Big Sky was a ranch in up until the early 1970's when Chet Huntley decided to turn it into a ski hill and resort area. It has grown considerably in the last 10 years but still is relatively uncrowded as most of the lodging in the area is houses and condos that are used infrequently.

Get in

You can fly into Bozeman and take a 45 minute drive down the canyon along the Gallatin River. There is a taxi service called KARST Stage that will take you down to Big Sky for about $60.00.

Get around

Big Sky is divided between the Mountain Village (at the base of the Big Sky Ski Resort) and the Meadow Village (that is a 10 minute car ride and several thousand vertical feet below the Mountain). Big Sky is too spread out and too vertical to really sample without a car. There is a rudimentary shuttle system that operates during busy times but not often enough to be relied upon. Taxis are sometimes available but a ride from Mountain to Meadow runs about $40.00.

Attractions

Near the Meadow Village there is a beautiful 30-foot falls, Ousel Falls, that freezes up in the winter. You can usually hear/see water running beneath the ice on the far right side. The trail to the falls is fairly well maintained and receives regular use. As you head from Highway 191 to Big Sky, you will see the golf course on your right. Soon after, there will be a left turn onto Ousel Falls Road. Travel about 2 miles to the obvious parking area and trail head on the left side. The trail to the falls follows a stream and is about 1.5 miles long.

Activities

There is great skiing and boarding, in particular for more advanced skiers. The lifts are never crowded. Top runs are. Cruisers - Calamity Jane, Elk Park Ridge, and Big Horn Moguls - Crazy Raven, Mad Wolf, Moonlight, and Bad Dog Glades - Wounded Knee, Congo, and Blackfoot Steeps - Anything off the Tram, War Dance, Big Rock Tongue, and Snake Pit

This is a big mountain with lots of area to explore. Rocks are not marked very well, so use caution when off the groomers. There are also several good terrain parks for shred-heads and freestylers.

Dining

Cinnamon Lodge - About 15 miles south of Big Sky on Hwy 191. This place has great Mexican food and margaritas. The pork roast special was highly recommended by one of our diners. Although Mexican food is what it's known for, good steaks and some seafood are available. As an added bonus, if you travel a couple of miles farther south on 191, you enter the northwest corner of Yellowstone Park. It is not a fee area, and you are likely to see quite a few elk in the first mile of so of open valley in the fall and winter.