Big Sky
Photo of the Big Sky Resort
Location:	Big Sky, Montana
Nearest city:	Bozeman, Montana
Coordinates:	45°15′0″N 111°25′0″W / 45.25, -111.41667 (Big Sky)Coordinates: 45°15′0″N 111°25′0″W / 45.25, -111.41667 (Big Sky)
Top elevation:	11150 feet (3399 m)
Base elevation:	6800 feet (2070 m)
Skiable area:	3,600 acres (15 km²)
Runs:	150
Longest run:	6 miles (10 km)
Lift system:	22 lifts
Snowfall:	400 inches (1 000 cm)
Web site:	official site

Big Sky Resort is a ski resort located in southwestern Montana in Gallatin County, an hour south of Bozeman via U.S. Highway 191 in Big Sky, Montana. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1365 pixels, file size: 358 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montana, United States. ... Bozeman is a city in southwestern Montana, USA. It is the county seat of Gallatin County. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... A chairlift A chairlift is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a constantly moving loop of steel cable strung between two end terminals and generally over intermediate towers. ... This page is about the form of precipitation. ... St. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. ... Bozeman is a city in southwestern Montana, USA. It is the county seat of Gallatin County. ... U.S. Highway 191 is a spur of former U.S. Highway 91 that has two branches. ... Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montana, United States. ...

Opened in late 1973, Big Sky has grown over the last 35 years. Offering America's Biggest Skiing through the Lone Peak Pass, skiers and riders have access to over 5,000 acres (20 km²). 75% of the vast terrain is Big Sky Resort, with the remaining trails at Moonlight Basin. The Lone Peak Pass combines the two resorts making Moonlight Basin accessible from the Lone Peak Summit and via the Challenger Lift. Moonlight Basin is a ski resort in southwestern Montana located in the Spanish Peaks mountain range of the Rocky Mountains near the small village of Big Sky, MT. It shares a common mountain, Lone Peak, with nearby Big Sky Resort. ...

Big Sky Resort also offers meeting space for conferences, weddings and corporate retreats. Other offerings include golf, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and tennis. In addition, the resort is only 16 miles (26 km) from the world-renowned Yellowstone National Park. This article is about the game. ... Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ... Mountain biker riding in the Arizona desert. ... horse, see Horse (disambiguation). ... Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other body of water. ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... Yellowstone redirects here. ...

Resort History

The resort was the vision of NBC News anchorman Chet Huntley, a Montana native. Big Sky opened in December 1973 with a main base area at an elevation of 7510 feet (2290 m) on the eastern face of Lone Mountain, the 67th highest mountain in Montana, & the 7th highest mountain in the state outside of the Beartooth Range (11,166 feet, 3403 m). NBC News endcap, used from 2002 to present. ... Anchorman may refer to: News anchor, someone who works in radio who hosts a regular news program Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, a 2004 American comedy movie This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Chester Robert Huntley (December 10, 1911 - March 20, 1974), more popularly known as Chet Huntley, was an American television newscaster. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

The first four lifts at Big Sky were the gondola and three chairlifts. The enclosed gondola (now #1) carried four skiers per cabin and climbed 1525 vertical feet to 9040 feet (2755 m). The nearby "Lone Peak" triple chairlift provided the lift-served maxiumum of 9800 feet (2987 m), unloading at the bowl 1366 feet (416 m) beneath Lone Mountain's summit, providing a vertical drop of just under 2300 ft (701 m). The "Explorer" double chair served novice terrain just above the base, and the "Andesite" double climbed the north face of adjacent Andesite Mountain to 8700 feet (2652 m). (This lift was renamed "Rams Head" in 1978, and replaced with the "Ramcharger" high speed quad in 1990.) Tochal gondola lift carry tourists and skiers to Tochal mountain,Tehran, Iran. ... Hunter Mountain chairlift A chairlift in Bad Hofgastein, Austria A chairlift (technically, an elevated passenger ropeway), is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs. ...

