Big Sky Skiing Guide and Review - Montana, USA

Making sense of all 5 areas at Big Sky to help plan future ski trips!
See more with my Deer Valley review here: • Deer Valley Skiing Rev...
and Telluride review here: • Telluride Skiing Revie...
and Park City: • Park City Skiing Revie...
Chapters:
00:00 - Mountain Overview
02:41 - Area 1 - Andesite and Spirit
06:23 - Area 2 - Lone Mountain East
09:57 - Area 3 - Lone Mountain North
12:42 - Area 4 - Lone Mountain South
14:23 - Area 5 - Lone Peak
18:23 - Closing Thoughts
Music:
Wait For Me - Jeff The Second
• Jeff The Second - Wait...
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New Happy Day by fennec beats / fennecbeats
Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_new-happy-day
Music promoted by Audio Library • New Happy Day - fennec...
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#BigSky #Skiing

[@atineog]

Awesome video! I'm going in a couple of days and your information was very helpful!

[@exploringeuropeafloat]

Great review. I especially like the commentary about light and visibility on different runs ss most people forget about that. Well done.

[@masterbozeman]

I have been going to big sky for 30 years and you did a great job on this video and the reviews of each area are spot on! Shedhorn is a great spot after a lot of snow drops. Over the last 3 years we have had an unusually low amount of snow. In 2013 Big sky got almost 500 inches of snow and at one point the peak had over 100 inches in depth. on average It tends to be 70 inches depth upper mountain and 50 inches base area. Right now its about 44 inches upper and less than 22 inches base area. Hopefully we get more snow soon. New Gondola lift and new Tram lift will be built over the next few years, and some on-mountain restaurants will be built next to the new Gondola lift.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Ya I saw they have a master plan. Should be great if they keep it going!

[@starbucksgirl6187]

goddamn you must be old

[@flynjay7178]

Great video. My family has been going to Big Sky ever year for the past 22 years. Great resort. Some of the best skiing is off trail. A couple of treed runs that are my favorite are Tango Trees and Lizzette.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Wow you guys must be experts at this point. Thanks for the insight!

[@random_stuff_channel]

Such an underrated channel!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Thanks!

[@gigidetroit]

Hi Ronnie your review is very helpful🙌 I’ll be visiting Big Sky this month

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Glad to hear it!

[@a_pear]

Thanks for the thorough review! I think I'm heading out in 2 weeks and very excited to explore the most I can of it.

[@bensamara8441]

Hey great video, I love the reviews you do. Hopefully you'll do more for the 22/23 season. Very helpful and informative.

[@InvestingwithBishop]

Love Big Sky!! Been there twice for an 8 day ski trip with family and friends. I even got engaged there in 2021 January!

[@johny4059]

I skied Big Sky back in the late 80's when I was in the Air Force. Boy, from your video and my recent interest in going back again in 2023, I can see it's changed a whole lot since back then. Thank you so very much bringing back my many memories of Big Sky as I knew it back then. I'm even more impressed of how much it's been expanded & further developed. I hope I can make it 2025 when they have their grand opening of all the bigger & better improvements. Thanks Again!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Yup looks like a lot of exciting lift changes coming up. I used to think of big sky as a bit of a backend location but they seem to be leading the way with the technology right now. Very impressive.

[@mom_im_losing_it]

What's supposed to change about it.

[@bryanjames5767]

Thanks for one of the best reviews I have seen so far!!!!!

[@realvuldin]

I'm heading to Big Sky tomorrow, this is great timing! Thanks

[@random_stuff_channel]

They are replacing 6 shooter with an 8-pack for next season (24-25). The new 8 pack will have bubbles and heated seats. The ride time will also be 30% faster.

[@sammarsh9197]

Thanks, Headed to Big Sky next week. This video should be helpful

[@kevshreds]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@silviegrl3893]

Very informative! I liked the name of the slopes labeled across the screen. Lift times during our stay in early march, have been longish (5-10 mins, esp at SoCo).

[@northguilford]

Well done, and I think it will be helpful when I go there for the first time this winter.

