If you are considering a ski or snowboard trip to Big Sky, Montana, it may be helpful to think about the pros and cons involved. Here are a few:
1) The Size. (0:10). One positive is that Big Sky is the third largest ski resort in North America, and the second largest in the United States. It has 5800 skiable acres. And while the beginner and intermediate terrain are less than 50% of the mountain, Big Sky is so large that the beginner and intermediate terrain nevertheless combine to be larger than the entire mountain at resorts like Telluride, Taos, Killington or Aspen.
2) Lone Peak. (1:51). Another positive is that if you are an expert skier or snowboarder, or you just want to take in an incredible view, you can head to the Lone Peak.
3) Chairlift Lines. (3:44). A negative is that the lines for chairlifts can often be long, particularly at the bottom of the mountain in the morning. The Lone Peak tram usually has a wait that lasts at least one hour. Big Sky is contemplating adding a fee to access the tram, but they may only impose it when there are significant wait times. Generally, there are plenty of chairlifts where there is no wait.
4) Multiple Bases. (4:31). A third positive is that Big Sky has four mountain bases. If you find that one base is particularly crowded in the morning, you can try a different base the next morning to see if it is less crowded.
5) Lack of a Central Town. (4:49). A second negative is that Big Sky does not seem to have a main town that is comparable to Aspen, Park City, Sun Valley, South Tahoe, or towns at many major ski resorts. It really seems to be a collection of accommodations at the base of the mountain. That may actually be a good thing for diehard skiers and snowboarders because it may limit visitors to those who are truly interested in being on the mountain. But if you are someone who enjoys exploring the local scene at the end of the day, you may be disappointed.
6) Lack of Convenient Flight Options. (5:17). A third negative is that while Big Sky is convenient to fly to directly from over ten cities, the timing of the flight arrivals and departures will prevent you from arriving on a Friday night after work and leaving on Sunday night after a weekend on the mountain. You have to arrive and depart in the morning or early afternoon.
7) Uncle Dan's Cookies. (5:51). Another positive is Uncle Dan's Cookies. These cookies are made locally. They have typical flavors like chocolate chip and sugar, but they also have some more exotic flavors. If you love cookies, you will be happy about this!
8) Sustainability. (6:10). Big Sky cares about the environment and is planning to be clean energy by 2030.
