Big Sky Skiing - one of the best-kept secrets!!!  Let's keep it that way...

Okay, we know we can't keep it secret for long, but you won't blame us for trying.  Once you are here and you find a warmer, friendlier atmosphere, no long lift lines and no shoulder-to-shoulder skiing, you'll see what we mean.  It is amazing, though, the number of people who come here for the first time and are astounded at the skiing - all kinds, all levels and LOTS of it.  And, for the most part, local people around here like to keep business busy - but the glitz and glitter are welcome to stay in the more southern reaches of the Rockies.  Up north here, in Big Sky, Montana, we seem to get the really nice, down-to-earth people and we believe in family vacations.  There are places here YOU may not want to take your young kids, but there aren't places here that will not LET you bring your kids.

SKIING, BOARDING, RENTING AND WHERE

If you are looking to prepare your own vacation, you are interested in discovering a new and interesting piece of this planet and want to know where and what your options are we can help you do that...

Ski Vacations can include alot of activities other than downhill skiing, surprised?  Nah.  Some of the services you will need to get in touch with about winter activities are ski/equipment rentals, snowcoach tours, sleighrides and sleighride dinners, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.  And some of these reservations need to be made far enough in advance that you will need to do it before your vacation starts.

First note to self at this point:  the skiing is in the mountain village, Big Sky Resort or Moonlight Basin.  You can ski either or both.  There is a Lone Peak Pass that allows you to ski in between the two all day long. They are very easy to get to, free parking is accompanied by a shuttle and there is paid parking closer to the lifts at the Summit or parking lot outside the mountain mall - but you have to get there pretty early.  Even if you are staying just outside the resort, driving over and parking for the day is EEAASSYY.  So, basically, wherever you stay in Big Sky - it is easy to get to the resorts to ski.  Did I mention easy?

Let's start with the most frequently asked question:  where to rent equipment - whether it's ski, board or snowshoe - these guys have it all.
As with the former description of the parts of Big Sky - we will start at the bottom of the mountain or the Canyon: 
East Slope Outdoors - Least expensive but furthest from the slopes.  It depends on where you are staying, probably.  If you are staying in the Canyon, then you will have to pass East Slope to get to the slopes - so, no big deal for you.
In the Meadow Village at Westfork Meadows you will find Gallatin Alpine Sports.  They are very friendly and helpful with working with you to get the right equipment for you.  In the Town Center is Grizzly Outfitters.  They are usually comparably priced to one another.
Lone Mountain Sports is in The Big Sky Ski Village in the Arrowhead mall next to the Summit.  Check out their web page to find it exactly. 
There is also a rental service that will come to your door and take care of your ski rental equipment needs: Black Tie.

Cross Country Skiing, Sleighride Dinners and Snowmobiling

For cross country skiing, there are plenty of places to find trails around here.  Probably the bast place to start out discovering what is here is at The Lone Mountain Ranch.  They are located halfway up the Big Sky Spur Road to the peak.  They can get you hooked up with all the information you will need, including passes and equipment, for discovering ALL the trails in Big Sky.  As an aside, they also have an incredible lunch and wonderful bar (really neat little place that is worth the trip even if you aren't xc skiing there) for apres action...opens at 3pm.  They also do the sleighride dinners, which is such a treat for the whole fam.  And, they have snowshoeing trails all around.

In addition to Lone Mountain, 320 Ranch also does sleighride dinners.  They are located about 10 miles south of the turn off from 191 to Big Sky Spur Road.  Remember - making memories is what it's all about!  320 also does snowmobiling. 

Canyon Adventures does snowmobiling locally, that's Big Sky.  Located just one mile south of the Big Sky Spur Road they are easy to get to from anywhere in Big Sky.  In West Yellowstone, there is Two Tops Snowmobiling, Yellowstone Alpen Guides, Rendezvous Snowmobile Rentals, SeeYellowstone, and Yellowstone Tour Guides.  If you are booking a Yellowstone tour, keep in mind that you need reservations ahead of time.  As far ahead as you can... especially if you are thinking of March, because Yellowstone closes to road travel in mid-March. 

SNOWCOACHES - what a great way to see Yellowstone in the winter.  But these you DO need to book in advance - so book it now!

Big Game Hunting
At The Broken Hart Ranch, you can experience fair chase big game hunting.  I have no experience here - but their website will give you all you need to know.

There are a few options for "destination vacations": you know, where everything in your trip that you could possibly be interested in is available in the hotel or area where you are staying.  They will pick you up from the airport, take you to the ski lifts everyday and anywhere else you may want to consult their concierge about, give you root canals and schedule your spa day.  If that is what you are looking for you will want to check on Lone Mountain Ranch, BigSky Resort, Moonlight Basin or 320 Ranch.