Big Sky, Montana: Where winter and nature come alive

Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park is a popular winter activity  (wikipedia)

BIG SKY, MONTANA, September 12, 2015 – In Big Sky, Montana all eyes peer heavenward searching for the first ambitious snowflakes of the season.

Yes, Big Sky really is a place and not just a slogan. The resort was founded in 1973 by noted NBC newscaster Chet Huntley and it hasn’t been the same since. Four decades later skiers in the know are leaving the powdery slopes of their native Colorado for the “cold smoke” of Montana.

With 25 daily flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) from various U.S. gateways, Big Sky is easily accessible. Upon arrival, simply drive 38 miles north on U.S. Highway 191 through scenic Gallatin Canyon until you reach Big Sky.

Bison herds are everywhere in the Big Sky region  (Taylor)

Part of the canyon is Ted Turner country, meandering past grazing herds of bison, elk and other assorted gifts of Mother Nature. There is a primeval quality to it all, as if you are at the midpoint of creation amid surroundings that appear much as they did when Lewis and Clark trudged through the region more than 200 years ago.

Big Sky residents like to point out, “The only rule here is that there aren’t many rules.”

Big Sky takes a bit of an adjustment, but once indoctrinated, it is a world unto itself. It is a place where roads are few and only take you where you need to go. A place when residents call in prescriptions 48 hours in advance so they will be ready when the pharmacy opens. A place where the post office is the most popular gathering spot in town because there is no home mail delivery.

Lone Mountain is the dominant landmark in Big Sky, Montana  (wikipedia)

Don’t be misled, however. Big Sky is destination of rustic elegance featuring spas, galleries, entertainment and all the contemporary facilities modern day sports enthusiasts require. The community may be small, and growing, but the mountains and amenities are larger than life.

Rustic charm of 320 Ranch  (Taylor)

Skiing, of course, is the anchor activity. Thanks to three interconnected mountains in the Big Sky-MoonlightBasin, there are nearly 5,600 skiable acres that combine to make it the biggest skiing region in America (Vail comes in second at 5,200). Lone Peak has the highest elevation at 11,166 feet with the Mountain Village approximately midway at 7,500 feet. 

A wide range of accommodations suit any budget and lifestyle but Moonlight Lodge is a favorite for skiers because of its “ski in, ski out” facilities combined with the ambiance of a fire-crackling lounge for après ski and the small but elegant Moonlight Spa.

For a wilderness-style experience, 320 Guest Ranch, just a few miles down the road from Big Sky, conjures images of the Old West with log home accommodations nestled within the serenity of flowing streams and mountainous vistas. The ranch, which features the best breakfast buffet in Montana, derives its name from two 160-acre properties that merged into a single nature lover’s getaway.

Dog sledding is a favorite alternative to skiing in Big Sky  (Taylor)

Visitors to Big Sky will find cuisine to suit any taste, but remember, this is Montana where the bacon is crunchy, the steaks are charred and the burgers are bison.

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Bright red Bombardier sno-cat  (Taylor)

The magic of Big Sky is the extensive range of activities available for non-skiers. Among the favorites are snowmobiling, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, dog sledding. snowcoachtours through Yellowstone Park, backcountry skiing, fishing and, even, big game hunting.

Outfitters abound in Big Sky offering any activity imaginable. Spirit of the North dog sled adventures is a unique experience that allows guests to work with the huskies and participate in rigging the sleds before heading into a picturesque winter wonderland. Half day tours glide through pristine wilderness with only the sounds of the runners on the snow and the enthusiastic barking of the dog teams.

Snow mobiling into another world (Taylor)

Don’t expect elaborate facilities. Prepare to meet your guides at a crossroads in the snow and take off from there. After all, that’s the way a snow adventure should be, pristine, unadorned and natural.

Another popular outing is a trip into Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone in winter is paradise without people. It is a natural wonderland filled with streams, waterfalls, wildlife and geysers where thermal steam blends with cold smoke to create an ethereal beginning-of-the-world atmosphere.

Wildlife abounds in Montana  (wikipedia)

Snowmobiles are probably the favorite way to visit Yellowstone, but the big, red “Bombardier” vehicles of Yellowstone Alpen Guides offer accessibility to Mother Nature plus protection from the elements. With capacity for only eight passengers, a Bombardier excursion also gives visitors access to a driver/guide naturalist with encyclopedic knowledge of the park and environs.

Big Sky Montana is paradise found. It is a year-round destination that comes alive in the winter.

In Big Sky, Montana thermal mists meet "cold smoke" in the winter  (Taylor)

Outdoor lovers seeking something new and unique will be captivated by Chet Huntley’s dream where the Big Sky is the limit.

Read more travel at:   Magellan Travel Club