Travel Guides

The Perfect Itinerary for Big Sky, Montana

Discover one of the best mountains in the US.

By 

Kristen Shirley

 |  January 13, 2025

Big Sky, Montana, is having a moment. Montage Resorts opened a property in 2021, One&Only is currently building a luxury resort, and thanks to the popularity of Yellowstone, everyone wants to experience that Montana lifestyle. So, what’s so special about Big Sky? The mountain is vast, and it has excellent snow, several heated and covered lifts, and terrain that’s perfect for beginners and daredevils. Our luxury travel guide to Big Sky gives you all the tips you need to have the best time possible, and our four-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit.

The Perfect Itinerary for Big Sky, Montana

Before You Go

Here is your short to-do list before heading to Big Sky:

Buy Your Pass and Make Reservations

Accessing the 5,850 acres of skiiable terrain in Big Sky Resort isn’t as easy as showing up and swiping your pass. It accepts the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, but you must make advance reservations online in order to use your pass to access the slopes. In addition, you have limited days available and some pass tiers have blackout dates. If you’ll be spending more than a few days in Big Sky, you should consider buying one of its season passes. If you don’t have one of these three passes, you can purchase lift tickets online. Don’t wait until you arrive and try to buy them on site. 

Pack (or Buy) Cold-Weather Gear

Big Sky can be extremely cold, especially in the morning. Think lows of 0°F (or below) and highs of 25°F. While the mountain does have some heated and covered chairlifts, you’ll want to be sure you have warm enough base layers so you can actually enjoy the incredible terrain. If you tend to have cold toes and fingers, investing in heated socks and gloves is a smart idea. 

Book or Rent a Car at the Airport

Bozeman, Montana — where you’ll fly into — does not have taxis, Ubers, or Lyfts, so you need to rent a car or book a car service before arriving. Snow Country Limousine is the provider of choice for many luxury resorts, including Montage Big Sky, where we recommend you stay. 

Make a Reservation at Everett’s 8800

You’ll want to have lunch at Everett’s 8800 one — or more than one! — day to enjoy elevated alpine cuisine and stunning views of Lone Peak. The space is small and books quickly, so make reservations 30 days in advance of your trip. 

Day One

Getting to Big Sky can be an all-day affair, so you won’t get much done on your first day. On your agenda: get to your hotel, unpack or rent your gear, and have a delicious dinner. 

How to Get to Big Sky

In order to get to Big Sky, you’ll need to fly into Bozeman, Montana. Be sure to check flights before deciding on dates for your trip. Many airlines fly nonstop to Bozeman, but there aren’t direct flights from every point of origin every day. Speaking from experience, if you don’t have a direct flight, it could take you as long as 12 hours to get there from the East Coast. 

After you arrive in Bozeman, it’s a 1-to-1.5-hour drive to Montage Big Sky, depending on traffic and road conditions. The cell service is spotty, so bring something to read or watch, or just soak in the spectacular views. The easiest way to get to Big Sky is to hire a car service. I recommend Snow Country Limousine, which has a fleet of luxury vehicles and friendly drivers. Important reminder: There are no taxis, Ubers, or Lyfts at the airport, so you absolutely need to book a car service or rent a car. If you plan on hanging around Big Sky, you can take advantage of Montage Big Sky’s Cadillac partnership, which offers guests complimentary local transportation. If you want to explore the region, you should rent a car at the airport. 

Store or Rent Your Gear

If you need to rent ski or snowboarding equipment, head to the Montage Big Sky on-property shop, Compass Sports. The warm and knowledgeable staff will equip you with everything you need and store it for the duration of your stay. 

If you brought your own ski or snowboarding equipment, Compass Sports will store it for you so you’ll be ready to hit the slopes first thing in the morning. Each morning, the staff will set up your skis or board in front of the chairlift, so you can easily hit the slopes. They’ll also help you get in and out of your ski boots, which is a huge help at the end of a long day.

Dine on Property 

Montage Big Sky has several excellent restaurants to choose from, and each offers a different dining experience. If you want something casual after a long travel day, head to Beartooth Pub & Rec. The low-key restaurant is kid-friendly but still has delicious food and a fun vibe. Menu highlights include the skillet-roasted mac and cheese, Yellowstone chili, and pizzas baked in a brick oven. Be sure to end with the milk chocolate pizcookie, a gooey skillet cookie, which is big enough to share. After your meal, you can play a game of darts or even bowl at the in-house bowling alley. 

