Best Things to Do in Big Sky, MT With Kids
Big Sky's family lineup includes a Yellowstone day trip through the West Entrance (about 50 minutes away), the Lone Peak Tram for summer sightseeing, Ski & Snowboard School in winter, a Gallatin River family float in summer, and a zipline canopy tour for older kids and teens.
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1Area photo: A-Reck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Yellowstone National Park Day Trip (West Entrance)
Yellowstone's West Entrance is about a 50-minute drive from Big Sky, making a full-day trip to see Old Faithful, the geyser basins, and wildlife-watching genuinely realistic without switching hotels.
Watch out: Yellowstone is enormous — a single day realistically covers the Old Faithful/geyser basin area plus maybe one additional valley, not the whole park. Wildlife jams (traffic stopped for bison or bears) can eat significant time; build in buffer.
2Area photo: A-Reck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Lone Peak Tram
A summer sightseeing tram to the 11,166-foot Lone Peak summit, with views across three states on a clear day — a short ride with a genuinely dramatic payoff, and one of the more accessible high-altitude viewpoints in the Rockies.
Watch out: High altitude at the summit can affect younger kids or anyone not acclimatized — take it slow and have water on hand. Weather at the summit changes fast; check conditions before heading up.
3Area photo: A-Reck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Big Sky Ski & Snowboard School
Kids' programs on one of the largest ski areas in the US by skiable acreage, with a genuinely uncrowded feel compared to Colorado's biggest resorts — good terrain variety for progressing young skiers.
Watch out: Winter only, and the honest cost for lift tickets plus a kids' group lesson is a real expense — plan for it as a major line item like other major western resorts. Book lesson slots ahead for holiday weeks.
4Area photo: A-Reck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Gallatin River Family Float & Fishing Trip
The Gallatin River runs calm, family-floatable sections in summer, and a guided half-day trip is a genuinely lower-key, lower-cost alternative to a Yellowstone day or a ski day — good for a rest day that's still an activity.
Watch out: Water levels and temperature vary by month — early summer runoff can be cold and faster; late summer is calmer but shallower in spots. A DIY tube-and-shuttle setup is cheaper than a guided trip if your family is comfortable without a guide.
5Area photo: A-Reck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Big Sky Zipline Canopy Tour
A forest zipline canopy tour through the resort's trees — a genuine adrenaline activity for older kids and teens that doesn't require snow or river conditions, and works as a good half-day on a non-Yellowstone, non-ski day.
Watch out: This is a real splurge item at these prices — treat it as a special one-time activity rather than a daily plan. Height, age, and weight minimums apply; check before booking for a mixed-age family.
Frequently asked
How far is Yellowstone from Big Sky?
The West Entrance is about a 50-minute drive from Big Sky, which makes a full-day trip realistic without needing to change hotels or stay inside the park.
Can we see all of Yellowstone in one day from Big Sky?
No — the park is enormous. One day realistically covers the Old Faithful and geyser basin area near the West Entrance plus maybe one wildlife-viewing valley, not the entire park.
Is the Lone Peak Tram available in winter?
The tram operates for skiers accessing terrain in winter; the casual sightseeing version most families want is the summer operation, when it's open to hikers and sightseers without ski gear.
What is a lower-cost activity day in Big Sky?
A DIY float or tube day on the calmer sections of the Gallatin River costs far less than a guided trip, a ski day, or the zipline tour, and still gets the family outside and on the water.
Same destination, where to stay
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Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Big Sky family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
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