Big Sky Montana
From Glacier to Yellowstone
8 days in Montana
Part 4 of a 5 part series
Although known as a ski resort to be reckoned with, Big Sky Montana can also serve as a basecamp in the summer, while you explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park and beyond. It didn’t take long to understand why so many people flock here all year around.
The adventures offered in the summer are endless from hiking and mountain biking to ziplining and white-water rafting. Less than an hour from Yellowstone National Park this very hip area has earned it’s reputation as go-to destination.
Summer Activities
Here are some of what Big Sky offers in the summer:
- 50 plus miles of trails
- 1700 vertical feet of mountain biking
- 3 summer scenic sky lifts
- 35 plus biking and hiking trails
- Golfing
- Fly fishing
- Ziplining and mountain climbing
- Whitewater rafting
- And so much more!
Chair lift Goals
With only half a day to explore the area, we decided the scenic chair lift was the way to go. One pass got you on both the Ramcharger 8 and the Swift Current 6, each going to a different area. These aren’t just any chair lifts. This whisper quiet ride, seating 6 to 8 people, has ergonomically shaped, extra wide seats, a weather-proof “Big Sky-Blue Bubble”, and an adjustable loading carpet. Can you imagine how incredible the bubble and the heated seats are in the frigid winter?
Taking in the birds-eye view while gliding through the quiet air almost felt like we were flying! It certainly beat having to walk to the top! You could see some of the 300 ski runs offered in the winter and lots of mountain bikers taking on the rugged trails. If you are a mountain biker, the chair lift can take your bike up separately and then all you have to do is figure out how to get back down.
Westward Social
After testing out all the chair lifts and exploring some at the top of the mountain we picked a place to eat. The restaurant was open to outside and located at the base camp, called Westward Social. Again, I imagined how amazing this place must be in the winter. After skiing all day, you can literally ski right up to the door. With craft cocktails and elevated comfort food this place did not disappoint. Of course, as always, all the menu items had a Montana twist. From buffalo cauliflower to westward nachos, it was hard to go wrong.
It was time to head to our next cabin located outside the west entrance of Yellowstone!
If you missed the other segments of our 8 day Montana trip, check them out here!