Sleeping Giant
48 runs, 500in average snowfall near Yellowstone's East Gate. Currently closed pending sale to new owners.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
27 Nov 2026
Closes
14 Mar 2027
Days open
107
Annual snow
500in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Sleeping Giant's summit reaches 7,428 feet, dropping 810 vertical feet to a base at 6,617 feet across 48 runs spread over 184 acres just outside Yellowstone National Park's East Gate. Terrain splits 37 per cent intermediate, 35 per cent advanced, 15 per cent beginner and 13 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 500 inches, among the highest totals of any ski area in Wyoming. The area has not run lifts for skiing since 2023 and is in the advanced stages of a sale to a new owner.
Three lifts, a double chair, a T-bar and a surface lift, historically served the mountain's 48 runs across the 810-foot vertical drop. The 35 per cent advanced and 13 per cent expert terrain share gave Sleeping Giant a steeper profile than its modest size suggested. Night skiing operated on Saturdays when the area was running, an unusual offering for a small Wyoming ski hill. The exceptional snowfall reflects the area's position near Yellowstone's high, snowy interior plateau.
Sleeping Giant dates to 1936, making it the eighth-oldest ski area in the United States, originally established as the Red Star Camp before taking its current name in 1938. The area closed in 2004 after its T-bar was found unsafe with no funds available to repair it, reopening in 2007 under the nonprofit Yellowstone Recreations Foundation following an 800,000 US dollar community fundraising campaign. It has been closed for skiing for the past three winters. Dallas-based HMH Capital is in advanced stages of purchasing the property, with reported plans to redevelop it as a summer recreation park rather than reopen it for skiing.
Given the current closure and pending sale, Sleeping Giant should not be treated as a bookable ski destination for the 2026-27 season pending confirmation of new ownership's plans. Historically, the area carried no multi-resort pass affiliation and operated as an independent, locally supported ski hill. If new ownership does reopen the area for skiing, its unusually high snowfall and varied terrain would make it a notable addition to Wyoming's smaller ski areas again. Visitors should check current status directly before planning a trip.
810ft
Vertical
48
Runs
184 acres
Skiable
500in
Annual snow
The Terrain
48 runs across 184 acres skiable
Sleeping Giant is a compact ski area at Yellowstone's East Gate, with 184 acres (74 hectares) of terrain on a mountain that rises from 6,620 ft (2,017 m) to 7,430 ft (2,264 m), a vertical of 810 ft (247 m). Across 48 runs, 37% are intermediate, 35% advanced, 15% beginner and 13% expert, a steeper profile than the small footprint suggests. A double chair, a T-bar and a surface lift cover the mountain. Operations have been uncertain in recent seasons, so check the current status before planning a visit.
Beginners start on gentle slopes such as Little Cub and Bunny Hop beside the base. Intermediates can roll down Elk Run and Big Horn, while Grizzly and Cougar Ridge provide the steeper pitches on the upper mountain. Ungroomed runs such as Avalanche and Deadwood Glade bring tight trees and natural drops, and the glades off Sheepeater are worth seeking out. It is a small hill with a genuine mix of terrain, best suited to local skiers, families and anyone combining a Yellowstone trip with a few relaxed laps rather than a full ski holiday. Treat it as a short, scenic outing.
Terrain split
48
runs
48 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 15%
Intermediate18 runs · 37%
Advanced17 runs · 35%
Expert6 runs · 13%
Time it right
When to visit Sleeping Giant
When operating, Sleeping Giant's season historically ran from early December through late March, similar to other small Wyoming ski areas at this elevation. The area has been closed for skiing for the past three winters, so no season currently operates. The high base elevation of 6,617 feet and exceptional local snowfall supported a reliable season length in past years. Any future season would depend on the outcome of the area's pending sale.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 500 inches ranks among the highest in Wyoming, a product of the area's position near Yellowstone's snowy interior plateau close to the park's East Gate. This natural snowfall made the area reliably deep in past operating seasons without heavy reliance on snowmaking. Base depth and season totals are not currently tracked given the area's closed status. The snowfall potential remains a notable asset should the area reopen under new ownership.
