Big Sky Montana Blogs

Big Sky, MT is known for its world class skiing, fantastic hiking and best of all its solitude. Located just one hour from the Bozeman or West Yellowstone airports, getting to Big Sky isn't difficult; car rentals and shuttles are abundant. Once there though you should be prepared for somewhat limited services; you're not going to get a Walmart. That being said there are plenty of services and dining options to make your trip as luxurious as you want it to be. Big Sky can be split into three main areas, The Canyon, Town Center and the Mountain Villages. Although from one area to the next is a matter of miles it is nice to be aware of amenities available in each spot.

The Canyon

The Canyon is actually comprised of the stretch of Hwy 191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone, the only way to get to Big Sky. There are quite a few homes for rent in the canyon and new development seems to be sprouting up all the time. You will find a handful of restaurants along this stretch, from affordable burgers to expensive steak dinners; breakfast pastries to sandwiches. The canyon has the only gas stations as well as a hardware store. There are a few bars and even a place to get your haircut. The Ophir School (public school grades K-12) is located in the canyon as well as a few public tennis courts. The canyon also has a couple of USFS campgrounds if you are looking for an inexpensive spot to lay your head. Everything is pretty spread out so you'll most likely need a car to get around although this fall I did notice some improvements to the bike path so by next summer cruising the canyon by bicycle may actually be enjoyable.

Town Center

The Town Center is Big Sky's version of an actual town, although don't count on chain restaurants or even a complete pharmacy; it's still growing. There are plenty of condos, hotel rooms and homes to rent in this area and if you are looking for accessibility to skiing, restaurants and other activities this may be your best option. You can walk a lot of places and free shuttles take you to the resorts. The town center has two grocery stores as well as the only brewery. They have numerous restaurants that go beyond the standard Montana steak including both a Thai and Mexican place. The golf course is located in the Town Center and a few different public parks, playgrounds and baseball diamonds. This area offers a movie rental store, yoga and Pilates studio as well as a number of different physician offices. Recently I heard they were trying to host community events such as a town bonfires and ice-skating in the winter but please check with the visitor center before showing up with your skates.

Mountain Village

As you head up the hill your final destinations are the base of Big Sky and Moonlight Basin Resort, better known as the Mountain Village. If you are looking for ski in/ski out accessibility this is definitely where you want to stay but realize amenities are more limited than in the Town Center. The base of Big Sky offers a few more restaurants and even a tiny grocer (although it's worth driving the 5 minutes to the Town Center if you need anything more then a pint of ice cream) but Moonlight boasts high class dining and spa services. The Mountain Village tends to close down in the off season more often then the other two areas so check with the visitor’s center or specific shops and restaurants if you visit the area beyond the tourist season. There is a medical facility located in the Mountain Village in case of accidents or emergencies. There are also a few different places to après ski or enjoy a drink in the evening, but best to call before showing up if it isn't prime tourist season.

Plan Ahead

Luxury Accommodation in Big Sky

Ski in/Ski out Lodging

Vacation Rentals in Big Sky