Montana

Big Sky

By Jim Campbell

The very name Big Sky is full of romance and adventure, and that’s what you’ll find in this mountain community. It’s one of the five gateways to Yellowstone National Park and has the largest ski area in the world. This, along with the crisp, clear air and majestic mountain scenery, makes it one of the best destinations for outdoors enthusiasts planning a romantic trip.

The powder snow is perfect for skiing and other winter sports including snow boarding and dog sledding. Big Sky is also a popular destination in the summer, located amid Alpine meadows, surrounded by forests, lakes, rivers and under the watchful peak of Lone Mountain. Fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, boating and zip lining provide all the fun and excitement you need to feel renewed and refreshed.

Big Sky is famous for its luxury mountain lodges and ranches where visitors can get a taste of Western hospitality. It’s also a cool mountain town, with coffee houses, bakeries, breweries and a wide choice of restaurants known for using locally sourced ingredients and wild game.

About Big Sky

At a Glance

  • The Big Sky Resort has the largest ski area in the world, and the numbers to prove it: 5,800 acres of skiing area with four mountains, 4,350 feet of vertical ski runs and over fifty miles of Nordic skiing trails.
  • There’s plenty to do at Big Sky even after the snow is gone, including golf, tennis, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, horseback trail rides and whitewater rafting. A popular hike is the Ousel Falls Trail. The falls are spectacular and so is the trail, which runs through a forested canyon alongside a swift cascading river.

Big Sky Honeymoon Hints

  • Take a hot air balloon ride over the spectacular scenery and enjoy the thrill of being high up in the air with that one special person in your life. For a slightly different view, try exploring the park and backcountry by canoe, cross-country skiing or horseback.
  • For a true winter romance, there’s nothing to beat a sleigh ride, with warm blankets, cocoa and a sky full of stars.
  • In the summer, catch an outdoor music concert. Music in the Mountains is a weekly Thursday concert series with jazz, bluegrass, rock, country and more.
  • Big Sky lies at an elevation of 6240 feet in the Rockies, surrounded by the Spanish Peaks and Gallatin National Forest. The town is located between Bozeman and West Yellowstone.

Travel Tips

  • GETTING THERE: Big Sky is under 45 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN),with connections nationwide. You can get a rental car at the airport or a taxi or shuttle bus service from the airport to Big Sky. From Bozeman, drive south on Hwy 191.
  • GETTING AROUND: The best way to get around is to drive yourself.
  • WEATHER: Summers remain cool with temperatures in the 60s in May and 70s and 80s in July and August. Evenings cool down noticeable. In winter, the average daily temperature is about 25 ºF. Mountain weather can be unpredictable so it’s a good idea to be prepared for rain or snow, depending on the season.
  • WHEN TO GO: Big Sky is a popular destination year-round and for skiing in winter. July and August are the busiest time, so you should book well ahead if you plan to visit then.