Big Sky Overview

Big Sky Mountain
© Vertical Media

Big Sky is a perfect location midway between Bozeman and West Yellowstone, Montana. Surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, the resort truly offers a remarkable and natural setting. You will enjoy exceptional lodging accommodations, fine dining and meeting facilities. With an annual snowfall of 400 inches and 85 miles of named runs, the skiing and snowboarding at Big Sky is the ultimate winter experience.

Big Sky Resort was conceived and built by the late NBC newscaster, Chet Huntley. It first opened to the public for skiing in December 1973. Three years later, Boyne USA Resorts purchased the resort and has owned and managed it since then. Boyne USA Resorts is a family owned corporation, based in Michigan. The corporation owns numerous mountain and golf resort properties across the states. These include Crystal Mountain in Washington, Brighton Ski Resort in Utah, The Inn at Bay Harbor, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands in Michigan, Gatlinburg Skylift in Tennesee, Boyne South, Florida and Cypress Mountain in British Columbia.

Boyne USA Resorts was created by Everett Kircher. Kircher fell in love with the sport of skiing from his first skiing experience back in 1938. At the time, he owned a car dealership in Michigan and began to explore the options for building a ski hill. In 1947, he purchased 40 acres and a used chair lift. A year later, Boyne Mountain was born in 1948. Kircher was successful, and in 1963 he sold his car dealership and purchased Boyne Highlands. He dedicated his career to the ski industry, with great recognition and accomplishments. In 1999, Kircher was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Journalists Association. He installed the world's first triple chair lift and became a pioneer in snowmaking. After his passing in 2002, his legacy continues with the leadership of his sons and daughters who run one of the largest ski companies in the country, Boyne USA.

Under the leadership of Boyne USA, Big Sky Resort continues to set standards for skiing in Montana and in the Rockies. Over a ten year period beginning in 1988, thirteen new and improved lifts were added as part of an agressive lift expansion plan. With a total of seventeen lifts transporting skiers and snowboarders to over 3,500 skiable acres, the resort has set the standard for a mountain that gives each person plenty of elbow room.

Skiing in Big Sky Montana
© Vertical Media In 1990, the resort invested $18 million in accommodations and meeting facilities with its development of Shoshone Condominium Hotel and the 43,000 square foot Yellowstone Conference Center. In 1995, the Lone Peak Tram was built, capable of carrying skiers to the mountain's peak of 11,150 feet and giving Big Sky one of the nation's largest total vertical drops at 4,180 feet. In March 2000, Big Sky opened the Summit at Big Sky. This luxury Euro-western hotel was the single largest development since the resort's inception. This $50 million project is located slopeside, less than 300 feet from two high speed quads and a gondola.

Its most current projects include a ten year plan with anticipated cost of $400 million for improvement to the Village and ski terrain at Big Sky. This project was announced by Boyne USA in April 2001. The resort is dedicated to continual upgrades, expansion with thoughtful consideration to its impact on its surrounding environment, and in its dutiful service to skier and snowboarder patrons. Big Sky Resort continues to make its mark on the mountain vacation industry, along with creating a remarkable memorable experience for winter guests.

Big Sky Ski Resort is one of the finest mountain resorts in the Rocky Mountains. Not only will you find this resort to offer the best in winter snow specific activities, but you can also enjoy this two season resort in the summer. The winter season opens from Thanksgiving, late November, until mid-April. The summer opens from early June through early October. With every season, a unique opportunity awaits for the enthusiast of the great outdoors. The resort offers luxurious comforts in a pristine and natural setting. Explore and enjoy this genuine resort in its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife and gracious hospitality.

Pricing for interchangeable lift tickets and season passes will be released at a later date.

Mountain Facts
Base elevation 6,800 feet.
Top elevation 11,150 feet.
Longest run 6 miles.
Average annual snowfall 400 inches.
Season runs late-November to late-April.