After its third season, Boyne Resorts purchased the resort in 1976, following Huntley's death from cancer in March 1974 and the decision of owner Chrysler Corporation to divest its real estate development assets. Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ... The Chrysler Corporation was a United States-based automobile manufacturer that existed independently from 1925–1998. ... Real estate is a legal term that encompasses land along with anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings. ...

The resort grew steadily over the following decades, adding lifts and more than tripling the terrain available for skiing and snowboarding. The fifth lift, a second chairlift on Andesite Mountain, was installed in the summer of 1979. The "Mad Wolf" double climbed Andesite's eastern face and lowered Big Sky's minimum elevation 540 feet (165 m) to 6970 feet (2124 m). This increased the area's vertical drop to over 2800 feet (853 m). (It was replaced with the "Thunder Wolf" high speed quad in 1994.)

Two lifts were added in the 1980s. "Gondola Two" was installed in parallel to the first gondola, and the "Challenger" double chair served upper elevation expert terrain on the north edge of the ski area. A tow was added later added above this lift. (Gondola Two was replaced with the "Swift Current" high speed quad chairlift in 1997.) The eighth lift at Big Sky was the "Southern Comfort" triple chair on Andesite Mountain, installed in 1990 (Southern Comfort was upgraded to a high speed quad chairlift in 2004/2005).

In the fall of 1995, Big Sky shed its intermediate image and leapt into national (and international) prominence with the addition of the Lone Peak Tram, built to take expert skiers to within feet of the summit of Lone Mountain at 11,166 feet (3399 m) to copious extreme treeless terrain. The "Shedhorn" double chair was also part of this expansion, added in 1995 on the lower south face of Lone Mountain.

The tram substantially increased Big Sky's vertical drop to 4180 feet (1274 m), surpassing Jackson Hole by 41 feet (12.5 m). The minimum elevation was lowered further in the fall of 1999, with the addition of the "Lone Moose" triple chair; its base elevation is 6800 feet (2073 m) at Lone Moose Meadows. This increased the ski area's total vertical drop to 4350 feet (1329 m); its maximum continuous vertical drop is 3650 feet (1112 m), from the top of the tram to the main base area. Just 12 miles northwest of Jackson, Wyoming is the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village, Wyoming. ...

In 2007, Big Sky expanded the skiing oppertunities on the south face of Lone Peak with the addition of the new triple chair Dakota Lift, & the accompanying "Dakota Territory". Future plans include possibly installing a new lift that would go up the south face to the top of Lone Peak.

The growth off of the slopes was highlighted in 1990 with the addition of the Shoshone Condominum Hotel and the Yellowstone Conference Center, which increased summer business to the resort.

In April 2000, Boyne Resorts announced that an estimated $400 million in improvements would take place over the next ten years to Mountain Village and the ski area. Later in 2000, the $54 million Summit Hotel was completed, providing four star, ski-in ski-out accommodations. In late 2007, the $25 million Village Center Complex was opened, expanding the shopping, dining, and ski-in ski-out accommodation options.

Activities

Big Sky is primarily known for its winter activities, which include ski and snowboard terrain, a terrain park, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, but it has become an increasingly popular summer attraction as well. Horseback riding and hiking the trails are available on the mountain, with golf and tennis available further down by the Meadow Village, which sits at an elevation of 6200 feet (1890 m). For other uses, see Winter (disambiguation). ... Cross-country skiing (aka XC skiing) is an adventure and fitness activity as well as a competitive winter sport popular in many countries with large snowfields, primarily in Europe and Canada. ... Snowshoers in Bryce Canyon Snowshoes are a form of footwear devised for travelling over snow. ... For other uses, see Summer (disambiguation). ... horse, see Horse (disambiguation). ... Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ... This article is about the game. ... For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ...

Fly fishing and whitewater rafting are popular on the Gallatin River. Big Sky is a convenient and comfortable base camp for excursions into the nearby Yellowstone National Park, only 16 miles (26 km) away. Fly rod and reel with a wild brown trout from a chalk stream. ... Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other body of water. ... The Gallatin River The Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 120 mi (193 km long), in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. ... Yellowstone redirects here. ...

