Big Sky Resort is one of the “Top-Ranked Ski Resorts in the West” and boasts the “Biggest Skiing in America” with 5,850 acres of terrain for all abilities, 7 terrain parks and some of the best views in the Montana mountains dominated by Big Sky’s iconic Lone Peak.
Our charming mountain town is family-friendly and a prime alpine destination for energetic outdoor adventures or a secluded getaway in a winter wonderland with roaring fires, hot tub soaks, panoramic mountain vistas, spiked winter cocktails, and rejuvenating downtime from the hustle and bustle of daily living.
Big Sky, Montana is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts! If you’re planning a vacation to Big Sky Resort, you’re in for an unforgettable experience of skiing and snowboarding on some of the most pristine and diverse terrain in the Rocky Mountains. Getting on the slopes at Big Sky Resort is a journey worth taking, and with the right preparations, it becomes an experience of a lifetime.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials to ensure your trip is seamless and filled with powder-packed adventures. From choosing the ideal Big Sky ski pass to gearing up with top-notch equipment and enjoying the convenience of ski-in/ski-out lodging, your adventure in Big Sky, Montana, is destined to be filled with excitement and memories that will last a lifetime.
Get ready to carve your way through a snowy and magical Montana wonderland when you embrace the thrill of skiing, snowboarding, or simply sightseeing in Big Sky Montana!
The best time to ski Big Sky is in February and March! These are the snowiest months in Big Sky with a deep base depth and an average of 4-5 snow days a week! Big Sky Resort is the main attraction with fresh powder stashes for skiing and snowboarding, uncrowded lift lines, heated lifts to keep you happy and warm, and winter activities for the whole family. But the fun doesn’t end on the slopes, there’s so much more to Big Sky than meets the eye.
Hike the kid-friendly snowshoe trails to frozen waterfalls, glide the Nordic trails at Lone Mountain Ranch, catch a winter trout on the Gallatin River, take a romantic western style sleigh ride, or go snowmobiling and dog-sledding through the powdery canyons. Big Sky has a fun selection of shops for retail therapy, mountain side spas for a pamper, and diverse dining options for every occasion.
Big Sky Resort: Mountain Statistics
Big Sky Resort’s mountain statistics tell a story of unparalleled variety, space, and innovation, ensuring every skier and snowboarder finds their perfect path on our expansive slopes! Big Sky Resort boasts 5,850 skiable acres with 50% beginner-intermediate terrain and 50% advanced terrain, one of the most technologically advanced lift systems in the world, and an average of 400 inches of snowfall annually! With more than an acre per skier on average, you can explore the grandeur of Big Sky, without the crowds.
Big Sky Resort: Lift Tickets
Embark on your ski journey by securing the perfect ski pass for your needs. Big Sky Resort offers a variety of lift ticket options to cater to every type of skier and snowboarder. From single and multi-day passes for the occasional thrill-seeker to season passes for the dedicated powder chaser, there’s a pass that suits everyone.
Explore your choices below, purchase tickets as early as possible for the best prices, pick up your Sky Card on arrival, and make the most of your time on the slopes. If you’re still in the vacation planning process, Monday to Thursday, and non holiday periods, are more affordable!
Kids’ Lift Tickets
Kid’s ski for a dollar a day at Big Sky Resort! What a bonus for a family ski vacation! Be sure to book your tickets in advance online and note that lift tickets are not included in kids lessons and clinics at Mountain Sports Ski School.
Beginner Tickets
Big Sky Resort offers Beginner Tickets to access the magic carpet and Explorer lift at Mountain Village and the magic carpet and Derringer lift at the Madison Base area. The perfect option for first-timers on the slopes of Big Ski Resort. Beginner Tickets are available at ticket windows only and are not available in the early season.
Single Day Tickets
If you’re in town for a weekend and only skiing one day, single day lift tickets are available with prices ranging from $69 to $250. Depending on availability, discounted half-day lift tickets are available for same-day purchase from 12 PM at the ticket window, for lift access from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Multi-Day Tickets
The best option for Big Sky lift tickets is a multi-day pass, with options ranging from 2 out of 3 days to 7 out of 9 days. The more days you book, the more savings you receive! Reserve your dates online to ensure you don’t miss out!
Ikon Pass at Big Sky Resort
All Ikon Passholders will need to make a reservation to use their days at Big Sky, managed through their Ikon Pass account. Share discount codes for friends and family to purchase lift tickets, and take note of the blackout date for the 2023-24 season.
