Lessons, Guides, and Experiences
Make the most of your time on the mountain. Whether that's exploring with the expertise of a private guide or connecting the dots to carve your perfect turn, our world-class ski and snowboard instructors can make it happen.
Select Your Experience
With 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, our ski instructors and mountain guides can help skiers and snowboarders of all levels navigate the mountain and make the most of your experience.
Private Experience
Choose between a private lesson and a private guide. Our instructors are ready to show you the best of what Big Sky has to offer, with as much or as little instruction as you'd like.
Group Lesson
Level up your skiing or snowboarding with a group lesson—available for skiers and riders of all ages and levels.
Group Lesson 4-Pack
Level up your skiing or snowboarding with four group lessons to use throughout the season and save.
Headlamp Night Skiing
Experience night skiing in a new way. Ski the freshly groomed slopes of Andesite Mountain under the stars by the light of a super-powered headlamp.
First Tracks Refresher
Start your day on the right foot with a 45-minute private lesson before the mountain opens to the public.
Small Fry Try Private Lesson
Get your little skier or snowboarder off to the right start with our child education-certified instructors.
Teen Mountain Experience
A blend between a group lesson and a guided experience, teens can explore the mountain with their peers under the guidance of an instructor.
Maximize Your Experience with Big Sky's Mountain Sports School
Space to Grow
Learn across Big Sky's 5,850 acres of skiable terrain. There's real room for progression as skills improve, from nearly 600 acres of beginner terrain all the way up to our legendary alpine experts-only descents.
North America's Best Team
Big Sky takes pride in having some of the best instructors and guides in North America. We recruit from the top instructors certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America or the American Association of Snowboard Instructors—so you get the most value out of your lesson.
Personalized Coaching
Unlock potential you didn't know existed—our progressive teaching methodology adapts to your unique needs, creating breakthroughs whether you're making your first turns or refining expert technique.
Explore More Options
Summit Pursuits
Join Ski Hall of Fame legend Dan Egan and Big Sky’s top Mountain Sports Pros for Summit Pursuits, a three-day journey into the art of skiing and snowboarding on Lone Mountain’s legendary terrain. Clinics include three full days of instruction from legendary skier Dan Egan and the Big Sky Mountain Sports School's finest ski and snowboard instructors.
Adult Seasonal Programs
Multi-week lessons focused on skill-building, terrain exploration, and building community with like-minded locals.
Kids Seasonal Programs
With an emphasis on technique, we provide a fun learning environment for your child to build solid skills that they will utilize throughout a lifetime of snowsports.
Adaptive Lessons
Big Sky Resort partners with local non-profit Eagle Mount to provide lessons and guides for skiers and snowboarders or all ages and a range of disabilities.
Nordic Skiing Private Lesson
Discover the Nordic Skiing experience at the Nordic Center in the Meadow Village with a guide. Whether you're a seasoned skier or a newcomer to the sport, adventure at your own pace. Our instructors are ready to show you the best of what the trails have to offer, with as much or as little instruction as you'd like. Sessions last 2 hours with 90 minutes of on-snow time. The Nordic Center is located in the Big Sky Meadow Village, about a 10-minute drive from Mountain Village.
Lesson Details & FAQs
- Lesson LocationsLessons meet on-snow at Mountain Village, Madison Base, or the Montage Hotel, depending on your base area selection. You do not need to come into the office to check in.Not sure where you booked your lesson? Check your order history in My Account.
- Lesson TimesLessons meet at 9 or 9:30 for full-day and morning half-day lessons, and 1 or 1:30 PM for afternoon half-day lessons. Check below for more information on your exact start time depending on lesson type and location.
- Lift Tickets + RentalsLift access and equipment rentals are not included with your lesson. Please book these separately if needed and come ready to join us on the mountain at the start of your lesson.
Lessons meet on-snow at one of three locations: Mountain Village, Madison Base, or the Montage Hotel — depending on which base area you selected when booking.
Not sure which one you picked? Check any of these:
- Your confirmation email
- Your order history on bigskyresort.com
- The arrival email sent a few days before your lesson
Meeting spots by base area:
Mountain Village
| Lesson Type | Meeting Location |
|---|---|
| Group Lessons & Teen Mountain Experience | Base of the Explorer Gondola |
| Small Fry Try & Headlamp Night Skiing | Inside the Mountain Sports Office |
| First Tracks Refresher | Outside the Mountain Sports Office |
Madison Base
| Lesson Type | Meeting Location |
|---|---|
| Group Lessons, Teen Mountain Experience & Small Fry Try | Outside the Mountain Sports Office |
Private Lessons
Your instructor may contact you ahead of time to set a specific meeting spot. If you don't hear from them, meet at the black "Private Lessons" flag in front of the Mountain Sports Office.
Group Lessons (Ages 3+, all base areas)
| Session | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Full Day | 9:30 AM | 3:30 PM |
| Half Day – Morning | 9:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Half Day – Afternoon | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
Private Experiences
| Base Area | Session | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Village & Madison Base | Full Day | 9:00 AM | 4:00 PM |
| Mountain Village & Madison Base | Half Day – Morning | 9:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Mountain Village & Madison Base | Half Day – Afternoon | 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Montage | Full Day | 9:30 AM | 3:30 PM |
| Montage | Half Day – Morning | 9:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Montage | Half Day – Afternoon | 1:00 PM | 3:30 PM |
Small Fry Try Private Lessons
| Type | Session Times |
|---|---|
| Ski | 10:00–10:45 AM, 11:00–11:45 AM, or 12:15–1:00 PM |
| Snowboard | 12:15–1:00 PM |
The Small Fry Try 45 minute private lesson is the perfect length for those young and new to the sport.
Children may begin ski lessons at 18 months old. To participate, they must be comfortable being separated from their parents and fully potty trained.
Children must be at least 3 years old and fully potty trained to enroll in snowboard lessons. Younger children generally have not yet developed the balance and coordination needed for a successful snowboarding experience.
All our Mountain Sports lessons and programs can be booked online, over the phone, or in person at the Mountain Sports office during winter operating hours.
For the best availability, book online in advance. We do sell out of lessons on busy days. If there is no availability online or for day-of bookings, please contact us by phone at (800) 548-4486.
Lift tickets are not included with private or group lessons. A lift ticket or valid season pass is required for all lesson participants. Including Sno-Go lessons.
In the winter, discounted lift tickets are available to children (7-14) in group lessons. These discount tickets are available to add-on to your lesson when adding the product to your cart or by contacting us.
In the summer, if you do not have a bike and bike haul lift ticket and want to take a group lesson, purchase the downhill group lesson package. This half-day lesson option includes a bike rental and bike haul ticket for the duration of your lesson.
Rental equipment is not included with lessons, programs, or guides. If you do not have your own equipment, we recommend booking rentals with Big Sky Sports.
Rental skis and snowboards may be available for Mountain Village Small Fry Try private lessons (ages 2-4). Please call the Mountain Sports Office for availability.
In the summer, downhill mountain biking lessons do not include rentals. Select downhill mountain biking lessons offer discounted rentals. Please inquire when booking your lesson.
Related Products
Winter Lift Tickets
Experience the perfect balance of innovation and raw natural beauty, where unexpected technological marvels provide access to America's most boundless alpine playground.
Ski & Snowboard Rentals
Reserve rentals in advance and eliminate equipment uncertainty. Professional fitting, performance tuning, and backup options ensure your gear never limits your adventure.
