15 Things To Do In Big Sky This Winter
Winters in Big Sky can be particularly snowy. However when the sun peaks through the clouds cutting through that cold brisk morning air it can create the perfect atmosphere for winter activities. With unlimited access to outdoor recreation, Big Sky offers something for people of all ages to enjoy. Many of these activities you can head out on your own to enjoy, while others may require a guide.
1. Dog Sledding
Experience a thrill of a lifetime while you learn to mush through the snow on an authentic dog sledding trip through the mountains around Big Sky.
Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures – https://www.yellowstonedogsledadventures.com/
Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures – http://www.huskypower.com/
2. Snow Coach
Snow coach tours are available to several Yellowstone National Park locations that are otherwise unavailable to the public during the winter season. The most popular destination for these tours are Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River with many wildlife and sightseeing stops along the way. This is a truly unique winter experience like nothing else.
Snow Coach Yellowstone – https://www.yellowstonevacations.com/tours-activities/yvt/snowcoach-tours-wy
Yellowstone Aspen Guides – https://seeyellowstone.com/yellowstone-tours/
3. Ice Climbing
With internationally renowned ice climbing found in Hyalite Canyon just outside of Bozeman and Ousel Falls a short drive from Big Sky, there is no better place to experience this activity at least once. Montana Alpine Guides has been named by National Geographic in “Best of Montana in Winter: Outdoor Recreation”. They are one of the premier climbing guides in the area.
Montana Alpine Guides – https://www.mtalpine.com/
4. Cross Country Skiing
Bridger Ski Foundation grooms 40+ miles of trails at 6 different locations around Bozeman. Trails range from beginner to advanced. In Big Sky, Lone Mountain Ranch is home to 50+ miles of maintained trails. Lone Mountain has been voted “Cross Country Skier magazine’s #1 Nordic ski destination in North America”. They offer a wide variety of trails and guides for beginners, experts and everyone in between. Located 17 miles from Bozeman is the Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. They have 20+ miles of daily groomed trails and is the Gallatin Valley’s premiere cross country, snowshoeing, and fat biking destination.
Crosscut Mountain Sports Center – https://www.crosscutmt.org/
Lone Mountain Ranch – https://lonemountainranch.com/adventures/winter/#nordic
Bridger Ski Foundation – https://www.bridgerskifoundation.org/trails/main
5. Sleigh Ride
Enjoy a sleigh ride through the Montana backcountry or take an unforgettable ride to an oil lantern-lit cabin for a dinner experience that you will never forget. No matter which sleigh ride you chose to experience you will not regret it after sitting in the open air wrapped in blankets with your loved ones around you in the Montana wilderness.
Lone Mountain Ranch – https://lonemountainranch.com/sleigh-ride-dinner/
320 Ranch – https://www.320ranch.com/activities/sleigh-rides/
Cache Creek Outfitters – https://cachecreekoutfitters.com/sleigh-rides-cookouts-special-events/
6. Snowshoeing
Explore a guided tour with Big Sky Resort on Moose Tracks trail or head out to Lone Mountain Ranch for 18 miles of trails that can be enjoyed with or with out a guide. With hundreds of miles of trails, our National Forest around Big Sky is another popular snowshoeing venue. As you head in the National Forest areas be sure to practice safe backcountry travel and always be aware of avalanche hazards in the areas you may be traveling. These hazards can be checked at any time at www.mtavalanch.com.
Big Sky Resort – https://bigskyresort.com/winter-activities/snowshoe-tours
Lone Mountain Ranch – https://lonemountainranch.com/adventures/winter/#snowshoe
7. Spa and Wellness Centers
Take an afternoon to relax indoors and book a massage, facial, wax and much more at one of Big Sky’s local spas or wellness centers.
Solace Spa and Salon – https://bigskyresort.com/solace-spa-and-salon
OZssage Therapeutic Spa – https://www.ozssage.com/
Santosha Wellness Center – https://santoshabigsky.com/
Raydient Bodywork of Big Sky – http://raydientbodywork.com/
8. Montana Dinner Yurt
A unique experience riding in a snowcat up the mountain to a private, secluded yurt where you will enjoy a candlelit dinner in a casually elegant atmosphere. At the yurt site, there is a torch-lit sledding hill to enjoy in-between courses. This entire experience runs about three-and-a-half hours.
