By David Heiling EBS contributor
BIG SKY – Big Sky Resort has done it again.
Big Sky’s illustrious resort was voted 2015 Best Family-Friendly Resort by onthesnow.com’s Visitor’s Choice Awards on Oct. 15. The recognition adds to Big Sky Resort’s collection of awards including VCAs for 2014 Best Terrain and the Best Overall Resort in 2013 and 2009.
Home to the “Biggest Skiing in America,” Big Sky has been in the national spotlight plenty in 2015. USA Today named Big Sky Resort in its top-10 secluded ski resorts, and SKI magazine ranked Big Sky second in Terrain Variety, sixth in Terrain Challenge and ninth in Scenery.
The Best Family-Friendly Resort designation falls in line with Big Sky’s family-friendly community. Sheila D’Amico, public relations manager at Big Sky Resort, said the award should bring new visitors to the area, boosting the local economy in the process.
“A lot of times [vacationers] want to go to what they know,” D’Amico said. “We want to show that we’re something new for them. Families who have always gone to Colorado or Utah and haven’t thought of Montana, I think this award will go a long way to bring some of those families … to Big Sky.”
Big Sky Resort is also family friendly in its low pricing for children. Young ones under the age of 10 ski free when staying in lodging booked through Big Sky Central Reservations. The Kids Club is open daily from 4-6 p.m., and gives children an opportunity to participate in organized activities and make friends while their parents have some free time.
“The whole community of Big Sky, including the resort, is very family oriented,” D’Amico said. “We all cater to kids. I think how Big Sky Resort separates itself from other places is that we are still a great resort that caters to children, yet we aren’t Disneyland.”
The publicity the award brings to Big Sky Resort should drive more traffic to the area, and D’Amico says once families arrive they won’t soon forget their experience.
“Families build memories,” she said. “Once they build memories, they want to relive those memories.”
