage of visitors and will be a moot point next season when the new, much larger, much faster aerial tram replaces the existing lift.
Popular formula-driven ski resort ratings site ZRankings lists Big Sky as the eighth best ski resort in the United States, which is impressive, but it should be even higher. It is larger than any of the seven ahead of it, and while Zrankings weighs acreage, snowfall, lifts and terrain quality, crowds do not seem to be part of their formula, and several of the resorts rated ahead of Big Sky – all of which are smaller – see more skiers, as many as three times the amount. 2020 was the last year for which skier visitation seems to be publicly available for Big Sky, and the Lone Mountain Land Company, which develops much of the residential and commercial real estate around Big Sky, reported that the resort had a record breaking 700,000 skier visits. In comparison, smaller Vail had over 2 million, but comes in fifth on the Zrankings list.
Vast acreage with low skier density is what Big Sky is most famous for, but the skiing is also excellent, with plenty of terrain for every ability, from beginners to the most extreme experts, with glades, bumps and more, and not every large resort can say the same thing. It also has a very varied array of lodging, from luxury to older condo hotels, and Big Sky is the only major resort I know of that has a full-service upscale dude ranch on site, Lone Mountain Ranch. Sitting right on the access road, guests are driven to the lifts each day, and a dude ranch is a unique lodging choice for a ski vacation. Lone Mountain Ranch is also home to what has been rated the Number One cross-country skiing trail system in the nation, and since many fans of winter sports, like me, enjoy both alpine and Nordic skiing, this is a wonderful addition that makes for a two-in-one vacation.
There are a lot of great places to ski and snowboard, and in my opinion, there’s no such thing as one “best ski resort.” But Big Sky makes a pretty good argument, combining one of the biggest arrays of terrain anywhere with short lines, lots of new restaurants and shops, and a fun atmosphere. Part of the joy of skiing is trying different destinations each year and seeing new places, and Big Sky is definitely worth checking out for an upcoming ski vacation.
Giving Back in Big SkyThe pandemic was an accelerator, but at the feet of Lone Peak, it didn’t just drive real estate values and remote work—it supercharged a community safety net.
So much of our workforce is struggling to make ends meet,” says Sarah Gaither Bivins, who as director of the Big Sky Community Food Bank has seen her clientele more than double since 2020. “Where people used to come in a few times a year, some are now visiting the Food Bank more than once a month.” The pandemic might be all but over for anyone but the immune compromised, sick, and elderly, but the lessons of the pandemic remain. The chief lesson being that we need each other.
When COVID hit, every citizen faced an uncertain financial and medical future. For a community straddling two counties and without local elected officials, the result could have been unmitigated hardship. It took less than a week, however, for Big Sky’s leading economic and philanthropic organizations to form Big Sky Relief, an entity that would steer the community through the pandemic more gracefully—arguably—than any government in the nation.“When the coronavirus hit, we realized right away that when it comes to community-wide needs, we are stronger and more effective together,” says Vice President for Philanthropy for the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Ciara Wolfe. As the pandemic wound down, so did Big Sky Relief. Its website currently reads: “We’ll be back when you need us.” But Big Sky’s safety net is bigger than ever. The close cooperation between the “town” and non-government agencies remains. “Big Sky’s unique civic structure has necessitated creativity and collaboration, and I think that gives us a big advantage in addressing ongoing problems,” says David O’Connor, executive director of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust.
The Millers Embrace the Big Sky EthosCatching up with Bode and Morgan Miller—and their full house.
Every time Bode and Morgan Miller return to Big Sky after visiting family in California they take a pulse check to see how the kids are handling the move, and every time Montana wins hands down. “The kids are loving Big Sky,” says Morgan. Little did they realize when they arrived in Big Sky in July of 2020, that one week would turn into three years and counting. “COVID, for so many people, was challenging, but we received so many blessings from it, too,” says Morgan. “It gave us the opportunity to put down roots.”
Fast forward to 2023, and the Miller household in Spanish Peaks is brimming with energy, joy, and morning “rock, paper, scissors” sessions to see who gets driving duty—there are nine kids to shuttle to local schools with the addition of Morgan’s sister Erin and brother-in-law Jon and their three children. In Big Sky, says Morgan, the simplicity of life, slow pace, and focus on healthy living has allowed them to reevaluate what’s important. And what’s important is family. Bode describes cooking breakfast for the clan like trying to feed a summer camp. A normal morning sees them burn through two full bags of pancake mix. Their new daughter was born in 2021, which made Morgan exclaim: “Now we’re done!” But one of the biggest reasons the Millers now call Big Sky home is the role the community plays caring for and lifting up one another. Here, says Morgan, people are open minded, try new things, and “cut out the fluff.” “I’ve lived all over the world,’’ says Morgan. “But I’ve grown so much being here.”
