Lodging

« Back to Group Discussions

I was also thinking it would be good to get the rates into a Group thread.

 

For those with any connection to RCI timeshare, Lake Condos is at the edge of the Big Sky base village.  Ten minute walk or can take a shuttle that runs about every 30 minutes.  A Silver Crown resort that seems reasonable as reported by Bear who stayed there a few weeks ago.  The units are spacious.

 

Lots of VRBO options that aren't the base village.  The prices offered by Big Sky are quite good in comparison.

 

 

Good idea. Please feel free to start other threads as you see the need. 

For those interested in staying in Bozeman to start with, here is nolo's plan for a group deal there.

 

 

Sunday, March 24 -- Bridger Bowl

I will arrange for a room block and special rate Saturday & Sunday nights at the Grantree Hotel, which has a free shuttle to and from the airport and to and from Bridger Bowl, restaurant, casino, etc. There's a free bus to Big Sky from Bozeman that non drivers can ride Monday morning.

Change of plans. We're doing Bridger on Monday March 25. I just spoke to our contact at Bridger and she recommends we stay at La Quinta for the best deal, which is next to the Grantree, and has the complimentary airport shuttle service.  The Streamline buses go from Bozeman to Big Sky several times a day. 

What does that mean for March 24?  Are you thinking people would fly in on Sun, March 24, stay in Bozeman, then head to Big Sky?  How would they get from Bridger to Big Sky?  Or would those interested in skiing Big Sky on the weekend just find a way to get to Bridger as a day trip and not bother with a Bozeman hotel room?

 

I can understand the advantage of being at Bridger on a weekday instead of Sunday.

Correction: La Quinta is not next to the Grantree but about half a mile from the Grantree, just off the Interstate.

 

The way I figure it, people can fly in Sunday, take the airport shuttle to the hotel, stay the night, ski Bridger Monday, return to the hotel in Bozeman and stay the night, and either drive or take the Streamline bus to Big Sky in the morning. I would think that many will rent vehicles for their stay and carpooling will be an option. Staying two nights in Bozeman will a) get us a better rate at the hotel and 2) definitely be cheaper than staying at Big Sky. 

 

Of course, if the desire of the group is to head directly to Big Sky Monday afternoon after skiing, we can nix the idea of staying Bozeman Monday night. The drive is no big deal, absolutely beautiful and with good light at that time of year. You could check into your Big Sky digs by 6 p.m. easily.  

 

It's a logistical challenge to plan a group visit to these three areas, but even so, if I were planning a bucket list trip out west, I would add Jackson Hole and Targhee to either end and fly in/out Jackson Hole and Bozeman -- and rent a car. This is Big Sky Country: expect to do some driving. 

Certainly makes it cheaper for someone coming in on Sunday who wants a hotel room.  Could they get the same rate at the La Quinta for Sat night in Bozeman too?  In theory, could ski at Big Sky or Bridger on Sun from Bozeman . . . correct?

 

Personally, I usually get a car for trips out west.  I wanted a car for my first Bozeman trip a few months ago since I was in Bozeman to ski Bridger the weekend before and the weekend after a week at Big Sky.  Was meeting friends so sharing the cost made it pretty easy to justify.  Plus got lucky and there was a special deal about a month before.  About $250/week for a standard SUV.  At Big Sky, we had a condo in the valley, so although a free bus exists it was much more convenient to have a car for the 10-min drive to the Big Sky base.  Definitely opened up options for dinner out.

I'm sure the rate could be extended to either side of your stay, marznc. I have stayed at the Huntley and have never been disturbed by thin walls or noisy shenanigans, but that doesn't mean others haven't. Here are some other options: http://www.bigskyresort.com/lodging/index.asp

Thanks.  I'm hoping to get a timeshare week at Big Sky.  Thinking of driving up with a friend from SLC.

Anyone have comments about Cedar Creek?

http://www.bigskydestinations.com/lodging/property-p33780

We have also stayed at the Huntley - repeatedly - without serious complaints. The breakfast is indeed massive, but don't show up at 7:45 if you're interested in first chair. You need to be there closer to 7AM if that's your goal.

Lake Condos, the time share MarzNC mentions, are very nice, roomy, with an outdoor pool and hot tub, right by the lake (surprise!) at the entrance to Mountain Village off the Spur Rd. Arrowhead and Beaverhead Condos, two VRBO condos, are the only ski-in/ski-out accommodations, besides hotels, available at Big Sky. Some of the Big Horn condos are (via a poma) but it is impossible to know which units.

Cedar Creek is in Moonlight Basin, about five minutes further up the Spur Rd (Lone Mt Trail) beyond Big Sky. They have a reputation for loud parties at night and management unwilling or unable to curtail the noise. I have no idea if that is true or not, any more than the "paper thin walls" complaint about the Huntley was.

I went to the link you provided and consulted DH and we suspect this ad refers to a complex within Big Sky on Sitting Bull Rd. If so, unsay, all of above: there are two Cedar Creek Condos and I have heard nothing, good or bad, about the one in Big Sky. It is too far away to walk to the lift in ski boots, but on the shuttle route.
Edited by skibearll - 9/10/12 at 12:29pm

When you say "shuttle access" do you mean the same shuttle as the Mountain Village parking lot (open tram) or the little buses that go all the way down to the condo developments in the valley?  As I remember, the buses were scheduled every 20-30 minutes so wouldn't want to just wander out to the bus stop without knowing when the next bus was coming.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) I meant the closed "Skyline" bus. The "shuttle" (sorry for the semantic error) also occasionally goes that far, but generally in the afternoons to drop passengers off: not regularly or reliably, and not for morning pick up.