Lone Peak Tram

The Lone Peak Tram is a lift at the Big Sky Resort that begins at the top of the Lone Peak Triple chairlift and unloads at the summit of Lone Mountain at 11,166 feet (3403 m). Opened in the fall of 1995, the tram is a 3 minute ride for 15 passengers, climbing 1450 vertical feet (442 m) over a distance of 2828 feet (862 m), with two cabins traveling in opposite directions. It provides access to the most difficult terrain at Big Sky Resort and nearby Moonlight Basin. Construction was completed by the high-altitude construction firm Matrix, based in Alaska. Moonlight Basin is a ski resort in southwestern Montana located in the Spanish Peaks mountain range of the Rocky Mountains near the small village of Big Sky, MT. It shares a common mountain, Lone Peak, with nearby Big Sky Resort. ... For other uses, see Alaska (disambiguation). ...

• Big Sky Resort, Lone Peak Tram

Big Sky's neighbor on its north boundary is Moonlight Basin, opened in 2003. It originally began as Moonlight Basin Ranch, a real estate development stemming from the 1992 purchase of 25,000 acres (101 km²) from Plum Creek Timber Company. Both Big Sky and Moonlight Basin operate completely on private land. Moonlight Basin is a ski resort in southwestern Montana located in the Spanish Peaks mountain range of the Rocky Mountains near the small village of Big Sky, MT. It shares a common mountain, Lone Peak, with nearby Big Sky Resort. ... Plum Creek Timber is one of the largest private owners of timberland in the United States, second only to International Paper. ...

External links

• Big Sky Resort.com - official site
• Ski MT.com - official state site - Big Sky
• All Big Sky Montana - community guide.
• Montana River Action.org - river concerns - greater Big Sky area
• Washington Post.com - "Plenty of Snow for Everyone" by T.R. Reid - 10-Dec-2006
• Terraserver-USA.com - Big Sky - USGS topo map & aerial photo