It’s hard not to embody grit and determination when you live somewhere that hits -37 degrees. The kids, all 10 of them, are learning that same Montana resilience: “They can explore, find their limits and boundaries, and learn skills they can’t learn anywhere else,” says Morgan. She knew she belonged when the schools opened up after COVID and she could start participating. “Once we got to know the parents and our kids could have playdates with all their friends everything clicked,” says Morgan. Bode has also made deep inroads with the Montana ski community and is now the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Peak Ski Company in Bozeman. “We’re grateful how accepting people have been to our family and we have a lot of gratitude for the community welcoming us to Big Sky,” says Bode. Look for the clan at Albertos, at the Hungry Moose after school, a PTO meeting, or the pie auction. Actually, the best place to find them is on the ski hill. As their seven-year-old likes to say whenever they travel home to Big Sky: “There’s snow again!”
The Future of Big SkyLone Mountain Land Company’s Matt Kidd sat down to discuss the difference between development and nurtured growth, capacity and sustainability, and maintaining a sense of place while supporting the economy.
When it comes to the Big Sky community, there’s good news, tough news, and inarguable news. The inarguable news first: The word is out. Big Sky’s vast beauty, world-class skiing, four-season recreation and proximity to Yellowstone National Park have sparked growing visitor demand. The tough news: Big Sky has historically lacked certain infrastructure and services to meet the needs of those visitors, including services for a yearround community and workforce. The good news, says Matt Kidd, Managing Director of Lone Mountain Land Company (LMLC): “There’s no need to drastically change Big Sky to accommodate those new guests, sustain the economy, and expand services for visitors and locals alike. As it goes from 65 percent build-out today, to 100 percent build-out in the coming decades, the goal is to nurture everything that the community loves about Big Sky, including open spaces, majestic sightlines, and the shared experience that brought us all here in the first place. The trick is viewing growth not as a problem, but as a means to address longstanding challenges the community has dealt with since its inception. That’s where the nurturing comes in. Today, we’re in a unique position to be able to do that. Instead of squabbling and infighting, all the major stakeholders—landowners, resort operators, developers, and community advocates—are aligned. We can take a holistic approach to community building. That’s incredibly unique. No other resort town in North America has had the luxury of a shared vision. We do.” Here’s a look at how Lone Mountain Land Company envisions some of the near-term and longterm developments that will create the Big Sky of the future. It’s a work in progress, and one that will grow out of Big Sky’s commitment to listen to and serve this exceptional community.
News You Need To Know 2023A Few Highlights in Big Sky
TAKE ON BIG SKY BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON
THIS WINTER, AFTER THE LIFTS CLOSE, the groomers will head straight to Andesite to buff out the snow for night skiers. Except it’s not the type of night skiing you might remember from childhood with splotchy stadium lights on one run and skiers flying at top speeds. Instead, groups up to seven can book a private guided session of—1,000 lumen headlamp skiing. Night skiers, says Stacie Mesuda, Big Sky’s public relations manager, will be spellbound by the otherworldliness. “The stars are super bright up here,” says Mesuda, who likens looking up from the heated Ramcharger 8 bubble lift to viewing the galaxy from the cockpit of a Star Wars ship. Unlike traditional night skiing, which can have a freeway vibe, headlamp skiing is also a more solitary affair—the experience fits with Big Sky’s wilderness ethos. If you go, bring extra layers, but if you get cold, Everett’s 8800, the restaurant at the top of Andesite Mountain, will be open to serve dinner, drinks, and hot chocolate.
BIG SKY UPS ITS GAME
THE GAMES ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE for the Big Sky School District as they move to Class B for volleyball, basketball, track & field, and tennis. (Soccer will remain Class A and football remains at Class C.) According to John Hannahs, Athletic Director for Big Sky School District, class distinctions often correlate with student enrollment. Since most schools in Montana have fewer than 100 students they are placed in Class C. That doesn’t mean it’s a lower level of play, just fewer players on the field. With football, schools need different enrollment numbers to change from 6 to 8 to 11 man teams. Big Sky currently fields an 8 man team. The jump to Class B is the result of growth. It kicked in when enrollment numbers moved to 126. Says Hannahs: “Anytime you go up in class size it helps to get our kids on the map a little more. There will be some difficult teams in our district. We’re still learning the landscape, but we’ll be able to compete.”
