Big Sky Resort has 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, 4,350 feet of vertical drop, and some of the best summer hiking in Montana. It’s also one of the most expensive destinations in the state. A week at Big Sky can easily cost more than a trip to Europe if you’re not careful.
But here’s the thing: you don’t have to pay resort prices to experience Big Sky. Locals have figured this out, and now you can too.
In this guide: The Canyon Hack · Getting Around · Saving on Lift Tickets · Eating Well for Less · Free Hiking · Community Park · The Hot Takes
The Canyon Hack for Lodging
Most visitors assume they need to stay in the Mountain Village at the base of the lifts. This is the most expensive mistake you can make.
Mountain Village lodging runs $400 to $800 per night during ski season. Everything in the village is marked up, parking costs $100 per day, and the “village vibe” feels more manufactured than Montana. Unless you’re a billionaire who doesn’t mind paying resort prices for a mediocre coffee, skip it.
Instead, stay in the Gallatin Canyon along Highway 191 between Bozeman and Big Sky. You’ll find cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals for half the price of Mountain Village accommodations. The drive to the resort is 15 to 30 minutes depending on where you stay, but you’ll save $200 or more per night. Over a week-long trip, that’s easily $1,500 to $2,000 back in your pocket.
The Town Center and Meadow Village areas are also good options. They’re closer to the resort than the canyon, have more of a local feel than Mountain Village, and the lodging is still significantly cheaper than slopeside accommodations.
Pro Tip: Stock up at Costco in Bozeman before driving up. Big Sky grocery prices have hit record highs in 2026, and you’ll pay premium prices for basic supplies at the local markets.
Getting Around for Almost Nothing
Once you’re in Big Sky, you don’t need a car to get around. The local bus system is your best friend.
Skyline Bus (Free): All local routes between the Town Center, Meadow Village, and Mountain Village are completely fare-free. This means you can stay in the cheaper areas and still get to the slopes without paying for parking.
Big Sky Connect (Free): This is an on-demand service that works like a free local Uber. Download the app and book rides around the Meadow and Town Center areas at no cost.
Link Express ($5): If you’re coming from Bozeman without a car, the Link Express bus runs through the Gallatin Canyon to Big Sky for $5 each way. You must have exact change because the drivers cannot make change. If you hand them a $20, you just bought a very expensive bus ride.
Here’s the real savings: most tourists pay $100 to $200 for private airport shuttles from Bozeman. Take a $30 Uber to a Bozeman bus stop and then the $5 Link bus to Big Sky. You’ll save a fortune.
Saving on Lift Tickets
Big Sky uses dynamic pricing, which means lift ticket costs change based on when you buy and what day you’re skiing. Here’s how to pay less.
Buy Early and Online: This is the golden rule. Tickets purchased at least two days in advance cost significantly less than window prices. Buying months ahead locks in the lowest rates.
Military Discount: Active duty, veterans, reservists, and their families can save up to 40% on lift tickets. You’ll need to verify your status through SheerID on the Big Sky website to get a one-time discount code.
Multi-Day Bundles: The more days you buy, the lower the per-day cost. The Freestyle Pass offers 3, 4, or 5-day options that split the difference between single tickets and full season passes. Watch out for holiday blackout dates.
Ikon and Mountain Collective Passes: If you’re planning to ski at least 5 to 7 days across the season, one of these passes is almost always cheaper than buying individual tickets. Note that Big Sky requires reservations for pass holders.
The Half-Day Window: Discounted half-day tickets are sometimes available for same-day purchase at the ticket window starting at 12 PM. They’re valid from 1 PM to 4 PM and depend on availability, but if you’re a late riser anyway, this can save you money.
Eating Well for Less
Tourists fight for reservations at the resort’s fine dining spots months in advance. The food is fine, but you’ll pay $50 for an entree and feel like you’re eating in an airport hotel.
The better food is in the canyon, and it costs half as much.
Riverhouse BBQ is the move. It has the best patio view in Big Sky, looking out over the Gallatin River with mountains in every direction. Beers are $8, which is unheard of on the mountain. The food is good, the portions are big, and you’ll actually see locals there. Go when you’re extra hungry after a long day of hiking or skiing.
Free Hiking
Some of the best hiking in Montana is right here, and it doesn’t cost a dime. These trails are all accessible from the Big Sky area and worth the trip in any season.
Beehive Basin has been ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the world. The 7-mile round-trip trail climbs through wildflower meadows to an alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks. In summer, the wildflowers are incredible. Lupine, Indian paintbrush, and arrowleaf balsamroot cover the meadows. This is the signature Big Sky hike, and it’s free.
Ousel Falls is a shorter option at 1.6 miles round-trip. The trail follows the South Fork of the Gallatin River to a 105-foot waterfall. It’s popular and can get crowded, but it’s a quick leg-stretch if you don’t have all day.
Tumbledown Lake is a longer day at about 12 miles round-trip, but you’ll have the trail mostly to yourself. The lake sits in a glacial cirque with views of the Spanish Peaks.
In the Gallatin Canyon, Storm Castle Peak and Mount Blackmore offer free alternatives to paying for the Lone Peak Tram. The views of Lone Peak from across the valley are actually more dramatic than being on the peak itself, and the cost is exactly $0.
Free for Families: Big Sky Community Park
If you’re traveling with kids, Big Sky Community Park is worth a stop. This nature playscape has two massive timber towers with climbing walls, ropes, slides, and a connecting bridge. There’s a junior tower and swings for the 2-5 crowd, plus a zipline for older kids. The playground is built into the natural landscape with boulders and elevation changes that encourage exploration. It’s free, it’s well-designed, and it’ll burn off energy before the car ride home.
Wildlife
The Gallatin Canyon is prime wildlife habitat. Drive slowly and keep your eyes open.
Bighorn sheep are commonly spotted along Highway 191, especially in the spring months when they come down to the lower elevations. Elk, mule deer, and moose are all present throughout the canyon and around Big Sky. In winter, you might catch wolves or a mountain lion if you’re lucky, though sightings are rare.
The Hot Takes
Skip the Tram (Sometimes): The 75-passenger Lone Peak Tram is an engineering marvel, but in 2026 it can be a massive time sink. Spending $100+ on top of your lift ticket and waiting 60 minutes for a 5-minute ride isn’t always worth it, especially on flat-light days when the views are socked in. Check conditions before committing.
Mountain Village is Overrated: Unless money is no object, staying slopeside is more hassle than it’s worth. You’ll pay 300% markups on everything, fight for parking, and miss out on the actual Montana character that exists in the canyon and Town Center. The free Skyline Bus gets you to the lifts just fine.
The Best Views are Free: The hikes in the Gallatin Canyon and around Big Sky offer better photo opportunities than anything you’ll pay for at the resort. Beehive Basin in summer is world-class. Storm Castle and Blackmore give you Lone Peak views that are more dramatic from a distance than from the summit itself.
The Bottom Line
Big Sky is worth visiting. The skiing is legitimate, the hiking is some of the best in Montana, and Lone Peak is an iconic mountain. But you don’t need to spend resort prices to experience it.
Stay in the canyon, take the bus, buy your lift tickets early, eat at Riverhouse BBQ, and hike the free trails. You’ll have a better trip and come home with money left over.