Big Sky is perhaps best known for the ski resort that bears its name, and there are over 5,800 acres of world-class terrain to help ensure such an association. But this place is much more than mere winter sport mecca. In fact, for adventurous sorts, the activities of spring, summer, and fall are every bit as alluring. Hiking, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing throughout the region is the stuff of legend.

If you’re motivated by rest and relaxation instead, this quiet corner of southwestern Montana isn’t any less attractive, either. It boasts an impressive stable of five-star properties, plus a laundry list of cosmopolitan-caliber restaurants, spas, and speakeasies. And all of it is backdropped by some of the most stunning scenery in the Lower 48. Yes, Big Sky is the ideal place to elevate your altitude without necessarily elevating your heart rate.

Travel + Leisure readers agree. This year, Montage Big Sky was named a favorite resort in Montana in the 2024 World’s Best Awards. The sprawling property, perched at the foothills of the Spanish Peaks, is particularly picturesque. And yet it’s just the tip of the snowcapped crag when it comes to sumptuous stays around here.

In order to provide you with the most comprehensive intel on where to go, what to see, and when best to see it, we turned to a handful of longtime locals. Below, these experts share invaluable insights and helped us assemble the ultimate guide to Big Sky. A wide range of awe-inspiring experiences await. Chose your own adventure as you see seasonally fit. Just make your journey starts here.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Lone Mountain Ranch

This century-old guest ranch straddling the North Fork of the Gallatin River offers all the rustic charm of the American West while retaining the trappings of modern luxury. It holds 25 stand-alone log cabins on its 148 acres, with access to horse-drawn sleigh rides — and nearly a hundred miles of nordic ski trails — throughout the winter, plus fly fishing and horseback riding in the warmer months. No matter when you arrive, you’ll be met with world-class hospitality and some of the best food and drink in all of Big Sky.

Montage Big Sky

Not even 3 years old, this grandiose five-star resort has already changed the luxury hospitality game in southwestern Montana. And though it encompasses some 139 guest rooms (and 39 residences), there’s a distinctly cozy vibe to the property, buttressed by an old American West aesthetic — and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the majestic surroundings, making you feel small by comparison.

Aspects Big Sky

This modern collection of stand-alone villas is ideal for families looking to lock down a home away from home. Each unit comes with a kitchen, a terrace, and access to a hot tub. The fully furnished accommodations are positioned about an 18-minute drive from the base of the ski mountain.

Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort

Slopeside accommodations in Mountain Village are plentiful, especially if you book well in advance of your arrival. Of the four distinct lodging styles here, the Summit Hotel provides the most traditional experience, with ski-on/bike-on access to the lift directly from the ground floor lobby.

One&Only Moonlight Basin

Arriving in time for the 2025 ski season is the first-ever American outpost of the highly vaunted five-star hotel collection. This one will rest at the foot of an 8,100-acre wilderness and recreation area. Designed by the award-winning architectural team of Olson Kundig, the structure promises to meld seamlessly into its untamed surroundings.

Best Things To Do

Hiking

The Big Sky Community Organization maintains 36 miles worth of multiuse, multidirectional trails that are family- and dog-friendly. They’re also suitable for mountain biking — all from the center of town. And that’s just a small fraction of what you have available once you drive up to any of the dozens of popular trailheads on the outskirts. Eliza McClure, local and avid outdoor enthusiast, recommends the Ousel Falls Park Trail just south of town. “It’s only about 1.5 miles round-trip, with minimal elevation gain,” she explains of the jaunt, which leads to a photogenic cascade. “Small effort, but big reward.”

Horseback Riding

“We’re lucky enough to be in some of the most gorgeous mountains in the world and exploring them on horseback is tough to beat,” says Drew Hay, director of operations for Gallatin River Guides. Jake’s Horses is a long-standing outfitter that offers year-round adventures. But if you’re arriving between December and March, Hay says you shouldn’t miss the famed Sleigh Ride Dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch, where a horse-drawn sled carries you through snowy backcountry until you arrive at a lantern-lit cabin, featuring a chef-prepared coursed tasting menu. “The sleigh ride itself is super-fun; add in the super-unique dining experience and it’s tough to beat,” he adds.

Skiing

Big Sky Resort is the third-largest in North America by skiable acreage. It includes 300 named runs across four connected mountains. And it’s not just quantity but quality here: Winter sees more than 400 inches of snowfall. Accessing it all has never been easier, with the opening of the brand-new Lone Peak Tram, which summits the 11,166-foot eponymous pinnacle. But as the resort’s vice president of mountain sports Christine Baker is quick to point out, you don’t need to be an expert rider to head on up and marvel at the panorama. In fact, you don’t even need to wait for winter at all. “The 360-degree views are incredible, and on a clear day, you can see the Grand Teton and millions of acres of wilderness surrounding Big Sky,” adds the local who has skied here every season — save one — since 1982. “In the winter, there’s scenic access that typically doesn’t have a line and anyone who can ski or ride a green run can access the new tram.”

