Big Sky, Montana = Spring Break

by Julie Johnson, Tastemaker in Residence

Our family has traveled to Big Sky, Montana at spring break time for each of the past four years.  We have a trip planned and will return to Big Sky for our fifth time in 2020!  Big Sky lends itself to an adventurous family getaway for all age levels to relish!  

Our primary purpose is to carve some turns in the fresh pow (slang for powder or fresh snow) but we also cherish the family time, find a few favorite places to get some grub, and seek out new adventures if we need a break from skiing and snowboarding.  

Some of our adventures outside of skiing or snowboarding, include dogsledding, hiking to Ousel Falls, and a not so memorable one of driving about 45 minutes to West Yellowstone to find out they are closed for the winter unless you want to travel about 70 miles round-trip via snowmobile.  We will save the snowmobiling adventure for when the kids are 16 years old and can drive their own.  Fly fishing is of interest to the hunter/fisherman in our house so that may be something we take a stab at during our visit in 2020.  

Traveling with three teenage boys is sure to keep you on the hunt for food!  Some of our favorite places to grab some grub, a beer, or a root beer for the kids after a day on the slopes are the Gallatin Riverhouse Grill, Lone Peak Brewery, Beehive Basin Brewery, and Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. 

The Gallatin Riverhouse Grill offers a BBQ style menu with smoked meats, an assortment of sides, and burgers.  The BBQ mood is set as you get a whiff of the smoke pulling into the parking lot!  While inside, we all love the arcade games, ping pong, and billiards as entertainment options while waiting for food.  It is a great way to stash away the devices and engage in some healthy competition!  

Lone Peak Brewery and Beehive Basin Brewery speak for themselves as a great way for adults to savor some local brews!  Additionally, Lone Peak Brewery has root beer on tap for the kids.

Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. is always a great family option!  We enjoyed the pizza but don’t be fooled by the name because they also offer other Italian entrees.  The menu includes vegetarian and gluten free options as well.  

Although we have never visited Big Sky, Montana in the summer, we’ve heard the adventures are plentiful!  So, stuck on where to venture out for your next family vacation?  Consider “Big Sky Country!”

photo by the-ski-guru.com