Big Sky, MT

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Donnie Sexton
Ski or snowboard in winter, hike and fish in summer and enjoy spectacular scenery year-round in one of America’s finest mountain towns.

Visit Big Sky to enjoy skiing or adventure sports such as white water rafting and kayaking. Hike the mountain trails or fly-fish for trout in the famous Gallatin River.

Located on the northwestern border of Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky was a little-known ranch town until the early 1970s, when a television news reporter, Chet Huntley, noticed its potential to be developed as a ski resort. Now a popular year-round destination for lovers of the outdoors, Big Sky’s slopes remain relatively uncrowded compared to some of America’s more established destinations, making it a great place to come for a peaceful time alone in nature.

Winter is the most popular season to visit. Strap on your skis or snowboard and take on runs with names of Mad Wolf, Snake Pit, Wounded Knee and more. Explore over 250 ski trails covering 110 miles (177 kilometers). By summer the snow melts away to reveal a number of excellent hiking trails. Watch for bears, elk and birds as you explore the trails. Try catching trout in the Gallatin River, enjoy a round or two of golf in the fresh mountain air or drive an hour south to Yellowstone National Park.

Big Sky actually incorporates two towns: Mountain Village and Meadow Village, several thousand vertical feet below. The two hubs are a 10-minute drive apart with regular, free shuttle service between them.

Shop for local produce at the farmers market or watch summer rodeo tournaments. August welcomes the classical music festival when a number of venues in both villages host events. The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, named for the international ski film director, hosts national and international acts year-round. 

The best way to get to Big Sky is to fly to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and drive along the canyon road for about 45 minutes. Once you get to Big Sky, hit the ski slopes, hiking trails or rivers or simply relax in a fireside chair in a cozy bar.

Where to stay in Big Sky

Big Sky Resort which includes interior views and a hotel

Big Sky Mountain Village

If you're spending some time in Big Sky Mountain Village, Big Sky Resort and Black Bear Ski Lift are top sights worth seeing.

Big Sky Mountain Village
Ousel Falls Park Trail is a 1.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Gallatin Gateway, MT that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels.

Spanish Peaks

While visiting Spanish Peaks, you might make a stop by sights like Cabin Ski Lift and Southern Comfort Express Ski Lift.

Spanish Peaks
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Powder Ridge

While there might not be top attractions in Powder Ridge, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Big Sky Resort and White Otter Ski Lift.

Powder Ridge
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Lazy Acres

5/5(1 area review)

Two Top Mountain is one noteworthy place to stop while you're exploring Lazy Acres and the surrounding area.

Lazy Acres
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Horse Butte

Hebgen Lake is one noteworthy place to stop while you're exploring Horse Butte and the surrounding area.

Horse Butte
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Saddle Ridge

When in Saddle Ridge, you can plan a visit to Iron Horse and Challenger Ski Lift, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Saddle Ridge
Whitewater Inn
Whitewater Inn
2 out of 5
47214 Gallatin Road, A quarter mile south of MT 64, Gallatin Gateway, MT
The price is ¥20,391 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥20,391
per night
May 16 - May 17
Book a stay at this ski hotel in Gallatin Gateway. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (725 reviews)
"I think it’s very good"

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2023

Whitewater Inn
The Lodge at Big Sky
The Lodge at Big Sky
3.5 out of 5
75 Sitting Bull Rd, Big Sky, MT
The price is ¥24,769 per night from May 15 to May 16
¥24,769
per night
May 15 - May 16
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Big Sky. Enjoy 4 spa tubs, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (998 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2024

The Lodge at Big Sky
Residence Inn by Marriott Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel
3 out of 5
145 TOWN CENTER AVE, Big Sky, MT
The price is ¥41,001 per night from May 26 to May 27
¥41,001
per night
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this 3-star ski hotel in Big Sky. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (207 reviews)
"It was a great location for my work trip"

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2024

Residence Inn by Marriott Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bunkhouse 3 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
Bunkhouse 3 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
Gallatin Gateway
Stay at this cabin in Gallatin Gateway. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attraction Little Bear School House Museum is located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
Bunkhouse #3
"This was a great location for us to spend our weekend. Close enough to enjoy fishing and hiking as well as tour around Bozeman and hit the hotsprings. Being located right off the road, you do hear the traffic but it was not something that was bothersome for us. Bunkhouse 3 shares a deck with 4 and ..."

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

Bunkhouse 3 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
Grey Wolf Cabin #6 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
Grey Wolf Cabin #6 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
Gallatin Gateway
Stay at this cabin in Gallatin Gateway. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attraction Little Bear School House Museum is located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
Weekend getaway
"Its a very lovely cabin that has everything you could need. It's closer to the highway than I realized so there's some traffic noise but not terrible."

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Grey Wolf Cabin #6 at Gallatin Canyon Cabins
One-of-a-Kind Home with Incredible Views on 60-Acre Property with Hot Tub
One-of-a-Kind Home with Incredible Views on 60-Acre Property with Hot Tub
Big Sky
Stay at this vacation home in Big Sky. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Big Sky Resort and Little Thunder Ski Lift ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (12 reviews)
MAGICAL property!
"We loved our stay at Lone Peak View. The 360-degree mountain views are absolutely incredible and we loved sitting up in the living room watching the sunrises & sunsets. The hot tub is nice and big and it was cleaned well. The WiFi and LTE speeds were slow but adequate for a vacation (just keep that ..."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

One-of-a-Kind Home with Incredible Views on 60-Acre Property with Hot Tub
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Big Sky

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
100
" "5 - Excellent 66.66666666666667%
4 - Good
40
" "4 - Good 26.666666666666668%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 5.333333333333333%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.6666666666666666%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.6666666666666666%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 7, 2020

Very friendly staff. Loved it

5/5 - Excellent

Ned
Feb 24, 2020

Wonderful Area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 31, 2020

Love big sky, hated the hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 31, 2020

Amazing ski area. Can’t wait to go back next year

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 22, 2020

Looking forward to visiting again.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 19, 2020

Big Sky has grown a lot in a past few years! Skiing was wonderful, even in early season. The slopes are long and terrain is true to color codes: black diamond is a true black, not blue and a half. The drive to airport is easy and relatively close.

Cities near Big Sky