Every year Expedia, Hotels.com, and VRBO release their highly anticipated report identifying the top travel destinations for the coming year. The rankings are based on flight and accommodation searches, as well as sustainable tourism and destination management metrics.

This year, Big Sky, Montana, earned the coveted title of #1 Travel Destination for 2026.

A 92% Surge in Global Interest

According to Expedia Group’s annual Unpack ’26 Report, Big Sky saw an impressive 92% increase in search interest since 2024—placing it first among destinations worldwide. The report analyzed flight and accommodation searches from more than 24,000 travelers across 18 countries to identify the fastest-growing travel hotspots.

Long known for its world-class outdoor recreation, Big Sky has seen tremendous growth in recent years, fueled by continued investments in both infrastructure and luxury hospitality.

Unbeatable Amenities

With 5,850 skiable acres, 4,350 feet of vertical drop, and an average of 400 inches of annual snowfall, Big Sky Resort has long been a premier winter playground. Over the past nine years, twelve lift projects have been completed, making it the most technologically advanced lift system in North America.

The upcoming Explorer Gondola, debuting for the 2025/26 season, will further enhance mountain access, while the addition of an all-glass viewing platform atop the Lone Peak Tram will offer breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding peaks—and even a glimpse straight down through its glass floor. Scenic tram rides will be available year-round.

This November marks another milestone with the opening of the One&Only Moonlight Basin—the brand’s first resort in the United States. This new addition will redefine mountain luxury, offering ultra-premium hospitality experiences and direct gondola access to Big Sky Resort.

Building a Better Big Sky

New to this year’s Unpack ’26 Report is the Smart Travel Check, an accolade inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council’s framework for sustainable destination management. Big Sky earned this distinction for aligning with the WTTC’s six key actions for responsible tourism—an achievement that reflects the community’s long-standing commitment to sustainability.

Big Sky Resort’s parent company, Boyne Resorts, continues to lead with its ForeverProject initiative, launched in 2021, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Efforts include powering operations with 100% clean electricity, electrifying buildings and lifts, installing on-site renewable energy systems, and expanding composting and recycling programs.

Since its founding in 1973 by Chet Huntley and his wife, Tippy, Big Sky has evolved to meet the needs of the times—proving that growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Today, it stands as a shining example of how to expand responsibly while caring for people, place, and planet.