Planning Tips for a Big Sky Resort Ski Trip
Get excited for big skiing, big boarding, and hopefully some big bluebird days at Montana’s Big Sky Resort. Big Sky feels off the beaten path as it is not located near a large city. However, the town of Bozeman is just an hour’s drive away and has direct flights from Chicago and other major US cities. Southwest now flies to Bozeman too! Read on for some helpful tips and cost-saving suggestions to help plan your Big Sky Resort ski trip.
FITZ BITS TIP: Sign up for the Boyne Rewards program and apply your membership number to lift tickets and lodging reservation. On our first trip to Big Sky, we accumulated $250 in Boyne credits which we used to offset expensive lodging on the next visit.
Check out these fun activities to round out your family vacation, “Big Sky Spring Ski Trip: Beyond the Slopes.”
These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story does include some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.
Big Sky Resort Lodging
Lodging options at Big Sky Resort are primarily located in three areas:
- Mountain Village: This is the main resort base. We found the après ski atmosphere to be more chill than at other large western ski resorts. We enjoyed staying at the family-friendly Huntley Lodge with their cowboy-dressed doormen, convenient ski valet, two large hot tubs, and hearty breakfast buffet.
- Moonlight Basin/Madison Base: This area has slopeside townhomes and house rentals, but you will need to drive to restaurants and shopping. We had a great week-long stay at Saddleridge Townhomes with a private hot tub and slopeside access via the Pony Express Lift.
Big Sky Town Center: Located about 15 minutes away from the slopes, this area offers various lodging options, more restaurants, rentals, shops, and also an ice rink. You will pass by town on your way to Mountain Village.
Be sure to check out the Packages and Promotions section on Big Sky Resort’s website. We booked directly with the resort during a 30% lodging discount promotion, which ended up less expensive than comparable VRBO or Airbnb’s. Also, if you have an Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective Pass you may be eligible for lodging discounts.
FITZ BITS TIP: Consider staying in Bozeman on your first or last night for more affordable hotel options.
Big Sky Resort Tips and Information
When is it best to ski at Big Sky?
It’s tough to predict the weather for any ski trip. However, from research and personal anecdotes I prefer spring skiing at Big Sky Resort. January data trends quite cold for a family vacation, but as the season progresses you’ll get more opportunities to shed some layers and soak up the sunshine. However, the trade-off is unpredictable snow conditions and some runs may ice up and not open until later in the morning.
On the other hand, winter brings amazing snow conditions with those very cold temperatures. Big Sky’s chairlifts with face-shield bubbles and heated seats help keep you warm.
Of course it varies year to year, but I like using On The Snow for historical snow information when planning a ski trip.
Getting to Big Sky
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the closest airport to Big Sky and just an hour’s drive away, but plan for extra travel time if it’s snowing. My go-to’s for planning flights are Google Flights and Southwest for costs and schedules.
Rental cars are available right at the airport, making it super easy to pick up your vehicle and hit the road. I have found that Costco Travel usually has the best rental car prices. Book early with a refundable reservation and keep an eye on prices to re-book if they decreases. We have saved hundreds of dollars by rebooking car rental reservations. Note: you should rent an SUV for this trip.
FITZ BITS TIP: For better variety and lower prices, buy groceries in Bozeman instead of Big Sky. Although there is a nice little grocery store in the town of Big Sky and a small market at Mountain Village for extras, you’ll find better deals in Bozeman.
Understanding lift tickets at Big Sky Resort
To get the best rates, buy your Big Sky Resort lift tickets early and online. Big Sky Resort lift tickets do not offer as much flexibility as similar USA resorts: 3 of 4 days, 4 of 5 days, and 5 of 7 days. Keep an eye on the weather and conditions when deciding how to use your days. We originally planned to rest our legs in the middle of the week, but warm weather was sure to take a toll on conditions, so we hit the runs five days in a row.
Big Sky is part of the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, with restrictions depending on the type of pass you purchase. You may also have to make a reservation ahead of time with that Mountain Collective pass.
Where to get rental equipment
We had a great rental experience with East Slope Outdoors in the town of Big Sky. They had good rental prices and excellent service. We were skiing for five out of six days so I asked if we could return the equipment the day we were not on the slopes. They said we could have the equipment for six days and would only charge us for five days. It never hurts to ask!
FITZ BITS TIP: Stop for equipment on your way in if you can. East Slope Outdoors is located in the town of Big Sky, 10-15 minutes before arriving at the resort.
How to plan your day on the mountain
Big Sky offers a vast amount of terrain to explore. I like to ask the Ski Patrol folks for advice — they are usually by the trail maps. Their recommendations will change daily based on the current weather. So, let them know what you are looking for and your level of skiing. Keep in mind that snow conditions can change throughout the day during spring skiing, with some slopes getting better and others worse.
Big Sky's state-of-the-art chairlifts
Get ready to be spoiled with Big Sky’s high-speed chairlifts, many of which have been upgrade with heated seats and a blue bubble cover to protect you from the wind and elements. In March, the resort kept the super sleek 8-person Ramcharger lift open for an extra hour on select days. We got some pretty awesome bonus runs in at the end of those days. However, note that at that time, there was no way to ski a trail back to Moonlight Basin. Maybe that will change in the future.
FITZ BITS TIP: If you come across a long lift line, head to the singles line to save time. Two of us would often end up on the same chair anyway!
Experience the Lone Peak Tram as a skier/boarder or a scenic rider
Lone Mountain stands tall, dominating the skyline, and a ride on the Lone Peak Tram is a must-do experience. If you’re not comfortable tackling advanced ski slopes, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views by opting for a scenic ride instead. Keep in mind that a separate ticket, priced between $10 and $40 with dynamic pricing, is required for the tram. To streamline your experience, preload your pass with a credit card beforehand, and avoid waiting until your last day in case the weather is not favorable.
Exciting news for the 2023-2024 season: Big Sky has introduced a new and larger tram.
Restaurants to explore
While we are not big foodies, there are some restaurants worth mentioning. On the mountain, checkout the elegant mountaintop Everett’s 8800 and the casual on-slope Shoehorn Grill yurt. For a fun treat back at the base, try the s’mores dessert at Westward Social, where they’ll “roast” it to your liking at the table.
You will find restaurants and breweries in town, but do not overlook these others that are just a short drive away:
- Lone Mountain Ranch: With a chic Montana setting and delicious food, this spot is great for appetizers, lunch, or dinner. We loved the saloon.
- Gallatin Riverhouse Grill: This large restaurant and bar has beautiful views of the river and mountains and TVs for watching sports.
- Bucks T4: It’s a little pricey, but if you are looking for games dishes, this is your place. There is also a game room that can be fun for the kids — no pun intended!
Finally, if you have time to kill waiting for your flight, grab a window table at Copper Horse Restaurant at the airport for views of the mountains and runway.
Visited in March 2019 and March 2022
