Reaching New Heights in Big Sky, Montana
Experience Year-Round Mountain Adventures at America's Largest Ski Resort Near Yellowstone
For 14 years, Chet Huntley delivered the evening news to millions of Americans from NBC’s New York studios. When he retired in 1970, he returned to Montana with a plan that made his former colleagues think he’d lost his mind: convince corporate America to build a ski resort in the middle of nowhere.
Huntley grew up in Montana and knew the terrain beneath Lone Peak’s 11,166-foot summit. The land had been cattle ranches since 1901, when homesteader Augustus Franklin Crail bought the first 160 acres for a dollar each. Huntley assembled an unlikely group of investors: Montana Power, Northwest Airlines, and Chrysler Corporation. He named his project after A.B. Guthrie’s 1947 novel about Montana’s frontier. Big Sky Resort opened in December 1973 with four chairlifts and Arnold Palmer’s golf course carved into the former Crail Ranch.
Today, Big Sky is the largest ski resort in America. After merging with neighboring Moonlight Basin in 2013, the combined terrain covers 5,800 acres served by 31 chairlifts. The Lone Peak Tram, installed in 1995, carries skiers to the summit for a 4,350-foot vertical drop, one of the longest in North America. From the top, expert skiers can descend straight down the Big Couloir, a 1,400-foot chute that pitches at 50 degrees.
Beyond the Slopes
Big Sky sits 45 miles from both Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park’s north entrance, making it a year-round mountain destination instead of just a winter resort. Summer transforms the ski runs into mountain biking terrain. Chairlifts operate from late June through mid-October, accessing more than 50 miles of trails. Bike rentals and lessons are available at the base area. Hikers can choose the easy 1.6-mile walk to Ousel Falls or the challenging 6.6-mile climb to Beehive Basin, where alpine lakes and wildflower meadows wait at the top. The chairlifts and tram also serve sightseers who want mountain views without the climb.
The Gallatin River runs through the valley, offering trout fishing and whitewater rafting. Local guides lead fly fishing trips and raft excursions from gentle floats to Class III rapids. The resort also offers horseback riding, zip-lining, archery, and golf on Palmer’s 18-hole course.
A Preserved Past
The Historic Crail Ranch in Meadow Village preserves two original homestead cabins from the early 1900s, offering a glimpse into the area’s ranching heritage before Huntley’s vision transformed the valley. These buildings remind visitors of the land’s first chapter, when cattle rather than skiers moved across these slopes.
Gateway to Yellowstone
Big Sky’s location makes it a natural base for exploring Yellowstone National Park. The park’s north entrance sits roughly one hour away via Highway 191. Tour operators based in Big Sky and West Yellowstone offer guided trips into the park, and shuttle services run daily during summer months, allowing visitors to experience geysers, wildlife, and thermal features without the drive.
Planning Your Visit
Big Sky sits at elevations from 5,900 feet in Gallatin Canyon to over 11,000 feet at Lone Peak’s summit. Visitors should prepare for altitude effects and bring layers for changing mountain weather. U.S. Highway 191 connects Big Sky to Bozeman, 45 miles northeast, and West Yellowstone, 45 miles south. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport offers flights from major cities. Rental cars and shuttle services are available for the scenic drive to the resort.
The ski season runs from early December through mid-April, while summer activities operate from late June through September. Lodging ranges from luxury hotels at Mountain Village to more affordable options in Meadow Village. Reservations in advance are recommended for peak seasons, especially around Christmas, New Year’s, and mid-summer when Yellowstone visitation peaks.
For more information about Big Sky, visit https://www.visitbigsky.com/.
