It’s Christmas All Year Round in This Magical Montana Town

Many elements can make up a "typical" Christmas. For the setting: thick layers of snow, evergreen trees giving the air a crisp scent, possible mountains in the background, or cars laden with gifts on the way to a friend or relative’s house. For the events: snowball fights, building snowmen, ice skating, drinking eggnog or hot chocolate (or for the adults, hot toddies and Irish coffees), cutting down a Christmas tree, and hanging decorations ... the list goes on and on.

However, at the core of most holidays is the idea of making memories. These memories, full of joy, are at the heart of the Christmas spirit. As one gets older, memories can become traditions, and the "year after year" element tends to blend with familiarity. But what if you could visit a town with unique Christmastime experiences to shake things up a bit? 

The town of Big Sky, Montana, tends to feel a bit like Christmas all year long. It’s a small, tight-knit community nestled deep in the Madison mountain range, only a short distance from the famous Yellowstone National Park. Trees of pine, spruce, and fir cover the hills and can be blanketed with snow for more than 75 percent of the year. The town borders a lake and is dwarfed by one dramatic mountain peak that bears a resemblance to Mount Crumpit from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Every year, the community hosts events that focus on raising money for the town, as well as for conservation. Events like outdoor music festivals, bull riding, racing (running and biking), Oktoberfest, Halloween festivals, and more, give the area a distinct homey feeling amidst the already cozy vibe given from the town’s general appearance. 

But, beyond appearance, there are dozens of activities to enjoy. Ever want to go dog sledding and live out your Alaska wilderness fantasy? You can do it here. Want your kids to visit with an actual reindeer? You can add that to your bucket list as well. There are also horse-drawn sleighs, hot springs, and copious dining opportunities available to round out the wonderland.

For those more active Christmas fans, try skiing, sledding, snowboarding, nordic skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, or ice skating. Then, there’s always a trip to Yellowstone National Park, where you can see wild bison with ice crusted on their fur and geysers like Old Faithful becoming even more dramatic than usual due to the larger amount of steam released.

Big Sky offers a postcard-perfect Christmas experience all year round, but truly shines during the winter months. As such, it’s a great place to visit when you’re looking for just a touch of holiday cheer, no matter the time of the year.

Have you ever visited Big Sky? What are some of your favorite things to do in the area? Let us know by filling out this nomination form. We'd love to hear from you. And if you are ready to start planning your own trip to Big Sky, Montana, make sure to try Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.