Big Sky Resort, Montana, has been named the No. 1 ski resort in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Voted on by travelers, the recognition reflects the culmination of Big Sky 2025, the resort’s decade-long vision, and its continued investment in lift infrastructure, on-mountain amenities and the guest experience.
“Over the past decade, Big Sky has set out to lead the transformation of the American mountain experience,” said Troy Nedved, president and COO of Big Sky Resort. “This recognition belongs to our team and the community that brought Big Sky 2025 to life, and to the guests who have been with us every step of the way.”
The Explorer Gondola, the world’s fastest 10-person gondola, debuted in December 2025. It links Mountain Village with the Lone Peak Tram, creating a seamless route from the base of the resort to the summit of Lone Peak for skiers, riders and sightseers alike. At the top, guests step into Kircliff, an alpine observatory at 11,166 feet with a glass floor and sweeping 360-degree views across three states and two national parks.
This season, the Explorer Gondola also reshapes the beginner experience with the opening of the Explorer Gondola Mid-Station Learning Center. The area features dedicated surface lifts and welcoming terrain just steps from Explorer’s beginner-friendly runs. Its mid-mountain location puts new skiers and riders right in the heart of the action, alongside everyone else on the mountain.
Guests taking a midday ski break can look forward to Iglu Big Sky returning for the 2026-27 season with a larger footprint. The resort’s snow-built bar, crafted using centuries-old European alpine building techniques, is located at the base of the Lone Peak Tram.
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Big Sky welcomes back M by The Alinea Group for a second season on the mountain. Launched as part of The Alinea Group’s 20th Anniversary World Tour and led by culinary icon Grant Achatz, M by The Alinea Group brings an elevated, seasonal dining experience to the resort.
“Recognition from Condé Nast Traveler readers carries real weight, because it comes from people who travel widely and know what makes a place worth returning to,” said Brad Niva, CEO of Visit Big Sky. “This honor confirms what we already know: Big Sky is a truly special place, with incredible skiing, just as much to discover in summer, and a community that brings genuine Montana hospitality to everything it does.”
Big Sky Resort’s 2026-27 winter season begins November 25, welcoming new and returning guests to experience the resort that Condé Nast readers have now named the best in the country.
