It’s an exciting time for skiing at boarding at Montana’s legendary Big Sky Resort, which celebrates 50 years of operation, with a new sky tram now whisking powderhounds up the mountain quicker than ever before.

Exactly 50 years and four days from Big Sky Resort’s inaugural opening day in 1973, the new Lone Peak Tram began carrying guests to the resort’s 11,166-foot summit in mid-December.

The new tram is a complete replacement of the original jig-back gondola built in 1995 and this state-of-the-art aerial tram technology is newly routed to carry more passengers spaciously up 2,142 vertical feet in just under five minutes.

According to Big Sky Resort President and CEO, Taylor Middleton, the Lone Peak Tram is an engineering marvel positioned to serve as a gateway to experience one of North America’s most spectacular summits on Lone Mountain.

“The original tram opened the high alpine terrain of Lone Mountain to skiers and riders, and the new tram is symbolic of the experiential transformation we are endeavouring to accomplish through our Big Sky 2025 vision,” Middleton said.

“This world-class summit experience is now serviced by a modern tram that will open up possibilities never contemplated until now, in both winter and summer.”

After two years of construction and many more years of planning, the new Lone Peak Tram marks a significant milestone in the resort’s 50th year.

Middleton said it allows for completely new ways to enjoy skiing the mountain’s high alpine eastern and southern exposures and will open up countless other experiences yet to be unveiled.

“The tram complex will evolve in the years ahead, with the addition of a breathtaking observation experience planned at the upper terminal in both the winter and summer season,” Middleton said.

“Plans for the tram also include an architecturally stunning lower terminal enclosure and a mountaintop food and beverage facility housed in the old top terminal of the original tram.”

The new Lone Peak Tram is part of a base-to-summit lift network that will more fully come to life by the end of the decade, starting with the addition of the Explorer Gondola, scheduled to open for winter 25/26.

This new lift network will create improved access to the resort’s premier learning terrain, accessible to pedestrians for the first time ever, and complemented with new food and beverage experiences.

ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO BOZEMAN, MONTANA

The best way of getting to Bozeman in comfort and style.

United’s brilliant Polaris Business Class cabin

WAYFARER recommends flying to Bozeman, Montana on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world.

Book a ticket on the long-haul sector in United’s Polaris Business Class cabin, which features flatbed seats, pyjamas (on flights over 12 hours), all-new Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and onboard amenities from Therabody – including a kit that features an eye serum, face spray, hand cream and cleansing towelette exclusive to United customers – alongside fantastic inflight food and drinks (including an a new, brilliant wine menu), premium noise-reducing headphones and fantastic inflight hospitality.

It’s an exciting time for United, with the carrier dramatically increasing Australian services and debuting new United Clubs across the network.