This Charming Montana Town Caters to Adventure Seekers Who Appreciate Luxury — Featuring Upscale Accommodations, Stylish Speakeasies, and Abundant Outdoor Activities
Big Sky is widely recognized for the ski resort that shares its name, offering over 5,800 acres of top-notch terrain that solidifies this reputation. However, this destination is far more than just a winter sports haven. For those seeking adventure, the spring, summer, and fall activities are equally enticing. Legendary hiking, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing opportunities abound in this picturesque region.
If relaxation is more your style, this tranquil part of southwestern Montana is equally appealing. It features a remarkable selection of five-star hotels, along with a diverse range of upscale restaurants, spas, and speakeasies. All of this is set against some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the contiguous United States. Indeed, Big Sky is the perfect destination to enjoy elevated scenery without the need for elevated heart rates.
Photo credit: DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesDinogo readers have spoken. This year, Montage Big Sky has been recognized as a top resort in Montana in the 2024 World's Best Awards. Nestled at the base of the Spanish Peaks, this expansive property is stunningly beautiful. However, it’s merely the beginning of the luxurious accommodations available in the area.
To offer you the most thorough information on where to go, what to see, and the best times to visit, we consulted several longtime locals. Below, these experts provide invaluable tips and have helped us create the ultimate guide to Big Sky. A diverse array of breathtaking experiences awaits you. Choose your own adventure according to the season. Just be sure to start your journey here.
Top Hotels and Resorts
Image courtesy of Lone Mountain RanchLone Mountain Ranch
This century-old guest ranch located along the North Fork of the Gallatin River combines the rustic allure of the American West with modern luxury. Spanning 148 acres, it features 25 private log cabins, offering activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides and nearly a hundred miles of Nordic ski trails in winter, alongside fly fishing and horseback riding in warmer months. Regardless of your visit time, you’ll experience world-class hospitality and some of the finest food and drink available in Big Sky.
Montage Big Sky
Less than three years old, this impressive five-star resort has already transformed the luxury hospitality scene in southwestern Montana. With around 139 guest rooms and 39 residences, the property exudes a cozy atmosphere, enhanced by an old American West aesthetic and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, making you feel wonderfully small in comparison.
Aspects Big Sky
This contemporary set of standalone villas is perfect for families seeking a home away from home. Each unit features a kitchen, a terrace, and access to a hot tub. The fully equipped accommodations are located about an 18-minute drive from the ski mountain base.
Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort
There are plenty of slopeside accommodations in Mountain Village, especially if you make your reservations well in advance. Among the four different lodging options available, the Summit Hotel offers the most traditional experience, providing ski-on/bike-on access to the lift straight from the lobby on the ground floor.
One&Only Moonlight Basin
Set to open in time for the 2025 ski season, this will be the first American location of the prestigious five-star hotel collection. Nestled at the base of an 8,100-acre wilderness and recreational area, the hotel is designed by the award-winning architectural firm Olson Kundig, ensuring it blends harmoniously with its wild surroundings.
Top Activities
Photo credit: Alexa Miller/Getty ImagesHiking
The Big Sky Community Organization manages 36 miles of multiuse, multidirectional trails that are perfect for families and dogs. These trails are also suitable for mountain biking, all starting from the town center. This is just a glimpse of what awaits when you venture to any of the numerous popular trailheads nearby. Local outdoor enthusiast Eliza McClure highly recommends the Ousel Falls Park Trail, located just south of town. "It’s about 1.5 miles round-trip with minimal elevation gain," she describes, leading to a stunning waterfall. "Small effort, but big reward."
Horseback Riding
Photo credit: Courtesy of Lone Mountain Ranch"We’re fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most breathtaking mountains in the world, and exploring them on horseback is truly unbeatable," says Drew Hay, director of operations for Gallatin River Guides. Jake’s Horses is a well-established outfitter offering adventures throughout the year. However, if you plan to visit between December and March, Hay highly recommends the renowned Sleigh Ride Dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch, where a horse-drawn sleigh takes you through the snowy backcountry to a lantern-lit cabin that serves a chef-curated tasting menu. "The sleigh ride itself is a blast; add in the one-of-a-kind dining experience, and it's hard to top," he notes.
Skiing
Big Sky Resort ranks as the third-largest ski area in North America, featuring 300 designated runs spread across four interconnected mountains. It's not just about the number of runs; the quality is impressive too, with over 400 inches of snowfall during winter. Accessing all this has become easier with the launch of the new Lone Peak Tram, which reaches the summit of the 11,166-foot peak. However, as Christine Baker, the resort's vice president of mountain sports, emphasizes, you don’t have to be an expert skier to enjoy the breathtaking views. In fact, winter isn't even necessary to appreciate the scenery. “The panoramic views are spectacular, and on clear days, you can spot the Grand Teton and vast stretches of wilderness around Big Sky,” says Baker, who has skied here nearly every winter since 1982. “In winter, there's a scenic access point that usually has no wait, and anyone capable of skiing or riding a green run can use the new tram.”
