Big Sky, Montana — Big Sky Resort’s 2025 master plan is officially complete.
On Saturday, Big Sky Resort debuted its new gondola and summit observatory. This multi-year project makes it very easy for guests to reach the summit from the Mountain Village in around fifteen minutes.
“Today marks the completion of a decade-long vision that has transformed this mountain and community,” said Troy Nedved, president and COO of Big Sky Resort on Saturday. “In ten years, Big Sky has welcomed 20 new lifts thanks to a common vision amongst our partners to deliver the most significant transformation in North American skiing history.”
The Explorer Gondola improves access to beginner and intermediate terrain and the Lone Peak Tram. It has a mid-station, which will eventually be home to a new learning area with surface lifts. The Doppelmayr D-Line lift is the fastest 10-person gondola on the planet. The lift features 83 Omega V cabins with heated seats and floor-to-ceiling windows. It replaced the Explorer Chairlift, a fixed-grip double chairlift that opened with the ski resort in 1973. Compared to that chairlift, the gondola has double the capacity, carrying up to 2,850 guests per hour.
It also gives Big Sky additional appeal for bringing non-skiers to the mountain year-round. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park means this attraction could attract more visitors.
The second marquee addition was the introduction of Kircliff. The two-level glass structure gives 360-degree views of three states and two national parks. The transparent floors give guests a view of the jaw-dropping terrain around Lone Mountain. Inside the observatory is The Mountain, a custom installation by acclaimed artist Anthony James. James’s work has appeared at Art Basel, the Saatchi Gallery, and in Rian Johnson’s film Glass Onion.
“In December 1973, Chet Huntley opened this resort with a gondola and a vision. My father arrived three years later and our family has never stopped building on it,” said Stephen Kircher, president and CEO of Boyne Resorts. “Today, 77 years into our company’s journey, we’ve completed Big Sky 2025, but we’re just getting started. This base-to-summit infrastructure unlocks new gathering places, new experiences, and transforms the Mountain Village itself. At Boyne, we think in decades, not quarters. The next chapter is already being written.”
Following Big Sky 2015 and the 2025 projects, it seems likely that another master plan will be announced soon. We’re excited to see what that entails.
Image/Video Credits: Big Sky Resort
