Lone Mountain Ranch

Sometimes a place has an excellent reputation but sits on its laurels and loses the excellence that built that reputation. That’s what happened here. I’m leaving this review because our experience at this upscale all inclusive resort was wildly inconsistent. The property is beautiful and the staff is kind, but the level of miscommunication and operational confusion was unlike anything I’ve experienced at this price point. A few of the major issues: • Serious health risk: The boxed lunches on our first days were unsafe for my diabetic brother and put him at risk of diabetic shock. These were the only meals available due to our scheduled activities. • Two different planners, both incorrect: • A “featured” restaurant they offered was actually closed. • We were booked for an activity that doesn’t start for another two weeks. • The sky lift was presented as available but wasn’t open. • Hot air balloon miscommunication: • The time we were given was wrong. • The balloon company had no record of our reservation. • We would have missed it entirely if I hadn’t reconfirmed repeatedly. • Itinerary changes without notice: • Our schedule was altered multiple times without anyone informing us. • Another guest in the lobby was having the exact same issues. There were many more problems beyond these. They did tell us an employee had sabotaged their system, but it would be impossible for that one person to have caused everything we experienced. Bottom line: We had a good time, and the place itself is beautiful. But when you compare the price to the actual experience, I could not justify the stay.

We recently stayed at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky for a family reunion with children ranging in age from 2 to 10, and it exceeded our expectations. The facilities are beautiful, the accommodations are first-class, and the entire property is exceptionally well maintained. The kids' program was outstanding and gave our younger family members a chance to enjoy a variety of activities while the adults had time to relax and explore. The staff throughout the ranch were friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. There is truly something for everyone. From outdoor activities and horseback riding to simply enjoying the stunning Montana scenery, every member of our family found plenty to do. Dining was also a highlight. The Horn & Cantle restaurant offered excellent food and service, making each meal a memorable experience. One of the highlights of our trip was the excursion to Yellowstone National Park, which was enjoyed by all generations of our family. It created memories we will be talking about for years. We would absolutely return and would likely visit a little later in the season so we could experience the local rodeo as well. Lone Mountain Ranch provided the perfect setting for a multigenerational family gathering, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable Western vacation.

We had a wonderful time at Lone Mountain Ranch! It was a real Montana experience that made us feel like locals. Instead of standard hotel rooms, you stay in beautiful log cabins that are cozy, quiet, and a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. Being able to reconnect with nature was such a treat, and even though it's only a few minutes from the heart of Big Sky & Big Sky Resort, the ranch still feels tucked away and private. The staff is incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to make our stay one of a kind. The food is 5-star across the board. The best part was the Omakase dinner at the Auric Room; all ranch guests get a pass to the club, so definitely don't skip that. The quality and the whole vibe there were outstanding. The service is sharp and the setting is unbeatable!

Very disappointed with our stay here. It didn't help that there was no snow at the resort itself so we could not cross country ski, it was a giant mud pit with loud ATV vehicles running around to bring people back and forth. In our cabin - Grayling - we felt like we were in a fishbowl - the ATV's go right past the windows. Also Grayling cabin was connected to Rainbow cabin and when our neighbors returned, we could hear every word they said. The Horn & Cantle restaurant was good - but overpriced. We had a nice dinner but For $1800 a night your stay should at least include breakfast. Our breakfast burritos were $100. I was able to go snowshoeing with a guide, which was a good experience. But having stayed at many luxury hotels and ranches, I can tell you this one is not worth the price - we ended up leaving a day early - $1800 down the drain.

I have stayed at LMR twice now and having communicated these challenges last time with no improvement my hope is that the owners of the this property - not the management - will take notice. This is a treasured property. It is one of the only properties in Montana with exquisite rooms, no tvs and a loving staff. Housekeeping and barn staff are stand-outs in the hospitality industry. However, there are so many misses, it's hard to return. LMR has a major F&B problem and also a significant front staff problem. I assume this stems from the GM because these people are genuinely incredible - they are dying to be trained well - and yet are left in the dust. The lack of communication among the Team makes for a tepid guest experience. Brass Tacks: Breakfast is included yet it is the SAME every day. Sugary yogurt, stale bread and the same scrambled eggs. Breakfast is a major miss at LMR - it could be full of life and healthy choices with fresh juices and Montana granola and huckleberries, etc. The staff is a mess in the morning, no soul, no greetings, barely there except to give you the check where you can add a tip. The front desk. Here are the phrases we heard many times: we're short staffed, I don't know, we're not here that early ( 9 am), oh, you didn't get your coffee?, I'll get someone else to help you, I don't know the computer, you should go to Ski Butlers to get your skis (we did, they are only a delivery service so had to run around town). One of our favorite things as a couple is the Cowboy Dinner Sleigh Ride. This time it was interrupted by a very loud - and I mean very - and very drunk guest at the table behind us. Except she wasn't a guest, she was the event planner for LMR! She had helped us before with a few things, but we were surprised that she would be permitted to get that drunk on property. Communication. No one told us you could have food delivered to the cabin (imagine how much more revenue Horn would make) in the two times we've visited. No one communicated the rules of the Speakeasy. No one told Yellowstone Dog Sledding that we would be there an hour after our time for a private booking. We emailed about a few things but because this person was off for a few days, never heard back. Shouldn't there be one shared email? The ice was so bad when we were there and NONE of the walk ways were scraped clean. It's so easy to make little paths. I get it. We live in MT - it's rugged. But to and from the cabins became perilous and so easy to fix. My fervent wish is that someone comes along like my husband and teaches these eager and friendly and lovely team members about hospitality, that someone gives LMR some consistency, some rules when it comes to staff, some coherence. It would be such a shame to see this beautiful place become a mere shadow of itself which is what is happening now. Even the local purveyors mentioned to us that LMR has high staff turn-around - and this usually stems from the top. I'm sorry to have to write this review and rarely do, but I love this ranch. If the above things wouldn't bother you, by all means, book it. Nothing is cozier than the LMR cabins, the property and the good energy there. If you want breakfast go to Cowboy Coffee, don't expect the Team to be tight on much and book your own adventures. Written with love for y'all, but $12k is a lot to spend for inconsistency.