v • d • e   State of Montana Helena (capital) Topics History · Governors · People · Geography · Demographics · State Government The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Montana. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Nickname: Location in Lewis and Clark County, Montana Coordinates: , Country State County Lewis and Clark Founded October 30, 1864 Government  - Mayor James E. Smith Area  - Total 14. ... Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... Native Americans were the first inhabitants of modern-day Montana. ... List of Montana Governors See also Governors of Montana Territory Exteral link governors of Montana Categories: Governors of Montana | Lists of United States governors ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... As established and defined by the Montana Constitution, the government of the State of Montana is composed of three branches, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. ... Regions Big Horn Country · Eastern Montana · The Flathead · Glacier National Park · Inland Empire · South Central Montana · Southwestern Montana · Western Montana · Yellowstone This list of regions of the United States includes official (governmental) and non-official areas within the borders of the United States, not including U.S. states, the federal district of Washington, D.C. or standard subentities such as cities or counties. ... The Great Plains stretch across Eastern Montana, an area that consists of the eastern half of the U.S. state of Montana and the north-central portion near Great Falls. ... The Flathead, sometimes called Northwestern Montana, is a region of the U.S. state of Montana. ... For the non-adjoining national park by the same name in British Columbia, see Glacier National Park (Canada). ... The Inland Empire is a region in the Pacific Northwest centered around Spokane, Washington, including much of the surrounding Columbia River basin. ... South Central Montana is a region that includes Yellowstone County, Carbon County, Big Horn County, Stillwater County, Treasure County, Golden Valley County and Musselshell County. ... Western Montana may mean: Western Montana College of The University of Montana Western region of the state of Montana. ... Yellowstone redirects here. ... Largest cities Anaconda · Belgrade · Billings · Bozeman · Butte · Evergreen · Glendive · Great Falls · Havre · Helena · Kalispell · Laurel · Lewistown · Livingston · Miles City · Missoula · Sidney · Whitefish Anaconda, county seat of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, is located in mountainous southwestern Montana. ... Belgrade is a city located in Gallatin County, Montana. ... Motto: Star of the Big Sky Country Location in Montana Location of the state of Montana in the United States Coordinates: , Country State County Yellowstone Founded 1877 Incorporated 1882 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Ronald Tussing  - city Admin. ... Bozeman is a city in southwestern Montana, USA. It is the county seat of Gallatin County. ... Uptown Butte 1942 view of the city Butte is a city in Silver Bow County, Montana and is the county seat. ... Evergreen is a census-designated place located in Flathead County, Montana. ... Glendive is a city in Dawson County, Montana, United States. ... Nickname: Location of Great Falls, Montana Coordinates: , Country State County Cascade Government  - Mayor Dona Stebbins Area  - Total 19. ... Havre (IPA ) is a city in Hill County, Montana, is said to be named after the city of Le Havre in France[1][2], although this is disputed by some inhabitants. ... Nickname: Location in Lewis and Clark County, Montana Coordinates: , Country State County Lewis and Clark Founded October 30, 1864 Government  - Mayor James E. Smith Area  - Total 14. ... Kalispell is a city in Flathead County, Montana, USA. The population was 14,223 at the 2000 census. ... Old silos bearing ads at the entrance to Laurel Laurel is a city located in Yellowstone County, Montana. ... Lewistown is a city in Fergus County, Montana, United States. ... Livingston is a city located in Park County, Montana, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,851. ... Miles City is a city in Custer County, Montana, United States. ... Location of Missoula in Montana Coordinates: , Country State County Missoula Founded 1866 Government  - Mayor John Engen Area  - City 23. ... Sidney is a city in Richland County of the U.S. state of Montana, less than 15. ... View from top of Big Mountain, near Whitefish, in winter Whitefish is a city located in Flathead County, Montana. ... Counties Beaverhead · Big Horn · Blaine · Broadwater · Carbon · Carter · Cascade · Chouteau · Custer · Daniels · Dawson · Deer Lodge · Fallon · Fergus · Flathead · Gallatin · Garfield · Glacier · Golden Valley · Granite · Hill · Jefferson · Judith Basin · Lake · Lewis and Clark · Liberty · Lincoln · Madison · McCone · Meagher · Mineral · Missoula · Musselshell · Park · Petroleum · Phillips · Pondera · Powder River · Powell · Prairie · Ravalli · Richland · Roosevelt · Rosebud · Sanders · Sheridan · Silver Bow · Stillwater · Sweet Grass · Teton · Toole · Treasure · Valley · Wheatland · Wibaux · Yellowstone List of Montana counties: Beaverhead County Big Horn County Blaine County Broadwater County Carbon County Carter County Cascade County Chouteau County Custer County Daniels County Dawson County LP16 Deer Lodge County Fallon County Fergus County Flathead County Gallatin County LP6 Garfield County LP50 Glacier County Golden Valley County Granite County... Beaverhead County is the largest county by area in the state of Montana. ... Big Horn County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Blaine County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Broadwater County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Carbon County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Carter County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Cascade County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Chouteau County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Custer County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Daniels County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Dawson County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Deer Lodge County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Fallon County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Fergus County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Flathead County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Montana. ... Garfield County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Glacier County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Golden Valley County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Granite County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Hill County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Jefferson County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Judith Basin County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Lake County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Lewis and Clark County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Liberty County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Lincoln County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Madison County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... McCone County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Meagher County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Mineral County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Missoula County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Musselshell County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Park County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Petroleum County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Phillips County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Pondera County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Powder River County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Powell County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Prairie County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Ravalli County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Richland County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Roosevelt County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Rosebud County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Sanders County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Sheridan County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Silver Bow County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Stillwater County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Sweet Grass County is a county located in the state of Montana, USA. As of 2000, the population is 3,609. ... Teton County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Toole County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Treasure County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Valley County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Wheatland County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Wibaux County is a county located in the state of Montana. ... Yellowstone County is a county located in the state of Montana. ...