[@dougsrosen]

Great video Ronnie! Cheers from Park City!

[@TheSnifmister]

Very good job on this video

[@Elemire8]

Heading out in early March.. thanks for this video! A lot of good info in it.

[@nyensimpfenderfer4980]

please dont

[@aaronnie4221]

@@nyensimpfenderfer4980 why? going there tomorrow as well

[@nyensimpfenderfer4980]

@@aaronnie4221 becuase we hate tourists don’t come here go to Jackson instead bozo

[@christophernguyen4317]

Thank you for sharing the information. We're heading to Big Sky next week.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Have fun!

[@skiwoods]

Nice review. I'll be going there for the first time, January, 2023.

[@justinlavish3862]

Great video! More please!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Thanks! Right now planning Telluride in Feb and Park City in March.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Just released Telluride! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqapfJqHbc5mqq8

[@Divebigisland]

going today. first time thanks for the vide bro!

[@maxwellkuechenmeister8161]

This year in 2023 the snow was sooo much better

[@steveelliott1315]

I'm a novice skiier who just went to big sky for my first ever ski trip. this video really captures the place although i of course didn't make it to all the fun slopes!

[@samspence7008]

Hey i been skiing 7 years, should i be able to manuver most of the slopes

[@whitebirchoutfitters]

Great vid

[@illusion1user]

Thank you for this review and please make others on different resorts.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Thanks! Working on Telluride now actually as I just got back!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Just released Telluride! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqapfJqHbc5mqq8

[@illusion1user]

I find myself watching this again! If possible, please do more Ski Resort review videos.

[@christianwestling2019]

Great and comprehensive review. I wish we had these in Europe.

[@hvnsmith77]

Shedhorn also isn't the only place to eat on the mountain. there's Everetts, a small food stand somewhere near powder seeker and an eatery down at Madison.

[@JasonJebezSam]

You paid $65 for a bus from bozeman to big sky?! Holy crap dude you could have paid like 5 to 10 dollars haha. I used to live in bozeman and worked at big sky and rode the bus almost every day. Either way, great video! It reminded me of the many many days I spent up there while working there for a couple years in 2017 and 2018. Good times!

[@phlack1001]

What bus is that? I'm thinking of checking the place out next winter.

[@JasonJebezSam]

@@phlack1001 crap I can't remember the name, if it comes to mind I will let you know!

[@fvnrgktmkr4963]

Come back when the snow is good !

[@SkiCounseler]

Personally I prefer skiing runs that don't get a lot of sun exposure. The snow quality is much better. BTW there used to be 4 places on the mountain to purchase food including a sit down restaurant at the top of Andesite. At least there were last year. I agree that having to pay an additional surcharge to ride the tram is bullshit. Imagine paying upwards of $200 for a lift ticket only to find you aren't allowed to ride one of the lifts without paying an additional $50!! Tell Boyne how you feel about that by going somewhere else.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Fair on the snow quality. And you're right about the "Everett's 8800" restaurant being at the top of Andesite. I didn't include that because it's not designed to be(at least during COVID) a generally accessible option for most people. It's a relatively small sit down place that needs reservations and costs an arm and a leg. I could cherry pick the most expensive items but the most egregious to me is that for example they'd charge an extra 15 dollars to add grilled chicken on to your already 15-20 dollar salad. That's a bit extreme. In general it's good feedback and I think I need to focus a little more on food in future videos. I was pretty pissed to find that my Ikon pass didn't get me to the top of the mountain. I kept it a little more politically correct than I actually felt in the video. :)

[@marierobinson4365]

Assommé à must visit,would love To start sking.

[@MTJeepin]

I was there end of January, I hope to back when they have snow. I ended up with 2 core shots from all the rocks.

[@amyrohr671]

how was the snow?

[@amyrohr671]

im heading there next week

[@MTJeepin]

@@amyrohr671 thin coverage, groomers were good. I really wanted to ski off the Dakota lift but you could see rocks everywhere just under the snow.

