Big Sky sets aside weekend for military appreciation

  • Published
BIG SKY, Mont. --  Big Sky Resort will host a military appreciation weekend Dec. 16-18 offering free skiing for active, reserve and retired military personnel as well as great deals on lodging.

Lodging specials are valid Dec. 16 and 17 and include $129 Huntley Lodge rooms, $159 one-bedroom Stillwater condos, $179 Summit Hotel rooms and $205 Shoshone Hotel rooms.

Free skiing will be offered both Saturday and Sunday for military members, and half-price skiing offered for their immediate family members as well.

The program, now entering its 10th year, has been successful each year with several hundred skiers and snowboarders visiting Big Sky providing overwhelming feedback. The program will also provide additional discounts on rentals and Snowsports School instruction.

"These folks sacrifice so much for all of us, we're proud to be in a position to help military personnel enjoy a weekend of skiing and riding at the resort with friends and family," said Meg O'Leary, director of sales and marketing. "This is just Big Sky's way of saying 'thanks' to all the men and women in the armed forces."

The event is open to all eligible Department of Defense identification card holders including active-duty personnel, guardsmen, reserve-duty personnel and retired members. Military officials will be able to simply present their military ID to ticket sales to collect their free lift tickets. Spouses and family members who present their official dependent status military ID will qualify for half-price lift tickets.

As always, children 10 and under ski for free at Big Sky Resort.

Military families will receive 25 percent off ski school group lessons by presenting their military IDs at the Snowsports School on the second level of the Snowcrest Lodge.

For members who want to explore the mountain on the newest equipment, Big Sky Ski Rental, located on the first floor of the Snowcrest Lodge, will offer 50 percent discounts on ski, boot and pole packages.

Those interested in reserving accommodations can call Big Sky Central Reservations at 1-800-548-4486. Upon checking in, mention the discount, and present their ID at the front desk.

Big Sky offers discounts to active military personnel throughout the season by providing full-day lift tickets at a $48 rate with a current military ID. All military spouses and family members receive a daily tickets for $74 with a current military dependant ID.

This program has been developed with the encouragement of Big Sky local Dick Fast, a retired Air Force officer, who currently works for the resort at the Snowsports School.