Big Sky March Skiing
Big Sky in March: Overview
Pros:
- Skiing at Big Sky in March can be an excellent experience due to the combination of the resort's elevation and northerly latitude.
- The base of the mountain is at 7,500 feet, while the peak reaches 11,166 feet, providing skiers with a variety of terrain to explore. Additionally, 37% of Big Sky's slopes face north, 25% face south, and 36% face east, providing skiers with a variety of options for different snow conditions.
- The northerly latitude of Big Sky is a strength for spring skiing, as it keeps the sun's rays more oblique. This can lead to colder temperatures and snow that is less likely to melt, ensuring that the slopes remain in good condition throughout the month of March.
- Additionally, the higher elevations at Big Sky can help to preserve the snow, as colder temperatures and less sun exposure at higher elevations can slow the melting process.
- One of the most popular areas of Big Sky for spring skiing is the Andesite Mountain, which is known for its steep, challenging terrain. This area receives a lot of north-facing exposure and is a great spot for advanced skiers looking for a challenge. Additionally, the Headwaters area of Big Sky is known for its long cruisers and is a great spot for intermediate skiers looking to enjoy the spring conditions.
Cons:
- Big Sky is a great spot in March, let there be no debate. There are few downsides other than the normal gotchas with lodging and travel. Big Sky is a popular spot for spring breaks and there is less affordable lodging here than some other mountains.
- Town at Big Sky is still lacking—so plan on settling in for some old fashioned fun at home in the hotel or your rented ski house or condo. This isn't all bad, of course. Part of vacation is having the freedom to just hang.
While Big Sky may be a bit more challenging for skiers who like to ski in the backcountry, it can be a great place for those who like to ski on groomed terrain.
Big Sky's grooming crew does a great job of maintaining the slopes, and the variety of terrain makes it an excellent place to ski in March. Additionally, with a wide range of terrain, Big Sky is a great place for skiers of all abilities to enjoy spring skiing.
The cold days that can still strike Montana in March are greatly blunted by the superior lift system at Big Sky, which includes a number of heated and bubbled lifts. Big Sky has more advanced chairlifts than any other ski resort in North America.
Big Sky snow in March
- Snow quantity at Big Sky
- Snow quality at Big Sky
- How much snow is required for proper terrain coverage at Big Sky—steeper resorts require more snow to get 100% open.
- Big Sky's snow frequency (standard deviation)
- Big Sky's elevation
- Big Sky's latitude
- Big Sky's slope aspects - more north-facing slopes protect snow later into winter
The northerly-facing terrain at Big Sky can hold chalky cold snow well into the spring due to the resort's northerly latitude and its relatively high elevation for Montana.
Those looking for corn snow and more sun exposure in March at Big Sky can look to the Liberty Bowl, which is known for its wide-open terrain and sunny exposure. This area receives a lot of south-facing exposure, making it a great spot for skiers looking to enjoy some spring sunshine.
Additionally, the Moonlight Basin area of Big Sky is known for its sunny exposure and is a great spot for skiers looking to enjoy some spring corn snow.
What matters when it comes to snow for March skiing:
Ski areas with higher elevations and more northerly latitudes can keep snow colder when thawing temperatures in March or during warming events degrade other resorts' snowpacks. Aspects have the same affect, so the snow at a ski resort with more east or south-facing slopes will suffer more quickly as the sun grows stronger into March and the later spring.
For that reason, ski resorts with more north-facing terrain will be able to shelter snow more thoroughly into and through March. The most important factors for good snow preservation in spring tend to be elevation and north aspects, so the ski resorts with the highest elevations and the highest percentage of north-facing slopes tend to be those that preserve their snow best. More explanation on this topic can be found on our snow rankings page.
Lots of east and south exposures coupled with cold temperatures at night can put ski slopes into a nasty freeze-thaw process, wherein the ski resort becomes an ice rink overnight and doesn't revert to being skiable until the sun thaws things out. If the sun doesn't come out, however, skiers can be stuck with terrible conditions for days on end.
So, quite simply, in March, look for resorts with high elevations and high percentages of north-facing terrain (~50%+).