[@donmutert8044]

Also one of the top price points for a lift ticket! $250 for a day pass PLUS another $50+ for tram access

[@amysmith8111]

Good video and description of all the areas. I agree with you that Andesite is the best mountain, so much good terrain and great pockets of tree skiing. Here's the question....planning to go next week, but the lack of snow makes me nervous. Was there last year, and had to avoid rocks like you did, but last year had more snow. Would you go here next week or somewhere else based on current conditions?

[@RonnieBunshaft]

From looking at the snow report it seems they had a few inches of snow recently but the base isn't much more than when I went. Dakota is still closed. But there's tons of open mountain, more acreage than most ski resorts. I think it'd only be a problem if you want to ski the most difficult terrain.

[@jorgegiacchetti8719]

hello Amy smith, i'm Jorge, a pilot from Lima peru, working with LATAM airline. i came across your page here through the utube suggestion for me so i thought to write to you. where are you from? Write me when you can and do have a nice day and may God bless you

[@squamishfish]

Need to try Mt Revelstoke in British Columbia , the longest vertical run in North America over 5500 feet , Mt Revelstoke gets tons of snow and has difficult runs , Check it out

[@pongtanit]

Oh yeah! I was there from Jan 22-24! We should have some rides together! I'm from LA, California.

[@coltersmit]

LMAOOOO

[@robertcampbell9364]

Ski the Collective and move around. Whole lotta resorts along I15 running north outta SLC.

[@antreg2008]

Enjoyed your video. Going in a few days for a boys ski trip. This resort is huge from your videos. I live and ski in CO - how does it compare to CO skiing?

[@RonnieBunshaft]

I think with full snow coverage I'd pick it over any of the places I've been in Colorado. I haven't hit everything there is yet but that's a comparison to Breck, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone. Will have Telluride to compare with in a few more weeks here as that's the next trip. Big Sky has the breadth of terrain, a beautiful and challenging "top" to the mountain, and is much easier to get to for me at least.

[@mbtravel7294]

Hi! Nice review! Do they have early May skiing? We had a terrible winter here on the east coast and would love to extend my season.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Site let's you buy through April 24 right now so maybe not!

[@derekbrawders4620]

looking at heading out there in mid december, just concerned about early season snow... normally head to Breck late Dec/Early Jan, with most years snow being 40-50" base, spring is much better but busy.. when did you go to Big Sky for this vid? thanks for the information!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January and from what others said, it seemed we actually had better coverage than many other mountains at that time. Makes me worried about next season. Doubt I'd plan a ski trip in December any time soon personally.

[@AVnoswag]

Have you ever done grand targhee or jackson hole? Would love reviews like this for those!😊

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Almost went to Jackson Hole last year instead of Telluride. Maybe soon!

[@miked.7722]

I'm a level III PSIA instructor and Level III USSA race coach(those are the highest level of instructor and coach certification you can get in the US,) I can teach pretty much anywhere in the world with a phone call. I only say this so you know I know what I am talking about when I say You did such a super job on this video, keep up the good work. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked it so much I subscribed. I've skied all over the world so I know good when I see it. I know it is very difficult doing video with a selfie stick so I would consider using it as little as possible. For two reasons 1. it fucks up your skiing and you really gain nothing over the Go Pro. As to your skiing you have pretty much mastered the art of survival for areas where you are really sort of over your head. I would invest some time really learning to ski better beginning with learning how to carve very well. Take some lessons from a level III instructor for this don't let anybody tell you a level II is good enough, they think they are but are really no better a skier than you are. Actually ask if they have a PSIA Examiner on staff and if they do insist on him or her. Take a series of lessons and with your natural abilities you will get a lot better in a hurry and be amazed at how much more you enjoy the sport due to increased skill level and owning the mountain rather than surviving it. Again great job, I look forward to seeing more of your work. Oh yea lose the skull face it really takes away from your credibility, it's kinda like I never trust those guys who wear the moose horns and other stupid hats on their heads when they ski they always suck.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Hey Mike thanks for the feedback!