In past operating years, January and February offered the most reliable powder conditions, consistent with the broader Yellowstone-area storm pattern. Night skiing ran on Saturdays until 7pm when the area was open, giving Cody-area locals an after-work option. Late-season visits in March historically saw conditions vary with spring snowpack. None of this currently applies while the area remains closed for skiing.
Sleeping Giant's event calendar and night skiing programming have been dormant since the area's most recent closure. Dallas-based HMH Capital is reported to be planning a summer recreation park for the property, with a 2027 target, rather than a ski season reopening. Should new ownership choose to reopen lifts for winter use, the area's history of community fundraising, including the 2007 'Wake Up the Giant' campaign, shows local appetite for keeping it running. Current visitors should confirm operating status directly before planning any winter trip.
Season 2026 - 2027
27 Nov 2026
Opens
14 Mar 2027
Closes
107
Days open
500 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Sleeping Giant
Daily snow reports at Sleeping Giant go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
0 in
Snowiest day
26 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
0 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Sleeping Giant, and where to stay
Sleeping Giant sits at the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, roughly 50 miles west of Cody, Wyoming, with a base elevation of 6,617 feet. The summit reaches 7,428 feet across an 810-foot vertical drop over 184 acres. The area sits within the Shoshone National Forest, immediately adjacent to Yellowstone's boundary. This location gives it some of the most Yellowstone-proximate skiing terrain of any Wyoming ski area, historically.
Cody, Wyoming, is the nearest town of any size, 50 miles east along the North Fork Highway. The neighbouring Shoshone Lodge has operated alongside the ski area since its earliest years as Red Star Camp in the 1930s. The East Gate area sits well outside Cody's town limits, in a remote, forested stretch of highway leading into Yellowstone. This isolation has historically limited casual day-trip visitation compared with ski areas closer to towns.
The North Fork Highway (US-14/16/20) provides the only paved access route, running directly past the ski area en route to Yellowstone's East Entrance. The drive from Cody takes roughly an hour under normal winter conditions. Winter driving on this stretch can include snowpack and wildlife on the road, given the route's position through the Shoshone National Forest. No public transport service reaches the area, making a car essential for any visit.
Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody is the nearest airport with scheduled commercial service, roughly 50 miles from the ski area. Billings Logan International Airport in Montana offers a larger range of connections, around two and a half hours away by road. Jackson Hole Airport sits considerably further south, making it a less practical option for this part of northwestern Wyoming. Most visitors historically combined a Sleeping Giant visit with a Yellowstone trip through the East Gate rather than a standalone ski journey.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Sleeping Giant, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Sleeping Giant's ski season?
Sleeping Giant's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 27 through March 14. That window is roughly 107 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Wyoming, 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 Sleeping Giant have?
Sleeping Giant lists about 184 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 48 named runs (74 hectares alongside 184 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 Sleeping Giant?
Trail grading at Sleeping Giant breaks down roughly as 15% beginner, 37% intermediate, 35% advanced, 13% 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 Sleeping Giant have?
Sleeping Giant operates 3 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 1 double chair, 1 t-bar, and 1 surface lift.
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 Sleeping Giant?
Base elevation at Sleeping Giant is about 6,617 ft (2,017 m), with the summit around 7,428 ft (2,264 m), giving roughly 810 ft (247 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 Sleeping Giant get each season?
Sleeping Giant averages about 500 inches (1,270 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.
Where can I buy Sleeping Giant lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$25 to US$115, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season 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 Sleeping Giant before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Sleeping Giant 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 Sleeping Giant 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 Sleeping Giant. 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 Sleeping Giant located?
Sleeping Giant sits in Wyoming, 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.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
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Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
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