Big Sky: Take Two?

[jwkpvca]

Also, while I can take a gander at the Big Sky website, what is the status of the new tram? Is it open yet? I saw some posts from an earlier time this year from members suggesting it would open. I'm surprised it's not already as they were talking about it in 2022.

 

[jwkpvca]

Thanks Rachel and sorry. This is the "post like a maniac" technique. But hopefully the photos are useful.

I'm still getting this message when I try to see trip details: "You do not have permission to view this page or perform this action." Should I be able to access this now? Is there something I need to do first?

 

[RachelV]

Your title is Certified Ski Diva now, so you should be all set. I do think it takes a little bit to reflect your new user status after you hit 15 posts, so it may not have worked right away. Try logging out and back in if you still can't access those threads.

 

[marzNC]

Also, while I can take a gander at the Big Sky website, what is the status of the new tram? Is it open yet? I saw some posts from an earlier time this year from members suggesting it would open. I'm surprised it's not already as they were talking about it in 2022.

Welcome!

The tram has been operational. I enjoyed checking it out in March 2024.

TR Grand Targhee, Big Sky, Bridger, March 2024

You should check out the weather in Tahoe... Crazy!

www.theskidiva.com

What's new is the glass enclosure at the top of Lone Peak for people who want to ride up just for the view and don't want to wander around on the snow. The capacity of the tram is 75 but the max for people who plan to ski/board down is much less. So there is always spots for scenic rides.

Also the new Explorer gondola will be open shortly. That will allow people to ride up from the base directly to the tram terminal just to see the view. Meaning no skis/boards required.

 

[JodieS]

Reading the current newsletter I realized I'll be at Big Sky with my sister-in-law, adult daughter and niece the same week. Maybe we will run into you all. This will be my third trip to Big Sky.

 

[Aerlind]

Hi and welcome! I’m a semi-local to Big Sky. I say that because I live 25 miles away as the crow flies, “but you can’t get there from here” so it’s a 2 hour drive. We hit it up a few times a year, but it’s really not a local’s mountain. I have some feelings about how they run things and “support the local community” (ahem, they do not.), so I’d prefer to give my hard earned dollars to other places, but it’s always a worthy trip, a Thanksgiving tradition, and they really do have some awesome terrain.

The new tram is incredible. The scenic ride is absolutely worth the $10 on a clear day, and yes, I actually CAN see my house from the top (well, almost. There’s a hillside in the way of my actual house, but I can see my town). My profile picture was taken skiing odd the tram, a triple-black called Otter Slide, back in April. If you can manage a steep but not necessarily bumpy black or double black, I highly recommend skiing it once to say you did. If you buy a regular lift ticket, tram access is included, but it’s an additional cost if you’re skiing with an Ikon or Mountain Collective pass.

The new observation deck and gondola open on Dec 20. They look neat. A note, the gondola base is maybe 200-300 yards from the parking lot, so you can easily skip their parking lot shuttle if you don’t mind a little walk. We rarely, if ever, take the shuttle.

I was there on Thanksgiving, and conditions were not good (comparison, last year, it was great and I was frustrated that I was coming back from a non-skiing injury so I couldn’t take full advantage). We got a decent storm last week, so it’s improved slightly, but it’s been a very slow start to the 2025-2026 season here in Montana.

@Robin Epstein if your hotel has a shuttle, you really only need a car if you plan to leave the Big Sky area. If you do, you need a car, as public transit isn’t a thing here. If you’re content to stick within the town, you should be fine without one. I honestly don’t spend any time in the town of Big Sky itself so I have no idea what it has to offer.

 

[MontanaGen]

So, when I skied Big Sky in 2022 I stayed in an AirBNB in town. To make my blather worthwhile to others, I will post a photo of my food from a really great restaurant that is not at the slopes but in town: Michaelangelos.

Michaelangelos is still there serving great food. One of the few finer restaurants in town.

 

[MontanaGen]

Your title is Certified Ski Diva now, so you should be all set. I do think it takes a little bit to reflect your new user status after you hit 15 posts, so it may not have worked right away. Try logging out and back in if you still can't access those threads.

View attachment 25679

Oooh, good for me to know this too. I need to get on the ball and get posting. Do replies count, Rachel, or just original posts? I've always wondered that.

 

[MontanaGen]

Hi and welcome! I’m a semi-local to Big Sky. I say that because I live 25 miles away as the crow flies, “but you can’t get there from here” so it’s a 2 hour drive. We hit it up a few times a year, but it’s really not a local’s mountain. I have some feelings about how they run things and “support the local community” (ahem, they do not.), so I’d prefer to give my hard earned dollars to other places, but it’s always a worthy trip, a Thanksgiving tradition, and they really do have some awesome terrain.

The new tram is incredible. The scenic ride is absolutely worth the $10 on a clear day, and yes, I actually CAN see my house from the top (well, almost. There’s a hillside in the way of my actual house, but I can see my town). My profile picture was taken skiing odd the tram, a triple-black called Otter Slide, back in April. If you can manage a steep but not necessarily bumpy black or double black, I highly recommend skiing it once to say you did. If you buy a regular lift ticket, tram access is included, but it’s an additional cost if you’re skiing with an Ikon or Mountain Collective pass.

The new observation deck and gondola open on Dec 20. They look neat. A note, the gondola base is maybe 200-300 yards from the parking lot, so you can easily skip their parking lot shuttle if you don’t mind a little walk. We rarely, if ever, take the shuttle.

I was there on Thanksgiving, and conditions were not good (comparison, last year, it was great and I was frustrated that I was coming back from a non-skiing injury so I couldn’t take full advantage). We got a decent storm last week, so it’s improved slightly, but it’s been a very slow start to the 2025-2026 season here in Montana.

@Robin Epstein if your hotel has a shuttle, you really only need a car if you plan to leave the Big Sky area. If you do, you need a car, as public transit isn’t a thing here. If you’re content to stick within the town, you should be fine without one. I honestly don’t spend any time in the town of Big Sky itself so I have no idea what it has to offer.

Hi, we might be neighbors. I'm 40 mile as the crow flies over in Paradise Valley. I too make the 2-hour trek to ski Big Sky.

 

[RachelV]

Oooh, good for me to know this too. I need to get on the ball and get posting. Do replies count, Rachel, or just original posts? I've always wondered that.

Replies also count! You should be all set at this point!

 

[carvcrazy]

Hi, we might be neighbors. I'm 40 mile as the crow flies over in Paradise Valley. I too make the 2-hour trek to ski Big Sky.

I’m so jealous! I wish I’m not on the east coast

 

[Aerlind]

Hi, we might be neighbors. I'm 40 mile as the crow flies over in Paradise Valley. I too make the 2-hour trek to ski Big Sky.

Ahh I’m the other way, past Ennis, in Virginia City. Every time we drive to Big Sky we come over the hill into Ennis and say, “Hi Lone Mountain, see you from the other side in a couple hours…” and then say a few choice words for the folks who control the road between the two towns (that yes, you can buy a pass to travel on, the pass itself is $575, AND you have to have a Big Sky season pass, so really it’s over $1000, more if you can’t get one of the weekday passes. It’s ridiculous. I have a friend who works at the resort and has a road pass through that, and she’s happy to give me a ride if our scheduled mesh, but often they don’t!