[@choski76]

Thanks for the advice re asking for a good instructor. Will that request be respectfully honored? I would do it if I could get that level of instruction.

[@gmoriano]

Thanks. Nice review. What time of year were you there…no snow? Also was that $50 a go for the peak lift? That’s random…..

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January 2022. Last season was rough for snow most places I think. And the cost was for whole day access, but I still feel it's greedy of them to ask anything on top of already sky high pass prices.

[@hvnsmith77]

lone moose chair isnt as punishable to get to as he says. just take the southern comfort access instead of the lone moose access.(its right below SC near little ewe) hope that helps.

[@hannahcardle976]

Hey great video just curious of the general snow conditions look kind of like packed powder and temperature? Thx

[@RonnieBunshaft]

It was pretty low cover at the time and packed powder but I'm not sure we can read too much into it as being representative of the mountain. I'd suggest checking out the weather stats on how things are going this season.

[@kkgarth3322]

Also check out snake pit

[@dudeperson2849]

Going there in about two weeks

[@dboles71]

What’s your video setup, go pro? Really nice videos, taking my family and would like to capture a few moments!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Yup, gopro on a stick and sometimes my helmet. Make sure you get one of the later generations with good stabilization. It's really needed when skiing.

[@douglasberkman]

Great video. What device do you have on your wrist to play music? I've been looking for exactly that so that I don't have to take off my gloves!

[@RonnieBunshaft]

It's one of these: www.chubbybuttons.io/

[@alfihalma4320]

Do you know any explanation for the crazy high lift tickets in the USA? It's kinda tripple of what you'd pay in a top notch Austrian resort.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Probably driven by the consolidation of so many top tier mountains under the Vail company. They can raise them all together and the rest of the industry sees them get away with it. The prices also help drive the epic/ikon pass sales as people see them as a remarkable deal. They kind of are when you can get days at $85 a piece instead of 230. It's just that 85 is itself pricy in other areas of the world and on top of that you need to lock in your passes by the Fall before the season even starts so they get your money whether you actually go or not. They've got a successful system but it's very punishing to anyone not planning far far ahead.

[@alfihalma4320]

@@RonnieBunshaft, With ~1200 USD, you need to spend quite some time at the resorts to achieve Kitzbühel prices. Possible for me as a German, since 6 weeks of holidays are normal here but the USA with 2 - 4 weeks, that's kinda mean... Yet, already one week at a big resort in the USA validates buying the ikon pass. Crazy. Are you aware of the profit margins of US skiing resorts? I heard that the government charges quite some fee for the ha of piste, too. Might already indicate, why just going to Canada already drops the daily price quite a bit.

[@mtadams2009]

So to get to the real terrain you have to pay an extra 50.00 ? Is this for the day or per ride? The lack of snow has been an issue for me the last four trips out west. Soon to be my fifth low snow trip for me. It seems like the new normal. Many of my trips used to be great with a lot of snow. I have had low snow in Jackson, Alta, Snowbird and now Colorado. Looks like a great mountain but I will admit it certainly does not have enough snow to make me spend thousands of dollars to ski it. I miss the years of big snow. You did a very nice job with this video. Thanks

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Thanks for watching! The tram cost is once for the day and it's variable between 20 and 80 dollars depending on a formula they don't publish. It was 50 dollars when I went, which was a perfect weather day but also a non-holiday weekday. Most of the terrain isn't stuck behind this cost but it's still a bummer.

[@mtadams2009]

@@RonnieBunshaft Thanks, Looks like a great mountain. Take care

[@grantbarton8667]

@@RonnieBunshaft great video review! Just got back from Big Sky on Sunday, the tram charge was $100 on Saturday.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

@@grantbarton8667 wow! I got the 80 max right off their website too. Must have gone up.

[@SkiCounseler]

@@grantbarton8667 Boyne is one greedy company.

[@tomgroenevelt6492]

My question is what time of year was this??? As I’m planning a mid February trip and would like to ensure allot of snow coverage

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January but it's hard to predict!

[@JDGless]

Good job mate!

