Things to do in Big Sky
Tucked between Yellowstone National Park and Bozeman, Big Sky is a famous Montana ski town know for big scenery, big adventures, and yes, the famous terrain that boasts “The Biggest Skiing in America".
While most visitors come for the skiing there many fantastic events and activities to enjoy when you're not on the slopes. In Winter, people often take a day off to enjoy snowshoeing, go for a dog sled ride or venture down to explore Yellowstone National Park. West Yellowstone is the primary entry point in the winter, which is only about an hour drive (56 miles) from Big Sky. Yellowstone is typically explored in the winter with a snowcoach to Old Faithful, a wildlife driving tour or a snowmobile tour in Yellowstone. If you don't want to drive all the way to Yellowstone there is a great option to rent snowmobiles on Buck Ridge near Big Sky as well.
The options shift with the seasons and come summer, the lifts stay open for scenic rides and mountain biking, and the Gallatin River becomes the go-to spot for whitewater rafting and fly fishing. Hiking is everywhere—short walks to waterfall viewpoints or longer treks into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Travelers would be remiss if they didn't pair their Big Sky trip with a Yellowstone excursion as well.
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Things To Do in Big Sky Montana
Beyond the headline adventures, Big Sky has a personality that surprises a lot of first-time visitors. At its core, the town is famous for Lone Peak both as a ski icon and as a geographic anchor. You’ll see it from almost everywhere, and locals and visitors alike talk about it all day long. The mountain shapes everything here: the weather, the recreation, even the pace of life. Big Sky Resort has grown steadily over the years, adding modern lifts, heated bubble chairs, and a true village atmosphere, but it still feels less crowded and more spread out than most major ski destinations.
Big Sky is also known for its wildlife and wide-open landscapes. It sits in one of the largest intact ecosystems in the Lower 48, which means spotting elk, moose, and the occasional fox is pretty normal, sometimes without leaving town. That “edge of the wilderness” feeling is a big part of the region’s appeal and why so many travelers choose it over more commercial mountain towns.
The Town Center area has become Big Sky’s social hub, offering breweries, cocktail bars, gear shops, and seasonal events like live music and holiday markets. It’s walkable, easygoing, and gives you a nice balance to the more activity-heavy parts of a trip. And while Big Sky leans adventurous, it’s not just for hardcore skiers or hikers. Families love it for the space, the mellow beginner terrain, and the variety of guided tours that make exploring Montana’s backcountry feel both accessible and safe.
Put simply, Big Sky is famous for its scale. It has huge mountains, huge views, and plenty of room to breathe. But what keeps people coming back is the combination of adventure and comfort. You can push your limits here or keep things low-key, all while soaking in one of the most scenic corners of the Rocky Mountains.