Vail no longer the largest ski area in US

[skiNEwhere]

Having I been living under a rock for the last few months, or has this just not made big headlines??

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/23632061/big-sky-resort-completes-merger-with-moonlight-basin

Big Sky acquired Moonlight Basin, and is now larger than Vail

I searched for this on AZ, and looked through all the recent posts, and didn't find anything. Did this slip through the cracks? If so, Big Sky isn't doing a very good marketing job.

 

[mriceyman]

I read it somewhere but cannot remember where.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[St. Bear]

I noticed it in the captions of Forbes Top 10 Resorts list they just put out.

 

[Edd]

I thought this was a done deal years ago. I've been assuming they've been operating as one. I should really go there sometime.

 

[keyser soze]

They probably son't amrket it much because it is difficult to get to and there are not a lot of rooms. Never been there myself but this is waht I read on another board.

 

[deadheadskier]

I want to say that Big Sky has had the marketing slogan, "Biggest Skiing in America" for a few seasons, but maybe it's just this year they've made the claim.

http://www.bigskywinter.com/

I wonder if Whistler has a bit of beef with that slogan because last I checked, Canada is part of America too and Whistler has 8K plus acres versus Big Sky's 5500.

I get why Big Sky does it because "Biggest Skiing in America" rolls off the tongue better than "Biggest Skiing in the United States," but I'd imagine it's mildly annoying to the Whistler marketing folks. Probably not too much though considering Whistler draws nearly 2 million skier visits a season versus 350K for Big Sky; so they're not much of a business threat to Whistler.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Noticed this recently, and I definitely took...uhhh.....notice.

Who's been there? Is it worth the travel and the complexities, and how is the cost versus Salt Lake City or Colorado or the Canuck Rockies?

I'd definitely consider this if it offers value versus the competition.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Whistler has 8K plus acres versus Big Sky's 5500.

Whistler draws nearly 2 million skier visits a season versus 350K for Big Sky; so they're not much of a business threat to Whistler.

Lets say these stats are 100% legit:

Whistler: 250 skiers per acre

Big Sky: 64 skiers per acre


Assuming the terrain is even roughly comparable?
I'll see ya in Montana.

 

[RISkier]

They probably son't amrket it much because it is difficult to get to and there are not a lot of rooms. Never been there myself but this is waht I read on another board.

I've tried to plan trips to both Big Sky and Whitefish Mountain Resort. I've mostly tried to plan them from Providence and Boston but I've had little luck finding decent connections at even semi-reasonable prices. It's easier and often quicker for us to look at Europe. Might have better luck from the NYC area airports but they're 4+ hours and by the time you add in time needed to park, check in, etc., you've pretty much blown a day on the front end. We can get reasonable connections to SLC and Denver and Reno but the MT resorts seem tough. Would really like to try both places, however.

 

[keyser soze]

Yes, you definitely will lose a day on each end of your trip and the prices are crazy. My vacation days are precious and it;s much easier and cheaper to do SLC.

 

[octopus]

I've tried to plan trips to both Big Sky and Whitefish Mountain Resort. I've mostly tried to plan them from Providence and Boston but I've had little luck finding decent connections at even semi-reasonable prices. It's easier and often quicker for us to look at Europe. Might have better luck from the NYC area airports but they're 4+ hours and by the time you add in time needed to park, check in, etc., you've pretty much blown a day on the front end. We can get reasonable connections to SLC and Denver and Reno but the MT resorts seem tough. Would really like to try both places, however.

im in the same boat. i was recently trying to price out a trip from boston to jackson hole and the prices are ridiculous plus a 9hr flight minimum. seems you'd need at least 6 0r 7 days to make it worth going, and some people just don't have that much time.

 

[goldsbar]

The trip to Jackson Hole is worth it just for the views. Though, Alta/Bird is a lot easier, the snow is generally better and the terrain is almost as good. Still, nothing is like the Hobacks with 2,500 feet of vertical and a good chance to be the only person in sight.

I've heard great things about Big Sky, but with Utah being so easy and Jackson Hole being so good, it's hard to make the switch when I only go out one week a year.

 

[Edd]

Whenever I've done a western trip I've looked at the Big Sky option but have always gotten sticker shock right away. After weighing all of the variables I always choose someplace else.

 

[jaytrem]

You can fly direct from Newark to Bozeman on Sat and Sun. So yeah, it is a lot easier from NY these days. I'm booked for February. If all goes well we should be able to do 1/2 a day in at Bridger the day we arrive. I also found a somewhat reasonable ski and stay package at this place...

http://www.buckst4.com/

It's not ski-in ski-out, but very close otherwise, and fine for my needs. We're only doing 2 days at Big Sky, then we'll be traveling around hitting a bunch of the smaller places.

I was actually a little disappointed by the merger, I was looking forward to a super empty day at Moonlight. I imagine it will have a few more people skiing there this year. I guess I shouldn't be so greedy.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I think Big Sky's "mantra" if you wish is their acres per person. All the ads I have seen talk about the uncrowded slopes. @Jaytrem while I have never been there I suspect the merger won't affect Moonlight basin. Especially if it has been this way for a while now.

Do report back though once you return.

 

[Talisman]

I was actually a little disappointed by the merger, I was looking forward to a super empty day at Moonlight. I imagine it will have a few more people skiing there this year. I guess I shouldn't be so greedy.

I have skied Big Sky and Moon Light Basin a number of times. Other than a major holiday weekend at 10:00 AM at the base lift (Swiftwater) or any weekend for the Summit Tram, most lifts are ski on. Having MLB will help on days when the south facing slopes get some sun crust. BS/MLB is huge and most visitors don't get too far from the groomers. A strong skier who is friendly will get advice from locals on where to find decent conditions.

 

[snoseek]

Whenever I hear someone describe this place I want to go, sounds just my speed. I need to get this done!

 

[steamboat1]

Big Sky/Moonlight are my favorite western areas. Yeah it's a hassle getting there but well worth the effort.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Big Sky/Moonlight are my favorite western areas. Yeah it's a hassle getting there but well worth the effort.

And you've been pretty much everywhere havent you?

 

[gladerider]

think i've heard this years ago as Edd mentioned.
would like to check them out in the future.