Best ski trip – America's two-in-one ski vacation

Big Sky, Montana is currently the hottest ski resort in the United States. We're in the midst of an unprecedented, decades-long infrastructure and improvement program, with North America's most advanced elevator system, new hotels, restaurants, and enhancements everywhere. The second home market has grown explosively, attracting celebrities and interconnecting with the most prestigious private ski communities in the country: Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin, and Spanish Peaks. Big Sky is his second largest resort in the country, has room for further expansion, and is famous for being uncrowded in an industry plagued by crowds and long elevator lines. The first mountain resort by leading luxury brand One&Only will launch next year with the world's most advanced elevator.

Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana, a luxury boutique ranch, has been ranked the number one Nordic ski resort in North America. cross country skier Magazine (and Orvis Approved Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year Award). The highly elaborate system of classic, skating, and snowshoeing trails spans 82 miles.

Both are world-class ski resorts, one alpine and one nordic. But what makes them even more special is that they are in the same location.

There are other excellent downhill ski resorts, as well as more luxurious guest ranches with extensive Nordic systems (but not quite as extensive), but none of these are in the same location. Lone Mountain Ranch is the only Premier Guest Ranch (also known as Dude Ranch) located in the country's premier destination alpine resort. This makes for a completely different and truly unique winter vacation. A great experience for couples and families alike.

I've been writing about ski vacations for 30 years, and given the sheer scale and height of Big Sky, I've only been there several times before (see my latest in-depth article here) forbes.com). I have been to other top ranches in the winter as well, but this is the “secret season” for these properties and they are much busier during peak summer months. However, I visited Lone Mountain Ranch for the first time to experience two of America's great ski vacations, and it did not disappoint.

There are many ways to combine these two unique properties. Many guests simply stay at Lone Mountain and use it as a base for a “regular” alpine ski vacation. That's because it's just minutes from Big Sky Ski Resort's main base (the only base area in North America). There are two high-speed bubble chairlifts (6-seater and 8-seater respectively) that will get rid of the crowds in an instant. Lone Mountain operates scheduled shuttles between ski resorts and on-demand SUV transportation, so you can stay here and use the facilities just like any other luxury hotel without ski-in/out. I can. Or you can ski for half a day in the morning or afternoon and spend the other half cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or relaxing. Or you can do what I did and customize it by having one day at the ranch, one day in the mountains, or split the day in half.

All-inclusive lunch package rates include gear and trail use, plus regular group excursions on XC skis and snowshoes, including sunrise and sunset tours, group lessons, and a morning yoga class in a yurt. Masu. Optional (not included) featured activities include winter fly-his fishing, dog sledding, and snow coach tours of Yellowstone National Park, just 29 miles away. There is no spa, but on-board massages are available.

But unlike other ski resort hotels, Lone Mountain is an all-cabin guest ranch, and guest ranches are typically all-inclusive, plus plenty of fireplaces and wood-burning stoves to give you that Old West feel and cozy feel. can do. Lone Mountain is a little different, allowing you to book just the night (including breakfast) or an all-inclusive package that includes activities, amenities, transportation, and meals. The latter is a better deal, especially since the resort's main restaurant, Horn + Cantle, isn't cheap. However, this establishment is widely considered one of the finest restaurants around Big Sky and claims to have the largest wine list in Montana. Flipping through a phone book-sized directory, it's easy to believe that claim. It is open to the public and has a very strong local following. Anonymous words on the street when I visited said recent diners included Mark Zuckerberg and Yellowstone Club resident Justin Timberlake, but no one I knew I didn't see a single person.

Either way, Horn + Cantle is one of the best restaurants in the area, serving more formal dinners as well as great breakfast and lunch with buffet and menu combinations, all-inclusive and better value . package. However, unlike most other upscale ranches I've visited, the “all inclusive” does not include adult beverages other than the welcome cocktail.

The all-inclusive package also includes the ever-popular Slide Ride Dinner for lunch. These are held daily, usually in two sessions, during the winter, and are one of the most popular activities around Big Sky, drawing outside guests every night, but again, if you're already here, Much easier and more fun. A horse-drawn sleigh takes guests north of the ranch to the His Fork Cabin. There, cowboy singers and storytellers prepare home-cooked meals such as prime rib, rosemary sourdough, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and huckleberry cobbler (huckleberries are Montana's signature fruit, and most varieties). We will provide you with hospitality while having fun. everything from pancakes to cocktails to desserts).

In addition, the ranch's new owner, Auric Road Management, owns several boutique resorts and luxury rental homes in Sonoma, Palm Springs, and other locations, as well as luxurious private memberships such as “Supper Club & Speakeasy” Added Auric Room. Some of the many very wealthy Big Sky homeowners keep personal lockers for their fine wines and spirits to escape the paparazzi. Some menus are completely different, but some are delicious, and lunch guests on the winter package are given a guest pass to the club. This new dining facility is a great addition to the resort, which has just 25 log cabins.

All Ranch accommodations are in cabins, mostly one-bedroom units that sleep two people, but larger family units are also available. Another thing about Lone Mountain is that it's family-friendly. Surprisingly, many adult-only western bastard ranches are not. There are one-bedroom cabins that sleep 3 and 4 people, as well as 2-6 bedroom “cabins” that sleep 5-18 people. Winter all-inclusive packages start at $1,100 per cabin night (for two people), which includes accommodations, transportation, activities, and three meals daily.

In an industry undergoing massive consolidation and increasing dominance by a few large corporate resort companies, Big Sky, part of the family-owned Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, is by far the best outside this orbit. It is the largest resort. However, in addition to the Boyne Michigan Gold Pass, which lets you ski for free here, Big Sky offers more than 50 other destinations, including famous spots like Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Alta, Snowbird, and Deer Valley. Part of a larger international icon path. The 2024/2025 Icon Pass is now on sale at the lowest price offered.

This season, Big Sky Ski Resort celebrates its 50th anniversary.^th For our anniversary, and as a slightly extravagant birthday present to ourselves, we replaced the tiny old elevator to Lone Peak, the infamous double-black expert area, with a state-of-the-art tram. Lone Peak, with its 360-degree views, is the highest point of the mega-resort and is nicknamed “America's Matterhorn” for its characteristics.

The Lone Peak Tram is the first new tram built in this country in 15 years and is a marvel of engineering. With two cabins each carrying 75 skiers and snowboarders, he can reach the 11,166-foot summit in just 3.7 minutes. The planned summit observation center will also accommodate summer passengers, and in the winter of 2025-2026, a new glass-enclosed transfer station with a restaurant and a new two-tier gondola from below will connect directly to the tram base. will be connected. All of this is different from North America. The main reason for this is that Big Sky's owners have been heavily influenced by the much more advanced elevator systems common in the great resorts of Europe and the Alps. That's why Big Sky has more high-capacity chairs, bubble chairs, new trams, and upcoming gondolas.

But first, another new high-speed 8-seater bubble chair will arrive next winter. This will be his eight-pack, the longest in the world, and Big Sky will be the only resort in North America to feature his three bubble lifts or his two eight-person chairs. By the time you read this, ski season will be winding down here, but if you're looking to check out America's unique two-ski-in-one vacation next year, check out Big Sky will be even more amazing. That's saying something.