Montana Dinner Yurt – http://www.bigskyyurt.com/montana-dinner-yurt/
9. Escape Room
New to Big Sky Resort is the 60-minute interactive escape room they have named “The Innocents”. The real-life puzzle is set in 1863 Montana Territory, the gang known as The Innocents is taking over your town. You must work together with your team of four to six to bring justice to your town and escape.
Big Sky Resort – https://bigskyresort.com/winter-activities/escape-room
10. Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry skiing is skiing outside of ski area boundaries. There are no boundaries, no ski patrol, no avalanche patrol, no lifts, and no crowds. It is not for everyone but for those that enjoy it, it is certainly an adventure. You can head out on your own in the mountains surrounding Big Sky or book a guide to take you to the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park.
Montana Alpine Guides – https://www.mtalpine.com/big-sky-backcountry-skiing/
Big Sky Backcountry Guides – https://www.bigskybackcountry.com/big-sky-backcountry-skiing
11. Zip-lining
The Adventure Zipline tour starts with a ride up on the Explorer Double Chair lift while taking in the views of Lone Mountain and Spanish Peaks. Once you reach the top you will make your way down the mountain on four lines spanning up to 1500 feet long and 150 above the ground. One line also features a Twin Zipline where you can race your tour mates. For a shorter and more family-friendly zipline experience you can choose the Nature Zipline tour. This tour starts with a 15-minute hike up Moose Tracks Trail, once at the top, you will make your way down four lines ranging from 275’ to 490’ in length that crisscrosses Moose Tracks Gully and finishes at the bottom of Moose Tracks.
Big Sky Resort Adventure Zipline – https://bigskyresort.com/winter-activities/adventure-zipline
Big Sky Resort Nature Zipline – https://bigskyresort.com/winter-activities/nature-zipline
12. Everetts 8800
Ride the heated Ramcharger heated chairlift to the top of Andesite Mountain for dinner or lunch. Pair their expansive wine, beer and cocktail list with the alpine-inspired dishes.
You can enjoy the views of Lone Peak during the day or enjoy a fire on the deck just before sunset.
Big Sky Resort – https://bigskyresort.com/resort-dining/everetts-8800
13. Snowmobiling
Enjoy a day in the Gallatin Nation Forest on a snowmobile from Canyon Adventures or grab a guide and head into Yellowstone National Park. There are miles of groomed trails and untouched meadows waiting for you to experience. No matter which way you decide to spend a day snowmobiling it will be an experience you will not forget.
Canyon Adventures – http://www.snowmobilemontana.com/
Two Top Yellowstone Winter Tours – http://www.twotopsnowmobile.com/
Yellowstone Vacations – https://www.yellowstonevacations.com/tours-activities/yvt/snowmobile-tours
See Yellowstone – https://seeyellowstone.com/
14. Ice Skating/Sledding
Spend an afternoon in Big Sky town center where you will find an ice rink and a sled hill. Ice skates are for rent at a few shops around the town center and sleds are for sale as well. The rink is open to the public and presents with a number of activity options. Children’s hockey clinics, 3-on-3 hockey league, curling league, hockey camps and a drop in curling clinic all put on by the Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association.
Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association – https://www.facebook.com/BSSHA/
15. Hot Springs
Montana is home to 60 known hot springs and a few happen to be located within 45 minutes of Big Sky. If you are looking for a more developed hot spring that is fun for all ages head down the canyon to Bozeman Hot Springs. They have been open for more than 100 years and feature 12 different pools. Water temperatures in theses pools range anywhere from 59 to 106 degrees as well as wet and dry saunas. If you want to experience an undeveloped hot spring make sure to head to the Montana Hot Springs map listed below to find one closest to you.
Montana Hot Springs Map – https://www.montanahotsprings.net/
Bozeman Hot Springs – https://bozemanhotsprings.co/