Last updated: October 28, 2026
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Big Sky sits on US 191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone, about 45 miles from each (Visit Big Sky). It is best known for Big Sky Resort, with 5,850 skiable acres and the 11,166-foot summit of Lone Peak (Big Sky Resort). There’s plenty to do in summer too: lift-served mountain biking, a summit observatory, hiking on Custer Gallatin National Forest land, and rafting and fishing on the Gallatin River. Big Sky is an unincorporated community, and a set of special districts handles local services; one of them collects a 4% resort tax on lodging, meals and many other purchases (Big Sky Resort Area District).
This guide covers what to do in each season, how the community is laid out, where to stay, how to get there, and what the resort tax means for your bill. For a comparison of Big Sky with Montana’s other ski areas, see Montana Ski Resorts Compared.
How Big Sky is laid out
Visit Big Sky, the area’s tourism organization, describes the community in three parts, along US 191 and MT 64 (Visit Big Sky):
- Big Sky Canyon: along US 191 in the Gallatin Canyon, where many of the guided outfitters are based.
- Town Center and Meadow Village: the heart of the community, with shops, the farmers market, Len Hill Park and the resort’s Nordic center in Meadow Village.
- Lone Mountain (Mountain Village): the base of Big Sky Resort, at the end of the road up the mountain.
The free local bus and the low-fare link to Bozeman (see “Getting there” below) connect these areas.
Things to do in Big Sky in winter
Skiing and riding at Big Sky Resort
| Stat | Big Sky Resort |
|---|---|
| Skiable acres | 5,850 |
| Vertical drop | 4,350 ft (summit 11,166 ft) |
| Lifts | 40, including 2 gondolas and the Lone Peak Tram |
| 2026-27 season | Opens Wed., Nov. 25, 2026; closing day listed as April 25, 2027 (weather permitting) |
| Multi-resort passes | Ikon Pass; Mountain Collective |
Sources: Big Sky mountain info; winter opening day; winter closing day; Ikon page. Lift ticket prices change by date and are posted on Big Sky’s lift ticket page.
The Explorer Gondola, which Big Sky calls the world’s fastest 10-person gondola, runs from Mountain Village to the base of the Lone Peak Tram. The tram climbs more than 2,000 vertical feet in about four minutes (Big Sky: Kircliff). Lift tickets include tram rides. Ikon, Mountain Collective and some Big Sky passholders pay per ride through “Autocharge,” at a rate the resort posts daily (Big Sky: Lone Peak Tram). The easiest way down from the top is Liberty Bowl, a single-black-diamond run, so non-experts should ride the tram as a scenic trip.
Kircliff observatory (no skis needed)
Kircliff is a two-story glass observation deck at the 11,166-foot summit, reached by the gondola and tram. Big Sky says the view takes in more than ten mountain ranges, two national parks and three states (Big Sky: Kircliff). Big Sky calls it Montana’s highest scenic overlook, and no ski gear is required.
Other winter activities
Big Sky Resort lists these winter activities (Big Sky: Winter Activities):
- Nordic skiing at the Big Sky Resort Nordic Center in Meadow Village, with rentals and lessons.
- Guided snowshoe tours, held weekly from Wednesday to Saturday.
- The Enchanted Forest, a lit winter trail walk.
- Sleigh-ride and snowcat dinner experiences.
- Sno-Go bike rentals and guides.
- The Solace Spa.
The resort also points visitors to off-resort snowmobile tours and to Yellowstone in winter by snowcoach or snowmobile. The park’s West Entrance is about 45 miles south in West Yellowstone (Visit Big Sky). Inside Yellowstone, snowmobiles must travel with a guide, and the 2026-27 oversnow season is scheduled to open Dec. 15, 2026. See Yellowstone in Winter from Montana for the rules and the list of approved tour companies. To compare guided options, browse Big Sky tours on Viator.
Things to do in Big Sky in summer
Big Sky Resort’s summer activities are closed for the season; the resort says to “check back in the spring for summer 2027 activities.” Its summer page lists these (Big Sky: Summer Activities):
- Kircliff and the Lone Peak Tram: a guided scenic lift ride to the summit, with notes on wildlife, plants and geology.
- Mountain biking: lift-served and cross-country trails, from beginner flow trails to expert technical terrain.
- Hiking, including guided hikes, ziplining, archery (reached by chairlift), disc golf and the kids’ Adventure Mountain in Mountain Village Plaza.
- Lake Levinski Marina, for paddleboarding and kayaking.
- Golf on what the resort calls an “award-winning Arnold Palmer-designed public course.”
Off the resort, Big Sky Resort lists guided whitewater rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, ATV and side-by-side rentals, and rock climbing. It also suggests Yellowstone day tours from Big Sky and West Yellowstone. To see guided tours in the area, browse Big Sky tours on Viator.
Hiking on public land
Most trails around Big Sky are on the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Forest Service groups them in its “Gallatin Canyon, Hwy 191 & Big Sky” recreation corridor, which covers day hikes, backpacking, river fishing and scenic drives (USFS Custer Gallatin). Two of the best-known trails are managed or co-managed by the Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO):
| Trail | Distance (round trip) | Elevation gain | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ousel Falls | 1.6 mi | 200–300 ft | Easy; leads from Town Center to a 100-foot waterfall; open year-round; dogs on leash | BSCO |
| Beehive Basin | 6.6–7.2 mi | 1,500–1,725 ft | Moderate; alpine basin and lake beneath Lone Mountain at about 9,000+ ft. Jointly managed by BSCO and the U.S. Forest Service. The lower parking lot fills quickly in peak months, July and August | BSCO |
BSCO notes that elk, moose and bears use the Beehive Basin area. Carry bear spray, and check current trail conditions before you go.
