Winter starts early in Big Sky. Opening day is Wednesday, November 25, 2026, and the season runs daily through April 11, 2027, with bonus weekends April 16 to 18 and April 23 to 25, conditions permitting.
But the bucket list does not stop at skiing. Big Sky's winter calendar is packed with festivals, competitions, holiday traditions and live music. Here is your planning guide for the 2026/2027 season.
A note on dates: Big Sky Resort publishes much of its event calendar closer to the season. Confirmed 2026/2027 dates are listed below. Where an event recurs annually but dates are not yet announced, we have noted the typical timing and linked to the official source. Check back, or follow the resort's events page for updates.
Season Dates and Blackouts to Plan Around
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Opening Day | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 |
| Daily operations | November 25, 2026 through April 11, 2027 |
| Bonus weekends | April 16 to 18 and April 23 to 25, 2027 |
| Ikon blackout: holiday week | December 26 to 30, 2026 |
| Ikon blackout: MLK weekend | January 16 and 17, 2027 |
| Ikon blackout: Presidents Day | February 13 and 14, 2027 |
Read the blackout rows carefully. The full Ikon Pass has 7 days with no blackouts. The Ikon Base Pass and Ikon Session Pass are blacked out on those dates, so if your trip falls in one of those windows you will need to buy lift tickets separately. Better to find that out now than at the gate on December 26.
Opening Day at Big Sky Resort
When: Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Mountain Village
Big Sky kicks off the 2026/2027 season the day before Thanksgiving. Opening terrain and Mountain Village amenities are announced closer to the date. Get a head start and book your lodging, lift tickets, lessons and rentals early through Big Sky Vacation Rentals.
Local's tip: check the resort events page for opening day festivities as the date approaches.
Kircliff and the Explorer Gondola
When: All season
Where: Summit of Lone Peak, 11,166 feet
Big Sky's newest attraction is now in its first full season. Kircliff is a two-story glass observation deck at the summit of Lone Peak, reached by taking the Explorer Gondola to the Lone Peak Tram. It is the highest scenic overlook in Montana, with views across three states and two national parks, and a glass floor you can see straight through.
Two ways to get there:
- Skiers and snowboarders: Kircliff and the Lone Peak Tram are now included with every lift ticket. Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders need to enable Tram Autocharge instead.
- Non-skiers: a Kircliff Winter Scenic Ticket covers all-day pedestrian access on the gondola and tram. Children 6 and under ride for $1.
Tickets load onto a reusable Sky Card, available for a one-time $5 at checkout and collected from any Sky Card Express Box when you arrive. This is the single best outing in Big Sky for a group where not everyone skis.
Warren Miller Performing Arts Center
When: All winter
Phone: (406) 995-6345
Website: warrenmillerpac.org | Contact WMPAC
WMPAC opened in March 2013 through a collaboration between the Big Sky community, Friends of Big Sky Education, and the Big Sky School District. With just 280 seats, it delivers world-class acts and local performances in a genuinely intimate room where every seat feels close. The winter lineup is worth checking as soon as you know your dates, because shows here sell out to locals fast.
Holiday Season Events
December to Remember
When: Throughout December 2026 (exact dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky Resort
The resort's umbrella program for holiday programming, running from mid-December through New Year's Day with festive events and activities for the whole family. Explore the festivities.
Christmas Stroll
When: Typically the second weekend of December (2026 dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky Town Center, Nordic Center and Meadow Village
A long-standing Big Sky tradition and the unofficial start of the holiday season here. A full weekend of family-friendly events and holiday cheer across Town Center and Meadow Village. Full schedule and details.
The Nutcracker
When: Typically mid-December (2026 date TBA)
Where: Warren Miller Performing Arts Center
The classic performed by the renowned Montana Ballet Company in Big Sky's own 280-seat theater. A holiday favorite that sells out. Check WMPAC for tickets or see the Arts Council calendar.
Enchanted Forest
When: Typically mid-December through late March (2026/2027 dates TBA)
Where: Andesite Mountain
The season opens with a lighting ceremony and then runs for months, so there is no need to panic if you miss opening night. A genuine highlight for families with young kids. Get tickets.
Letters to Santa
When: The days before Christmas (2026 dates TBA)
Where: Kircliff
Ride to the top of Lone Mountain and drop your letters into Santa's special mailbox at the summit. Hard to top for sheer novelty. Details.
Pictures with Santa Claus
When: December 23 and 24, 2026 (times TBA)
Where: Explorer Gondola mid-station
Annual photos with Santa against a snowy mountain backdrop. Details.
Skiing with Santa
When: December 24 and 25, 2026
Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves ski the mountain and work the base areas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Details.
Christmas Eve Dinner
When: Thursday, December 24, 2026 (times TBA)
Where: Huntley Dining Room
A festive holiday dinner in the historic Huntley Lodge. Reservations required, and this fills early. Book the moment reservations open rather than hoping for a table on arrival. Details and booking.
Christmas Eve Religious Services
When: Thursday, December 24, 2026 (times TBA)
Where: Talus Room, Summit Hotel
Catholic and non-denominational Christmas Eve services at the resort. More about the Summit Hotel.
Fireworks and Torchlight Parade
When: Thursday, December 24, 2026 (time TBA)
Where: Visible from Mountain Village
A river of lights skiing down Andesite followed by the traditional Christmas Eve fireworks. One of the most photographed nights of the Big Sky year. Get outside early for a good vantage point. Details.
Christmas Celebrations
When: December 24 and 25, 2026
Where: Big Sky Resort
Fireworks, visits with Santa, a celebratory feast and more across both days. Christmas events.
