Season's First Snow Lands on Big Sky Resort

At Big Sky Resort, Montana, the season’s first dusting of snow fell at high elevations yesterday, September 15, 2025. Images shared by the ski resort show snow surrounding Kircliff, the under-construction summit station atop the 11,166-foot Lone Peak. 

Construction crews captured a photo. See it below.

As exciting as the new snow is, it’s only a tease. Big Sky’s opening day is months away, slated for November 26. Last winter, the ski resort opened a day later on November 27.

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During the 2025-26 season, Big Sky will unveil a few new projects.

The aforementioned Kircliff station is set to open on December 20. The glass enclosure provides 360-degree views of the surrounding mountainscape.

The new snow was also visible from afar, coating the upper reaches of Lone Peak.

Troy Nedved, president and COO of Big Sky Resort, said, “This reimagined summit experience transforms Lone Peak into a year-round, must-visit destination.”

Its opening follows the debut of the upgraded Lone Peak tram, which first spun in December 2023.

Big Sky is also working on the Explorer Gondola this summer, a two-stage ropeway that connects the base area with the Lone Peak tram. Like the Kircliff station, it’s scheduled to open on December 20.

The installations are part of Big Sky 2025, a years-spanning effort that’s brought new buildings, chairlifts, and infrastructure to the ski resort. Last winter, Big Sky fired up the Madison 8, the world’s longest eight-person chairlift.

Elsewhere in North America, other ski resorts have seen their first dustings of snow. 

At Arapahoe Basin and other mountains in Colorado, the end of last week brought cold temperatures and frozen precipitation. Similar to Big Sky, these storms resulted in short-lived snow that melted quickly.

While the pre-season tastes of winter will likely have little bearing on how the season goes snowfall-wise, they’re a nice reminder that colder weather, indeed, is on the way. 

What should you do in the meantime? Fantasize about skiing, of course. But also enjoy summer. There will probably be a time in January when we’ll look back fondly on the longer days. Take advantage of them while they last—and make sure your skis are waxed.

Related: Multiple Colorado Ski Resorts Celebrated Their First Snowfall Over The Weekend