Where to stay in Big Sky
Most lodging falls into one of three groups:
- Mountain Village (slopeside). Big Sky Resort Central Reservations books hotels, condos, cabins and private homes. The resort says “nearly all” of its properties are ski-in/ski-out or slopeside (Big Sky: Lodging). Booking through the resort adds a service fee, which it explains on that page.
- Meadow Village and Town Center. These are closer to restaurants, Ousel Falls and the Nordic trails, and the free local bus runs to the mountain.
- Bozeman. It’s about 45 miles north, with the most hotel choice in the region and year-round flights. See our Bozeman town page.
To compare hotels for your dates: hotels in Big Sky on Expedia. For a condo or house for a group or family: vacation rentals in Big Sky on Vrbo.
Getting to Big Sky
- Fly: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Big Sky Resort says BZN has direct flights from 19 cities and 21 airports (Big Sky: Lodging). If you’ll want a car for Yellowstone or the canyon, compare rental cars at Bozeman’s airport (BZN).
- Drive: From Bozeman, US 191 runs south through the Gallatin Canyon. From West Yellowstone, it crosses a corner of Yellowstone National Park (Visit Big Sky). Check MDT 511 for winter road conditions.
- Bus: Skyline, run by the Big Sky Transportation District, offers year-round, zero-fare service around Big Sky and a low-fare Link between Big Sky and Bozeman. Skyline lists 2026-27 winter schedule information on its site (Skyline).
The Big Sky resort tax (2026)
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 4% of the retail value of taxable goods and services | BSRAD FAQ |
| Breakdown | 3% base plus a 1% infrastructure increase, in effect since July 1, 2020 | BSRAD FAQ |
| How long the extra 1% lasts | As long as each project’s financial commitment, or until the district expires in 2032, whichever comes first | BSRAD FAQ |
| Lodging | Lodging rentals are taxed, except stays longer than 30 days and employee housing | BSRAD FAQ |
| Who collects it | The Big Sky Resort Area District, “a special purpose district existing as a local government” | BSRAD |
| Where the money goes | Board grants for tourism development, infrastructure, ambulance and emergency services, public transportation and other uses | BSRAD FAQ |
What it means for a visitor: A hotel or vacation rental in Big Sky pays Montana’s 8% lodging tax (Montana DOR) plus the 4% resort tax. Meals, drinks and many other purchases inside the district add the 4% resort tax. Montana still has no general statewide sales tax. For the full statewide picture and other resort-tax towns, see Does Montana Have a Sales Tax?. If you’re considering living in the area, see the cost of living in Bozeman.
This section is general information, not tax advice. Businesses collecting the tax should follow the district’s Ordinance 98-01 and contact BSRAD directly.
Big Sky and Yellowstone
Big Sky is a practical base for the park’s West Entrance (about 45 miles) and, in summer, for the road through the park’s northwest corner on US 191 (Visit Big Sky). For entrance choices, drive times and fees, see Visiting Yellowstone from Montana and our Yellowstone hub. For the gateway town itself, see West Yellowstone, MT: Where to Stay, What to Do & Getting Into the Park. Planning a move rather than a trip? Start at our Moving to Montana hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the resort tax in Big Sky, Montana?
4% of the retail value of taxable goods and services, including lodging, according to the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD).
When does Big Sky Resort open for 2026-27?
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, weather permitting. The resort lists closing day as April 25, 2027, also weather permitting (opening day; closing day).
Can non-skiers go to the top of Lone Peak?
Yes. Kircliff, the summit observatory, is reached by the Explorer Gondola and the Lone Peak Tram, with no gear required (Big Sky: Kircliff).
How far is Big Sky from Bozeman and Yellowstone?
About 45 miles from Bozeman and 45 miles from West Yellowstone and the park’s West Entrance, on US 191 (Visit Big Sky).
Sources
- Big Sky Resort Area District FAQ: https://resorttax.org/frequently-asked-questions/ ; home: https://resorttax.org/
- Big Sky Resort: https://www.bigskyresort.com/mountain-info ; /events/winter-opening-day ; /events/winter-closing-day ; /ikon-pass ; /lone-peak-tram ; /kircliff ; /winter-activities ; /summer-activities ; /lodging
- Visit Big Sky: https://www.visitbigsky.com/
- USDA Forest Service, Custer Gallatin NF, Gallatin Canyon, Hwy 191 & Big Sky: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/recreation/gallatin-canyon-hwy-191-big-sky
- Big Sky Community Organization trails: https://www.bsco.org/trails/ousel-falls-trail ; https://www.bsco.org/trails/beehive-basin-trail
- Skyline (Big Sky Transportation District): https://skylinebus.com/
- Montana Department of Revenue, lodging facility tax (4% sales + 4% use = 8%): https://revenue.mt.gov/taxes/miscellaneous/lodging-facility
- Montana lodging tax and resort-tax context: see sources in /does-montana-have-sales-tax/
Cole Bennett edits MontanaHelp, a research-driven guide to moving to and living in Montana. Articles cite official and public sources and are updated as rules and data change. AI tools help research and draft them; a person runs the editorial process and spot-checks one article per batch before it’s published.
AI tools helped research and draft this article. A person runs MontanaHelp’s editorial process and spot-checks one article per batch before it’s published.