Big Sky
5,850 acres, 317 runs in Montana. Lone Peak Tram, 4,364ft vertical, Ikon Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
25 Nov 2026
Closes
25 Apr 2027
Days open
151
Annual snow
400in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Big Sky's summit reaches 11,165 feet, dropping 4,364 vertical feet to a base at 6,801 feet across 317 runs spread over 5,850 acres in Montana. Terrain splits 35 per cent advanced, 25 per cent intermediate, 22 per cent beginner and 18 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 400 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective access and markets itself as America's biggest skiing by acreage. Forty lifts, including an aerial tram, a gondola, seven quad chairs and nine triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside five double chairs, an eight-person chair, three six-person chairs, eight surface lifts and five t-bars.
Big Sky's 4,364-foot vertical drop and vast 5,850-acre terrain footprint place it among the largest ski resorts in North America, with the Lone Peak Tram providing access to some of the most dramatic expert terrain in the country. Its Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective access has transformed the resort from a Montana curiosity into a genuine national destination. The sheer scale of the lift network, forty lifts across the combined terrain, reflects decades of expansion since the resort's modest 1970s origins.
Big Sky was founded by Montana native Chet Huntley, the recently retired co-anchor of NBC's Huntley-Brinkley Report, who returned to his home state to develop the resort after leaving broadcasting. Big Sky opened for its first winter season in 1973, but Huntley died of lung cancer on 20 March 1974, just three days before the resort's official dedication. Ski industry pioneer Everett Kircher, owner of Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, purchased Big Sky in 1976 for 8.5 million US dollars.
The resort's most significant recent expansion came in October 2013, when Boyne Resorts purchased neighbouring Moonlight Basin, including the terrain of Spanish Peaks, bringing the combined resort's total acreage to more than 5,850 acres. Adult daily tickets run from 98 to 222 US dollars using dynamic pricing, reflecting Big Sky's position as one of the premier destination resorts in the American West.
4,364ft
Vertical
317
Runs
5,850 acres
Skiable
400in
Annual snow
Ikon / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
317 runs across 5,850 acres skiable
Big Sky spreads 5,850 acres (2,367 hectares) of lift-served terrain across 317 runs, making it one of the largest ski areas in the United States. The mountain climbs from 6,800 ft (2,073 m) to 11,170 ft (3,403 m) at the top of Lone Peak, a vertical drop of 4,360 ft (1,330 m). The split is 22% beginner, 25% intermediate, 35% advanced and 18% expert, so it tilts towards confident skiers. Average snowfall is around 400 inches a year, and the lift network ranges from a gondola and eight-person chair to the aerial tram, 40 lifts in all.
The Lone Peak Tram opens the steepest ground, including the Big Couloir, which requires a partner, avalanche gear and a signed waiver at the top. Dakota Territory adds about 212 acres of black diamond glades, chutes and high bowls beside Liberty Bowl, while Challenger is a favourite for consistent expert tree skiing. Wide groomed runs on the lower mountain and Moonlight Basin side keep green circle and blue square skiers busy. Big Sky suits advanced and expert riders wanting size and steeps, plus strong intermediates and families who will happily chase groomers all day. Ikon and Mountain Collective passes both cover it.
Terrain split
317
runs
317 runs across 4 grades
Beginner70 runs · 22%
Intermediate79 runs · 25%
Advanced111 runs · 35%
Expert57 runs · 18%
Time it right
When to visit Big Sky
The 2025-26 season at Big Sky ran from 28 November 2025 to 27 April 2026, a roughly twenty-two-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 400 inches. This substantial snowfall, combined with the resort's enormous 5,850-acre footprint, supports reliable conditions across a genuinely vast range of terrain throughout the season. Season dates can shift slightly depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Big Sky's varied terrain, from beginner slopes to the extreme runs accessed via the Lone Peak Tram. As an Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective destination, the resort draws substantial national and international visitor traffic, with holiday periods bringing the heaviest crowds, though the sheer scale of the terrain helps disperse visitors more effectively than at smaller resorts.
The resort's identity as America's biggest skiing by acreage continues to shape its marketing and visitor expectations each season. Boyne Resorts' ownership since 1976, and the transformative 2013 Moonlight Basin acquisition, have together built Big Sky into one of the premier destination resorts in the American West. School holiday periods bring particularly strong demand given the resort's national visibility.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Founder Chet Huntley's vision for the resort, realised only after his death just before its 1974 dedication, remains part of Big Sky's founding story referenced throughout its history. The resort's combination of vast scale and extreme terrain continues to define its position among North America's leading ski destinations each season.
Season 2026 - 2027
25 Nov 2026
Opens
25 Apr 2027
Closes
151
Days open
400 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Big Sky
Daily snow reports at Big Sky go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
14 in
Snowiest day
6 Mar 2026
19 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
230 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Big Sky, and where to stay
Big Sky sits in southwestern Montana, with a base elevation of 6,801 feet and a summit at 11,165 feet across a 4,364-foot vertical drop over 5,850 acres. This puts the resort within reach of Yellowstone National Park and the broader Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, one of the most scenic settings of any major North American ski resort.
The town of Big Sky, developed largely around the resort, provides extensive lodging, dining and services close to the mountain, while Bozeman, roughly 45 minutes away, offers a larger regional city with its own airport and amenities. Yellowstone National Park's northern entrances lie within a reasonable drive, giving visitors an additional draw beyond skiing during shoulder seasons.
US Highway 191 connects Bozeman to Big Sky, providing the main route for visitors approaching from the north. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though it is well maintained given the resort's status as a major destination. Local shuttle and transit options within the Big Sky area reduce the need for a vehicle once visitors arrive.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, roughly 45 minutes from the resort, offers direct flights from numerous major US cities, making Big Sky one of the more air-accessible destination resorts in the Rocky Mountain West. This convenient combination of a major airport and a relatively short drive has supported the resort's growth into a genuine national and international ski destination.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Big Sky, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Big Sky's ski season?
Big Sky's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 25 through April 25. That window is roughly 151 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Montana, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Big Sky have?
Big Sky lists about 5,850 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 317 named runs (2,367 hectares alongside 5,850 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Big Sky?
Trail grading at Big Sky breaks down roughly as 22% beginner, 25% intermediate, 35% advanced, 18% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Big Sky have?
Big Sky operates 40 lifts across 9 lift types. The fleet includes 9 triple chairs, 8 surface lifts, 7 quad chairs, 5 double chairs, 5 t-bars, 3 6-person chairs, 1 aerial tram, 1 gondola, and 1 8-person chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Big Sky?
Base elevation at Big Sky is about 6,801 ft (2,073 m), with the summit around 11,165 ft (3,403 m), giving roughly 4,364 ft (1,330 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Big Sky get each season?
Big Sky averages about 400 inches (1,016 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Big Sky accept the Ikon / Mountain Collective?
Big Sky is affiliated with the Ikon / Mountain Collective. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon / Mountain Collective, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Big Sky lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$1 to US$274, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Big Sky before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Big Sky so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Big Sky have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Big Sky. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Big Sky located?
Big Sky sits in Montana, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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