Travel Tuesday: Big Summer Plans in Big Sky, Montana

by Doug and Analise Flatt on March 28, 2023 in General, Travels,
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Big Sky, Montana is known for their killer slopes and being the perfect winter getaway, but this destination is so much more than that. Did you know that there’s just as much, if not more adventures to be unlocked under the summer sun in Big Sky? 

 

Calling all Foodies

This is one call you will not want to go to voicemail – Big Sky’s food and wine event of the summer. The Inaugural Savor Big Sky will be June 29-July 2, 2023. Any food, wine, spirits, outdoor, brunch, and party enthusiast alike will find this an event to be enjoyed, a weekend celebration of the finest drinks and food from around the world. 

 Where to rest up for the adventure ahead 

Enjoy the Summit’s swimming pool during your stay, even if it’s a little chilly you are covered because it’s heated! Photo Jake Rothing.

The Summit Hotel is the premier property of The Mountain Village Collection and has earned that title due to the stunning mountain views and mix of elegance and natural Montana touches throughout the Hotel. 

With the mountain being in the backyard of this property, everything is very accessible and easy to get around. Whether you are grabbing lunch at Vista Hall or suiting up for a morning of mountain biking, you can find yourself at your destination within a few minutes. 

When you walk into the Summit you are greeted by their welcoming staff who bring the Montana welcome and have you feeling right at home. They add a bit of intentionality right at the beginning of your stay by gifting a voucher to receive a signature cocktail which will get you into the Big Sky Spirit. 

Each room is an excellent mix between elegance and the authentic Montana style that gives it personality. Photo Courtesy Justine Jane @justinejanemt for Big Sky Resort.

 

The hotel has several different options as far as rooms go, from regular hotel rooms to condominiums, all the way to their penthouse options. Whether your group is big or small, there will be something to fit your needs. 

Where to fill up on energy 

As far as dining options, there are many options on the Mountain as well as down in the Big Sky town center. The opportunities span all the way from coffee shops and casual dining to more upscale dining experiences. 

On The Mountain

Coffee Shops: Mocha in the Huntley is the perfect place to stop in for a quick to-go coffee or to stay awhile and enjoy their rustic seating area that makes you feel like it’s a cold winter day all year long. 

Enjoy a cold drink and the fun atmosphere of being in the middle of the Mountain Village. Photo Analise Flatt.

Casual Dining: Vista Hall is great after a long morning of physical activity. It’s cafeteria style, so everyone can choose what they are in the mood for plus they have outdoor seating with great views of the Mountain and the village. 

An intimate lounge setting to wind down at the end of an adventure-filled day. Photo Courtesy Justine Jane @justinejanemt for Big Sky Resort.

Upscale Dining Experience: Carabiner is located in The Summit Hotel; they have craft cocktails in their lounge setting while also having a patio with great views of Lone Peak. They are known for creating a dining experience through their delicious global-inspired menu and live music. 

Venture off the Mountain 

Coffee Shop: Caliber Coffee, great for picking up to-go and exploring the town center. 

Dining: If you are going to be itching for a taste of home, the Texas barbeque served Montana style is simply the best of both worlds. Riverhouse BBQ is owned by Texans and they know what they are doing when it comes to barbeque. They also have great outdoor seating for that perfect Montana evening weather. A fun, unique characteristic of this restaurant is that they have swings at their bar that overlook the mountains. Imagine, a cold drink in hand, a fun swing, and a beautiful view. What’s better than that? 

What to do 

Big Sky is the perfect destination for the adventure seeker of all kinds. 

The chances of catching fish are pretty high with Montana having some of the highest fish per mile counts in the country. Photo Courtesy Jonathan Stone @jonathanstone_ for Big Sky Resort.

Fly Fishing: World class trout fishing is around every corner in Southwestern Montana. Just a stone’s throw from Big Sky Resort is the famous Gallatin River and a quick drive away is the Madison, Yellowstone, and Missouri rivers just to name a few. These rivers are found on most fly fishers’ bucket lists. The guides at Gallatin River Guides are experienced in all of the local waters and will give you an amazing day no matter which water you select. At Gallatin River Guides you can be rest assured that you’ll have an experienced guide that will give you the best chance to land trout. Guide’s choice is a good option for where to fish, with this option they will take you to the water that’s fishing the best the time you’re there.

Yellowstone National Park: With Yellowstone being about an hour and 15-minute drive away from the resort, it’s a no-brainer to make your way out there. There are many hiking and scenic sightseeing to do in the park as well as outside the park. In the Yellowstone town center before you enter the park you can rent 4-wheelers and explore. Yellowstone adventurers will get you all geared up to explore the forestry roads. There are a lot of cool spots to check out, such as Lake Hebgen. 

 

Enjoy beautiful views while soaring down the mountain. Photo Courtesy Cort Muller @cortmuller for Big Sky Resort.

Mountain Biking: The steep and scenic Lone Mountain makes a beautiful backdrop as you roll down the pristine trails at Big Sky. With over 50 miles of trails at the resort, there are trails for every skill level. If you’ve been wanting to try downhill mountain biking, Big Sky is a great place to start due to their excellent guide program. Their guides will spend time with you on the bike and make sure you’re equipped with all the necessary skills and equipment to ride confidently on the mountain. 

Town Center Events: There is a lot going on in the Big Sky town center throughout the summer from rodeos to the farmers market to concerts. The Farmer’s Market is weekly on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. starting on June 1 and goes all the way through to September 28. The Music on the Mountain concert series is free live music every Thursday starting at 6 p.m.; the series starts June 23 and goes until September 8. All of the events are family-friendly and incorporate both the locals, summer residents, and tourists alike. 

The end goal of the Lava Lake hike; tranquility & beauty. Photo Courtesy Jonathan Stone @jonathanstone.

Hiking: Staying on a Mountains means that there are loads of hiking options but a few crowd favorites include Beehive Basin and Lava Lake. Beehive Basin is a great hike for the July/August timeframe because it fills up with beautiful wildflowers that you can pick and frolic through. Lava Lake is also a great hike to do later in the summer for the best conditions. It’s not too long of a hike and if you are feeling brave, bring a swimsuit to do a polar plunge at the end.

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Cover Photo Courtesy Chris Kamman @skylabmediahouse for Big Sky Resort.

A lover of all things travel, pretty running trails and good coffee, Analise Flatt is a Senior at Stephen F. Austin State University studying Mass Communications with a minor in Travel and Tourism. Check out her Instagram to stay updated on her latest travel adventures.

Mountain Biking and Fly Fishing excerpts by Doug Flatt, the publisher of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. When not running small businesses, you can find him on a mountain bike or a body of water with a fly rod in hand.