New Year's Eve at Big Sky Resort
When: Thursday, December 31, 2026
Where: Big Sky Resort
Gourmet dining, live music, family-friendly activities and fireworks to close out the year. Local's tip: fireworks typically go off around 9 PM, early enough for kids. Stake out a viewing spot well before. New Year's events.
New Year's Eve Party at Montana Jack
When: Thursday, December 31, 2026
Where: Montana Jack
Note: 21+, tickets required
Music, dancing and a proper send-off to 2026. Details.
January Through April Events
Avalanche Dog Demo
When: Weekly through the season (2026/2027 schedule TBA)
Where: Explorer Gondola mid-station
Meet Big Sky Resort's avalanche dogs, learn about their training, and see how they support ski patrol. Free, quick, and reliably the highlight of the day for anyone under ten. Details.
Big Sky OUT: Winter Pride Week
When: Typically early January (2027 dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky
A full week of ski parades, apres and community events. Bring your brightest gear. Big Sky OUT.
IFSA Freeride Junior Regionals
When: Typically late January or early February (2027 dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky Resort
Junior freeride ski and snowboard athletes competing for regional championships on serious terrain. Free to watch and genuinely impressive. IFSA Freeride.
Best in the West Showdown Returns
When: February 2027 (exact dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky Town Center, new course on Aspen Leaf Drive
This is the big one for 2026/2027. After pausing the 2026 edition to manage a venue transition, Big Sky Skijoring brings the Best in the West Showdown back in February 2027 at a brand-new Town Center course on Aspen Leaf Drive, built for better spectating.
If you have never seen skijoring: teams of horse, rider and skier negotiate a 900-foot course with jumps, gates and flames while the crowd loses its mind. Recent editions have drawn over 150 teams and thousands of spectators, alongside ice carving, street dances, sledding and kids' obstacle courses. All proceeds benefit the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation.
Registration and tickets historically open weeks in advance and sell fast. Book a rental near Town Center as soon as dates are announced.
Shedhorn Skimo
When: Typically late February (2027 date TBA)
Where: Big Sky Resort
Big Sky's classic ski mountaineering race, with three courses from advanced to expert climbing and descending Lone Mountain. Details.
Special Olympics Montana
When: Typically early March (2027 date TBA)
Where: Madison Base
Special Olympics Montana returns to Big Sky for a day of winter sports competition. Come watch and cheer. Special Olympics Montana.
International Women's Day
When: Monday, March 8, 2027
Where: On-mountain and The Umbrella Bar
A group ski and ride followed by happy hour with the women of the Big Sky community. Details.
A Day For Jake
When: Typically mid-March (2027 date TBA)
Where: On-mountain and Mountain Village
A global day of snowboarding honoring the legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter. Details.
IFSA Freeride Qualifier Competitions
When: Typically late March (2027 dates TBA)
Where: Big Sky Resort
Professional and collegiate freeride athletes competing for Freeride World Tour entry. IFSA Freeride.
The Spring Series
When: Four consecutive Saturdays in April 2027 (dates TBA)
Where: The Bowl
The Bowl becomes an open-air amphitheater for four Saturdays, with top-tier electronic artists providing the soundtrack to spring corn and Montana sunshine. The best way to close out a season. Details.
Weekly Events in Big Sky
Beyond the annual calendar, Big Sky runs a full weekly rhythm of apres, live music, trivia and family nights all season.
Schedules change from season to season and week to week, so confirm current times before you head out. Check the Big Sky Resort events page, The Waypoint, and Tips Up for the current lineup.
What to expect in a typical week:
- Live music at Montana Jack, most afternoons around 4 PM to 6 PM
- Live music in Vista Hall and Carabiner Lounge, alternating afternoons
- Live DJs in the Mountain Village Plaza and at Westward Social, afternoons
- Avalanche dog meet and greet on the Huntley mountainside patio, midweek and weekends
- Movie night in the Huntley Lodge amphitheater, several evenings a week
- Family night, trivia and karaoke at The Waypoint in Town Center
- Late live music at Tips Up in Town Center, most nights around 9:45 PM
- Sunday Funday at The Waypoint, all afternoon and evening
Local's tip: the Skyline Bus runs zero-fare service between Mountain Village, Meadow Village and Town Center, so you can hit apres in one and dinner in another without anyone volunteering to drive.
Also Worth Your Calendar
- Marty Pavelich Ice Rink in Town Center offers free open skating all winter, with rentals steps away at East Slope Outdoors. Schedules are posted by the Big Sky Community Organization.
- Sleigh ride dinners at Lone Mountain Ranch and evenings at the Montana Dinner Yurt run all season and sell out early. See our top winter activities guide.
- Yellowstone winter tours depart from Big Sky December through March. Browse tours.
Book Today with Big Sky Vacation Rentals
Staying close to the events makes all the difference. Book near Town Center in Meadow Village for skijoring, the ice rink and the Christmas Stroll, or in Mountain Village for the resort's holiday programming, torchlight parade and fireworks.
Whether you want a cozy mountain cabin, a contemporary condo or a luxury chalet, our collection of luxury vacation rentals comes with a local team who can tell you which events are actually worth your evening. Browse ski-in ski-out rentals, multi-family homes, or Platinum Properties.
We live here, we play here, we know Big Sky.
See all vacation rentals | Current specials | Call 888-915-2787
Events are subject to change, cancellation and weather. Dates marked TBA had not been published at the time of writing. Always confirm with the event organizer before making travel plans around a specific date.