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Skiing at Big Sky versus CO and UT
Posted on 11/13/23 at 10:18 am
Posted on 11/13/23 at 10:18 am
Let me preface with this - I've skied at basically every major mountain / resort in the western US besides Big Sky. We typically frequent Vail, Park City, Summit County (Breck, Copper, Keystone), and Aspen. Been to Telluride, Steamboat, and Tahoe several times as well.
This year we are looking for a change. I have companion pass on Southwest so looking to take advantage of that. I found some cheap flights to Bozeman in February, but I know nothing about Big Sky other than it is a desirable skiing destination.
How does it compare to say Park City, Breck or Vail? Both in terms of the actual mountain and then the town experience? Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated
This year we are looking for a change. I have companion pass on Southwest so looking to take advantage of that. I found some cheap flights to Bozeman in February, but I know nothing about Big Sky other than it is a desirable skiing destination.
How does it compare to say Park City, Breck or Vail? Both in terms of the actual mountain and then the town experience? Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated
This post was edited on 11/13/23 at 10:58 am
7
Posted on 11/13/23 at 10:29 am to skewbs
I went 20+ years ago but really enjoyed it. Very good ski mountain. Take a day off and snowmobile in Yellowstone if they still allow that.
Posted on 11/13/23 at 11:17 am to skewbs
The mountain experience is quite a bit different, Big Sky is a huge mountain with terrain that is much more diverse than PC/Breck/Vail. There are alpine bowls, chutes, glades, mellow cruisers...Plus the tram is an experience that you won't find at any of those other resorts. Jackson would be the most comparable to that or maybe some Canadian resorts.
The town experience though is not going to be like PC or Breck...it is much more mellow and not quite as built up.
The town experience though is not going to be like PC or Breck...it is much more mellow and not quite as built up.
This post was edited on 11/13/23 at 11:18 am
Posted on 11/13/23 at 3:05 pm to SloaneRanger
quote:
Take a day off and snowmobile in Yellowstone
I was also last there about 20 years ago and will never forget that experience. Take a recovery day mid-way through your skiing and go do this tour. To this day, it's one of the coolest things I've ever done and I'm sure will be for you too. Bison up close covered head to toe in ice (beasts). Wolves, antelope, eagles. Hot springs and geysers. Frozen waterfalls. All of this standing out against the beautiful, snow-covered, tranquil scenery. I believe we covered about 60 miles of terrain that day, and lunch was included. Didn't see another human being, other than the 6-8 in our party. When we were there, there was serious talk of the park service doing away with snowmobiling altogether in the park because of the impact on the wildlife. I don't think that ever happened though.
Posted on 11/14/23 at 8:18 am to skewbs
quote:
Vail, Park City, Summit County (Breck, Copper, Keystone), and Aspen. Been to Telluride, Steamboat, and Tahoe
All these have some sort of nightlife/town experience. Big Sky will have you in bed by 7pm.
As for the Skiing, its the U.S. equivalent to BC, but its still no BC.
Posted on 11/14/23 at 1:51 pm to SippyCup
Take note of the fact that the positive responses here are from 20 years ago. You missed it bud. Also, El Niño year so there’s not gonna be much snow. “Ski the scree” is a saying for a reason. Make sure you take the insurance on those rentals
Posted on 11/14/23 at 3:22 pm to skewbs
I really enjoy the skiing there. Variety of terrain and can get away from the crowd. I went 2 years ago. As stated, the town is nothing to write home about, but the skiing is great. I'll be there in early February as well.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:47 am to Catfishmt
quote:
Take note of the fact that the positive responses here are from 20 years ago. You missed it bud. Also, El Niño year so there’s not gonna be much snow. “Ski the scree” is a saying for a reason. Make sure you take the insurance on those rentals
lol. Yes. So go to Colorado further south? Genius! You sound like a riot
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:58 am to baldona
When did I ever suggest going to Colorado? However, as you are obviously unaware, El Niño is typically better for the southern Rockies so yes Colorado would be a good choice. If I were to recommend somewhere it would be Taos, Mammoth or Telluride. Sleeper pick would be Brian Head, Utah.
