If you crave huge mountains without huge crowds, head to cowboy country.
Big Sky Montana offers the most terrain in the US on one lift ticket, more than Vail. Yet only 2,000 visitors a day bomb down Big Sky's 21 lifts and 150 trails. Say goodbye to bloated lift lines and hello to epic first tracks on sweet, sweet powder.
Getting there: Fly into Bozeman, then take a 45-minute shuttle to the resort. Many bars and restaurants are at the base, and the others can usually be reached by shuttle bus.
Sleep: We love the relaxed yet refined Rainbow Ranch Lodge, a former fishing lodge (dating back to 1919) filled with leather couches, antler chandeliers and a blazing fireplace.
Get rustic in a log cabin with fireplace at 320 Guest Ranch, or combine ease with luxury at the Summit at Big Sky on the mountain, home to a swimming pool-sized hot tub, gorgeous views, and three high-capacity lifts all within 100 yards.
Apres Ski: Stay on the mountain for drinks and live music at Whiskey Jack's and Chet's Bar & Grill (nightly poker games here, too). Booze it up with the locals at Black Bear Bar & Grill.
Eat: Welcome to meat country. Sink your chompers into elk, deer and buffalo at Buck's T-4 Lodge, a few miles outside of Big Sky.
Or head to Rainbow Ranch Lodge, one of the best dining experiences in the Rockies. Try the Gorgonzola-crusted, bone-in buffalo rib eye or red-wine-braised Montana lamb shank.
Bugaboo Cafe serves up tasty comfort food and is great for lunch or dinner. Or for a truly Big Sky dining experience, Moonlight Dinners will cart you in a Sno-Cat halfway up the mountain for a meal in a yurt.
Nightlife: Let's be blunt: You don't come to Big Sky for chandelier-swinging nightlife. Want assured late-night fun? Bring your own crew.
The Rundown contributed to this report.
