An easy one-hour drive south of Bozeman’s international airport, Big Sky is well known for its top-notch skiing, hiking, golf and convenient proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Surprisingly enough, the town has long lacked a true luxury hotel of Andrew Harper standards. But the opening of a Montage resort in mid-December 2021 and a new fly-fishing lodge to the east of Big Sky gave us every reason to book a trip to Montana, self-proclaimed as the “Last Best Place.” It’s understandable to have reservations about traveling to this state in winter, as temperatures can drop to minus 50, but this is a vacation destination as exhilarating in winter as in summer and fall. The snow comes with skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, while warmer seasons offer biking, fishing and horseback riding. Travelers of all ages can find activities of interest year-round, even if it’s just sitting back and enjoying a hot cider in a lively après-ski bar-lounge.

Montage Big Sky

We started at Montage Big Sky, a glamorous ski-in/ski-out resort nestled within the Spanish Peaks mountains. As we approached the 100-room, timber-framed lodge, three valets greeted us with warm smiles and hand warmers. Flanking the front desk is a lounge framed by grand windows providing uninterrupted vistas of the mountain range, and we settled into oversize armchairs to finalize our check-in.

The sweeping views of the valley and surrounding mountains were just as breathtaking from our modern Deluxe Peak King Room, which offered a couch facing the Spanish Peaks. I also appreciated the gas fireplace, large closets and arresting variegated-stone bath outfitted with a massive tub. This was a space where we felt comfortably at ease.