Big Sky Resort is the family-friendly ski destination that’s easy to get to and hard to leave. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Montana, USA, it’s the perfect place to create memories with the kids, all while making the most of the facilities and activities available.
From the unique adventures on offer to the ski-in, ski-out options, here are seven things that make it the perfect resort for your next family snow trip.
1. The ease of getting there
Getting to Big Sky Resort is straightforward. You can fly direct from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne through to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas or Houston.
From there, it’s an easy connection to the Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport, and just an hour’s drive to land you on the doorstep of Big Sky.
There are a huge range of transportation services, from shuttles to luxury cars, available to deliver you right to the doorstep of your accommodation; or you can rent a car from the airport and explore even further along the way.
2. The terrain offers something for everyone
This is the third-largest ski resort in North America, so rest assured there’s terrain for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
2300 of the 5850 skiable acres are dedicated to beginner and intermediate terrain. That’s larger than many other ski resorts in total acreage, so you can spend days on end skiing groomed green and blue runs without getting bored.
The more advanced skiers and boarders of the family aren’t forgotten either, with plenty of advanced and expert terrain available, all looked over by the awe-inspiring Lone Peak: a 11,166-foot-high mountain that offers 300 degrees of skiing around its summit.
Your days of little ones complaining about the cold are also over: Big Sky has one of the most technologically advanced chairlift network in North America, with several chairlifts having bubble enclosures and heated seats to shield the whole family from the elements.
3. The world-class ski school
Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Sports program is designed specially for kids, with group lessons offered for little skiers from the age of three, or snowboarders from four and up.
Keen to get your mini shredder introduced to their new favourite sport earlier? The ski school also offers a ‘Small Fry Try Program’, with one-on-one attention for your beginner to get them off to the best possible start. This is available for little ones as young as two.
As for parents who want quality time to hit the slops, there’s childcare available onsite through Lone Peak Playhouse in the base area. Available for kids between six months to eight years, you can choose between morning, afternoon, or full-day reservations. Kiddies will fill their days with art projects, puzzles, games, outdoor playtime, and – importantly – naps in the dedicated nap rooms.
4. The range of lodging options
No two families are the same, and Big Sky knows it’s best to have a range of options to suit every budget. From classic hotel rooms all the way through to large vacation homes, there’s a home away from home to suit every family; one top pick is the Village Center hotel ski suites, which have full kitchens and sleep up to eight people.
5. The activities for everyone in the family
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, there’s a lot of fun to be found on the slopes for kids and kids at heart. From dog-sledding to sleigh rides and snowmobile tours, all you have to do is choose your level of adventure.
Special mentions go to the new Enchanted Forest, a special winter wonderland trail accessible via the heated Ramcharger 8 chairlift; and Headlamp Night Skiing, an adrenaline-pumping way to experience the mountain once the sun has gone down, available to families intermediate level and above.
Once it’s time to get off the slopes, check out the events calendar to find the latest information on free s’mores in the base area, kids craft nights and movie nights.
6. The kid-friendly dining
If it wasn’t already obvious that Big Sky Resort loves kids – it becomes immediately obvious when looking at the range of dining options available. Head to Bucks T-4 if you’d like the kids to be entertained by the dedicated games room, or the Gallatin Riverhouse Grill if you’d like a side of live music and a game of horseshoes with your Texas barbeque food.
For those who like their dinner with an experience, there’s the Montana Dinner Yurt, which combines a 20-minute snowcat ride with hot drinks, sledding and a steak dinner in a cozy yurt in the wilderness. You can also take a horse sleigh ride to the Lone Mountain Ranch, or a chairlift ride to Everett’s 8800 for delicious kids menu items like bison ravioli.
7. The opportunity to experience Yellowstone National Park
Big Sky Resort is within an hour’s drive of Yellowstone National Park, which makes for an unforgettable experience on your rest day off the slopes. Families can explore the wonders of the world’s first national park through the snowmobile and coach tours on offer, seeing geysers, hot springs and hopefully some winter wildlife.
Ready to plan your own trip to Big Sky? Click here to find the full visitor’s guide for more information.
You can also click here to get searching for accommodation and lock in your next trip.
