What ski runs to hit based on your skiing level

With 5,500 acres, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin have a broad range of terrain for all levels of skiers and riders. From mellow cruisers and perfectly groomed blue trails, to powdery trees, steep chutes and wide open alpine slopes, we have it all.

Here are a few highlights:

Big Sky

Mr. K (green) – The perfect beginner run, Mr. K is a favorite for visitors and locals alike. You can’t beat it!

El Dorado (green) – A rolling, wide-open green run that follows the Southern Comfort lift line, this is a perfect place to practice your form.

Elk Park Ridge (intermediate) – One of the best blue runs in the country, Elk Park Ridge has a perfect pitch to open it up and arc big turns.

Upper Morningstar/The Bowl (intermediate/advanced) – The views of the tram Cirque are unparalleled. And the skiing is darn good.

Liberty Bowl (advanced) – The easiest run off the tram, and also the longest, Liberty gives you that feeling that you could jump right off the mountain and fly.

The Big Couloir (expert) – Another line at Big Sky Resort worth superlatives, the Big is one of North America’s classic ski lines. Grab a partner, check in with patrol, and screw up your courage – this line is proud.


Moonlight Basin

Horseshoe (beginner) – Horseshoe rambles for two miles down Moonlight’s western flanks. Take your time, and stop to take in unbelievable views of the North Summit Snowfield.

Lookout Ridge/Icehouse (intermediate) – Lookout is the signature blue run at Moonlight, and Icehouse is a lovely diversion. Stop at the long flat spot to snap some photos of Fan Mountain, to the west, then rip the headwall.

Lone Tree Face (advanced) – Spend an hour or two spinning laps on Lone Tree Face and you’ll work yourself silly – and never ski the same run twice. This is the perfect spot to hone your skills before venturing into the Headwaters.

Second Fork to the Elbow Room (expert) – This is the prime line in the Headwaters – a cirque of prime lines. Starting at the apex of the ridge, and descend fall line past the confluence of first, second and third fork. Veer left into the Elbow Room, an obvious dogleg chute that dumps you into the apron.

North Summit Snowfield (expert) – A locals’ favorite, the Snowfield descends more than 2,000 feet from the summit of Lone Mountain to the wild, undeveloped moraine below. You’ll need a partner – or three, and to check out with Moonlight patrol in the top shack.
 

36 Hours in Big Sky, Montana

Ready for a winter retreat, but don’t have a lot of time?  No problem, in just 36 hours you can enjoy many of Big Sky’s best offerings.  Let’s start with an example of an evening arrival:

After a busy day of traveling, what better way to wind down than with an old-fashioned Sleigh Ride Dinner?  Take advantage of Lone Mountain Ranch’s Sleigh and Stay Package, which includes the acclaimed Sleigh Ride Dinner, accommodations in one of the ranch’s comfortable log cabins, and a bountiful breakfast. 

7:00 pm—Lone Mountain Ranch Sleigh Ride Dinner, take a horse drawn sleigh ride over the river and through the woods to a cozy cabin. Once there dinner and entertainment, including Prime Rib among other mountain favorites.

7:30 am—Breakfast at Lone Mountain Ranch.  Up and at ‘em, The Biggest Skiing in America is calling! 

9:00 am-4:00 pm—For a fun filled day of skiing or snowboarding, head for Big Sky Resort and/or Moonlight Basin.  Together, the two adjacent ski resorts comprise more than 5,500 acres of skiable terrain, the most skiable terrain anywhere in the U.S.  Click on the following for more information regarding lift tickets and pricing:

• Biggest Skiing in America —access to both Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin
• Big Sky Resort
• Moonlight Basin

12:30 pm--Lunch at the Cabin Bar & Grill, located at the base of the Silverknife ski run.  Enjoy delicious skier’s lunch. 

4:00 pm-6:00 pm –Relax in the Solace Spa with a massage, body treatment, facial or blowout for the helmet hair then head to “après” at the Carabiner Lounge.

6:30 pm—The Montana Dinner Yurt, backcountry adventure.  Your evening begins with a 20 minute ride by snow-cat to a cozy yurt (an igloo-like tent) tucked back in the Montana wilderness.


 

What to pack for a ski vacation in Big Sky, Montana

One of the most important things to remember when skiing at Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin is that Lone Mountain is high. With a summit elevation of 11,166 feet, you want to pack for an alpine skiing experience. Bring warm layers that can be removed throughout the day as the temperature rises and you exert yourself. Sunscreen is essential even when it’s cloudy – at high elevation you’re that much closer to the sun – and don’t forget spf for your lips, they often get neglected and you don’t want that smile to hurt after a deep powder day.

Hydrating is vital during any day on the slopes and especially on Lone Mountain. Water combats the effects elevation has on the body and on a mountain with 4,350 vertical feet of skiing, you’ll need fluids on board to ski till that last chair ride. It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle and toss it in your pack if you ski with one.

Bring a camera with spare batteries. Lone Mountain is unique and very photogenic – it tends to hog the camera lens. If you take the tram to the summit you can capture stunning, 360 degree views, including a rare vantage point of nearby Yellowstone National Park. And have those extra batteries handy, so you don’t miss all the smiles sure to accompany your family on a ski vacation in Big Sky, Mont.

What to pack:

• Baselayers
• mid layer- (down is great!)
• Waterproof shell/pants
• Sunscreen
• Waterbottle or hydration pack
• Camera
• Goggles
• Neck gator or helmet liner
• Helmet
• Warm gloves or mitts
• Jeans for apres- you can wear to dinner anywhere in Big Sky

Great Family Dining in Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky Montana is not just home to the Biggest Skiing in America, it is an all around fantastic family vacation destination.  In the winter, Big Sky offers a myriad of fun outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides, dog sledding, and more.