Fly Fishing
Photo credit: Jordan Siemens/Getty ImagesSouthwestern Montana is a fly-fishing paradise, famously depicted in the film "A River Runs Through It," which celebrates this beloved activity. However, many visitors are surprised to find out that fly fishing can be enjoyed year-round, as Hay mentions. You can tap into his expertise at Gallatin River Guides. In the summer, McClure suggests that newcomers try Yellowstone Fly Fish, an outfitter operated by the Montana Whitewater Rafting Company, located about 10 miles from town—a fantastic option for a summer adventure.
Big Sky Bar Crawl
Image credit: Courtesy of Lone Mountain RanchBig Sky may have a small population, officially fewer than 3,000 residents, but it’s far from a quiet mountain village. In addition to a vibrant après-ski culture, the town center boasts several lively bars that buzz with energy late into the night. Local hot spots include Tips Up, Beehive Basin Brewery, and Brothel Bikes. If you’re enjoying a stay at the mentioned Lone Mountain Ranch, don’t miss out on the town’s trendiest new speakeasy, Auric Room. “Entering feels like stepping into a time capsule where cowboys would gather in 1915,” remarks Mike Hope, owner of the Rocking R Bar in nearby Bozeman. “The ambiance beautifully merges cowboy heritage with a touch of Parisian elegance.”
Best Restaurants
Image credit: Courtesy of Riverhouse BBQCortina
Nestled within the Montage, the flagship restaurant is Cortina, an Italian chophouse that seamlessly infuses a touch of Montana into its offerings. Here, you can enjoy vibrant pastas and wood-fired meats, but the true highlights are often the generous heritage chops, fresh river fish, and locally sourced game. Dishes are served from an open kitchen into a spacious dining area that exudes rustic Western charm.
Yeti Dogs
For 16 years, this lunchtime staple at the mountain’s base has been beloved by locals. Its menu is straightforward yet exceptional, featuring delicious hot dogs, ice cream made in Montana, and draft beer—though not necessarily in that sequence. “Don’t miss the Sweaty Lefty,” recommends McClure. It’s a hearty hot dog topped with zesty mayo, shredded cheddar, and crispy bacon.
The Rocks
McClure also enjoys this locally owned eatery that doubles as a liquor store. The food menu emphasizes organic, non-GMO produce and meats whenever possible, while the drink selection features spirits and beers sourced from within Montana.
The Riverhouse BBQ
“I love sending guests to The Riverhouse BBQ—it’s one of my personal favorites,” says Patrick McVey, general manager of Lone Mountain Ranch. “This casual barbecue restaurant and bar is located right along the banks of the Gallatin River. Whether you’re enjoying a cocktail with a view or digging into authentic Texas-style barbecue, the experience is unmatched. And be sure to try the $7 fried chicken, a favorite among patrons in this idyllic setting.”
Horn & Cantle
For a more refined experience, don your finest cowboy boots and indulge in Lone Mountain’s culinary tribute to the Wild West. Enjoy specialties like elk meatballs, trout rillette, and wild game bolognese, all served in this stylish A-framed cabin.
WLDavies/Getty ImagesBest Time To Visit
The optimal time to experience Big Sky really depends on your activities of choice. Skiers and snowboarders will find the best powder from December through March, while mountain bikers and hikers can enjoy warm, sunny days averaging 75 degrees from June to August. Music fans will also benefit from free family-friendly concerts every Thursday night throughout the summer. However, according to Baker, April is the hidden season to explore. "The skiing is exceptional in April, as it tends to be one of the snowiest months," she notes. "With fewer visitors on the slopes, it feels like you have the mountain all to yourself."
How to Get There
Big Sky is situated approximately 50 miles south of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, the nearest major airport. While it offers the charm of a regional airport, it has expanded its services to provide regular flights from major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The most convenient way to reach Big Sky upon arrival is by renting a car, but there are also public transportation options available, including the Skyline Bus, which runs daily during the peak summer and winter seasons.
How to Get Around
If you arrive in Big Sky without your own vehicle, you can easily use rideshare services like Ubers and Lyfts to get around. Additionally, the community recently introduced Big Sky Connect, a free, on-demand service that enables visitors to request rides around Town Center and the Meadow Village. To utilize this service, simply download the app.
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