Boyne Resorts unveiled a plan to invest $150 million in Big Sky Resort to spur a more than $1 billion investment in and around the Montana resort by 2025.
The ambitious plan, dubbed “Big Sky 2025: A Focused Vision For The Future,” comes a week after Vail Resort Inc. announced plans to acquire Whistler Blackcomb, which would give it control of three of the largest ski resorts in North America. The plan seeks to make the Big Sky/Bozeman region the most accessible mountain destination in the country outside of Denver and Salt Lake City.
“Boyne has a 40-year history of investing in Big Sky, and is now doubling down to continue sustainable growth in the community,” said Taylor Middleton, president and general manager of Big Sky Resort, which is located near Bozeman.
The plan calls for “transforming Big Sky Resort and all that surrounds its iconic Lone Peak, furthering a collective identity as the American Alps.”
The phased implementation includes development of one of North America’s most advanced chairlift networks to serve the highest vertical in the United States, newly created on-mountain activities and elevated lodging, dining and shopping experiences, active engagement in leading the Big Sky region to its full potential among the most livable and sustainable mountain communities, and greatly expanded options for air access and ground transportation.
“For more than 67 years, my family and our organization has remained committed to creating memorable experiences at unique destinations, often inspired by sense of place and attention to detail,” said Stephen Kircher, president of Boyne Resorts’ eastern operations. “Big Sky will become the best representation of that ideal with our 2025 efforts.”
The build-out of one of the most advanced high-speed lift networks in North America will enable Big Sky Resort to offer the highest lift-served vertical in the United States, at over 4,500 feet.
“The resort’s epic steeps, glades and side-country terrain, superior quality and reliability of snow and cold smoke powder days are unrivaled,” the company said while announcing its plans.
Overall, the plan calls for 12 new or upgraded lifts, including two state-of-the-art Doppelmayr lifts being installed this summer. The company will replace the Lone Peak Triple chair with six-place, high-speed detachable bubble chairs featuring heated seats and child-friendly restraining bars. At a quick three minutes to the top, uphill travel time on this soon-to-be-named lift will be more than twice as fast as the previous ride.
The resort will also replace Challenger Lift to enhance the overall experience for those seeking the longer and steeper runs reserved exclusively for expert-level skiers. A fixed grip lift being installed is accompanied by a conveyor load system that aides safer loading and fewer stops. The three-person Challenger lift is a substantial upgrade from the previous double and not only speeds travel by one-third; it will be much more wind resistant.
Near-term and future phases include further upgrades to existing facilities, including meeting and special events space and adding diverse and truly unique dining, shopping, lodging and entertainment venues.
Boyne Resorts said it also remains committed to creating more affordable housing options and adding local flights at the Big Sky/Bozeman airport to make more accessible.
Big Sky 2025 prioritizes adding additional non-stop flights from more cities, with more frequency and more seats, and creating better pricing options for more travelers. The resort’s commitment to growth in air transportation, which spans four decades, will also focus on helping to facilitate ground transportation solutions to and from the Bozeman area and within the Big Sky community itself.
Established in 1973, Big Sky Resort is located in the Northern Rockies of southwest Montana between Bozeman, MT and Yellowstone National Park. It offers 5,800 plus acres, or an average of two acres per skier, and a 4,350 vertical drop. Big Sky Resort is owned by Boyne Resorts, a Michigan-based corporation and the largest family-run four-season resort company in North America. Boyne Resorts also owns Cypress Mountain near Vancouver, British Columbia; Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands and Inn at Bay Harbor, all in Michigan; Brighton in Utah; Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington; Loon Mountain in New Hampshire; Sugarloaf and Sunday River Resort in Maine and Gatlinburg Sky Lift in Tennessee.
