In ski circles, Big Sky Resort in Montana has traditionally been known for its expert terrain.
Its infamous Lone Peak Tram opened in 1995, introducing the world to its plethora of steep-slope skiing. Punctuated by the Big Couloir, a 1,400-foot chute with a 50-degree slope, Big Sky’s high-altitude terrain has become a bucketlist destination for die-hard skiers.
But today, you don’t have to be a life-long or experienced skier to appreciate the grandeur of Big Sky. The past years have seen the resort quietly add amenities and accommodations to make the mountain more appealing to other audiences, including comfort-driven, family-oriented travelers, luxury seekers, and beginner skiers.
Its 2025 plan, which is already underway, includes upgraded dining options, brand-new hotels, and better lift access to beginner and intermediate terrain.
Below are the top projects that are changing the game at Big Sky:
Rendering of the new Montage Big Sky, set to open this fall.
MONTAGE RESORTS
New 5-star Montage Hotel
On your next visit to Big Sky, you can expect a fresh array of places to stay.
Big Sky’s classic lodging option, the 3-star Huntley Lodge (opened in 1973), is getting an upgrade as we speak, set to debut next season. The 4-star Summit Hotel, also located right there in the mountain village, is also in the process of receiving an upgrade. Between these two properties, there will be hundreds of freshly renovated rooms heading into the 2021-22 season.
But the biggest news when it comes to lodging is the addition of a brand new hotel: The 5-star Montage. It will be the ski area’s first 5-star property.
With ski-in, ski-out access, the Montage will have 150 rooms, five dining outlets, indoor and outdoor pools, a 11,000 square-foot spa, and access to ski, golf, and fly-fishing programs for year-round activities.
It is being constructed adjacent to the Lewis & Clark lift within the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club.
View from the Vista Bar during après at Big Sky Resort in Montana.
WAKE AND WANDER MEDIA
New Eateries: Vista Lounge + Westward Social
Last season, Big Sky debuted its Vista Hall, a multi-vendor eatery on the second floor of a lodge at its base. Modern in its design, it offers made-to-order menu options that range from tacos and breakfast burritos to poke and pizza.
Continue through the eatery to reach the Vista Bar, where a large outdoor patio buzzes during après thanks to a magnificent view of Lone Peak and Big Sky’s frontcountry. The reimagined patio creates a community feel that overlooks the main base area and provides a fantastic, nightly view of the sunset behind Lone Peak after the lifts close.
Just underneath the Vista Bar is another new dining option in Big Sky’s reimagined base area, Westward Social. Sporting lively, colorful murals and a modern menu, Westward Social’s hand-crafted cocktail menu and upscale comfort food plays nicely after a long day of skiing.
New Gondola
Specific details have yet to be revealed, but we do know that Big Sky will install a brand-new gondola at the mountain village base area by 2025. It will be the resorts first gondola and, along with Big Sky’s heated bubble lifts (Ramcharger and Powder Seeker), it will provide guests a warm-and-cozy option to head up the hill.
New Base Lift
Speaking of bubble lifts, Big Sky will soon get a third to go along with Ramcharger and Powder Seeker.
Currently, the Swift Current lift that leaves from the main base area is a 4-person, high-speed lift. It is one of the main arteries of the resort, offering a quick ascent up to the base of Lone Peak. From there, one can access mid-mountain lifts to higher terrain, or head back down to the base via intermediate and beginner terrain.
The upgrade, which will begin this summer, will increase the capacity of Swift Current to 6 persons and also add heated seats and a bubble shield to pull down on cold and windy days.
The new lift is expected to debut later this year at the start of the 2021-22 season.
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