By Life In Big Sky
Big Sky has quietly become one of the best places to ride in Montana, with everything from gentle waterfall paths to fast, lift-served downhill high on the mountain. Big Sky Resort runs more than 50 miles of trails and some of the only lift-serviced biking in the state, while the town and surrounding national forest add miles of mellower singletrack. Whether you are easing onto your first berm or chasing jump lines, mountain biking in Big Sky has terrain that fits. Here is how we would point you, skill level by skill level.
Key Takeaways
- Beginners do best on Big Sky's gentle town and community trails before heading up the lift
- The bike park leans intermediate and advanced, with flow trails to build confidence
- Advanced and expert riders get technical descents, big berms, and jump lines off the resort's lifts
- The bike park runs mid-June to mid-September, while community trails open earlier and close later
Where Beginners Should Start Mountain Biking in Big Sky
If you are new to riding, we always suggest starting in the valley rather than at the top of the mountain. The trails around Big Sky Town Center and the Meadow are wide, gentle, and forgiving, which is exactly what you want while you find your balance. A lesson or one of the resort's skill-building clinics is a smart first step too.
Gentle Trails to Learn On
- Ousel Falls Trail, a 1.6-mile path near Town Center with a gentle grade that ends at a waterfall
- Crail Ranch Trail, a 2.6-mile out-and-back cruise through Big Sky's historic Crail Ranch meadow
- Happy Hooves and Easy Rider at the resort, flowy beginner runs for easing into downhill
- The resort's Women's Bike Skills series and youth clinics, built for first-timers and progression
Stepping Up to Intermediate Trails and Flow
Once you are comfortable braking, cornering, and reading a trail, Big Sky opens up fast. This is where the riding gets genuinely fun, with bermed flow trails that let you carry speed and a couple of longer descents that show off the scenery. Most intermediate riders lap the Ramcharger and Explorer lifts, where the flow trails live.
Trails That Reward a Confident Intermediate
- Rabbit Run and Snake Charmer, blue flow trails built for carrying speed through the berms
- Blue Room, one of the most popular trails at the resort, with jumps and waist-high bank turns
- Mountain to Meadow, an iconic 5.5-mile descent from the resort base down to Meadow Village
- Mud Creek Loop off Highway 191, a 3-mile loop with a short climb and a fast, bermed return
- The resort's Bike the Sky intermediate-to-advanced route, which strings hidden gems into one long day
Trails for Advanced and Expert Riders
For seasoned riders, Big Sky is a playground of steep pitches, technical rock, and airtime. The terrain off the Swift Current lift gets demanding quickly, and the resort's trail crew keeps adding features for riders chasing the next line. Full-face helmets and pads are the norm up here, not the exception.
Where Strong Riders Go to Play
- War Dance, an expert run down steep pitches and high bank turns
- Buffalo Jump, a top-rated technical descent that rewards commitment
- E.L.S.H, Ninja Marmot, and Sneaky Weasel, a sequence of demanding lines for experts
- The Gambler and Swifty jump lines for riders who want real airtime
- The Bike the Sky advanced-to-expert route, which links the mountain's most serious terrain
What to Know Before You Ride
A little preparation makes a Big Sky ride better. The bike park runs mid-June to mid-September, while the community and national forest trails are generally rideable from May into October depending on conditions. Out on the forest trails beyond the resort, you are in bear country, so carrying bear spray and making noise on blind corners is just part of riding here.
Practical Tips for a Good Day Out
- Carry bear spray on any trail outside the resort, and keep it within easy reach
- Wear a helmet on every ride, and add knee and elbow pads for park laps
- Rent bikes and gear at Different Spokes in the resort base area or Christy Sports in Big Sky Town Center
- Pick up a Loam Pass or bike haul ticket for the Explorer Gondola, Ramcharger 8, and Swift Current 6, and buy online in advance for the best rate
- Yield to hikers and uphill riders, and pack out everything you bring in
FAQs
When is the Big Sky Resort bike park open?
The lift-served bike park usually runs from mid-June through mid-September, weather and snowmelt permitting. The town and national forest trails open earlier and stay rideable later, often from May into October, so there is good riding well beyond the park season.
Is mountain biking in Big Sky good for families and beginners?
It is, as long as you start in the right place. We point families and new riders toward Ousel Falls, Crail Ranch, and the gentle flow trails at the resort, and the lessons and youth clinics are a great way to build confidence before tackling steeper terrain.
Do I need a lift ticket to ride at Big Sky Resort?
For the lift-served downhill trails in the bike park, yes, you will want a bike haul ticket or a Loam Pass. Plenty of the best community trails around town are free to ride, so you can have a full day on a bike without ever buying a lift ticket.
Reach Out to Us About Living the Big Sky Lifestyle
Trail access is a big part of what makes living here special, and it is one of the first things buyers ask us about when they picture summers in Big Sky. From Town Center to the Meadow to the communities up at Spanish Peaks and Moonlight Basin, we can help you find a home that puts the riding you love right outside your door.
When you are ready to talk through what life here could look like, reach out to us, Life In Big Sky. We would love to share what we know about the trails, the seasons, and the neighborhoods that fit how you want to spend your time.
When you are ready to talk through what life here could look like, reach out to us, Life In Big Sky. We would love to share what we know about the trails, the seasons, and the neighborhoods that fit how you want to spend your time.
