Big Sky, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Big Sky, Montana
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Location of Big Sky within Gallatin County and the state of Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| Counties | Gallatin and Madison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 120.24 sq mi (311.43 km2) |
| • Land | 120.00 sq mi (310.81 km2) |
| • Water | 0.24 sq mi (0.61 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,218 ft (2,200 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,591 |
| • Density | 29.92/sq mi (11.55/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59716
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-06325 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1853174 |
Big Sky is a special place in southwestern Montana, United States. It's a community that isn't officially a city, but it's a recognized area. It stretches across parts of Gallatin and Madison counties.
In 2020, about 3,591 people lived here. This was a big jump from 2,308 people in 2010! Big Sky is about 44 miles southwest of Bozeman by road. The main reason people come to Big Sky is for tourism, especially for outdoor adventures.
Contents
Exploring Big Sky's Landscape
Big Sky is located in the beautiful Madison Range mountains. It's about halfway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman. You can find it along U.S. Highway 191. The area is also about 30 miles from the northwest border of Yellowstone National Park.
The lowest parts of Big Sky are around 5,900 feet high in Gallatin Canyon. The highest point is over 11,000 feet at the top of Lone Mountain.
The Meadow Area
The "Meadow" part of Big Sky is in the eastern section. It's a valley formed long ago. This area is about 6,200 feet high. Small rivers flow through the Meadow, carrying melted snow from the mountains. These rivers feed into the Gallatin River.
You can go fishing in these rivers. There are also two ponds on the Middle Fork of the Gallatin River. Kids aged 16 and younger can fish there. A special sewer system helps keep the water clean. Groups like the Gallatin River Task Force also work to protect the rivers.
The Mountain Area
West of the Meadow is the "Mountain" area. It starts at about 7,400 feet high. This is where you'll find amazing ski resorts.
- Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin used to be separate. But in 2013, they joined together. Now, Big Sky Resort manages both. They offer skiing and golf.
- Together, they have over 5,800 acres of land for skiing. This makes them one of the "Biggest Skiing in America" areas!
- The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club is another ski and golf resort. It has chairlifts and ski runs that connect to Big Sky Resort. Big Sky Resort also owns Spanish Peaks, working with the Yellowstone Club.
- Lone Mountain Ranch is a great place for Nordic skiing in winter. They have over 75 kilometers of groomed trails. In summer, it's a fun resort too.
- The Yellowstone Club is a private resort next to Big Sky Resort.
The Canyon Area
The "Canyon" area of Big Sky is in the northeast. It follows the Gallatin River. This river is popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
The Gallatin River is named after Albert Gallatin. He was an important U.S. official during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It's also a "Blue Ribbon" trout stream. This means it's excellent for fly-fishing, attracting people from all over the world.
Several dude ranches are in the Gallatin Canyon. These include 320 Guest Ranch and Elkhorn Ranch.
Big Sky's Climate
Big Sky has big changes in weather throughout the year. Summers are warm or hot. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. The area gets a lot of snow, especially in winter.
| Climate data for Big Sky, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1967–2021 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 55 (13) |
57 (14) |
65 (18) |
77 (25) |
84 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
93 (34) |
91 (33) |
84 (29) |
67 (19) |
53 (12) |
95 (35) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 44.9 (7.2) |
47.0 (8.3) |
57.2 (14.0) |
64.5 (18.1) |
73.8 (23.2) |
80.8 (27.1) |
87.3 (30.7) |
86.7 (30.4) |
82.5 (28.1) |
71.6 (22.0) |
55.4 (13.0) |
43.0 (6.1) |
88.2 (31.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 29.8 (−1.2) |
34.2 (1.2) |
42.0 (5.6) |
48.0 (8.9) |
58.1 (14.5) |
66.8 (19.3) |
77.6 (25.3) |
76.8 (24.9) |
68.1 (20.1) |
52.9 (11.6) |
36.9 (2.7) |
27.5 (−2.5) |
51.6 (10.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 19.2 (−7.1) |
21.5 (−5.8) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
35.2 (1.8) |
44.1 (6.7) |
51.4 (10.8) |
59.5 (15.3) |
58.0 (14.4) |
50.8 (10.4) |
38.8 (3.8) |
26.2 (−3.2) |
18.0 (−7.8) |
37.7 (3.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 8.5 (−13.1) |
8.8 (−12.9) |
16.6 (−8.6) |
22.5 (−5.3) |
30.0 (−1.1) |
36.0 (2.2) |
41.3 (5.2) |
39.2 (4.0) |
33.4 (0.8) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
8.5 (−13.1) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −16.6 (−27.0) |
−15.8 (−26.6) |
−5.2 (−20.7) |
6.3 (−14.3) |
17.8 (−7.9) |
25.8 (−3.4) |
