Your Ultimate Ski Guide: Big Sky & Sun Valley | Part 3
It’s Part 3 of our Ultimate Ski Guide, where we explore all that Big Sky, Montana, and Sun Valley, Idaho, have to offer! Your ski level doesn’t matter—from beginner to pro—we share the ins and outs of these two incredible ski destinations. If you missed Part 1, click here to learn more about Summit County, or read Part 2 to learn about Lake Tahoe and Park City.
YOUR GUIDE TO BIG SKY
The Big Sky Resort is located atop Lone Mountain—where you can see Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, and Idaho on a clear day! And new to the Winter ski season is the completely updated Lone Peak Tram! At the top terminal, step out (if you dare) into all-glass viewing platforms with glass floors! Explore more than 5,800 acres of skiable terrain and unwind in the delightful Mountain Village.
Conveniently located 50 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, this popular destination has incredible views of alpine terrain, wide-open bowls, and stunning big skies (as the name implies). Surrounded by four mountains, this town is considered the gateway to Yellowstone and provides unparalleled access to wildlife, outdoor recreation, and stunning natural beauty.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Big Sky is a destination teeming with fun things to see and do year-round, but the most popular time to visit is Winter—when skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating top the day's must-do list. Manage your plans with this helpful resource for timely activities in and around Big Sky.
SKIING IN BIG SKY
Big Sky Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in America, spanning 5,850 acres with 4,350 feet of vertical drops and a top elevation of 11,166 feet! There are more than 250 ski runs and 38 different lifts to take you to the top.
The Mountain Sports School offers ski and snowboard lessons taught in various ways. Take a private class, group, or family class, or sign up for a multi-day ski clinic!
Adaptive Skiing
This is pretty great. Big Sky has partnered with Eagle Mount to share the joy of skiing and snowboarding with children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Lessons are individualized—AND FUN—to help meet the needs of the student. A multi-week program is also available.
Go Night Skiing in Big Sky
If you’re comfortable on skis, book an unforgettable Headlamp Night Skiing guided experience! You’ll be talking about this night out for years! The comfortable Ramcharger8 Lift—heated seats and a weatherproof bubble—whisks you up Andesite Mountain. Here, you and your party will don a headlamp and follow your guide as you navigate dark, silent slopes.
Practice Skills in a Terrain Park
What’s a terrain park? Think of it as a practice area for various snow sports. A terrain park is a safe area to try out snowboarding, work on your ski run, or trudge along on snowshoes for the first time. The Cowpoke and Explore terrain parks give beginners gentle runs to gain courage on. Mid-level runs can be found at Cache, and serious skiers and snowboarders can find large jumps and combo rails in Swift.
Earn a PEEP Pass
New to skiing and unsure of trail etiquette? Not to worry! Big Sky offers a fun Park Etiquette and Education Program to teach newbies everything they need to know. Taught in the terrain park, PEEPs will help keep you safe while having fun.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN BIG SKY
BIG SKY RESTAURANTS
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BIG SKY
Natural Retreats offers Big Sky vacation rentals to suit every vacation style, from mountain chic slopeside homes to grand hilltop chalets with amenities like private theaters and wine cellars. Modern condos at the Mountain and Meadow Villages are accommodations for those who want to be steps from restaurants, bars, and shops with free shuttle access to the resort.
Enjoy Big Sky year-round, book now>>>
YOUR GUIDE TO SUN VALLEY
There’s a reason why the love has never waned for Sun Valley. Considered America’s first “destination ski resort,” skiers and admirers of the mountain have been flocking to Sun Valley since it opened in 1936. In addition to being one of the best places to ski, Sun Valley is considered to have some of the best stargazing in the world!
SKIING IN SUN VALLEY
Founded as a mining town in the 1800s, this ski resort hit its glamour days with Hollywood elites, including Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, and Ernest Hemingway, spending time on the mountain.
Today, guests can explore 2,154 acres of skiable terrain and more than 250 days of sunshine (hence the name). The nearby town of Ketchum adds to the charm of this area with its welcoming Western hospitality and quaint mountain atmosphere.
Go Heli Skiing
Ready to try something different? Like, really different? Give helicopter skiing a try. It’s precisely what you might be imagining—very James Bond. You will arrive atop pristine ski runs via helicopter, where you and an experienced guide can traverse ski runs varying from 1,500 to 3,000 feet long. Sun Valley Heli Ski offers a range that spans three mountains with runs for intermediate and expert skiers.
And if you really want an unforgettable experience—book an overnight stay in the Smoky Mountain Lodge, a remote fly-in heli-ski lodge! How fun does that sound?!
Nordic Skiing
Step off the beaten path and delve into the exhilarating world of Nordic skiing! Experience the absolute serenity of the trails and the pure joy that comes from gliding effortlessly across the pristine snow. Discover why Nordic skiing has become a cherished and time-honored tradition in Sun Valley.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN SUN VALLEY
WHERE TO EAT IN SUN VALLEY
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SUN VALLEY
Our range of Sun Valley rentals offers everything from stylish condos to grand lakeside estates with private river access and luxury amenities. Pick from modern condos a short stroll from downtown, upscale townhouses with golf course views and clubhouse amenities, or those seeking the ultimate luxury stay, check out Sun Valley's famous Mid Valley area, home to some of the most stunning private residences around. Natural Retreats has you covered!
Enjoy Sun Valley year-round, book now>>>
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ROCKIES
Ready to hit the slopes? We are too! Experience the magic of the Rockies with unmatched skiing (and snowboarding) in Big Sky and Sun Valley. Don't miss out on your chance to create the ultimate Winter adventure! Call today and let us help plan your ultimate Winter adventure. Travel on.