First timers guide
Summer in Big Sky
It’s a good thing that the sun doesn’t set until well after 9 pm during a summer in Big Sky, leaving plenty of light to make the most of every day. Summer in Big Sky is a treasured time of year for visitors and residents, opening up endless options for the recreation minded and the relaxation seekers alike. As the days get warmer, the rugged and scenic Gallatin River comes alive with rumbling whitewater and deep fishing holes.
Quiet solitude can be found at the top of a peak, by a cold mountain spring, on one of the areas many hiking trails, or on a picnic in a wildflower-filled field. There’s horseback riding, fly-fishing, golf, zipline adventures, excursions to Yellowstone National Park and many other activities to fill your day.
And as the sun sets behind Lone Mountain, the stars fill up the big sky and a slight chill takes the edge off of the warm sun-filled days. It’s time to light the grill, dine at one of the lively or low-key restaurants, take in an outdoor concert, check out the weekly farmers’ market, or simply listen to the crickets sing in chorus.
Winter in Big Sky
Whether you’re a snow seeker, an ice climber, or a day spa enthusiast, a winter day in Big Sky always involves breathtaking scenery and a casual, relaxed lifestyle that comes with alpine living.
The Biggest Skiing in America means one lift ticket gives you access to Big Sky Resort’s 5,800 acres of skiable terrain and 4,350 feet of vertical spanning across four mountains. And Lone Mountain Ranch, voted the #1 Nordic Ski Resort in North America by Cross Country Skier magazine, has 85 km of trails to explore the surrounding area of Big Sky. You’ll be in a skiing Mecca with all the benefits of a lively ski town except those pesky lift lines.
Some Big Sky folks combine skiing with a slew of other outdoor excursions like snowshoe or dog sled adventures, sleigh rides, ice climbing and more! Yellowstone National Park is popular for its snowmobile tours and comfortable, scenic snowcoach rides to Old Faithful. In the evening, stay warm by a crackling fire, soak your muscles in a hot tub, enjoy après ski entertainment, fabulous dining options, and end the night with an unforgettable alpenglow behind Lone Peak – all in a Big Sky winter day.