Fly Fishing

Southwestern Montana is fly-fishing paradise. This is where they filmed “A River Runs Through It,” a film that serves as an ode to the activity. Nevertheless, as Hay will tell you, many visitors are surprised to learn this is a pastime to be enjoyed at all times of year. You can secure his expertise over at Gallatin River Guides. During the summer months, McClure recommends beginners check out Yellowstone Fly Fish, an outfitter owned by the Montana Whitewater Rafting Company (another worthwhile summertime adventure) about 10 miles outside of town.

Big Sky Bar Crawl

Big Sky isn’t exactly big on population. The community’s official population stops short of 3,000 residents. But this is hardly some sleepy mountain town. In addition to offering an enviable après-ski scene, the town center flaunts a handful of raucous watering holes that stay rocking well into the evening hours. Local favorites include Tips Up, Beehive Basin Brewery, and Brothel Bikes. And if you’re staying at the aforementioned Lone Mountain Ranch, you’ll want to take advantage of your access to the town’s hippest new speakeasy, Auric Room. “When you enter, it feels as if you’re stepping back in time to a place where you can imagine cowboys lingering in 1915,” says Mike Hope, owner of the Rocking R Bar in nearby Bozeman. “The design here elegantly blends cowboy culture with Parisian flair.”

Best Restaurants

Cortina

The signature dining outpost within the Montage is Cortina, an Italian chophouse that somehow manages to weave Montana flair effortlessly into the mix. So, even though you’re getting colorful pastas and wood-oven-roasted proteins, the stars of the show are most often outsized heritage chops, river fish, and local game. It all exits an open kitchen into a sprawling dining room with Western-worn charm.

Yeti Dogs

This lunchtime fixture at the base of the mountain has been a local favorite for 16 years. The menu is as simple as it is sensational: great glizzies, Montana-made ice cream, and beer on draft. But not necessarily in that order. “Make sure you get the Sweaty Lefty,” advises McClure. It’s a gut-busting hot dog smothered in zesty mayo, shredded cheddar, and bacon.

The Rocks

McClure is also fond of this locally owned restaurant-slash-liquor store. The food menu leans into non-GMO organic produce and meats whenever possible, and the booze highlights spirits and suds sourced from within the state.

The Riverhouse BBQ

“We love sending our guests to The Riverhouse BBQ — it’s one of my personal favorites,” says Patrick McVey, general manager of Lone Mountain Ranch. “It’s a casual and fun barbecue restaurant and bar nestled right on the banks of the Gallatin River. Whether you’re enjoying a cocktail with a view or savoring authentic Texas-style barbecue, the experience is unparalleled. And don’t miss the $7 fried chicken, a crowd favorite in the perfect setting.”

Horn & Cantle

If you want something a little more polished, however, slip into your finest cowboy boots and settle in for a taste of Lone Mountain’s edible ode to the Wild West. Elk meatballs, trout rillette, and wild game bolognese are just some of the specialities to enjoy within this elegant A-framed cabin.

Best Time To Visit

As has been repeatedly reported, the best time to see Big Sky is entirely dependent on what you want to do there. Skiers and snowboarders will find the finest powder between December and March. Mountain bikers and hikers will appreciate the 75-degree sunny days that typify June through August. As will music lovers, who can enjoy free family-friendly concerts held every Thursday night throughout the summer months. But for Baker, the secret season is April. “The skiing is fantastic, being that April is one of the snowiest months of the year,” she reveals. “And with so few people on the mountain, you really feel like you have it all to yourself.”

How to Get There

Big Sky is about a 50-mile drive south of the nearest major airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Though it has the quaint feel of a regional provider, the airport has expanded its service in recent years to allow for regular flights from all the major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The easiest way to get down to Big Sky upon landing is to rent a car. But there are public transportation options, including the Skyline Bus, which operates between the two destinations seven days a week during summer and winter high seasons.

How to Get Around

If you opt to arrive in town without your own wheels, there are Ubers and Lyfts to shuttle you between your desired destinations. Additionally, as of last year, the local community launched Big Sky Connect, a fare-free, on-demand service that allows visitors to request rides around Town Center and the Meadow Village areas. You’ll have to download an app to make use of the service.