Big Sky Resort, MT Offers Insight into Next Season | Opening Day Will be Thanksgiving Day

SnowBrains | | Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
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The Biggest Skiing in America will open on Thanksgiving Day. Credit: Big Sky

Big Sky Resort, MT’s General Manager, and COO & President have addressed the local community in an open letter regarding their expectations for the upcoming 20/21 winter season. 

The pair reveal that the resort has been ‘working hard at building the framework for a successful winter season‘ and are planning on opening as usual on Thanksgiving Day.

“Our team is excited about opening the Biggest Skiing in America on Thanksgiving Day.”

Pass sales were paused on June 15th, with the resort preferring to focus on carefully preparing for a safe season before announcing another opportunity for season pass purchases.

“…and plan to share another opportunity to purchase winter lift access before the start of the season.”

What will that season look like, though? In order for people to safely experience the Biggest Skiing in America, the resort will be following the advice of public health experts, government officials, and ski industry standards. This will likely include social distancing practices in all facilities, facial covering requirements, and improved procedures and technology to promote contactless transactions.

The resort did choose to delay the installation of their replacement Swift Current lift until next summer but managed to redeploy construction crews to build more employee housing, while also adding new bike trails and improving ski terrain inline with their 2025 vision.

We also kept our workforce busy constructing yet more workforce housing, our fourth project in four years. Big Sky remains the largest provider of workforce housing in the community. Our crews have also added new bike trails and improved ski terrain, pushing hard to keep improving Big Sky Resort and working toward our 2025 Vision.

Big Sky Resort trail map

The letter is below, in full:

Hello Big Sky Skiers & Riders,

Like you, we’re still in a little bit of shock at how last winter season ended, surprisingly and suddenly on March 15th. We’re also in awe at the resilience, thoughtfulness, and patience of our community, both here in Montana and around the world. Pulling together is the way forward for us all, and we’ve been humbled to see that happen here in so many ways.

We’re especially proud of our creative and resourceful teams here at the resort, who have been working hard at building the framework for a successful winter season, while also offering summer operations.

Our team is excited about opening the Biggest Skiing in America on Thanksgiving Day and are grateful for the loyalty and enthusiasm of our guests. For those who are eager to secure a season pass or lift tickets, we appreciate your patience since pass sales paused on June 15th. We are continuing our thoughtful approach as we look ahead to winter, and plan to share another opportunity to purchase winter lift access before the start of the season. Like everywhere else, we are carefully preparing for the safety of our environment, but are confident that even with adaptations, the thrill of skiing at Big Sky Resort will be as exhilarating as ever.

So, what can you expect? To start with, a resort environment that will operate according to the very best practices, based on the expertise of public health experts, governmental officials, and ski industry standards. This will likely include social distancing practices in all facilities, facial covering requirements, and improved procedures and technology to promote contactless transactions. The combination of our immense acreage and industry best practices will give our guests the elbow room and flexibility to experience the Biggest Skiing in America safely. Big Sky Resort is committed to leading thoughtfully, and pivoting as needed with this ever-changing environment.

One of those necessary pivots involved the replacement of the Swift Current lift. Although our new D-Line, 6-passenger lift has been manufactured, we chose to delay installation this summer fearing COVID-related supply chain and construction delays. Despite those concerns, we were able to initiate several stages of the foundation work over the past few months, giving us a head start on lift installation next summer.

We also kept our workforce busy constructing yet more workforce housing, our fourth project in four years. Big Sky remains the largest provider of workforce housing in the community. Our crews have also added new bike trails and improved ski terrain, pushing hard to keep improving Big Sky Resort and working toward our 2025 Vision.

Even as air travel nationwide has fallen to 27% of normal (and in Bozeman, 44% of normal) we are excited that Alaska Airlines has announced new daily, year-round, non-stop service from Los Angeles to Bozeman will begin November 20. American has announced an additional Dallas to Bozeman flight for the holidays, and Jet Blue will offer additional Los Angeles flights and a new route from Boston to Bozeman. Bozeman’s commercial air service is among the best in mountain towns, with a total of 19 non-stop markets.

As the season draws near, you can expect another update on our operations. Until then, we wish you good health and happiness and look forward to seeing you soon.

Troy Nedved, General Manager, Big Sky Resort
Taylor Middleton, COO & President, Big Sky Resort


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