Family Ski Trip to Big Sky, Montana: Itinerary & Tips
If it’s time for you to plan a family winter vacation, Big Sky Resort provides the perfect setting for leisure, adventure, and some serious skiing. Deep in the heart of the Gallatin National Forest, the Rocky Mountain getaway takes on a life of its own after it starts snowing.
Sure, skiing is a draw here—with nearly 6,000 acres of ski terrain. But there are also luxury spas for parents, fun activities for kids, and it’s just an hour drive from Yellowstone National Park. This guide can help you plan a fun family ski trip in Montana.
Day 1: Arrive in Big Sky, Montana
Arranging your transportation ahead of time can make your arrival go smoothly when visiting Big Sky Resort. Most lodging options have parking lots and/or shuttle services to and from the airport and the ski resort. You can save a lot of time planning ahead by arranging shuttle service with our travel consultants or reserving a rental car at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN).
Once you’ve settled into your Big Sky, Montana lodging, you can explore one of the two main villages or check out a restaurant near your lodging.
Your arrival day is all about settling in before two days of adventure in Big Sky, but you can also try to save some time for evening activities.
Settle Into Big Sky Resort
When you look for Big Sky Resort lodging, it's important to narrow in on what exactly you want from your accommodations. Our travel consultants are happy to guide you toward a place that is ideal for your group, ski level, or preferences.
This guide is designed to give you an idea about which part of Big Sky is best for your family.
Mountain Village
Mountain Village is packed with slopeside vacation rentals at the base of Big Sky Ski Resort. The proximity to ski rentals and Mountain Sports Ski School makes this area perfect for a first-time ski trip (or your first visit to the challenging terrain in the Rocky Mountains).
Not sure what you need for your family ski trip? Let our travel consultants know what you need from your rental! Consider things like whether you want a full kitchen, how many bedrooms you need, and if you’ll want to have a washer & dryer in your vacation home.
Moonlight Basin
Located on the North Face of Lone Mountain, Moonlight Basin offers a luxury ski-in, ski-out experience for visitors. Many of the rentals have a semi-private feel, private hot tubs, and gorgeous mountain views.
Meadow Village
Also known as Town Center, Meadow Village is the furthest area from Big Sky Resort (about a 15-minute drive). However, the village makes up for its distance from skiing with its proximity to restaurants and nightlife.
Meadow Village lodging has something for everyone, including luxury and budget-friendly units. Many of the accommodations offer a shuttle to the ski lifts, and most have parking on site.
Spanish Peaks
Spanish Peaks is a private community in the heart of Big Sky, with lodging options that are great for families learning how to ski. At the top of the nearby Lewis & Clark quad, there are several green/beginner and blue/intermediate runs for the whole family.
Ask our travel consultants about which Spanish Peaks rental is best for you, depending on what aesthetics and amenities you are looking for!
Fun Things to Do Around Big Sky Resort
If you have some extra time after you check into your rental, you can kick off your Big Sky family vacation by having some outdoor fun near the resort! Here’s a quick list of fun winter activities near the mountain:
Ice Skating: Head into the town center and grab a pair of skates at East Slope Outdoors to go ice skating at Marty Pavelich Ice Rink.
Shop and Walk Around the Village: If you want a low-key start to your trip, you can shop and walk around Mountain Village. There are gift shops, ski rentals, and a few places to grab a snack with your family.
Take a Magical Nighttime Hike: We highly recommend going on a self-guided walk through the enchanted forest when visiting Big Sky in the winter. You can ride up Ramcharger 8 to the magical trail of 10,000 lights that winds through the Andesite Mountain forests. It’s fun for the whole family and the perfect way to kick off your Big Sky itinerary.
Eat at a Family-Friendly Restaurant
Big Sky has restaurants the whole family will enjoy, with many in the Meadow Village and Mountain Village. A few popular options include:
Montana Jack: Burgers, bar food, and live music occasionally.
Riverhouse BBQ & Events: Texas barbeque in a bustling dining hall.
The Cabin Bar & Grill: American cuisine with a focus on Montana ingredients like bison, elk, and fresh fish.
Day 2: Ski Big Sky
Most skiers will be itching to hit the slopes on day 2 of their Big Sky family trip. If your family has skied before, you can head to the nearest lift and start exploring the largest ski resort in Montana. But even the most experienced skiers shouldn’t overlook taking a class with Big Sky Mountain Sports School. They offer unique programs that you may want to consider for your trip, no matter your skill level.