As we all know, any great family vacation involves great family dining.  There are many excellent and fun eateries in Big Sky; some even dish up a serving of "favorite unforgettable experience" with every meal.

I am a long-time, Big Sky local; when visitors, especially those with kids, ask where they should eat, I recommend the following:

The Montana Dinner Yurt

The Montana Dinner Yurt experience is more than just dinner.  It is a once in a lifetime, back-country adventure.  Your evening begins with a 20 minute ride by snowcat to a cozy yurt (an igloo-like tent) tucked back in the Montana wilderness.  Once you arrive, you'll enjoy sledding, campfires, and hot drinks, followed by a delicious steak dinner.

Sleigh Ride Dinner at the Lone Mountain Ranch

This one scarcely needs any explanation; imagine your family, together in a horse drawn sleigh, sipping hot chocolate and gliding through a real-life winter wonderland, on your way to enjoying a hearty prime rib dinner.

Choppers Grub & Pub

Perhaps you are just looking for a great meal in a fun atmosphere.  If this is the case, try Choppers.  The menu is varied with plenty of choices for parents and kids alike.  The food is pleasantly familiar American cuisine such as burgers, (Choppers was voted Best Burger in Big Sky, 2012) chicken wings, and nachos.

Blue Moon Bakery

The Blue Moon Bakery has the most delicious pizza in Big Sky, which may explain why they were voted Best Pizza in Big Sky for 2012.  Stop in for hand-tossed pizza, delicious salads, and a cold draft beer.  Afterward, choose from the tempting selection of cookies and treats.

Bugaboo Cafe

The Bugaboo Cafe is owned and operated by two talented chefs, and it shows.  Everything on the menu is tantalizing.  My personal favorite is the gyro served with house made chips; it just can't be beat.

But don't wait until dinner to go to Bugaboo Cafe, they are open for breakfast and lunch only, they close at 4pm.

 

How to Dress for Skiing and Snowboarding

How many times have we heard "What should I wear?" when planning an outdoor activity in Montana? We all just smile and say "dress in layers and be prepared for anything."

A warm, bluebird morning can quickly change to a blustery, cold afternoon. Montanans are never surprised when the temperature changes by 40 degrees in one day. We just go with the flow!

When dressing for a day of skiing or riding, always keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can change suddenly.  Dress in layers and plan for sun, snow, wind, and a wide range of temperatures, regardless of the current conditions.

Click here for a detailed list of must-have clothing...

Tips for Skiing with Kids

Lonnie Ball photo.

Big Sky is the ideal winter wonderland for a family vacation. Kids and adults alike will be in awe of the scenery and overwhelmed by the multitude of activities to choose from.

Skiing can be an ideal way for the whole family to enjoy time spent together.  However, to ensure that your great expectations don't turn into great frustrations, Biggest Skiing in America has a few tried-and-true tips for skiing with kids.

Click here to view tips… 

Picture Perfect: Photographing Yellowstone Wildlife

Yellowstone National Park is one of the nation’s premier destinations for nature photography, and for good reason. A spectacular array of native species, breathtaking vistas, and some of the worlds most famous geothermal features can be found just outside your car door. Herds of bison mosey down the streets, grizzly bears roam through tall golden grasses, and wolf packs can be seen stalking elk on fire red horizons. Yellowstone is a place that dreams(and great photos) are made of!

Yellowstone Park is a massive expanse of wilderness. However, even with it’s 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone wildlife corridors run far and wide beyond the park’s boundaries. Here in neighboring Big Sky, Montana many of that same Yellowstone wildlife can be found. Bears, moose, elk, wolves, and a number of other species call Big Sky home. Early risers, motorists, and outdoor enthusiast alike can find wildlife photo ops all around Big Sky. Here at Moonlight Basin Resort, we installed several wildlife cameras as part of our wildlife monitoring program. Avid nature photography buffs ourselves, these cameras allow us a rare and beautiful glimpse into the lives and patterns of our fuzzy neighbors!

Click here to see more videos.
 

Cross Country Skiing

Clear frosty nights are the prelude to wonderful snowy days to come. The winter storms will be coming soon and I want to be ready for the ski season. Being out on the snow is seductive and addictive. I feel compelled, almost possessed to take advantage of the cold smoke that Big Sky receives, whether downhill skiing, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing. My passion, though, is really on my cross country skis gliding through the forests around Big Sky’s Lone Mountain Ranch and Yellowstone National Park.

My skis are talking to me and as I scrape off the summer wax and I think about silently gliding through the snow laden trees on Walkin’ Jim’s Way, my favorite groomed cross country ski trail at Lone Mountain Ranch. Following the North Fork creek up toward the Spanish Peaks, the trail meanders along through dense forests and small open meadows.  The bright sunlight glows off the ridgelines of the Spanish Peaks and makes the snow twinkle like diamonds. Often I follow the tracks of a moose who takes advantage of the groomed trail for easier walking than the deeper snow off to the side. It’s fun to see where it decides to take a nap under the comfort of a fir bough.  I often wonder how many times I have passed one who is perfectly camouflaged in the shadows of the trees.

A bench is waiting for me in a sunny meadow where I stop for a snack and some water.  The bench also signals where the trail heads downhill back to the Ranch.  I’m going to add a layer and get ready for the fun, twisty-turny run down. It’s an exhilarating step, turning around the corners & gathering as much speed as I can handle, tucking as I go.  My eyes watering from the wind, stresses clearing from my mind, I am in the zone. Another perfect day cross country skiing!