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Big Sky Gathering Dates & Prices

Poll Results: What's your preference for Big Sky Gathering dates?

Poll expired: Apr 10, 2012  
  • 23% (7)
    I would prefer the March 16-23 time frame and probably would attend
  • 3% (1)
    I would prefer the March 16-23 time frame but probably won't attend
  • 70% (21)
    I would prefer the March 23-28 time frame and probably would attend
  • 3% (1)
    I would prefer March 23-28 time frame but probably won't attend
30 Total Votes  
post #1 of 35
4/2/12 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 

 

I asked Big Sky to price two adjacent weeks. March 23 prices can be extended for those wishing to have a longer stay. Here's the data on both weeks:


March 23-28, 2013
 
HUNTLEY LODGE
guests per room 1       2       3       4       5       6
First Class(2 queens)   $140    165     190     215
Mtn. View (2 queens)    $150    175     200     225
Loft (3 queens)         $167    192     217     242     267     292
 
STILLWATER CONDOMINIUMS
Studio          (sleeps 2)      $127
1-bedroom        (sleeps 4-6)    $165
1-bedroom loft  (sleeps 4-6)    $214
2-bedroom       (sleeps 4-6)    $224
 
BIG HORN CONDOMINUMS
2-bedroom       (2-6 guests)    $285
3-bedroom       (4-8 guests)    $327
 
Lodging rates do not include 17% tax/service.  Huntley rate includes massive complimentary breakfast buffet.  
 
Lift tickets at this time will be $53 +3% tax per person, per day.
 
March 16-23, 2013
 
HUNTLEY LODGE
guests per room 1       2       3       4       5       6
First Class(2 queens)   $162    187     212     237
Mtn. View (2 queens)    $183    208     233     258
Loft (3 queens)         $222    247     272     297     322     347
 
STILLWATER CONDOMINIUMS
Studio          (sleeps 2)      $133
1-bedroom        (sleeps 4-6)    $176
1-bedroom loft  (sleeps 4-6)    $236
2-bedroom       (sleeps 4-6)    $247
 
BIG HORN CONDOMINUMS
2-bedroom       (2-6 guests)    $290
3-bedroom       (4-8 guests)    $388
 
Lodging rates do not include 17% tax/service.  Huntley rate includes massive complimentary breakfast buffet.  
 
Lift tickets at this time will be $59 +3% tax per person, per day.

Another consideration is: the later in the year the more likely some of the pros we'd like to attend and or be guides can get away from work. 

 

Once we set the dates, I'll contact Bridger and Moonlight to get ticket prices and we'll start a preliminary schedule. 

 

*The word "massive" is truth in advertising regarding the breakfast buffet at the Huntley Lodge. 

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post #2 of 35
4/2/12 at 1:45pm

Do they offer military prices on lift tickets? Just by the off chance that we might be able to go! Would dearly love to!

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post #3 of 35
4/2/12 at 1:59pm

They did when I was there 3yrs ago and their website shows they offered them this season as well.  Price was 50% off walk up rate.  But keep in mind the lift ticket prices Nolo mentions above are already heavily discounted, so it would not be 50% off the rate she mentions.

 

Big Sky is awesome, so try and make it if you can.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by contesstant View Post

Do they offer military prices on lift tickets? Just by the off chance that we might be able to go! Would dearly love to!



 

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post #4 of 35
4/2/12 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgiddyup View Post

They did when I was there 3yrs ago and their website shows they offered them this season as well.  Price was 50% off walk up rate.  But keep in mind the lift ticket prices Nolo mentions above are already heavily discounted, so it would not be 50% off the rate she mentions.

 

Big Sky is awesome, so try and make it if you can.
 



 

 

Great, thanks! And yes, I know it would be 50% off the walk-up ticket prices. 50% off the 50% off would be sweet, though ;)
 

 

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post #5 of 35
4/2/12 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nolo View Post

 

I asked Big Sky to price two adjacent weeks. March 23 prices can be extended for those wishing to have a longer stay. Here's the data on both weeks:


March 23-28, 2013
 
Lift tickets at this time will be $53 +3% tax per person, per day.
 