Sign Up for Ski Classes at Big Sky Mountain Sports School
Whether it’s your family’s first ski trip or you want to drop the kids off and have some alone time, there is a ski lesson for you at Big Sky! Here are some popular classes you can take:
Private Group Lessons: Perfect for families learning to ski together, private group lessons can accommodate up to 5 people in a family, where you can learn the basics together. Families can practice putting on their skis, turning, and navigating beginner terrain.
Fresh Tracks Refresher: Brush up on your ski skills with a pro—but on fresh powder! This unique opportunity allows you to take Ramcharger 8 up the mountain and ski down before the lifts start taking other passengers up Andesite Mountain.
Group Lessons: Skiers and snowboarders of any age can learn the basics with an experienced instructor in group lessons. They’re more affordable than private classes and are a great way to meet other skiers your age. The lessons are available in half-day or full-day schedules, so you can drop the kids off and go have some R&R after a morning on the slopes!
Headlamp Skiing: Ski after dark with this unique 2-hour tour of Andesite Mountain. You can book a private group tour for up to 7 people, making it a great option for families with more ski runs under their belt.
Parents' Day Out While Kids Are in Ski School
Family vacations are a blast, but that doesn’t mean parents can’t find a little time for themselves. Signing kids up for a ski lesson allows you to spend some time on the slopes with them before doing some parent-only activities while they keep skiing. Some fun ideas for the parents include:
Spa Date
Not far from the ski slopes is the Huntley Lodge, a three-story ski-in ski-out hotel and home of the Solace Spa. The luxury spa offers massages, sound therapy, and meditation, and is is a great place to pamper yourselves after the first half of your family ski trip.
Alpine Happy Hour
Scissorbills Saloon is a classic dive bar in the heart of the village. Meet other ski parents while grabbing some bar food and having a cocktail or two at this Big Sky institution.
Romantic Views & Expert Runs
Ride up the Lone Peak Tram to the top of the mountain for some of the most breathtaking views of Big Sky. From here, you can ski black diamond terrain down, or ride the tram back to the base.
Day 3: Family Day Trip
There is beautiful nature around Big Sky, Montana, so a day trip is a great way to finish your family vacation. Here are a couple of options for your last day.
Visit Yellowstone National Park
Even when visiting Big Sky in the Winter, a trip to Yellowstone is a must. The nearly 1,200 square mile park stretches across 3 states, with the Western entrance just an hour from the slopes of Big Sky.
However, visiting the rugged Rocky Mountain wilderness in the winter requires some planning, and we’re happy to help! These some popular ways to see Yellowstone during ski season:
Go Snowshoeing on a family hike. You can rent snowshoes at Freeheel and Wheel and carry them inside the park. Once you’re inside, there are several trails near the West entrance that are good for families.
Cross-country ski through the forests if you didn’t get enough skiing in at the resort. You can cover more ground this way, which is a great way to see abundant wildlife like birds, bison, and even bears on the Riverside Ski Trail.
Snowcoach Tours are a great way to see areas further from the West entrance. You can book a private or group tour where you can roll over unplowed terrain in a snowcoach. Be sure to check out Old Faithful and even be dropped off for an afternoon of skiing or hiking.
Dog Sledding in Gallatin National Forest
From Moonlight Basin, you can embark on a dog sledding adventure with Spirit of the North. Traveling around the Montana wilderness on a dogsled allows you to connect with nature and experience the great outdoors in the winter, thanks to a friendly guide and a team of Alaskan Huskies!
They have different routes around Lone Mountain and the beautiful Gallatin National Forest. Our travel consultants can help you set up a reservation, or you can call them directly at (406) 682-7994.
Plan Your 3-Day Big Sky Ski Trip
Now that you know more about Big Sky Resort and family-friendly activities to do nearby, you can start planning your ski trip! If you need a little help, our travel consultants can help design a winter vacation for your family.
Deric Brown is a writer who has traveled domestically and internationally, writing about his journeys along the way. A storyteller at heart, he’s always looking at both the small details and the big picture. Whether snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or hiking the Marin Headlands near his San Francisco home, he loves experiencing the beauty of California and beyond and writing about each solo adventure and family trip.