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Montana Ski Trip: Big Sky

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If you're looking for 5300 acres of ski area, with 23 lifts, 222 runs, and the biggest vertical drop in the United States at 4,350 feet -- then you're looking for Big Sky. Big Sky is just north of Yellowstone National Park, and surrounded by Gallatin National Forest. It receives 400 inches of snow yearly. Visitors usually fly into Bozeman, just 45 miles north of the ski area. Delta, Horizon Air, United and Northwest Airlines all fly into the Bozeman airport. You may even be able to find a nonstop flight from as far away as Atlanta (currently on Delta). While skiing is never cheap, expenses at Big Sky, the Big Mountain, and Bridger Bowl are routinely less than comparable resorts in Colorado or Utah. It is usually possible to ski in western Montana from late September or early October until mid-to-late April. Lodging and lift tickets are both most affordable in the "shoulder seasons" of fall and spring, and most expensive during high-traffic times such as the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Big Sky often offers special deals for off-weekends: for example, this year Huntley Lodge offered two nights’ lodging and two days’ lift tickets for $165 per person, in the first weekend of April. Considering that Big Sky also received nine inches of snow in 24 hours on that weekend -- let's just say this is pretty good skiing.

To find accommodations for a weekend itinerary in Big Sky, go to www.bigskychamber.com . Use travelocity or the individual airline websites to arrange travel to Bozeman. Several businesses offer daily shuttles and taxis from the Bozeman airport to Big Sky. When you're not on the slopes, enjoy the ski village's charming shopping area and selection of around 25 restaurants. Save one meal for the Rainbow Ranch Lodge -- according to Wine Enthusiast magazine, "in the elegant restaurant the chef offers up fine food on a par with top urban eateries." The Lone Mountain Ranch Dining Room, in a similar price range (expensive), is also highly recommended. For a somewhat more budget-friendly menu, with tasty American and seafood offerings, try First Place, on Little Coyote Road.

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