Big Sky, Montana
| Big Sky, Montana | |
|---|---|
| Census-designated place | |
 Location of Big Sky, Montana |
|
| Coordinates: 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.27000°N 111.29972°WCoordinates: 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.27000°N 111.29972°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| Counties | Gallatin, Madison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 120.2 sq mi (311.4 km2) |
| • Land | 120.0 sq mi (310.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,218 ft (2,200 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 2,308 |
| • Density | 7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 59716 |
| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-06325 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1853174 |
Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gallatin and Madison counties in southwestern Montana. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,308. It is 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Bozeman. This unincorporated community straddles the two counties, is not considered a town, and has no town government. The primary industry of the area is tourism.
Big Sky is located at 45°16′12″N 111°17′59″W / 45.269940°N 111.299725°W (45.269940, -111.299725), approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman on U.S. Highway 191 and just 15 miles (24 km) from the northwestern border of Yellowstone National Park.
The "Meadow" area of Big Sky lies in an alpine valley formed during the Cretaceous period. Initially called the "Gallatin Canyon Basin", the Meadow is braided with small rivers that channel mountain snow run-off. Fishing is permitted on all of these Gallatin feeders. Two ponds are found on the Middle Fork of the Gallatin River that bisects the Meadow, and fishing there is permitted for those 16 and younger. Since 1993, an innovative sewer system has protected the water in the area from sewage discharge. Several agencies, such as the Gallatin River Task Force, monitor the health of the rivers.
The community had two large ski resorts that are sited in the "Mountain" area: Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin. In October 2013, these resorts merged: both are now managed by Big Sky Resort, and both are alpine ski and golf resorts. The combined terrain of the two resorts allows them to market themselves as the "Biggest Skiing in America". The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club is an exclusive ski and golf resort that has three chairlifts and thirteen ski runs connecting it to Big Sky Resort at the base of Big Sky's Southern Comfort lift. Spanish Peaks is also now owned by Big Sky Resort, in collaboration with the Yellowstone Club. Another resort, Lone Mountain Ranch, is a Nordic ski and summer resort that professionally grooms over 75 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. Yellowstone Club, a private resort, is located to the south and adjacent to Big Sky Resort.
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