[@ActionXander]

Famous last words: "Okay" 🤣😂

[@pepelon23]

Cuanto te gastaste en total amigo?

[@zoraster3532]

You talk a lot about sun which makes sense. What time of year did you go as that affects how much sun it gets?

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January!

[@jpskiskate2000]

Just waiting for it to snow to use up some day passes :/

[@patricksmo]

"Ski Patrol babysitting" isn't the right descriptor for the controlled access off of the peak. It's controlled for a reason

[@SkiDaBird]

I’m going to second that. I’m a very good skier and the only controlled terrain in my skill set are North Summit and the Big. Both of which need the limited skier traffic to not become dangerous.

[@jeffjensen27]

Be sure to take a ride on Big Sky’s Newest Addition The Brand New (2) 75 Person Arial Tram With A Glass Bottom Viewing Window. 2024-25 Will Be Adding A Brand New 2 Stage Gondola 🚡 System. 😢It’s A Shame That The Price For The Lift Tickets 🎟️ Clearly Shows.

[@willjames6534]

what time of year did you go

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January!

[@younglink6863]

what month did you go?

[@RonnieBunshaft]

This was January 2022.

[@younglink6863]

@@RonnieBunshaft cool thanks

[@focusclan3331]

Headed here in the end of FEB hopefully they get dumped on in the next month :)

[@whoisthe1412]

What skis do you use? Size?

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Hi there, I currently use 2020 Nordica Soul Rider 87 skis, 177cm length.

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Hey all, since this has been so well received I put a bunch of work into another for Telluride. Hope it's helpful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqapfJqHbc5mqq8

[@RonnieBunshaft]

And now Deer Valley: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWnFhKRsYpqihsk

[@stevenpalomba6232]

Blew my knee out up there :/ surgery next week as a 16 year old

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Damn that sucks, sorry to hear it!

[@choski76]

What happened? Hope you're recovering. So you can ski again

[@stevenpalomba6232]

@@RonnieBunshaft almost fully recovered, just can’t ski this season

[@stevenpalomba6232]

@@choski76 I hit a rock that I couldn’t see under some pow and it tore my ACL, mcl, and meniscus, but after months of PT and surgery in almost completely healed and ready for next season

[@jacobabourdeau2944]

Love to ski, not your skis! as we say in the northeast. Actually, many thanks for the video. Heading out there in March and cams are a little tough to view right now. Looks like an epic mountain

[@michaelflynn3867]

They're tools not jewels!

[@andrewdiamond2697]

Not an epic mountain...... an IKON mountain. 🤣😂

[@ryandodge5222]

Bunshaft, Ronnie Bunshaft

[@RonnieBunshaft]

At your service.

[@ethankilgore7934]

Bridger is better then big sky for advanced terrain.

[@TR-nw8hz]

If you don't tele, take off the arcteryx and the skull mask. You don't deserve them. Bunshaft

[@joshuakersey3897]

I love the setup of your video man but you gotta change the music, either just do lofi or something chill but the weird tunes you got rn are just so annoying.

[@bryandalrymple863]

The thumbnail looks like you took it from the Yellowstone club

[@RonnieBunshaft]

Maybe nearby! That was from a trail close to the top of Ramcharger.

[@yousuckwelder]

This guy needs a day job

[@j1mmy69_]

Big sky sucks... Stay away. Tell your friends

[@nyensimpfenderfer4980]

please dont come back

[@kkgarth3322]

We like what your getting at and we have also skied Big Sky several times, its just that your mask is very unappealing, he man and the masters of the universe is way out and ugly, please get a new mask for easier watching, outside of this thank you. not trying in any way to be rude maybe its just you, but you seem like a good genuine person, so if the mask was not a gift, ditch it

[@TRIKushbeachside]

Some good groomed blacks or double blues? Heading there sometime in January, hoping for some really wide open, steep fast clean runs. I’ve been to a good number of big name resorts and most of them don’t have many or any groomed blacks or double blues

[@RonnieBunshaft]

That's what I look for too and try to call out. I thinks there were a few in the review ya! Not hugely wide, but groomed.