Big Sky, Mountain resort community in Gallatin County, Montana, United States.
Big Sky is a mountain settlement in southwestern Montana, spread across two counties and sitting in a valley surrounded by several peaks. The landscape is dominated by the Madison Range, which rises on multiple sides of the community, with Lone Mountain forming the highest point visible from the valley floor.
In the 1970s, ski facilities were built here, turning a largely empty stretch of Montana into a winter sports area. Homesteaders had arrived in the valley during the 19th century, but it was the arrival of the lifts that changed the valley most.
This place takes its name from the wide horizon visible over the mountains here, and that sense of openness still shapes how the area feels today. People from across the region come to walk in the high country and spend time outdoors, drawn by the changing light and the rhythm of the seasons in the range.
Snow is common throughout the winter months, so visitors should be ready for changing road conditions and take care on mountain roads. Summer weather is generally more moderate, though afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly, so it helps to start longer walks early in the day.
A small museum at Crail Ranch displays tools and papers from the first families who settled in this valley during the 19th century. Visitors can see how daily life looked before the area became known for winter sports.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
