Overview
Big Sky is an alpine ski and golf resort community in Montana. The community's two large ski resorts, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin, merged in 2013. In 2020, it was home to about 3,600 people.
3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Big Sky
Big Sky Resort
ski resort.
Moonlight Basin
ski resort
Bighorn Ridge Disc Golf Course
18-hole course. Lengths vary between 100 and 700 feet.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman — 36 mi away. Directions
- WYS Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone — 43 mi away. Directions
- BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field, Boise — 267 mi away (major hub). Directions
Big Sky is approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman on U.S. Highway 191 and 15 miles (24 km) from the northwestern border of Yellowstone National Park.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $99–$375 a night (typical $375), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$450, comfortable ~$540.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bighorn Ridge Disc Golf Course, Big Sky Resort
- Lunch Cinnamon Lodge
- Afternoon Moonlight Basin
- Dinner Lone Mountain Ranch
- Evening Beehive Basin Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Big Sky was a ranch up until the early 1970s, when TV newscaster Chet Huntley decided to turn it into a ski hill and resort area. It has grown considerably since then but still is relatively uncrowded as most of the lodging in the area is houses and condos that are used infrequently.
Get in
Big Sky is approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman on U.S. Highway 191 and 15 miles (24 km) from the northwestern border of Yellowstone National Park.
You can fly into Bozeman and take a 45-minute drive down the canyon along the Gallatin River, or the Skyline bus.
Get around
Big Sky is divided between the Mountain Village (at the base of the Big Sky Ski Resort) and the Meadow Village (that is a 10-minute car ride and several thousand vertical feet below the Mountain).
See
Near the Meadow Village there is a beautiful 30-foot falls, Ousel Falls, that freezes up in the winter. You can usually hear/see water running beneath the ice on the far right side. The trail to the falls is fairly well maintained and receives regular use. As you head from Highway 191 to Big Sky, you will see the golf course on your right. Soon after, there will be a left turn onto Ousel Falls Road. Travel about 2 miles to the obvious parking area and trail head on the left side. The trail to the falls follows a stream and is about 1½ miles long.
Do
There is great skiing and boarding, in particular for more advanced skiers. The lifts are never crowded. Top runs are.
- Cruisers - Calamity Jane, Elk Park Ridge, and Big Horn
- Moguls - Crazy Raven, Mad Wolf, Moonlight, and Bad Dog
- Glades - Wounded Knee, Congo, and Blackfoot
- Steeps - Anything off the Tram, War Dance, Big Rock Tongue, and Snake Pit
This is a big mountain with lots of area to explore. Rocks are not marked very well, so use caution when off the groomers. There are also several good terrain parks for shred-heads and freestylers.
Buy
Shop Lone Mountain Ranch
The Lone Mountain Ranch Outdoor Shop carries the latest in Nordic Ski Gear in the Winter and Fly Fishing gear in the Summer. There is also clothing and Montana made gifts. The Shop is the central location for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, back country ski tours, snowcoach trips, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking and Yellowstone Park tours.
Eat
Eat Cinnamon Lodge
This place has great Mexican food and margaritas. Try the pork roast special. Although Mexican food is what it's known for, good steaks and some seafood are available. As an added bonus, if you travel a couple of miles farther south on 191, you enter the northwest corner of Yellowstone Park. It is not a fee area, and you are likely to see quite a few elk in the first mile of so of open valley in the fall and winter.
Eat Lone Mountain Ranch
Breakfast buffet with house made pastries, hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, hot entrees and beverages. Cozy Lunch buffet with soup, salad and hot entrees. Four-course plated dinner with entrees that range from Bison Wellington, Fresh Flown in Daily seafood specials, Montana grass fed beef and vegetarian entrees, with delicious desserts and an extensive wine list. Copper bar with fireplace and views overlooking the ranch.
Drink
Drink Beehive Basin Brewery
Tap room has 6 staple beers plus a few rotating beers. No food but you are welcome to order from any of the restaurants to eat.
Sleep
Stay safe
Big Sky is adjacent to the historic Karst Asbestos mine, which is dubiously marked out as "Asbestos Mine Trail". The mine, which is no longer active, has never been cleaned up, and visitors should stay away from the area due to the danger of breathing asbestos dust.
Go next
- Bozeman Hot Springs & Fitness Center (36 miles north) 9 natural hot springs pools with temperatures ranging from 59 to 106 degrees and both dry and wet saunas.
Nearby
Virginia City
City / town · 7 listings · 28 mi away
Nevada City
City / town · 3 listings · 29 mi away
Bozeman
City / town · 48 listings · 31 mi away
Belgrade
City / town · 6 listings · 35 mi away
Gardiner
City / town · 36 listings · 37 mi away
Three Forks
City / town · 12 listings · 43 mi away
West Yellowstone
City / town · 27 listings · 45 mi away
Livingston
City / town · 20 listings · 47 mi away
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