Aspen. Vail. Park City. Jackson Hole. Big Sky? Yes, Big Sky. This Montana ski resort about an hour from Bozeman, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this 2023-24 winter season, is finally ready to be included among U.S. ski resort royalty. In fact, it’s ready to give its new peers a run for their money.
Big Sky Resort, which is owned and operated by the family-run Boyne Resorts, debuted in 1973 with four lifts and less than 20 trails. Today, it boasts 38 lifts and more than 300 trails, but more than that, it has panache and vibe that’s helping it go toe-to-toe with legendary mountains thanks to new luxury accommodations, top-of-the-line lifts, bucket-list experiences, and pure Rocky Mountain snow power. The upgrade comes courtesy of a $150 million capital improvement plan launched by the resort in 2016, with completion of its infrastructure, sustainability, and community enhancements expected by 2025.
Courtesy of Big Sky Resort
I experienced the resort’s renaissance first-hand on a family visit last February. We were greeted by the stunning northern Rockies bathed in several feet of soft, white powder. As soon as we got our gear, we dropped our oldest child at ski school and our youngest at the Mountain Village’s daycare—yes, there is a daycare at the base for those too small to hit the slopes, an incredible boon for parents.
The next thing I knew, I was gazing up at the peaks from the interior of Big Sky’s new Ramcharger 8, a heated, super-fast lift with chairs enclosed by a glass bubble. We ascended swiftly up the side of Andesite Mountain, and on reaching the top, found minimal crowds. 5,850 acres of skiable terrain were my oyster. But first, lunch at the stunning Everett’s 8800 chalet-style restaurant, perched at the top of the mountain, with epic views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Alpine-inspired dishes like morel mushrooms in a red wine cream sauce, elk chili, and a Swiss rosti with bacon and eggs mingle with luxe items like Osetra caviar with potato chips and a Wagyu burger.