Major city · United States
Big Sky
Go for 3–4 nights if you ski or ride; skip as a Yellowstone base — West Yellowstone is 30 min closer to the park gates.
Big Sky is a purpose-built resort community on US-191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone, about 24 km from Yellowstone's northwest corner. It splits into two levels: the Mountain Village at the ski base and the Meadow Village 10 minutes below. Lodging is mostly houses and condos, so beds are limited and rates swing hard with season. Come for the mountain, not for the park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking, rafting, Yellowstone)
- avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed)
- Airport
- BZN
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Big Sky911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Gallatin County Sheriff (non-emergency)406-582-2100
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Big Sky, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime, high terrain risk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 406-582-2100 Gallatin County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 45 min north down the Gallatin canyon on US-191; shuttle and rental car both work.).
- Getting aroundNo useful public transport inside Big Sky.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$25–45
- Street or quick mealBurger or sandwich lunch$15–25
- BeerDraught beer at the brewery$7–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedHotel or condo double room, a night, per roomUS$280
- High-end bedHotel or condo double room, a night, per roomUS$600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$120 · Mid US$220 · High US$450
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 45 min north down the Gallatin canyon on US-191; shuttle and rental car both work.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Big Sky: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
10 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
9 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
11 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No useful public transport inside Big Sky. Drive, or use the resort's winter shuttle between the Meadow and Mountain villages. A car is required for Yellowstone, Bozeman and the canyon; US-191 is the only road through.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yellowstone National Park (northwest corner)
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min to the gate
Drive US-191 south about 24 km (15 mi) to the park's northwest entranceDrive US-191 south about 15 mi (24 km) to the park's northwest entrance
Buy or show a park pass at the gate; expect bison and elk on the road at dawn and dusk.
Bozeman
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Drive US-191 north through the Gallatin canyon
Airport, big-box shopping, restaurants and hot springs; the canyon drive is slow in winter.
West Yellowstone
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive US-191 south
Better base if the park is your main goal.
Door to door: 2.5–4 h
US-191 south, then US-89 east through the park or around via Bozeman and Livingston
Too long for a comfortable day return; sleep over.
Livingston
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
US-191 north to Bozeman, then I-90 east
Worth it for food and the Yellowstone River, but a long day.
Cooke City
overnightDoor to door: 3 h+
US-191 south through the park, then the Beartooth Highway (summer only)
Beartooth is closed in winter; check opening dates before you commit.
Red Lodge
overnightDoor to door: 4 h+
Via the Beartooth Highway in summer
A separate trip, not a day out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mountain Village
Ski-in, ski-out at the resort base; walk to lifts, priciest, quiet in summer.
Meadow Village
Town center with the brewery, shops and cheaper condos; 10-min drive up to the lifts.
Gallatin Gateway and the canyon
Guest ranches and cabins along US-191 toward Bozeman; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- $200–320 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or condo double room1 × 4 nights × US$280 | US$1,120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × US$220 | US$1,760 |
| Rental car, per day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Big Sky Resort lift ticket, one day2 × US$200 · check | US$400 |
| Yellowstone 7-day private vehicle pass1 × US$35 · check | US$35 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$343 |
| Trip total≈ US$471 per person per day, bed included | US$3,768 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Burger or sandwich lunch | $15–25 |
| Dinner main, mid-range restaurant | $25–45 |
| Draught beer at the brewery | $7–9 |
| Lift ticket, one day | $180–230 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not walk the old asbestos mine area off the marked trail: the site was never cleaned up and dust is a real hazard.
- Off-piste rocks are poorly marked; ski with a partner and check snowpack before going out of bounds.
- Cell coverage is patchy in the canyon and on the mountain.
- Winter storms close US-191 and the Bozeman pass with little warning: carry chains and check road conditions.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Gallatin County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 406-582-2100
Pocket card
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Big SkyBig Sky
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Gallatin County Sheriff (non-emergency)406-582-2100
Embassy
No consulates in Big Sky; nearest consular offices are in Denver or Seattle. Embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BZN airport → Big Sky, rental car: about 45–60 min via US-191 (check)
- BZN airport → Big Sky, shuttle: book ahead; about 1 h (check)
- Yellowstone 7-day vehicle pass: about $35 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is this run open? — Is this run open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How far to the park gate? — How far to the park gate?
- Do I need chains? — Do I need chains?
- Is there a shuttle? — Is there a shuttle?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Big Sky. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking, rafting, Yellowstone) · avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season, lifts and many businesses closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BZN: last shuttle and rental-car desk hours field-checked, winter storm fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mountain Village base, Meadow Village center, Ousel Falls trailhead, Gallatin canyon ranches.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Big Sky Resort, Moonlight Basin, Ousel Falls, Lone Mountain Ranch) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal closure fixtures so winter, mud season and summer gates can go green.