New Terrain Rating System at Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Resort, long known for impressive terrain variety , is adding a new trail rating on the 2023-24 map: advanced intermediate, symbolized as double blue. The new terrain rating system aims to have each run category be more similar. The increased specificity gives skiers more confidence when making terrain decisions and navigating the mountain.

While there’s no perfect solution to accurately represent the terrain Big Sky offers, we recognized a gap in our rating system. The inconsistencies started with some of our green runs, such as Safari and El Dorado. Given their steeper headwalls, we realized they would be better represented as intermediate terrain (blue). This created a cascading effect, as some terrain historically rated as a single blue, such as Elk Park Ridge and Ambush, would need a recalibration to double blue/advanced intermediate to reflect their steeper pitch accurately. Additionally, non-groomed, gladed runs such as Congo and White Witch are now rated double blue.

Approximately 15% of the resort’s terrain is now rated double blue. The new rating system is live on our winter trail map , and on-mountain signage is updated for this winter season.