ETA I had a Big Sky season pass for 6 years, a Bridger pass for the 7 seasons previous to that and a Moonlight pass for 4 seasons when that was still a thing. So yeah go ahead and educate me on western snowfall patterns lol
ETA I had a Big Sky season pass for 6 years, a Bridger pass for the 7 seasons previous to that and a Moonlight pass for 4 seasons when that was still a thing. So yeah go ahead and educate me on western snowfall patterns lol
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 9:10 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 4:23 pm to baldona
This was actually a worthwhile point to make? Obviously it’s all a guess right now, but the trend for this region in an El Niño year is for drier conditions in Montana than Montana experiences in non el-nino years.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 4:25 pm to fargobison
quote:
Big Sky is a huge mountain with terrain that is much more diverse than PC/Breck/Vail. There are alpine bowls, chutes, glades, mellow cruisers
I’ve not been to Big Sky. 95% of my ski days are at vail. I would describe vail as a huge mountain with alpine bowls, glades, mellow cruisers. Not a ton of chutes.
I’d love to go to big sky one day. Generally curious what is it about the terrain that is so different from Vail?
Posted on 11/15/23 at 4:40 pm to ned nederlander
El Nino favors southern mtns for snow here so Telluride, Purgatory, and Wolf Creek. Northern Mtns like WinterPark and Steamboat are usually leaner but who knows?
Posted on 11/15/23 at 7:31 pm to ned nederlander
quote:
Generally curious what is it about the terrain that is so different from Vail?
Vastly different expert level terrian, the tram and headwaters are areas that Vail just doesn't have. Whoever said it is the closest you can get to skiing in British Columbia was right.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 7:48 pm to fargobison
People might be making too much of the El Nino thing, a lot of mountains including Big Sky are fairly neutral to both El Nino and La Nina. OpenSnow actually broke it down and over the last six El Nino's Big Sky had two above average seasons, two average and two below.
Even if you bank on a resort with more correlation you can get years like last year where Mammoth and Lake Tahoe skied much better than the La Nina favored PNW resorts.
I think booking Big Sky in February is a pretty safe bet but most resorts are pretty safe at that time.
Even if you bank on a resort with more correlation you can get years like last year where Mammoth and Lake Tahoe skied much better than the La Nina favored PNW resorts.
I think booking Big Sky in February is a pretty safe bet but most resorts are pretty safe at that time.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:15 pm to skewbs
Took my kids to Big Sky last March and we had a blast.
We took a snow coach tour into Yellowstone one day and took a break from skiing.
And my boys loved eating at Yeti Dogs!
We took a snow coach tour into Yellowstone one day and took a break from skiing.
And my boys loved eating at Yeti Dogs!
Posted on 11/16/23 at 12:09 pm to idontyield
quote:
El Nino favors southern mtns for snow here so Telluride, Purgatory, and Wolf Creek. Northern Mtns like WinterPark and Steamboat are usually leaner but who knows?
Shhh. Wolf Creek is too crowded already. Last year, I had to wait 5 minutes in the lift line.
Posted on 11/17/23 at 11:10 am to ned nederlander
Vail is flat as a pancake. Big sky has some actual steep skiing. Doesn’t really ever snow but the terrain is world class. Overrun with billionaire beaters these days but it was a damn good run. Yeti Dogs is still awesome though!
Posted on 12/2/23 at 4:06 pm to Catfishmt
Lodging in Big Sky: I see there is a mountain village area and then it appears the town is about 10 minutes east of there. Should we aim to stay in town or in the mountain village? Where are most of the bars / restaurants? I realize the nightlife probably won't compare to Aspen, Vail or Park City
Posted on 12/2/23 at 7:06 pm to ned nederlander
quote:
This was actually a worthwhile point to make? Obviously it’s all a guess right now, but the trend for this region in an El Niño year is for drier conditions in Montana than Montana experiences in non el-nino years.
Sure, you are right. Snow increases on average during El Niño south. But that doesn’t make the more northern area worse, it just makes the southern areas
Better.
Look, if you are wealthy or local and chasing powder last minute absolutely El Niño matters. If I was planning my trip 4-6+ months out I’d still 100% of the time prefer to plan going north for less risk.
This post was edited on 12/2/23 at 7:08 pm
Posted on 12/4/23 at 2:26 pm to skewbs
I can't answer as I haven't been to MT...but I'd like to.
I'm similar to you that I've skied many spots in CO and UT.
Have you ever skiied Arizona? Looks like I'll be that way with my family in February and was looking to try to ski one day.
I'm similar to you that I've skied many spots in CO and UT.
Have you ever skiied Arizona? Looks like I'll be that way with my family in February and was looking to try to ski one day.
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