March 16-23, 2013
 
Lift tickets at this time will be $59 +3% tax per person, per day.

Another consideration is: the later in the year the more likely some of the pros we'd like to attend and or be guides can get away from work. 

 

Once we set the dates, I'll contact Bridger and Moonlight to get ticket prices and we'll start a preliminary schedule. 

 

*The word "massive" is truth in advertising regarding the breakfast buffet at the Huntley Lodge. 


In summary, the later week has lower rates for lodging by Big Sky and lift tickets.  Those who want to stay more than five days starting March 23 can get the Gathering rate for March 29 and later.  March 31 is Easter Sunday.

 

What happens next?

 

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post #6 of 35
4/2/12 at 5:33pm
Thread Starter 

We'll get some feedback on the information during this week and I'll make a decision next week. I added a poll to this thread. 

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post #7 of 35
4/2/12 at 5:36pm

Okay.  For me, March 23-28 is better.  Pretty serious about making it happen.  Hoping to talk a couple friends into going too.

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post #8 of 35
4/2/12 at 6:40pm

The later dates match my son's college break.  Hard to predict (especially about the future), but it'd be great if we both could go.

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post #9 of 35
4/3/12 at 1:50am

Put my vote in for the later time frame but I plan to be there regardless.  Either will work for me.

 

I typically attend a few 'gatherings' each year so sorting out the timing can get tricky.  This one has the advantage of getting sorted well in advance of the others so no conflicts to deal with.

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post #10 of 35
4/3/12 at 4:59am

Ditto what the freaq said...
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpfreaq View Post

Put my vote in for the later time frame but I plan to be there regardless.  Either will work for me.



 

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post #11 of 35
4/3/12 at 5:03am

The latter week for us. We will probably include a day to three at Jackson & Targhee on the way up. 

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post #12 of 35
4/3/12 at 5:33am

Just to be clear, March 23 is a Sat. and the G would officially end on Thurs March 29. For those like me, who need to be home during the Easter weekend, that works pretty well. 

 

Paging Snow Brown and the 7 dwarfs.....

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post #13 of 35
4/3/12 at 5:51am

you rang?

 

For me personally, either of those weeks is not great, so I have no vote. We'll just play it by ear.

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post #14 of 35
4/3/12 at 6:30am

the later the better.

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post #15 of 35
4/3/12 at 6:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post

the later the better.



I agree!! But this is entirely selfish for me . . .

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post #16 of 35
4/3/12 at 6:32pm

I didn't vote.

 

Took a look at Yellowstone loding calendar. They start closing the first weekend of March. So it doesn't make any difference in that neither week will work for me anyway.

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post #17 of 35
4/4/12 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 

at_nyc, I am planning to go to Yellowstone today. We're driving to from Bozeman to Gardiner (N Entrance to YNP) and planning to visit Mammoth Hot Springs and have a soak in the Boiling River. Then dinner at the Bistro in Livingston, if we can sneak in without a reservation. This is very do-able in a day. You'll see lots of bison, elk, and this time of year is ideal for raptor-watching, if you like that sort of thing. 

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post #18 of 35
4/4/12 at 7:48am

If Bridger is still on the radar for the gathering, might be wise to stay in Bozeman the night prior.  It's about 1.5 hrs to drive from Big Sky to Bridger Bowl - longer if there's snow on the roads.  Perhaps planning a bridger day at the very beginning of the gathering would make sense; upon arrival, spend one night in Bozeman (plenty of lodging available and much cheaper than Big Sky), ski Bridger the first day, then head to Big Sky that evening and check in.

 

Just a thought.

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post #19 of 35
4/4/12 at 7:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nolo View Post

...and this time of year is ideal for raptor-watching, if you like that sort of thing. 



Nolo, as you enter the paradise valley check out the high cliffs to the west just across the highway from the Pop Stand - tons of peregrine falcons nesting in the cliffs.  My girlfriend's father has been a falconer since age 10 and when lucky enough to get a permit, has rappelled down to their nests and harvested eggs to raise.  Great spot to sip beer outside and watch them fly!