There is a printed schedule for the Skyline bus (available from Guest Services and posted here and about) and it is reliable enough to time your trip out to the bus stop without having to wait there twenty minutes in hopes of catching it on the way by.

This is definitely one of the BIg Sky units in what they call the "Mountain Village."  From the resort map, I think that puts this Cedar Creek near the end of the  public parking lot that is serviced by the open tram.  Found this VRBO 2BR/2BA at Cedar Creek that says it's a 10-min walk to the center of the village and a 3-min walk to the parking lot: "There are also shuttles that make the rounds directly in front of the condo and/or to the main Big Sky parking lot (a 3 minute walk)."  That definitely sounds like the Skyline bus.

 

This 2BR/2BA condo is interesting because one bedroom has a full-size bunk bed that can sleep 4 adults in theory.  Also a private outdoor hot tub.

 

http://www.epicski.com/t/112082

I stayed at the Huntley a couple of nights in January 2006 and had no complaints.  I was also at Summit (brand new then) for 4 days in 2001 for the NASJA annual meeting.

I've stayed at the Lodge at Big Sky and liked it, but it was quite a while ago.  

VRBO condos are starting to book up for the last week of March, especially those that are relatively inexpensive ski in/out.  My deposit check was in the mail last week.    Just in time before someone else started asking about the condo my housemates and I picked out.

 

If you are checking out a condo/house, it's a good idea to ask for details about what type of beds are in which room.  A 3BR/3BA unit with twin beds or bunk beds is very different than a place with only one king or queen bed in two or three of the bedrooms.  Some places have high end air mattresses that can be added.  Note that a bunk bed doesn't necessarily only sleep two.  There are D/T that sleep three if two people share the double on the bottom and even double bed bunk beds that can sleep 4 in theory.

I'm thinking about joining everyone at Big Sky, but I wanted to see if anyone currently has an extra bed/seat in car for transportation.  I can book everything on my own, but I'm a cooperative type guy.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

Are you planning on flying into Bozeman?

Great question.  I think I will be flying into Bozeman, but it won't be until 11:30PM, so I'd take a van wherever there is an open bed for the week.  If there was a seat available back the following saturday anywhere, I could hitch a ride.

 

Thoughts?  Obviously, I'd be paying for all these seats and beds, but I'm throwing out feelers before setting up my own plans.  Thanks!

 

EDIT:  I don't think transportation is going to be a challenge at all based on the bus schedule.  Now I'm just looking for a spare bed before I book a hotel/room somewhere.  If I can get a firm availability, I should be able to confirm attendance by next week.  Thanks again!

Edited by --catfish - 10/18/12 at 1:16pm

Also, looking at the SkyLine bus page, I think they charge for Bozeman to BigSky.  It's really nominal though (5 roundtrip for $10).  Schedule looks to be pick-up to drop-off.  Maybe I missed something though.

As I remember from researching last year, not quite that simple if starting from the Bozeman airport  . . . which is NOT in Bozeman.  It's 55 miles from the airport to Big Sky.  Bozeman is 10 miles in the other direction from the little town of Belgrade, where the Gallatin Airport is located.  One of my ski buddies took the airport shuttle to Big Sky.  I think it was about $50 one way.  He flew in later so couldn't catch a ride with others in our little group.

 

If you fly into Bozeman and stay overnight there, I imagine someone will be able to give you a ride from Bridger after the ski day there on March 25.  Bridger is 20 miles from downtown Bozeman.

Hampton Inn has a free shuttle from airport to hotel.  Then the Bridger Bowl shuttle picks up right across the street.  After skiing on Monday, if someone has a seat, I can grab it with them.  However, if not, the SkyLine bust picks up near the university and takes 1.5 hours (based on last years winter schedule) to get down the the resort.

 

Taking a shuttle from the Bozeman airport a couple of years ago only took about an hour, but we went straight from the airport.  The bus makes a couple of stops.

 

The transportation doesn't seem to be the tricky part.  Now it's just finding someone with a bed or booking a hotel on my own.  Hoping someone steps up, otherwise, I'll be getting a place in the next week or so.  Thanks everyone!

The Gathermeister was going to arrange for a special rate at a Bozeman motel for that Sunday night.  I assume it will be one with a free airport shuttle.  But don't remember which one.

 

Seems like if you book a place on the Big Sky Gathering list with an extra bed, sooner or later you'll find a roommate.  I would think you can make a reservation that can be cancelled later if you find a bed with someone else instead.

Good point.

Hey Nolo or anyone... what's the best way to book lodging?  Looking through the Big Sky site, I'm getting $200-315 a night for Huntley for the Gathering dates.  Want to get this booked ASAP, so any help would be appreciated.

It's La Quinta: http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?ident=LQ6192&propId=6192

 

This hotel is located at the 7th Street off-ramp just a block from Griffin Drive, which is the right turn you will take to Rouse where you will turn left toward the Bridgers and continue 15 miles to Bridger Bowl. That's two turns from hotel to ski area. I'll call today and confirm the rate I was quoted last spring.