Where is Big Sky Montana is a question that is answered high in the mountain meadows, surrounded by timberland, the Spanish Peaks Primitive Area and the Gallatin National Forest. Majestic 11,166-foot Lone Mountain towers over the paradise, where in 1969, Chet Huntley, the late newscaster, and a group of corporate investors purchased some ranchland. Chet loved his native Montana and wanted to contribute to its tourism industry by establishing a year-round resort with complete lodging and recreational facilities.

Big Sky is the home of the Big Sky Resort. This lively village is a year-round playground for outdoor recreationists. Golf, tennis, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, skiing and snowmobiling are all spoken here. Gondola rides offer spectacular views in the summer. Hiking is popular in the nearby Lee Metcalf Spanish Peaks Wilderness. .

For an exquisite breathtaking view of Lone Mountain, stop by Soldier’s Chapel, built in 1955. This small church of native stone and logs was built as a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War II, and to serve the spiritual needs of the ranchers and families living in the Gallatin Canyon and their many summer visitors.

Where is Big Sky, Montana?

Big Sky is located approximately 45 miles south of Bozeman, where the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is located. There is direct flight access from several major metropolitan areas including: New York City, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco.

Directions to Big Sky, Montana:

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Big Sky by the Numbers:

• State: Montana
• County: Gallatin & Madison
• Total Area: 228.3 sq. miles
• Elevation: 7,218 ft.
• Population (2007): 2,421
• Time Zone: Mountain (MST)
• ZIP Code: 59716
• Area Code: 406

Skiing in Big Sky

Skiing in Big Sky, Montana is world-class. Known as the Biggest Skiing in America, people from all over the globe flock here to our Rocky Mountain community to escape the crowds typically found in Utah or Colorado, in fact, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the most internationally trafficked airport in the state. While skiing in Big Sky it is broken down by three ski resorts:

• Big Sky Resort
• Moonlight Basin
• Lone Mountain Ranch

Demographics:

Estimated full-time population is currently 4,000. Seasonal population can exceed 15,000 on peak days. Most recent Gallatin County population estimate is 87,359 (July 1, 2007), which represents an increase of 28% over the 2000 census population of 68,278. (source: Gallatin County Planning Department) Population of nearby West Yellowstone is estimated at 1,300 full-time residents. (source: West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce)

Geography:

Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gallatin and Madison counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 228.3 square miles (591.2 square km), of which, 228.1 square miles (590.8 square km.) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 square km) of it (0.06%) is water.

Weather:

The weather in Big Sky is generally mild with Winter being the harshest season due to an above average accumulation of snow when compared to other towns across the region.

Big Sky Schools:

The Big Sky community’s education system is facilitated by the Ophir School District, and consists of:

• Ophir Elementary School
• Ophir Middle School
• Lone Peak High School

Information was provided courtesy of the Official State of Montana Vacation, Recreation, Accommodations and Travel Information, Google Maps, Wikipedia and official sites.