Best Places to Ski Big Sky Montana

Combined with the Western charm of nearby Bozeman and proximity to Yellowstone, Big Sky offers a rare mix: rugged and refined, with seemingly endless room to run and play.

With nearly 6,000 acres of skiable terrain and lift lines that barely exist, Big Sky remains one of the most quietly epic mountains in North America—and 2026 is set to deliver even more.

Lone Peak, the resort’s defining summit, towers at 11,166 feet and delivers steep, iconic descents with views stretching across Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Experts head straight for the tram-accessed chutes; intermediates cruise on nearly six-mile groomers; and beginners have their own vast learning zones.

Big Sky now boasts the continent’s most advanced lift network, including the Madison 8—North America’s longest high-speed eight-seater with heated seats and weatherproof bubbles.

For 2025–26, the Lone Peak Tram is finally included with lift tickets, making summit laps or scenic rides more accessible than ever.

Nordic skiers can access 85km of groomed trails at Lone Mountain Ranch or the Big Sky Nordic Center.

Best Time to Go

February is peak season at Big Sky—not for crowds, but for conditions. By then, the resort’s 400-inch average snowfall has stacked up across all elevations, with full terrain open and prime powder days rolling in.

How to Get There

Fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, just 50 miles from Big Sky.

From there, it’s a scenic one-hour drive through Gallatin Canyon.

Car rentals and shuttle services are readily available, depending on your lodging.

Where to Stay

One&Only Moonlight Basin is a chic recommendation from Austin with gondola service offering premier ski access.

Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort for central village access, slope-side convenience, and spacious multi-room suites (ideal for families).

Lone Mountain Ranch is a cozy, cabin-style escape with horse-drawn sleigh rides, Nordic skiing, and a full winter activities roster.

Best Places to Ski Sun Valley Idaho

With its historic pedigree, perfectly pitched runs, and new arrivals, Sun Valley’s ski scene is having a quiet renaissance—and 2026 is right in the heart of it.

This is America’s original ski resort, but it’s not stuck in the past.

The resort’s famed Bald Mountain delivers 3,400 vertical feet of uninterrupted fall line skiing.

Dollar Mountain caters to first-timers and families with wide, welcoming terrain.

Looking ahead, 2026–27 will bring major lift upgrades—including a six-pack replacing Lookout Express and a detachable quad for Christmas lift—but the energy is already shifting.

According to Austin, the arrival of Viceroy Sun Valley (opening in summer 2026) brings a new level of slope-side style to the area, adding to a scene already rich in galleries, cafés, and Nordic trails.

Families appreciate the ease of Dollar’s layout and the town’s walkability; experts come for the untouched side-country and consistent pitch of Baldy.

How to Get There

The closest airport is Friedman Memorial in Hailey, Idaho, just 14 miles from the resort, with nonstop flights from major (and mostly western) US cities. From there, it’s a 20-minute shuttle or car ride to the mountain.

Best Time to Go

January through early March offers consistent snowfall and the best conditions on Bald Mountain.

Late season is known for clear skies, long groomer days, and a strong base—thanks to Sun Valley’s snowmaking technology.

Where to Stay

Sun Valley Lodge, a classic with direct lift access and a full-service spa
Limelight Ketchum, family-friendly and just blocks from downtown
The Knob Hill Inn, a European-inspired lodge with easy access to dining and shops

Best Places to Ski Deer Valley (and Park City) Utah

A strong recommendation from Austin, Deer Valley has always been synonymous with service and perfectly groomed terrain—but 2026 marks an evolution: a resort-wide transformation, rewriting what the region’s elevated ski scene looks like.

The resort has more than doubled in size, now offering 4,300 acres of terrain, 202 named runs, and 31 lifts, making it one of the largest ski areas in North America.

Seven new chairlifts debut this winter, including the 10-passenger East Village Gondola, a sleek link between the new East Village and Park Peak.

A “state-of-the-art” snowmaking system ensures reliable coverage across the resort, and 1,200 new day-skier parking spaces offer seamless arrival.

Still, Deer Valley’s most enduring feature remains its skier-only slopes, with a daily cap on lift tickets to preserve space and flow.

From its impeccably managed terrain to its no-snowboard policy and attentive guest service, the region is best for luxe-searching skiers, multigenerational families, and intermediate to advanced travelers who appreciate terrain quality and crowd control.

How to Get There

Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport, just 45 minutes from Deer Valley. Private transfers, rental cars, and luxury shuttle services are all available to Park City and East Village.

Best Time to Go

Late January through early March offers the best snow quality and full access across the newly expanded terrain.

Earlier in the season sees lighter crowds, while spring offers bluebird days with full coverage thanks to high-altitude snowmaking.

Where to Stay

The St. Regis Deer Valley, the pinnacle of five-star ski-in/ski-out luxury

Montage Deer Valley for direct mountain access, slope-side convenience, and a refined après scene

The Goldener Hirsch Residences, a spacious and stylish hub for design-minded travelers with ski access and an Austrian-inspired appeal

Best Places to Ski Banff Alberta

With three major ski resorts—Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise—Banff delivers Canada’s most compelling alpine trifecta (otherwise known as SkiBig3), but 2026 brings major upgrades that shift it firmly into world-class territory.

Mount Norquay celebrates its centennial with a two-stage gondola replacing the aging North American chairlift, expanded glading on expert terrain, and a new Cliff House Heritage Centre.

Lake Louise, already known for its expansive bowls and sweeping views, opens Richardson’s Ridge: 200 acres of new intermediate and advanced terrain, accessed by a new high-speed quad.

All that’s new in skiing is matched by a wave of wellness-driven hotel upgrades—the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise unveils BASIN Glacial Waters Spa in late 2025, while The Kenrick and Banff Park Lodge have debuted luxe spa concepts and refreshed interiors.

It’s an ideal trip for adventurous families, powder-seeking intermediates, and those who want a little bit of rejuvenation in their après.ext

How to Get There

Fly into Calgary International Airport, just under two hours from Banff by car. Shuttles run daily from the airport to town and major ski resorts, with private transfers also available.

Best Time to Go

Though often freezing in January, it’s then through March that typically brings the lightest, driest powder and quieter trails.

Lake Louise’s high elevation and north-facing slopes extend the season into May, making spring skiing especially scenic and dependable.

Where to Stay

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, unmatched with a new lakeside alpine spa, ski-in/ski-out access, and postcard views.

The Kenrick Hotel, fresh and modern base in downtown Banff, with a mineral pool and full wellness suite.

Banff Park Lodge, for its restored Mountain Whisper Spa and easy access to Norquay for half-day outings or night skiing.