Montana
Big Sky Spring Ski Trip: Beyond the Slopes
Love the thrill of non-stop skiing in the moutains? Eager to make the most of that valuable season pass or pricey lift ticket? I completely understand the excitement! However, taking a break from the slopes can add a refreshing dimension to your experience. While the allure of constant skiing is undeniable, incorporating a few off-slope activities can truly enhance your family vacation.
In this article, you will find fun activities to enjoy near Big Sky, near Bozeman, and the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Planning Tips for a Big Sky Resort Ski Trip for more helpful advice.
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.
Activities Near Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky Resort offers many of the typical winter resort activities, see the resort’s activity page. Additionally, visitors can indulge in dining, shopping, and spa services. Yes, this is all quite expensive, but there are other options for family fun. For those interested in ice skating, there is an outdoor rink in the town of Big Sky. The Big Sky Visitor Center is also located in Town Center where you can find a lot of brochures and helpful local advice.
If you’re keen to explore beyond the resort, here are some of the great outings that we have enjoyed.
Hike to Ousel Falls
Located in the Big Sky town, the hike to Ousel Falls is generally considered an easy route. I highly suggest you wear boots with good traction, as the trail can get quite slippery at times.
The trail takes you across a couple of bridges before reaching the first frozen waterfall. If weather conditions allow, it is fun to explore behind the frozen waterfall. Please be very careful! Then, continue along the path to find a second waterfall. View the waterfall from the top or climb down to the bottom for a closer look.
Snowshoe Beehive Basin
We enjoyed snowshoeing the Beehive Basin Trail, which offers a moderate elevation gain that was not too much for our tweens. This is an out-and-back trail, so go as little or far as you like. Although we didn’t make it to the glacial lake, we reached a beautiful ridge and saw some backcountry skiers and boarders pass by.
You can rent snowshoes from several places, such as Lone Mountain Ranch and East Slope Outdoors. Ask the rental shop for trail recommendations based on your time and interest.
Visit Lone Mountain Ranch
With its rustic-chic decor and beautiful setting, it’s no wonder that Lone Mountain Ranch was selected as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World. You can stay here in one of the cute cabins, but this historic guest ranch also offers a variety of activities for day visitors.
Cross Country Skiing
With its breathtaking views and extensive trail system, Lone Mountain Ranch is a must-visit destination for cross country skiers. Rent equipment right at Lone Mountain Ranch or bring your own and purchase the trail pass. The trails are longer than they appear on the map, so ask for a recommendation based on your skill and timing.
Horn and Cantle Saloon
You may want to splurge for dinner at the upscale Horn and Cantle restaurant. However, if you are watching your budget, I highly recommend you visit the Saloon instead. The Saloon is a great place for lunch or après-ski cocktails and locally brewed beers. Choose from the cozy deck with heaters and blankets or their inviting indoor space. They had great live music all three times we visited. This place is a real gem.
Sleigh Ride Dinner
Make your reservation early because it does sell out.
Old Faithful by Snowmobile or Snow Coach
Yellowstone National Park’s West Entrance is located approximately an hour south of Big Sky. I had high hopes of splurging for a snowmobile or snow coach tour to Old Faithful. What a unique and memorable way to experience this national park! However, the entire area closed for their annual seasonal clean-up a few days before we arrived. Make sure to check if it is open before planning your trip as this may affect your skiing schedule.
Activities Near Bozeman, Montana
Explore the town of Bozeman
I suggest you consider booking a hotel in Bozeman if you are arriving late or flying out early. Bonus: save money versus the more expensive lodging at Big Sky. The small and charming town of Bozeman has a variety of microbreweries and coffee shops with great ambiance, and a Teton Gravity Research Store. We really enjoyed Map Brewing with its awesome mountain views and a little lake to walk around if you are waiting for a table. If you are exploring Montana State University, Bridger Brewing is nearby.
Hike to the "M"
I like the College “M” Trail because it is close to Bozeman and offers great views of the surrounding area. The trail can get muddy, so it’s a good idea to bring along extra shoes or a towel. The uphill climb is moderate, making it a great option for those looking for a little challenge. The loop took us a little over an hour to do at a pretty quick pace. Add more time if you are hiking with younger kids.
Montana Grizzly Encounter
The Montana Grizzly Encounter is a nonprofit organization focused on rescuing bears that cannot survive in the wild. If you are looking to entertain the kids for a bit, a visit might be worthwhile. While it was a nice to see the bears up close, I do not strongly recommend it because I felt that the ticket price was too high for just one exhibit. That being said, it’s an opportunity to learn about bear safety and how to identify different types of bears. Bring your camera for cool shots of these magnificent animals.
Ski at Bridger Bowl
The Bridger Bowl ski area is located 16 miles north of Bozeman. With its less expensive lift tickets compared to Big Sky Resort, you may want to consider this alternative for a day or two. We met several families who took advantage of this option.
Detour to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone's North Entrance
If the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is closed, consider visiting from the North Entrance. March is a great time to visit because it was not crowded. The drive is about as far from Bozeman as Big Sky, but in the other direction. You will able to see and do a lot in a short amount of time, but because of the distance I suggest you spend one night in Gardiner.
The number one attraction: THE WILDLIFE! Buffalo, mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and more. Most of our wildlife sitings were from the Roosevelt Arch through to the end of Lamar Valley. In fact, Lamar Valley is often called the American Serengeti because of all the large wildlife you can see during a visit. It is quite likely you will also see wild animals grazing or roaming around the town of Gardiner.
Here are some other stops while you are visiting from Yellowstone’s North Entrance.
- Go to the Albright Visitor Center and get a National Parks stamp for your Passport Book.
- Take in the stunning Mammoth Springs by walking the boardwalks to the many lookout points.
- Check out Undine Falls, located right off of the main road.
- Bring your swimsuit and a towel for a dip in the Boiling River near the entrance. There is about a 10-minute walk to get to this natural hot spring. Note: Check the park website ahead of time because swimming may be prohibited at times due to environmental impact.
Visited in March 2019 and March 2022
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.
The old tram with a 15-person capacity. 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