SECONDHAND GOODNESS Big Sky Thrift Store
MEET EMILY BURKE: During a stint in Aspen, Colorado, Emily worked at a local thrift store and fell in love with philanthropy. Flash forward to 2022, and Emily, now a Big Sky local and working for Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, is the driving force behind Big Sky Thrift. “We’re trying to help everyone in the community from the person needing an affordable coat to the second homeowner looking to build friendships through volunteering,” says Emily. The all-volunteer nonprofit accepts donations of homegoods, gear, clothing, books, and toys to redistribute to the community. It’s not just a local affair, Big Sky Thrift will partner with River Elk Exchange, a mobile thrift store serving American Indian reservations in Montana, to upcycle donated items and help communities in need.
Located in southwest Montana, about an hour’s drive from Bozeman, Big Sky is a choice year-around getaway for outdoor adventurers thanks to its captivating landscape, consisting of mountain peaks and winding rivers.
Big Sky sees an average of more than 400 inches of snow a year. Big Sky Resort is the third largest ski resort in North America and offers more than 5,850 acres of skiable terrain and 39 lifts. It caters to all levels of skiers, but daredevils can try their turn on the Big Couloir, a triple-black diamond run with a 1400-foot drop and 50-degree pitch.
Other options during cold weather months include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobile tours of Yellowstone National Park, which is less than an hour’s drive away.
Summer in Big Sky means hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and exploring Yellowstone. Whitewater rafting and fly fishing are also top attractions.
Despite the many diversions, Big Sky never caught the eye of luxury travelers because, until recently, upscale accommodations were nonexistent in town. The deep-pocketed set bought homes instead: Yellowstone Club, the ultra-exclusive private residential community, is located here, along with other tony developments such as Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and Moonlight Basin.
Montage Big Sky, part of Montage Hotels & Resorts, opened in December 2021 and changed the equation. Today, the property is a main reason why Big Sky is finally on the map as both a luxurious and adventurous getaway.
Welcome to Golfweek’s Best 2023 list of top residential golf courses in the United States.
The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on our 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged to produce a final, cumulative rating. Then each course is ranked against other courses in the region.
This list focuses on the golf courses themselves, not the communities as a whole or other amenities. Each golf course included is listed with its average rating from 1 to 10, its location, architect(s) and the year it opened.
The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S.Not everyone wants to spend a winter vacation skiing or snowboarding. But what makes the U.S.’s best mountain destinations so spectacular is that there’s so much else to do, meaning you never have to fasten planks to your feet if you don’t want to. Whether you’re interested in designer shopping, a see-and-be-seen après-ski scene, locavore dining, or exploring historic towns and villages, the best ski resorts in the U.S. have got you covered. Oh, and don’t forget the exceptional views and cozy, bucolic surroundings.
Big Sky Brings the Big Winter FunFor uncrowded slopes, laid-back mountaintop meals, and a little Wild West-inspired shopping, head to Montana.
Montana’s Big Sky Resort has long lured devoted skiers and riders to its rolling groomers, extensive glades, and hard-core chutes, but it still exudes a refreshing, under-the-radar appeal. Plenty of wide-open spaces await: From Mountain Village to the top of Lone Peak (elevation 11,166 feet), Big Sky Resort’s sprawling terrain encompasses 5,850 skiable acres – 2,300 of which are beginner and intermediate trails.
Big Sky is also now home to North America’s most technologically advanced lift network (translation: more skiing, less waiting in line) and, by sourcing renewable energy credits, has been carbon-free since 2021. Off the slopes, an increasingly sophisticated après-ski scene is turning the heads of travelers who’ve favored spending their seasons in Aspen or Jackson Hole.
Getting Down to Snowy Business
Big Sky’s 300 named runs are accessed by 39 lifts, giving travelers plenty of space to spread out and enjoy uncrowded trails, terrain parks, and uphill travel. (The experience has been compared to skiing among the European Alps’ interconnected resorts.) The resort’s lofty vertical rise of 4,350 feet especially appeals to those who want to keep going from first to last chair, and the view from atop Lone Peak ranges across three states and two national parks.
When the stars come out, don a powerful headlamp and ski the groomed slopes of Andesite Mountain by night. Brush up on your skills or tackle challenging terrain more confidently with lessons, guided experiences, and multiday camps and clinics designed by the Big Sky Mountain Sports School.
