There is more to Big Sky than just skiing. Big Sky is filled with activities like zip-lining, dog sledding, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
The Big Sky Ski Resort Village:
Let It Snow…and it is. Photo of one of the ski lifts from the base camp area.
Big Ski Resort is the Biggest Skiing in America® which has 5,800 acres of skiable terrain, 4,350 ‘ of vertical drop, and snowfall which exceeds 400 inches of annual snowfall.
Map showing the mountain runs.
More than 300 named runs target beginners, intermediate, and expert skiers. Back country skiing is also open in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone National Park.
Shopping and Restaurants on the ski hill:
Mountain Mall has shops and cafes to service your needs during your skiing adventure.
Montana Jacks serves great burgers and craft beer.
Fly Fishing with Montana Angler:
Montana Angler offers a variety of places to fishing options. Depending on the time of year, maybe a float fishing trip is right for you, or wade fishing which is what Bruce and I did. Extend your fishing experience with an overnight river trip.
Spring Creek runs through DePuy property, a private fly fishing stream.
Annie and Bruce, with fly fishing rods in hand, are ready to wade into Spring Creek to catch rainbow trout.
Contact Montana Angler at 406-522-9854 (Bozeman, MT) to book your full or half-day fly fishing trip.
A Christmas postcard of the Montana countryside.
Bill Buchbauer, our amazing guide, got a fire going in the pot-bellied stove, to warm us after fishing in the cold Spring Creek. We ate some hot Chicken Noodle soup, a big sandwich and chocolate chip cookie. This rejuvenates us before going out to catch more fish.
Bill Buchbauer, our fishing guide, gets a fire going in the warming hut.
Once Bill gets the stove fired up, the warming hut heats up quickly. After fishing in the creek, getting warm and having some hot soup and a sandwich is a real treat. Once warm, it was time to get back to fishing. And, sure enough, Bruce brought in a nice Rainbow Trout.
Bruce excited about catching a Rainbow Trout.
Dog sledding with Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures:
Jason Matthews, owner of Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures, will meet you at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge on HWY 191.
From the Rainbow Ranch Lodge, Jason transports you about 6 miles to the back country area where the sleds and dogs are waiting to be hooked-up. If you’ve selected the Learn to Mush program, Clark will provide a 1,2,3 guide to driving a dog team. You can also choose to ride, relax and enjoy the surroundings and barking of the dogs as they pull you over the snow.
Clark, our guide, showing us how to harness the dog team.
Clark demonstrates to the group the proper way to harness a dog. Then, each person harness one of the dogs…hands on practice.
Bruce Wienke harnessing one of the dogs.
Clark, our dog sled guide and teacher, helps Bruce harness one of the dogs. Notice the dogs have shorter hair than what we think of as a typical Husky. The shorter haired dogs do better in the warmer Montana weather, can work harder and longer. During the Alaskan Gold Rush, dogs were at a premium so all types of dogs were used as dog sled dogs. Their inter-breeding produced a faster, sleeker dog.
Our 8 dog team pulling us through the beautiful, snow covered terrain.
Zip-lining at Big Sky Ski Resort, Base Camp:
Sign-up for zip-lining at the Base Camp at Big Sky Resort. There are two adventures:
Adventure Zip-Line: This is the faster, longer zip-line. On this zip-line, you ride the lift to the top and ride four lines down. Cost is approximately $60+ for adults.
Nature Zip-Line: This four line zip-line begins with a 1/4 mile up-hill walk to the first line. The beauty surrounding this adventure is spectacular. Pine trees pilled with snow, ski runs close by, and everyone having fun. This zip-line is family fun.
Wildlife Viewing at Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center:
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Visit the not-for-profit Wildlife Park to see live Grizzly Bears, three wolf packs, and ranger presentations. The GWDC is open 365 days/year, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nakina, one of the grizzly bears, who lives in the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, weighs 600 lbs.
One of the wolves of the High Country Pack
Three wolf packs live in Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Hiking Ousel Falls Trail:
Ousel Falls Trail, a 1.6 mile hike, crosses the South Fork of the Gallatin River, meanders through the woods and ends at a 100 foot waterfall. The trail head is located two miles south of Lone Mountain Trail, off Ousel Falls Road in the Town Center.
Ousel Falls on the South Fork of the Gallatin river. Photo by John Lambing.
The Ousel Falls Trail is classified as EASY. The trail is gravel paved with well maintained steps and bridges. The distance is less than 2 miles one way. Open all year round..
Trail map from Big Sky Town Center to the Trailhead.
About the Author:
In 2010, Annie Coburn created FAB Senior Travel, a blog for mature and adventurous travelers. Her blog features travel articles from contributors as well as her own travels. Annie has published five travel books targeting the greatest cities on earth: Walk Paris, Walk Beijing, Walk London, Walk NYC, and Ellie’s Grand Adventure. She recently spent seven-months living and traveling in South America.
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Annie harnessing one of the dogs. The dog is thinking: “Come-on, lady. Would you just get the harness over my head! I have work to do.” See the white crystals on the photo? It was so cold, the lens got frostbite.