32.9 (0.5) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
22.0 (−5.6) |
7.9 (−13.4) |
−7.0 (−21.7) |
−15.1 (−26.2) |
−24.6 (−31.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −39 (−39) |
−42 (−41) |
−20 (−29) |
−15 (−26) |
8 (−13) |
19 (−7) |
22 (−6) |
20 (−7) |
5 (−15) |
−12 (−24) |
−26 (−32) |
−41 (−41) |
−42 (−41) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.83 (46) |
1.51 (38) |
1.88 (48) |
2.42 (61) |
2.83 (72) |
3.22 (82) |
1.25 (32) |
1.56 (40) |
1.70 (43) |
1.77 (45) |
1.60 (41) |
1.74 (44) |
23.31 (592) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 33.3 (85) |
23.4 (59) |
23.7 (60) |
9.4 (24) |
7.1 (18) |
1.4 (3.6) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
8.1 (21) |
20.4 (52) |
35.2 (89) |
162.7 (413.4) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 32.1 (82) |
37.4 (95) |
34.8 (88) |
19.7 (50) |
1.8 (4.6) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.3 (3.3) |
5.9 (15) |
20.4 (52) |
36.9 (94) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.6 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 13.4 | 14.4 | 10.2 | 11.2 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 13.7 | 140.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 11.5 | 10.0 | 9.4 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.8 | 9.6 | 12.4 | 64.7 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service (snow/snow days 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Fun Things to Do in Big Sky
Big Sky is a paradise for outdoor lovers!
Outdoor Adventures
- Hiking: Many trails wind through the landscape. They lead into the nearby national forests.
- Camping: You can find great camping spots in the Spanish Peaks and Gallatin National Forest.
- Wildlife: This area is home to elk, deer, black bears, and even grizzly bears. You might also see upland birds, waterfowl, and wolves.
- Hunting: Hunting is not allowed right in Big Sky. But it is permitted in the National Forests around the area.
- Snowmobiling: You can't snowmobile in the Meadow or Mountain areas. But it's allowed in the Gallatin Canyon and south of Big Sky.
Arts and Culture
Big Sky offers more than just outdoor fun!
- Lone Peak Cinema: This movie theater shows the latest films.
- Warren Miller Performing Arts Center (WMPAC): This center is at the local school. It hosts local, national, and international artists. You can see music, drama, dance, and visual arts here. The WMPAC is home to:
- The Big Sky Community Chorus
- The Big Sky Community Theater
- Big Sky Broadway, a children's musical theater group
- Summer Concerts: The Arts Council of Big Sky puts on free weekly concerts. They feature musicians from all over the country. These happen at Center Stage in Town Center Park.
- Classical Music Festival: Every August, the Arts Council holds a four-day classical music festival.
- Live Music: You can hear many types of music year-round at resorts and local restaurants.
- Art Galleries: Several galleries show off photos and art by local and regional artists.
History and Events
- Historic Crail Ranch Buildings: If you love history, visit the Crail Ranch Buildings. They were built by pioneer Frank Crail and his family over 100 years ago.
- Crail Ranch Homestead Museum: These original cabins are now part of a museum. It shows old tools, photos, and stories. You can learn about the Crail and Creek families who lived there.
- Big Sky PBR: In mid-summer, Big Sky hosts a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event.
- Big Sky Farmers Market: This market happens every Wednesday in summer. It has live music, activities for kids, and over 90 vendors. They sell fresh local food and crafts.
- Winter Ice Rink: In winter, Town Center Park has a hockey and ice skating rink. The Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association runs it.
Learning in Big Sky
Big Sky has its own public school district, Big Sky School District #72. It serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade. There's also a private school called Big Sky Discovery Academy.
The public schools include:
- Ophir Elementary School
- Ophir Middle School
- Lone Peak High School
About 425 students attend these public schools.
News and Media
Big Sky has its own local newspapers: Explore Big Sky and "Lone Peak Lookout." You can also read the regional paper, the Bozeman Chronicle.
The local radio station is KBZM. You can also pick up other radio stations from Bozeman.
Three television stations are available:
ExploreBigSky.com is a daily news website for the region.
Famous People from Big Sky
Some well-known people have lived in or are connected to Big Sky:
- Jessica Biel, actress, and her husband, pop star Justin Timberlake
- Troy Downing, politician and business owner
- Robert Peter Gale, cancer researcher
- Chet Huntley, a famous newscaster. He retired to Big Sky and helped fund the Big Sky Resort.
- Bode Miller, a former Olympic ski racer
- Warren Miller, a film director, lived in Big Sky during the winter.
- Matt Morris, a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Marty Pavelich, a NHL player. He lived in Big Sky for many years. An outdoor ice rink is named after him.
- Jamie Pierre, a professional skier and snowboarder
See also
In Spanish: Big Sky (Montana) para niños