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post #20 of 35
4/4/12 at 1:41pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolo View Post

 You'll see lots of bison, elk, and this time of year is ideal for raptor-watching, if you like that sort of thing. 


Like I said, I like "that sort of things". But I also like to watch the geysers. And xc skiing.

 

None of that is open after March 15. And in fact, all lodging closes on the first weekend. So only day trips are (potentially) offered. I have a suspicion operators are likely to be scaling back on their operation in March too.

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post #21 of 35
4/5/12 at 11:25am

I voted for the last weekend in the poll and now regret it.

The pictures of Yellowstone and a long desired trip to see the hotsprings in winter

over shadow the last week time frame.

I personally would come out a few days earlier to take advantage of the the park being open until 3/15.

 

I have never done a gathering, but am putting it in the vacation request column.

lcs

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post #22 of 35
4/9/12 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 

The poll expires today. Please vote, particularly if you intend to attend. Thanks!

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post #23 of 35
4/10/12 at 6:03am
Thread Starter 

I extended the poll one day, because the newsletter that went out this morning invites people to vote...

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post #24 of 35
4/11/12 at 8:05am
Thread Starter 

Here are the prices for March 3-10. There's limited availability as far as Huntley Lodging, because they're hosting a big aerospace conference that books 400+ rooms. Condos are available. 

 

March 3-10, 2013

 

HUNTLEY LODGE

guests per room               1              2              3              4              5              6

First Class(2 queens)      $197       222         247         272

Mtn. View (2 queens)    $207       232         257         282

Loft (3 queens)                 $254       279         304         329         354         379

 

STILLWATER CONDOMINIUMS

Studio          (sleeps 2)                     $174

1-bedroom        (sleeps 4-6)         $224

1-bedroom loft  (sleeps 4-6)       $196

2-bedroom       (sleeps 4-6)          $310

 

BIG HORN CONDOMINUMS

2-bedroom       (2-6 guests)          $328

3-bedroom       (4-8 guests)          $438

 

Add 17% tax/service.

 

Lift rates will be $63/day +3% tax.

 

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post #25 of 35
4/11/12 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 

Big Sky has four pricing tiers, and the three weeks we're discussing hit three of them (the highest priced tier is holiday season, not in the running). The biggest problem with the early week is availability of lodging. I got the pricing for the earlier week to answer the question about the cost difference between weeks. However, based on the poll results, unless there's some compelling reason not to, we will plan the Gathering to occur within the March 23-28 window, which is value season pricing and could be less than quoted. 

 

The cost of renting a bus to take the group to Bridger Bowl from Big Sky would be prohibitive. Much more cost effective would be to book lodging the first night at a hotel in Bozeman with free shuttle service both to and from the airport and the ski area -- preferably one with a lift ticket deal.  

 

Once again, I am sincerely sorry we can't make this trip perfect for everyone to attend, but given all the considerations, poll, prices, availability of guides, and ability of people who work in the industry to attend (including ski company reps), the choice is clear.

 

Mark your calendars -- we are going to be a-Gathering during the week of March 23-28, 2013! 

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post #26 of 35
4/11/12 at 9:15am

icon14.gif

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post #27 of 35
4/11/12 at 2:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nolo View Post

Mark your calendars -- we are going to be a-Gathering during the week of March 23-28, 2013! 


Already thinking of ways to get there!  Thanks for providing plenty of time to plan . . . and convince a few friends to join in the fun.

 

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post #28 of 35
4/12/12 at 3:56am

looking forward to it!  Thanks for all the leg work done already.  Gather Miesters do a ton of work to organize these events and I know its appreciated.  

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post #29 of 35
4/12/12 at 5:07am

High praise from a guy who knows all about LEG work right now  smile.gif
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Finndog View Post

looking forward to it!  Thanks for all the leg work done already.  Gather Miesters do a ton of work to organize these events and I know its appreciated.  



 

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post #30 of 35
4/12/12 at 6:29am


DOOHHH!  biggrin.gif
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by gregmerz View Post

High praise from a guy who knows all about LEG work right now  smile.gif
 



 



 

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