23/24 IKON Blackout Dates
- December 26 -31, 2023
- January 13- 14, 2024
- February 17-18, 2024
Mountain Collective at Big Sky
Reservations are also required for Mountain Collective Passholders to use their days at Big Sky. Once you have used up the two days included in your Mountain Collective pass, enable autocharge and you may purchase additional days at a 50% discounted rates.
Lone Peak Tram Tickets
The newly transformed Lone Peak Tram transports skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers to the summit of Big Sky Resort at a staggering 11,166 feet above sea level! Winter access is regulated based on weather conditions and open terrain, pricing is based on a per-ride fee, and tram tickets may not be purchased in advance! Click HERE to explore what’s up with the new tram at Big Sky Resort!
Ski & Snowboard Rental Delivery
Getting on the slopes in Big Sky has never been easier! With Ski Butlers, the hassle of traditional equipment rental is a thing of the past and Big Sky Vacation Rentals guests enjoy 15% off all ski and snowboard rentals. Save money, skip the lines and embrace a streamlined, personalized experience that offers high-performance ski and snowboard gear for every ability, terrain, and condition and maximizes your time on the slopes.
Reserve your gear online and Ski Butlers will deliver to your vacation home, ensure the right fit, and send their technicians out to switch your gear if you’re not enjoying your every turn!
Mountain Sports Ski School
If you’re seeking professional instruction, or unsure of negotiating Big Sky’s vast terrain alone, the Mountain Sports Ski School is your ticket to conquering the slopes with confidence. The Mountain Sports Ski School offers a wide range of options for ages 3 and up, including private instruction and group lessons, multi-day camps and clinics, kids lessons and camps, adaptive programs, early and late season headlamp night skiing, and experienced tram guides to explore the advanced terrain on Big Sky’s iconic Lone Peak.
Browse the Big Sky Mountain Sports Ski School to book your lesson or experience.
Big Sky Resort Childcare
Don’t let the little ones stop you from experiencing the best of Big Sky! The Lone Peak Playhouse offers parents a worry-free experience with flexible options for morning, afternoon, or full-day childcare daily for children six months to 8 years. The playhouse has two convenient locations in Mountain Village and in the Madison Base area with indoor and outdoor play spaces, nap rooms for infants and toddlers, and a seamless connection to the Mountain Sports Ski School to set your kids up with lessons and camps.
Reservations are required prior to arrival – call (406) 993-2220 for Mountain Village or (406) 993-6060 for Madison Base.
Parking at Big Sky Resort
Paid parking is available next to the Exchange building in Mountain Village, pricing starts at $52/day and reservations are required. All other Big Sky parking is free but can fill up fast, especially on holidays and weekends. There are free parking lots at the Madison Base area and in Mountain Village including a premium lot for carpool drivers (3+ drivers). From 8 AM to 6 PM, open-air shuttles run in constant rotation from the Mountain Village parking lots to the Exchange building at the base area. Visit the Big Sky Resort website for parking maps and availability.
For carbon footprint conscious travelers, the Skyline Bus offers a seasonal service between Big Sky and Bozeman, and a daily service throughout Big Sky seven days a week from November 20, 2023 to April 14, 2024. Click HERE for the winter schedule to plan your rides from your Big Sky vacation rental to the Big Sky Resort slopes – or simply stay slopeside in a Big Sky ski-in/ski-out vacation rental!
Ski-In/Ski-Out Lodging in Big Sky Montana
The best way to get on the slopes at Big Sky, is to stay on them! Our exclusive collection of Big Sky ski-in/ski-out rentals is your gateway to a seamless and stress-free mountain experience at Big Sky Resort. Make every moment on the mountain count, from the ease of ski school drop-offs and lunch breaks at home, to the unparalleled luxury of gliding back to your private hot tub for soothing apres ski soaks. When you stay slopeside, your mountain adventure awaits effortlessly on your doorstep!
Getting to Big Sky is easy with regular flights into Bozeman Airport (only 40 minutes away) and airport shuttles and transportation direct to Big Sky. The Skyline Bus runs seven days a week during the winter season, making it easy to get around town once you’re here with several local tour companies available for bucket-list winter adventures in nearby Yellowstone National Park.
Winter season is booking up fast, so start planning your Big Sky winter getaway today with Big Sky Vacation Rentals. Our collection of premier Big Sky chalets and homes are located in the best neighborhoods in Big Sky with ski-in/ski-out vacation rentals to suit every size and style, and exceptional guest services for a last minute winter getaway in Big Sky, MT!