Looking for a more elegant experience? Cortina was recently voted the best restaurant in all of Big Sky, and it offers an elevated take on Northern Italian cuisine with a Montana twist. The meat-heavy menu highlights local producers, and there’s plenty of game if you’re a fan. The bolognese bianco is divine, as is the grilled Idaho trout with brown butter vinaigrette. Cortina has an excellent wine list, so be sure to speak with the sommelier to find a special bottle.

Day Two

The hotel has two options for breakfast: a sit-down meal at Cortina or grab-and-go at Wildflower Market. (There’s seating nearby.) Cortina offers a decadent buffet as well as à la carte items. Both are great, and Cortina can also be a quick meal if you’re eager to get to the slopes. 

Hit the Mountain

Grab your gear from Compass Sports and head over to the nearby lift. If you’ve never been to Big Sky before, definitely book a guide from Mountain Sports School. The mountain is massive, and your guide can show you where the best snow is that day, explain where to ski based on your ability level, and recommend local spots to check out. 

Have lunch at Shedhorn Grill, a casual spot on the mountain. If you’re up for it, it’s a great reward for skiing after the tram. If you’re not tram-level, it’s the perfect place to watch the action in the Dictator shoots. On a warm day, you can sit outside and luxuriate in the sun on the deck. The restaurant offers low-key fare, including burgers, bratwursts, and chili. It has a fun, local vibe. 

Enjoy an Early Après-Ski at Montage Big Sky

You don’t want to overdo your skiing on the first full day of your trip, so head back to the Montage for après-ski at Backcast or Alpenglow. At Backcast, you can enjoy watching skiers return to the resort while tucking into elevated mountain fare with a Japanese twist. Garlic chicken ramen is perfect for warming up after a day on the chilly slopes, and there are dishes that are great for sharing, including pan-seared gyoza and fries seasoned with shichimi toragashi, a flavorful Japanese spice mixture. Inside the resort, Alpenglow has delicious cocktails served in a cozy environment near a roaring fire. The menu is more elevated, with caviar service, cheese and charcuterie, and filling sandwiches. 

Head Into Town for Dinner

Big Sky has many great restaurants, and it’s not all mountain cuisine. You can find several different cuisines, and casual spots alongside fine-dining restaurants. Some favorites are Peaks Chophouse, Riverhouse BBQ, Blue Buddha, and Olive B’s. After dinner, catch a movie or grab a cocktail at the Waypoint, a cinema with a great bar, or party with locals at Tips Up, a rowdy bar oin the town center.

Day Three 

Explore the Slopes

Big Sky has 5,850 skiable acres, so you definitely won’t hit them all on your first couple of days. Check out a different part of the mountain with your guide or on your own. Stop for a leisurely lunch at Everett’s 8800. It’s one of the most elegant on-mountain restaurants in the U.S. The cabin has immense glass windows that showcase gorgeous views of Lone Peak and the skiers brave enough to take the tram to the top. The restaurant is located at the top of Ramcharger 8, one of the heated lifts, so even non-skiers can join, but they must buy an Everett’s 8800 lift ticket to access it. 

Après-ski in Town

Ski down to the mountain village to check out the après-ski scene. Three restaurants at the base almost turn into one giant party. Umbrella Bar is the chicest, and it has live music on weekends. If you’re looking for a casual bite to eat, check out the deli at Hungry Moose market. It’s a local favorite. Craft beer fans should stop by Beehive Basin Brewery, which has a rotating selection of beers brewed on site. For a quick jolt of caffeine, grab a cup of coffee from Cowboy Coffee Co., which was founded in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1989. 

Try a Local Spot or Venture to Lone Mountain Ranch

There are plenty of places to explore in Big Sky, but if you want a unique experience that children will adore, head to Lone Mountain Ranch for a sleigh ride dinner. Pile into a horse-drawn sleigh for a chilly ride on the property to the North Fork Cabin for a casual, cowboy-inspired dinner complete with country music and singalongs.

Staying in town? Have a nightcap at Alpenglow, the Montage’s stunning bar. It has a great list of inventive cocktails that are perfect for enjoying by the fire, and it frequently has live music in the evenings.

Day Four

If you’re just in town for a long weekend, it’s time to pack your bags and head to the airport. Be sure to book a car to take you there well in advance, just in case there is any traffic. You don’t want to risk missing your flight. 

If you’re staying for an extended trip, be sure to check out the spa at Montage Big Sky. The 11,000-square-foot spa has 12 treatment rooms, a large indoor pool, heated plunge pools, and steam rooms. The massages are divine. 

Looking for wildlife? Big Sky is about an hour’s drive to Yellowstone National Park.

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