I understand that they can't control the weather. It's warm and the snow sucks. However, the face of the resort is in complete denial (or oblivion). Website and lift status boards say that 100% of mountain is open, but at least half of it is closed. Employees at the lift ticket window are completely unaware of conditions even though ski patrol said they have no intention of opening up the top today. The girl at the office this afternoon told us to our face that the whole mountain was open. Unreal. I dont expect apologies or discounts for weather, but I absolutely do expect transparency. Unless they get some serious snow, don't waste your time or money.
This was my first trip to Big Sky. Annual ski trip with my son. The mountain is massive. We skied 3 days and still were unable to get to 5 chairs to see what was there. Learning our way around the mountain took up more time then we wanted. The expert terrain is something special. As we made our way around the mountain we came across many areas for all levels of skiing. The beginner and intermediate runs were groomed to perfection. My wife would have loved skiing here. I would love to try some of it when there is more snow. Like most places in 2015 the snow pack is much less then normal. We stayed at the Huntley Lodge. Nice rooms but no fan in the bathroom to exhaust the steam from a shower. The outdoor pool and hot tub were a great place to talk to others about the day skiing. The food experience all over the mountain and the base area was the best. When staying at the lodge the breakfast is included. The best breakfast buffet that I have ever been to. I had the best meatloaf that I can remember at the Sissorbill Saloon. The Pot Pie there was wonderful as well.
First visit to Big Sky resort. I have skied a number of places in the rockies and this is at the top of my list. A really good place for a family to ski on a massive mountain with a lot of terrain variety. The Shashone hotel/condo facility was very nice and easy to get to and from the ski runs. The breakfast buffet is very good as well. I will bring my family back to Big Sky on our next ski trip.
I have been skiing Big Sky for many years and never ceases to be my favorite ski resort in the world. Terrain and scenery never disappoint.
Sadly not as much snow this year as there was in 2014, and it seems that the priority is to keep the best snow in the many terrain parks, rather than reduce the number of poorly used parks and use the snow on the nearby runs which are rocks and soil. However, the snow is good in the trees, and some runs are in better condition than others, but it is deteriorating fast. Everyone is saying this is the worst year for snow in many and we did experience the fab conditions that Big Sky can have last year when it was fresh powder nearly every run, never mind every day!
Big Sky is a must visit for any serious skier. It truly is big - bigger than Vail with a fraction of the number of skiers. It has HUGE bowls and tons of them, so many that some aren't even called bowls. Add to that steeps, chutes, great tree skiing and loads of wide open slopes plus terrain for the beginner or intermediate in your group, and you've got it all. If lots of nightlife, a big base village with lots of dining options are must have's, then Big Sky is not for you. The Big Sky area has a few shops, bars & restaurants but not a lot to choose from and limited fine dining options. Great place to rent a condo and settle in for a fabulous week of skiing.
Our family looks forward to Big Sky every year! Nowhere else like it. The service is excellent and the accommodations awesome. We have fallen in love with the area and can't wait to come back to the Biggest Skiing in America!
OK, the mountain is tremendous with lots of trails but the resort is not designed for day skiers. Parking is remote but the jitney to and from the parking lot is convenient and timely. The problem is what to do when you get to the mountain...we could not find a spot to dump our shoes and lunch and change into ski boots that is so common in other ski areas; someplace to rest and have a simple lunch. There was a small crowded locker room with locker rental but it was small and crowded.The trail maps leave something to be desired but the "Mountain Hosts" who were at the top and bottom of the lifts were WONDERFUL resources and very helpful. There was a restaurant at the top of two lifts that had an outside grill running two of our three days but as with the base there was not a lot of available seating - although taking an early break and sitting by the outside fireplace was wonderful.The staff was great, the skiing was excellent - no lift lines, lots of choices although too many of the runs end up in cat-walks for my taste. If there had been a base lodge like at Alta Big Sky would be a primo location for me.
This morning's update of mountain conditions reported the mountain 100% open - 5625 acres. In fact way less than half the mountain was open. In fact lifts serving the top of the mountain were not in operation in spite of a lift status board at the base ticket area clearly stating all lifts were in operation. When I pointed this out to a representative at the ticket office later in the day she rudely dismissed my concerns saying only that marketing runs the website. I'll take rude disinterested staff any day. Dishonesty, outright lying, is another matter. All credibility for Big Sky has been lost with me. Never again.
Big Sky is all of that, great mountain for all skill levels. It seems to be very intimidating at first until you get to know your way around. Go have fun and explore.