Big Sky and Vail are both massive, world-class ski destinations, but Big Sky Resort offers more vast, uncrowded terrain and rugged wilderness, while Vail Ski Resort provides an upscale, highly walkable European-style village and legendary groomed bowls.Size and TerrainBig Sky (Montana): Features about 5,850 skiable acres and the iconic Lone Peak Tram, making it slightly larger in total acreage than Vail. It is famous for wide-open steeps, chutes like the Big Couloir, and long, uninterrupted cruisers.Vail (Colorado): Spans around 5,289 skiable acres and is world-renowned for its massive, sweeping Back Bowls and endless intermediate cruising terrain.Crowds and VibeBig Sky$1684.6(4.0K)3-star hotelCallDirectionsWebsiteFeels much wilder, emptier, and more spread out. You will encounter significantly shorter lift lines and find untracked powder days long after a storm.
We popped by Big Sky this past weekend and it reminds us a lot of Vail, but perhaps more like it was in the 1980’s, unspoiled. Big Sky and Vail are both massive, world-class ski destinations, but Big Sky Resort offers more vast, uncrowded terrain and rugged wilderness, while Vail Ski Resort provides an upscale, highly walkable European-style village and legendary groomed bowls. Big Sky features about 5,850 skiable acres and the iconic Lone Peak Tram, making it slightly larger in total acreage than Vail. It is famous for wide-open steeps, chutes like the Big Couloir, and long, uninterrupted cruisers. Vail pans around 5,289 skiable acres and is world-renowned for its massive, sweeping Back Bowls and endless intermediate cruising terrain. Big Sky feels much wilder, emptier, and more spread out. You will encounter significantly shorter lift lines and find untracked powder days long after a storm.
The Apsáalooke Crow and The Elk River is a collaborative pop-up art book detailing the 400-year history of the Elk (Yellowstone) River and its deep connection to the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation. Artist: Paintings by renowned Crow artist Kevin Red Star.Author / Text: Written by A.J. Otjen. Engineered by contributors including Simon Arizpe, PaperPaul, and David A. Carter, coordinated via Poposition Press. Features seven main pop-up spreads and ten mini pop-ups, measuring roughly 9″ x 12″. It retails for around $60 and can be found through specialty publishers like Poposition Press or the Red Star Gallery in Red Lodge, Montana.
