Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gallatin National Forest Bozeman Ranger District ( 406-522-2520;
www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin ; 3710 Fallon, Suite C) Located to the west of town.
Gallatin Valley
A broad ribbon snaking through big valleys, the Gallatin River leaves its headwaters in
the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park to cascade through the narrow, craggy
Gallatin Valley. US 191 traces its path, eventually meeting the Madison, Jefferson and
Missouri Rivers at Three Forks. Sandwiched between the scenic Madison and Gallatin
Ranges, the route - first forged by Lewis and Clark - is peppered with enough trailheads
to make return hikers and skiers arthritic. The commercial heart of the valley is the broad
opening connecting Big Sky Ski Resort.
On a clear day, look for a distinct cluster of summits exceeding 10,000ft rising sharply
out of the silhouette of the Gallatin Range, west of US 191. These are the Spanish Peaks,
the valley's premier hiking and backcountry ski destination and part of the Lee Metcalf
Wilderness.
BIG SKY
Commercial development hits hyperdrive near the turnoff to Big Sky, the Gallatin Valley's
main attraction, 18 miles north of Yellowstone and 36 miles south of Bozeman. This
world-class winter and summer resort attracts a cosmopolitan crowd more partial to an or-
ganic Pinot Noir than a can of Bud Lite, and multimillion-dollar homes continue to sprout
up like milkweed.
Big Sky spreads from US 191 to the base of Lone Mountain in four areas: Gallatin
Canyon, West Fork Meadows, Meadow Village and Mountain Village. Meadow Village
and West Fork Meadows offer the bulk of the services, including a dozen restaurants; all
are connected by a bike trail and a free shuttle service.
Activities
Big Sky Resort ( www.bigskyresort.com ) is comprised of Andesite Mountain (8800ft) and
Lone Mountain (11,166ft), with a 4350ft vertical drop and 3800 acres of skiable terrain, a
15-passenger tram, a gondola and multiple high-speed lifts. Tickets are $81/61 for adults/
juniors; children under 10 ski free.
A fantastic skiing or snowboarding alternative is Moonlight Basin
( www.moonlightbasin.com ) , 1.2 miles past Big Sky Mountain Village. Powder is plentiful
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