A Brief History

The resort was founded by NBC news anchor Chet Huntley, who opened the lifts for the first time in 1973. His vision was to create a world-class ski area that showcased the rugged beauty of his home state. After Huntley’s passing, the resort was acquired by Boyne Resorts in 1976, which has overseen its steady growth. The most significant expansion came in 2013 with the acquisition of the neighboring Moonlight Basin and Spanish Peaks resorts, uniting the entire mountain and creating the massive, interconnected ski area that exists today. This move solidified its tagline, “The Biggest Skiing in America®.”

Resort Overview & Terrain

The numbers speak for themselves. Big Sky boasts 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, a stunning 4,350-foot vertical drop, and over 300 named runs spread across four mountains. The summit of Lone Peak tops out at an impressive 11,166 feet, offering 360-degree views of three states and two national parks. The terrain is incredibly diverse:

Beginners (15%): Gentle, wide-open groomers are primarily found around the Madison Base area, perfect for learning.
Intermediates (25%): Miles of cruising blue runs flow from Andesite and Spirit Mountains.
Advanced (42%): A huge portion of the mountain is dedicated to advanced skiers, including steep bowls, glades, and challenging groomers.
Expert (18%): The legendary Lone Peak Tram provides access to some of the most extreme in-bounds terrain in the US, with steep chutes, exposed couloirs, and vast, rocky bowls.