How big is Big Sky?
Big Sky has 300 pistes served by 36 lifts — 3rd for pistes of the 15 resorts we track in the USA.
Big Sky resort guide
Montana, USA
Biggest skiing in America with uncrowded slopes
Big Sky at a glance
300
Pistes
36
Lifts
3,418m
Top
2,286m
Base
1,132m
Vertical
BZN
Nearest airport, 58 km
15% beginner25% intermediate60% advanced
Big Sky offers the biggest skiing in America with uncrowded slopes, legendary powder, and stunning Montana mountain scenery.
Your questions about Big Sky, answered
How high is Big Sky?
The lifts run from 2286m at the base to 3418m at the top, a vertical of 1132m. Of the 15 resorts we track in the USA, that is the 6th highest, with the 5th biggest vertical.
A base above 1,800m is high by Alpine standards, so the runs back to the village hold their snow better than at lower resorts.
Is Big Sky good for beginners or experts?
The pistes at Big Sky split 15% beginner, 25% intermediate and 60% advanced, against an average of 19% beginner and 42% advanced across the resorts we track in the USA.
On those numbers it suits confident skiers and riders looking for steep terrain.
For off-piste, our guide documents 2 zones at Big Sky, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Big Sky?
Over the last ten winters Big Sky has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around 21 November to 30 May, about 192 days.
April is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 101cm, 71cm of new snow and 5.7 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Big Sky?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN), 58km away in a straight line. Yellowstone (WYS) is 70km, Bert Mooney (BTM) is 113km. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift pass at Big Sky?
A 6-day adult Big Sky lift ticket costs US$1,734 for 2026/27, or US$289 a day. For value it ranks 2nd of the 15 resorts we price in the USA.
Full lift pass prices and history →Airports near Big Sky
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- Bozeman YellowstoneBZN58 km
- YellowstoneWYS70 km
- Bert MooneyBTM113 km
Travel time to Big Sky
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN)Quickest
- Flight
- 9h 45m · 7,336 km
- Transfer by road
- 1h 10m · 78 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 25m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Yellowstone (WYS)
- Flight
- 9h 50m · 7,428 km
- Transfer by road
- 1h 25m · 95 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 45m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Bert Mooney (BTM)
- Flight
- 9h 50m · 7,387 km
- Transfer by road
- 2h 20m · 153 km
- Total
- ≈ 14h 40m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, transfers at an average 65 km/h by road. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Big Sky lift pass 2026/27
US$1,7346-day adult Big Sky lift ticket · ≈£1,299
US$289 per day · 1.4 km of piste per € · #2 of 15 for value in the USA
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
43value scoreAverage value
Big Sky piste map
We publish a piste map only once we have checked it against the lift company's own file, and we do not yet have a verified map for Big Sky. Most resorts release the new season's map between October and December, so this page will fill in as winter approaches. In the meantime, Big Sky has 300 pistes and 36 lifts, running from 2,286m to 3,418m.
Why go to Big Sky
- Biggest skiing in America
- Uncrowded slopes
- Legendary powder
- Stunning Montana mountain scenery
- Great facilities
- Excellent for all skill levels
Things to know
- Can be expensive
- Remote location
- Limited flight options
- Weather can be extreme
Skiing and snowboarding Big Sky by ability
Beginners
Big Sky offers good beginner terrain, particularly in the lower mountain areas. Beginners should stick to the designated beginner runs and consider taking lessons.
Intermediates
Big Sky is excellent for intermediate skiers! The resort offers extensive intermediate terrain with uncrowded slopes. Intermediate skiers will love the long, groomed runs.
Advanced
Big Sky is a paradise for advanced skiers! The resort offers some of the most challenging terrain in America, including steep chutes, powder stashes, and challenging off-piste opportunities. The uncrowded slopes provide excellent powder opportunities.
Our take on Big Sky
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Luxury
Facilities
Official resort website: bigskyresort.com
More on Big Sky
- Big Sky snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Big Sky snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Big Sky lift pass pricesDay and week pass prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Big Sky off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Big Sky off-piste guidesMountain guides and schools offering off-piste, touring and heli-skiing here.
- Ski resorts in the USALive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in the USA
Ski resorts near Big Sky
Distances are straight-line, not by road.