Swap skis for snowshoes to meander through Moose Tracks Gully, a serene, forested section of the resort that feels a world away – or follow along on a guided tour. (There’s more great snowshoeing – and big mountain vistas – at the nearby 139-room, ski-in/ski-out Montage Big Sky.) For those who prefer their winter enchantment at a faster speed, swoop down the mountain and through the gully on the resort’s nature zip line tour.
Après-Ski: Where to Eat and Drink in Big Sky
Atop Andesite Mountain, Everett’s 8800 features decadent dishes such as steak frites au poivre and schnitzel in high-alpine style. Its location offers an opportunity to catch the sunset as you ride the Ramcharger 8 lift up for dinner or stargaze on the way down.
In the village, Westward Social heads up the après scene with elevated Montana comfort food (including clam chowder with savory roasted bone marrow) and craft cocktails that amp up the cozy factor. The resort’s new Euro-style Umbrella Bar gives travelers front-row views of Lone Peak as they sip bourbon sours or local IPAs. Ride a snowcat to the Montana Dinner Yurt on the forested flanks of Lone Peak for an adventurous dining experience, complete with an alpine-inspired three-course meal, live acoustic music, and sledding in the moonlight.
At Montage Big Sky, après begins at Alpenglow, complete with glowing fireplaces, tableside raclette service, and mountain views through floor-to-ceiling windows. For dinner, head to Cortina, which offers elevated-yet-rustic traditional Italian cuisine highlighting seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers, along with an extensive wine list.
The Best Shopping in Big Sky
Save a little free time to explore Big Sky Town Center, with its abundance of tempting shops. Gemstones, fossilized wood, and other natural materials are handcrafted into beautiful Montana mementos at Ari O Jewelry – the pieces that incorporate Montana sapphires look as if they’ve captured a small piece of the state’s bluebird sky. At The Trove West, a collection of work from more than 40 local artisans includes everything from pottery to leather goods, elk antler dog chews, and reclaimed pieces of furniture. The stylish Pique boutique at Montage Big Sky stocks an array of Montana-made products, such as custom cowboy boots from Canty Boots and handmade hats from the Montana Territory Hat Company.
Where to Stay in Big Sky
Montage Big Sky, the region’s first true five-star property, feels more like a secluded retreat than a hotel. The lodge’s decor is contemporary (think neutral tones and regional stone and wood details rather than antlers hanging everywhere) and most rooms have balconies and terraces with mountain views. Ski-in/ski-out access to Big Sky Resort and the 15-minute shuttle ride to the town center give guests easy access to Big Sky’s bounty.
Montage Residences has unveiled The Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky. This debut is an opportunity to own a luxury Residence in deeded, one-quarter ownership interests. Located just steps from Montage Big Sky, approximately one hour from Yellowstone National Park, owners of The Inn Residences will receive privileged access to Montage Big Sky’s luxury amenities and services, as well as ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort and membership benefits at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club.
Framed by the Spanish Peaks mountain range amid the rugged beauty of Montana’s Big Sky country, The Inn Residences includes a limited collection of only 32 three- and four-bedroom floor plans, ranging in size from 1,910 to 2,672 square feet. Inspired by a timeless palette of locally sourced wood and stone, residences come fully furnished and feature well-appointed luxury appliances, fireplaces in multiple living spaces, contemporary kitchens and dining areas, lock-off bedrooms, and more.
The Inn Residences are connected to Montage Big Sky via an underground pathway, and owners can conveniently access all of Montage Big Sky’s facilities and amenities including ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain; six dining venues featuring inspired flavors shaped by Montana’s rich heritage of agriculture and wild game; a 10,000-square-foot Spa Montage, offering an array of alpine-inspired services and expansive relaxation areas; Compass Sports; and Paintbox, Montage’s signature children’s program.
Montage Big Sky and The Inn Residences are located within Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, offering access to a private Tom Weiskopf championship golf course; a members-only clubhouse, with a dining room and bar; Fishcamp, a riverside outpost; a mid-mountain winter dining venue; tennis and pickleball courts; miles of trails; golf and ski shops; a snow tubing hill; and a year-round calendar of special, member-only events and experiences.
In addition to the amenities offered through Montage Big Sky and Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, owners have access to the Inn’s private amenities including an après ski lounge and terrace with fire pits, a lobby bar, ski lockers, fitness center, outdoor hot tubs, and concierge services for the exclusive use of residential owners and their guests.
Designed by Poss Architecture, The Inn Residences were developed in partnership with Lone Mountain Land Company, the development affiliate of CrossHarbor Capital Partners.
For more information on Montage Residences Big Sky and The Inn Residences, visit www.montageresidencesbigsky.com or follow @montagehotels and @montagebigsky.