Hit the Slopes in Style in This Montana Ski Town

November 10, 2026 Vacationer Staff

From Friendsgiving to winter stargazing and Après All Day, this Montana location has everything you need for a magical ski season.

In Big Sky, Montana, where thousands of visitors arrive each winter to ski, many of the people who keep the resort town running spend Thanksgiving working or far from their families. Eight years ago, a community dinner was created to bring those people together. Today, Friendsgiving at The Wilson Hotel has grown into a beloved local tradition, welcoming an estimated 1,200 attendees in 2025.

On November 24, The Wilson Hotel, located in the heart of Big Sky’s Town Center, will host its eighth annual Friendsgiving, offering a complimentary Thanksgiving meal and community food drive. What began in 2018 as an effort to feed a few hundred community members working over the holiday now brings together seasonal employees, longtime residents, newcomers and people experiencing their first American Thanksgiving.

“Friendsgiving has become a meaningful tradition for our team and the Big Sky community,” said Mandy Hotovy, general manager of The Wilson. “The holidays are about coming together, and we love being able to open our doors and create a space where neighbors can share a meal, connect and celebrate living in Big Sky.”

Mandy has been involved with Friendsgiving since its inception, and the event offers a different perspective on life in one of Montana’s best-known mountain destinations: the people and community behind the tourism industry.

Beyond Thanksgiving, The Wilson offers a convenient home base for exploring this destination year-round mountain resort community, with restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment all just steps from the hotel. Its location is especially appealing during ski season, allowing guests to spend the day on the mountain and return to a walkable neighborhood for dinner, drinks, and après-ski.

The 129-suite Residence Inn by Marriott offers accommodations ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites, all with fully equipped kitchens. Guests also enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness center and ski storage.

Some highlights for winter 2026-27

Skiing and mountain access: Big Sky Resort is approximately six miles away, with complimentary seasonal shuttle service connecting guests to the mountain. The hotel also offers ski storage and access to equipment rentals, including in-suite fittings through Black Tie Ski Rentals.

Dining and après-ski: The Wilson’s Town Center location puts guests within walking distance of local restaurants and nightlife, including Block 3 Kitchen & Bar and Tips Up. Guests can also enjoy drinks at The Lobby Bar before heading out for the evening.

Holiday programming: The Wilson is celebrating the season with a full calendar of festive experiences. Throughout December, guests can enjoy a nightly hot cocoa bar from 4 to 8 p.m., while Après & Acoustics brings live music to the Lobby Lounge Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Additional holiday events include:

Dec. 12: Big Sky Christmas Stroll, with holiday markets, tree lightings and entertainment throughout Town Center.
Dec. 19: Guided winter stargazing at The Wilson, featuring winter constellations and warm seasonal drinks.
Dec. 20: Sip and Paint workshop led by a local artist.
Dec. 21: Gingerbread house making and a friendly competition, with creations displayed in the lobby.
Dec. 22-24: A holiday movie night, bingo and photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch.

Winter packages and offers: The Wilson also has several packages designed for ski season and extended stays, including:

Après All Day: Welcome beverages, Wilson souvenir cups with discounted draft refills and branded beanies.
Ikon Pass Holder: Savings of up to 15% on accommodations.
Gear Up & Stay: A $50 gift card to Eastslope Outfitters.
Taste of Block 3: A $50 nightly dining credit at Block 3 Kitchen & Bar.
Settle in to Big Sky: Special rates for stays of seven nights or longer, plus a local grocery gift card.

Beyond skiing, Big Sky offers opportunities for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and winter excursions into Yellowstone National Park.

The Wilson also has a strong connection to the local community. Its annual Friendsgiving celebration, which initially prompted my outreach, welcomed an estimated 1,200 attendees in 2025 and has become a holiday tradition for seasonal workers, residents and visitors.

You can explore the property and its current packages at thewilsonhotel.com.

Get the look: Velvet Eyewear

A great pair of sunglasses is essential to ski season. Whether you’re heading to Big Sky, Aspen, Vail, or Courchevel, Velvet Eyewear brings a touch of fashion sensibility to the chalet or resort.

Founded in 1999 by American optician and designer Cindy Hussey, Velvet is an eyewear brand with a distinctly feminine perspective. Drawing on decades of optical experience, Hussey has created a collection that combines flattering silhouettes, quality materials, thoughtful construction and a healthy dose of glamour. Her philosophy: eyewear should be designed with women in mind, considering the proportions of the female face rather than simply adapting traditionally unisex designs or head sizes.

That attention to fit and shape is one of Velvet’s biggest selling points. The brand offers an impressive range of silhouettes, from oversized and statement-making frames to classic aviators and sophisticated everyday styles. It also makes it easier to find the right pair by offering designs that suit different face shapes, including a dedicated selection for women with oval-shaped faces.

For the coming ski season, the new polarized collections deserve particular attention. The Amelia, Bonnie, and Dani styles, alongside the Fashion Aviators, offer plenty of choice for anyone looking to combine eye protection with serious fashion credentials. Amelia delivers a glamorous, versatile look, while Bonnie brings a polished take on classic eyewear. Dani has a more contemporary, confident personality, and the Fashion Aviators offer an enduringly chic interpretation of one of fashion’s most recognizable silhouettes.

The new polarized lenses are particularly appealing for winter escapes. Snow reflects considerable sunlight, and UV exposure increases at altitude, making proper eye protection important. Polarized lenses help reduce reflected glare, improve visual clarity and contrast, and make bright mountain conditions more comfortable. They are equally useful for sunny terrace lunches, mountain walks, scenic drives and long afternoons watching the world go by from an après-ski bar. Of course, for downhill skiing, dedicated ski goggles remain the better choice.

Velvet also deserves credit for recognizing that not all faces are created equal. Its collection includes frames specifically selected to flatter oval-shaped faces, making it easier to find a style that complements rather than overwhelms your features. It’s a thoughtful approach that reflects Hussey’s optical expertise and makes the shopping experience more personal.

Quality is another important part of the appeal. Velvet combines carefully considered materials, comfortable construction and specialist manufacturing with the sort of attention to detail that makes a pair of sunglasses feel like a proper wardrobe investment. The frames are designed to be lightweight and wearable, while the lens options and finishes provide the practical benefits expected of good-quality eyewear. Protective storage and cleaning accessories are also part of the package.

These are sunglasses designed to finish an outfit, whether that’s a beautifully tailored ski ensemble, a cashmere sweater and oversized coat or a more relaxed resort look. Because ski season is as much about looking fabulous as it is about getting out into the snow.