WE CALL THAT A PRETTY GOOD START
In 1973, Big Sky Resort opened with four lifts and less than 20 trails. Fifty years later, with 300+ trails spanning 38 lifts, Big Sky Resort is celebrated as a world-class ski destination. This winter, we invite you to celebrate our history and look forward to the future with us.
The New Lone Peak Tram
The Lone Peak Tram has dutifully carried skiers, riders, and sightseers to the top of Lone Mountain for over 25 years, and its replacement is ready to carry us into the future. Opening this winter, the highly anticipated update will provide unrivaled comfort and speed to Big Sky’s high-alpine terrain.
How we got here
LIFTS OPEN FOR FIRST WINTER OF SKIING AT BIG SKY RESORT
Upon retiring from nearly 15 years of NBC’s nightly “Huntley‐Brinkley Report,” Chet Huntley returned to his Montana roots and began conceptualizing Big Sky Resort, which opened for its first winter season in 1973. The Huntley Lodge and Mountain Mall served skiers looking to explore its four lifts: Andesite, Explorer, Lone Peak, and the first Gondola.
EVERETT KIRCHER PURCHASES BIG SKY RESORT
After Chet Huntley's passing, Everett Kircher purchased Big Sky Resort in 1976, adding to the Boyne Resorts family-owned properties. As a visionary entrepreneur, Everett had a profound influence on skiing across all of North America. Everett Kircher's legacy is immortalized in Big Sky's community and throughout the resort.
Read Everett Kircher’s tribute in the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame
CHALLENGER LIFT INSTALLED
The installation of the Challenger lift in 1988 put Big Sky Resort on the map for its expert terrain and challenging steeps.
LONE PEAK TRAM & SHEDHORN LIFT BUILT
A feat of engineering, the Lone Peak Tram was built in 1995. The extreme terrain challenged the entire ski industry’s idea of what was considered resort skiing. The Shedhorn double was also installed, adding a huge expanse of terrain as the first chairlift on the south side of Lone Mountain.
Watch: Celebrating 25 Years of the Lone Peak Tram
BIG SKY RESORT ACQUIRES MOONLIGHT BASIN
In October, 2013, Boyne Resorts purchased the resort of Moonlight Basin. This acquisition also included the ski terrain of Spanish Peaks and brought the total acreage of Big Sky Resort to over 5,850 acres.
BIG SKY 2025: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE INTRODUCED & POWDER SEEKER 6 INSTALLED
Big Sky Resort's vision for the next decade was announced, including the near, mid, and long term plans for the resort through 2025 and beyond. Kicking off the project, the new, state-of-the-art, Powder Seeker 6 lift was added, replacing the Lone Peak Triple.
Explore Powder Seeker 6
RAMCHARGER 8 INSTALLED
Installed in 2018 as North America's most technologically advanced lift, Ramcharger 8 transports skiers from the Mountain Village to the top of Andesite Mountain. Big Sky Resort partnered with Doppelmayr to bring the first eight-seat chairlift in North America and the first D-line Direct Drive chairlift to debut in the world to Big Sky.
Read more on Ramcharger 8
SWIFT CURRENT 6 INSTALLED
The new Swift Current 6-seat chairlift replaced the Swift Current quad, and increased uphill capacity by 50% on Big Sky Resort's main artery out of Mountain Village. This upgrade offers unrivaled comfort and speed on the mountain as the fastest 6-person chairlift in North America.
Swift Current 6
