How To Get To Big Sky - Its Easy
Posted: 01/22/2009
US 191
How to Get to Big Sky – Its Easy
By: Holly Neall
I often hear from family and friends back East the familiar question “How do you even get to Big Sky?” but any local can tell you that traveling around Gallatin Valley is anything but difficult. With abundant direct flights and transportation options ranging from a free public bus system to door-to-door luxury charter services, visiting Big Sky is ideal for all types of visitors and budgets.
The Bozeman airport hosts a variety of Airlines including Delta, United, Northwest, Alaskan, Skywest and Frontier. These major players offer direct flight from 11 major cities, as well as numerous short charter flights around the Western United States. Major cities with direct flights to Bozeman include: Salt Lake City, Denver,Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Detroit, Atlanta,and Idaho Falls. Allegiant Airlines recently launched a direct flight from Bozeman to Las Vegas with round-trip fairs starting at $60, making it easy for jet setters to enjoy Montana’s famed skiing or golf and then off to Vegas for a different kind of adventure.
Once you arrive at Gallatin Field your options for getting to Big Sky vary from the bare basics to the extravagant. US 191 travels along the blue ribbon trout Gallatin River and is the only roadway between Bozeman and Big Sky. US 191 and the Gallatin River were made famous in the 1992 movie “A River Runs Through It” with several of its memorable fishing scenes filmed along this stretch of Highway. It is a beautiful road with flowing rivers, jaw dropping mountains views, abundant wildlife and exhilarating turns peppered with delicious and friendly restaurants that look more like someone’s home than an eatery. If you choose to rent a car and drive, there are over ten different rental companies to choose from including familiar favorites such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. Driving on US 191 is a truly awe-inspiring experience and is a great way to get the family into the “Montana” state of mind, just remember to be courteous and use the pull-outs if you choose to take your time and soak in the views.
For those who prefer to completely take in the scenery instead of driving, especially on winter roadways there are several alternatives. The Skyline Bus is a year-round free bus service from Bozeman to Big Sky with stops along the canyon, meadow and mountain regions. The busses are clean and pleasant and give visitors a unique opportunity to mingle with the locals to learn about the best powder runs or fishing holes. There is also a moderately priced shuttle service directly from Gallatin Field offered by Karst Stage that leaves every 45mins during the peak seasons. Visitors who want to travel in style certainly can with Mountain Express’ door-to-door luxury charter service. Its sprinter vans are equipped with oversized chairs, TV’s, and X-box with wireless headphones for an enjoyable ride for parents and kids alike. They also offer customers a chance to stop and buy groceries, spirits and wine, ski rentals or any other item you may need for your vacation.
Getting around Big Sky once you are here also offers a variety of choices. You can choose to use the Skyline Bus or Mountain taxi to get around with ease. Some accommodations such as Big Sky Resort offer courtesy vans to guests for getting around to specific places or events. The town also has many wonderful trail systems that make walking to your destination a real possibility.
I generally tell my family and friends that I am worth the trouble to come see, but the truth is there really is no trouble involved. In the end they always come to the realization that Big Sky is enjoyable to travel to and I get the satisfaction of “I told you so.”
Travel Resources
Sky Line Bus: www.skylinebus.com
Montana Mountain Express : (888 )991-9934 | www.ridemme.com
Karst Stage: (800) 287-4759 | www.karststage.com
Mountain Taxi: (800) 400423-4742 | www.bigskytaxi.com
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