If you’re looking for a hotel that puts you in the heart of Big Sky Resort, The Summit Hotel is hard to beat. I’ll be sharing more of our favorite things to do during a Big Sky summer in another feature. This review is all about helping you decide where to stay.
This ski-in/ski-out property offers excellent access to the slopes in winter and is just as appealing during the summer season. Staying here means you can walk to nearly every attraction in Mountain Village while enjoying what is arguably the best pool and hot tub complex in the resort’s main base area.
Why We Chose The Summit
Yes, there are more luxurious options for hotels at Big Sky. The Montage Big Sky over in the Spanish Peaks, and the newest addition, the One&Only Big Sky, offer more high-end amenities. But for most families visiting Big Sky, The Summit offers a central location and well-appointed suites that makes the entire vacation feel effortless.
Down in Town Center (about a 15 minute drive), there’s the Wilson Hotel, a Marriott Residence Inn property. While it has nice amenities, The Summit is the hands-down choice if you want a true on-mountain experience.
We spent three nights here during Big Sky’s summer kickoff. From mid-June through mid-September, the resort is fully operational. Being able to walk to restaurants, shops, the Explorer Gondola, and mountain bike rentals completely changes the experience. When our each day’s adventure was done, we loved returning to a comfortable home base for a hot shower, comfy bed and space to spread out.
Down in Town Center, there’s the Wilson Hotel, a Marriott Residence Inn property. While it has nice amenities, The Summit is the hands-down choice if you want a true on-mountain experience.
Fresh Mountain Style
The Summit operates as a condo-style hotel. Most of the units are individually owned. The owners then put the units into the rental pool to make a rental income. As a guest, you’d never know these units are privately owned. Unlike an Airbnb or VRBO there are no knickknacks or personal items in each unit. We saw a listing for a 3-bedroom property priced a little over $1 million dollars. But if you are looking to become an owner, make sure you do your research, in addition to the cost of the property, there are annual fees. These fees help staff the hotel and take care of repairs and upkeep. The property was recently renovated, and the lobby now feels polished and mountain chic. This expensive upgrade was paid for by the owners. As a guest, you get to benefit from the investment without having to spend millions.
Many resorts wait far too long before upgrading on-mountain properties. The Summit was smart to get ahead of the trend to lighten up. They’ve done away with heavy leather and wood and added loads of light and softer fabrics. They wisely kept the iconic Western-inspired light fixture as the centerpiece of the two-story lobby while updating the seating areas below. The fireplace creates a cozy gathering space, and guests can help themselves to Nespresso coffee throughout the day.
Montana hospitality is real, and the staff is exceptionally well trained. Everyone we encountered was eager to help, although it’s surprisingly rare to meet someone actually born in Montana working at the resort.
Spacious Suites That Feel Like Home
The renovated interiors are carried into all the units in the hotel. The hotel upgraded everything so guests will have a rooms that are reliable cared for. The new rooms are lighter and more refined, with streamlined furniture and softer colors that make the rooms feel noticeably more upscale. That said, let’s be clear—this isn’t the Montage. Instead, what you get is a highly functional condo-style suite that’s perfect for families.
Our mountain-view king suite featured a generous living area (with a sleeper sofa) and a full kitchen. There were plenty of hooks to hang all our outdoor gear and we loved the gas fireplace. One evening we picked up fresh local trout and asparagus from Roxy’s Market in Town Center—about 15 minutes away—and cooked dinner in the room with ease.
Small Touches That Make a Difference
One of our favorite surprises was waiting in the room when we arrived.
A pair of miniature martini glasses came with a note inviting us to redeem them downstairs for the hotel’s signature strawberry martini. Our bartender happily poured the drinks into plastic cups so we could enjoy them poolside.
It’s a small detail, but one that immediately made us feel welcomed.
The Best Pool at Big Sky
The outdoor pool area is one of The Summit’s biggest selling points. The heated pool stays open year-round. It’s wonderful after a day on the mountain, although during the summer younger kids may find the water a little too warm for extended swimming.
While soaking with our cocktails, we spotted deer wandering nearby, and staff told us bear sightings from the deck aren’t uncommon.
Wellness Amenities
Most visitors will get plenty of exercise hiking and mountain biking (with access to both right off the lobby), but the fitness center is an excellent addition. It features modern equipment, lots of natural light, and plenty of room to stretch.
The renovation also introduced a hydrotherapy area with a salt sauna, cold shower, and heated bench, allowing guests to create their own spa circuit. The locker rooms and showers are equally impressive.
Thoughtful Extras
A few additional amenities really stood out. The complimentary guest laundry is surprisingly generous. While many hotels offer laundry facilities, very few provide both free machines and complimentary detergent pods.
Another favorite? Fresh cookies and milk each afternoon. Whether we were returning from hiking or mountain biking, grabbing a warm lemon cookie quickly became part of our daily routine.
The boutique is also worth browsing. It’s stocked with high-end outdoor apparel, stylish après-ski clothing, and thoughtfully curated Montana gifts.
Great Food, Great Service
Service was consistently excellent throughout our stay. One afternoon we watched a World Cup match at the bar. The bartender knew exactly how to make my husband’s Aviation—a cocktail requiring crème de violette that often stumps less experienced bartenders—and my Negroni was perfectly balanced.
Don’t miss Carabiner Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, après drinks, and dinner. Make a point to enjoy at least one meal there during your stay.
The tuna poke and crab appetizer were standouts. As temperatures dropped behind the mountains, the staff quietly brought over blankets before we even had to ask, allowing us to linger comfortably outside.
One evening we picked up fresh local trout and asparagus from Roxy’s Market in Town Center—about 15 minutes away—and cooked dinner in the room with ease.
That said, don’t miss Carabiner Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, après drinks, and dinner. Make a point to enjoy at least one meal there during your stay.
Learn More on the Podcast
Listen to real estate expert Tallie share thoughts on buying a piece of Big Sky!
Why I’d Stay Here in Winter
Although we visited in summer, it’s easy to see why The Summit is so popular with skiers. Being able to walk downstairs, click into your skis, and return home for lunch or après without getting in the car is a huge advantage. Families, especially those with younger children, will appreciate the convenience of staying right in Mountain Village.
Travel Planning Notes
In the summer, most visitors will bring a car (it’s not easy to get around without one). We used our car a few times to get to Yellowstone National Park, to head to rafting and to check out the town center. Drive time from the Bozeman Airport is about an hour and it’s pretty straightforward. In the winter, the roads can get tricky, it might pay to get a shuttle to the ski resort if you don’t plan on many sidequests.
Valet parking is available for $50 per day. While that initially seems expensive, the self-parking option isn’t especially convenient, particularly during ski season. The valet staff was consistently prompt and incredibly helpful, even recommending a great spot to grab breakfast before our drive to Yellowstone.
Final Thoughts
Aside from the updated finishes, excellent dining, and attentive service, The Summit’s biggest advantage is its location.
The hotel enjoys unobstructed mountain views while sitting in one of the quieter corners of Mountain Village. We were only steps from the Explorer Gondola, mountain bike rentals, hikes, restaurants, shops, and all of the village entertainment.
For families planning a trip to Big Sky—whether you’re visiting for ski season or summer adventures—The Summit is an easy recommendation. It combines the convenience of an on-mountain location with spacious accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and the kind of service that makes a vacation feel effortless. Book your stay on Expedia here.
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