When you consider “all-inclusive travel” you might picture a cocktail in hand by the pool. Although this remains a popular type of travel, another, very different genre of travel has long been all-inclusive. For the better part of a century, dude ranches have offered an immersive, inclusive experience designed to make you feel like a part of the family in a secluded part of the American West. What do these two visions share? A chance to truly relax on vacation without the calculations for hidden travel costs that add stress to your valuable time away.
Even amongst ranches, there is a wide range of inclusions that comprise the average stay. Some ranches include your accommodations and self-guided activities, but charge for guided activities, food and drink. Other experiences include nearly everything except hotel tax and tip. At Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, our all-inclusive rate is designed to include all aspects of the Montana lifestyle that are enjoyed by guests of all ages. As a ranch with both a family season and an adult-only season, this definition allows our pricing to encompass all the essentials that turn a vacation into an unforgettable and transformative experience.
Core Montana Ranch Activities and Inclusions
Hidden in a secluded valley in Montana, a stay at Mountain Sky is not like a normal hotel stay where you can stay for one or two nights. Your adults-only or family dude ranch package is part of a 5-night (spring or fall) or 7-night (summer) stay. It takes nearly a full week to take advantage of all the ranch vacation inclusions available, and stays are timed so that you can choose to visit at the same time each year. Some families have been visiting for decades and they find that this helps reduce the stress of hotel availability.
Lodging
As with any all-inclusive, the Mountain Sky guest ranch rate includes lodging. Each accommodation is a private cabin, chosen based on the number of guests in your group. Some cabins are freestanding and others are connected to one other cabin with a private entrance.
All-Inclusive Luxury Ranch Dining
Next, all meals are included. The dining experience at Mountain Sky is locally sourced and inspired. It also includes buffet experiences like breakfasts, three-to-four-course meals, and meal rides. The latter is both a meal and an adventure, where you hike, horseback ride, or take a van to a picturesque setting where you eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner cooked on the grill or open-flame.
Daily Horseback Riding & Montana Ranch Activities
Horseback riding is the backbone of ranch activities. The week is planned out so that there are varied opportunities to learn and become a more skilled rider. From arena lessons on day one to walking, trotting, and loping rides, to team penning, the working ranch experience and even meal rides, each included ride builds on your skills and allows you to cover a vast landscape across the ranch. Choose to take part in some or all activities without any additional charges.
Guided Experiences
Between sleep and meals, the experience is anything but a one-size-fits-all approach. Mountain Sky is an activity-inclusive experience. WIth dozens of included activities, you and your family members or friends can customize your itineraries without adding costs. Daily guided yoga, hiking, archery, challenge course, and fly fishing allows guests to try everything and return when an activity inspires them. Many “all-inclusive” guest ranches only include self-guided hiking, but require an additional fee with a guide. The team at Mountain Sky believes that yoga, hiking, and target sports are part of the Montana experience and are best done with the help of a knowledgeable guide.
Championship Golf Course
Rising Sun Golf Course is an 18-hole Johnny Miller-designed golf course that is entirely included in your stay. Sign up to golf as many days as you would like outside of arrival and departure days and test your skills on the driving range, with instruction or without, and at your own pace. Since it’s included, there are no tee times, each guest can tailor their golf experience to their desires. A golf shuttle departs twice daily and guests are welcome to use their own transportation to golf at their leisure after notifying the front desk.
“Golf being included was a plus & the course is breathtaking. Highly recommend Mountain Sky if you are looking for a high-end ranch experience that is top of the line!” ~ Eileen D, TripAdvisor
Kids Programs for Family Dude Ranch Packages
During the summer season, we welcome families that often comprise many generations. Our kids program allows parents with kids and teens to ensure that there will be activities included that interest their children. Kids enjoy the pool, play splash ball, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, play pretend in Beartown, dress up, and challenge each other in a game of stealth. Many great friendships start in our kids program and are rekindled each summer when families return.
Self-Guided Fun
Mountain Sky also has options for self-guided fun. The grotto, Serenity Room, fitness center can be enjoyed on your own schedule from 9 to 6 daily. The heated swimming pool and hot tub are available from early morning through the evening. In addition, tennis, table tennis, soccer, basketball, pool volleyball, frisbee, disc golf, bocce, horseshoes, and board and card games are available at your leisure.
Montana Culture
Cultural experiences are an important part of the Mountain Sky inclusions. Each week there is a dance night that includes line and country dance lessons with live music provided by a local band. On arrival day, there is also a welcome night where guests can opt to play a friendly game of dodgeball.
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Rates: Understanding Your Add-Ons
A guest can visit Mountain Sky without needing to pay for any additional options. The add-ons are designed to be things that can enhance your experience, but are not always used by all guests.
Alcoholic beverages are an additional charge. There is an on-site saloon located in the lodge where guests can enjoy non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages.
- The Wellness Center, including the fitness facility, pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and the grotto are included. Spa treatments are an additional fee and can be scheduled in advance or upon arrival.
- Clay pigeons are provided free of charge, but ammunition must be purchased for the activity. This allows guests to adjust their shooting experience to be as long or short as they like. First-time visitors to the gun range may only want to shoot for a few minutes, while aficionados can choose to hone their skills and pay for more ammunition for a longer clay shooting session.
- Off-property excursions are also available during a weeklong stay. Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is a National Park Concessionaire. The fee for a Yellowstone Park tour includes transportation, external guides, and park fees. In addition, whitewater rafting and fly fishing excursions on neighboring Big Creek require additional outfitters, transportation, and advanced planning and are available along with a per person excursion fee.
- Other additional costs include an 8% Montana Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax on the lodging portion of your stay, airport transportation, gift shop purchases, and a 9% service charge.
Comparing the “All-Inclusive” Labels
When choosing a guest ranch stay, inclusions can vary. Some glamping resorts function as an a la carte destination where lodging is included but guided activities like rappelling, horseback rides, and fly fishing are extra. With these ranches, it’s important to add that additional cost in for activities before comparing prices.
Ultra-inclusive resorts might include alcohol and off-property excursions, but will likely start at a significantly higher price point.
While most guest ranches include lodging and some food, Mountain Sky’s approach is activity-inclusive as well. For a family or couple with varied interests, this ensures everyone has full days and a plethora of experiences to choose from with the option to pay for very specific enhancements like alcohol and spa treatments. Guests can choose their own adventure, with the ever-present option to just relax in place of an activity without worrying about cancellation fees. The inclusions reduce the stress of on-the-spot decision-making.
Transparent Pricing: Say Goodbye to Hidden Travel Costs
An all-inclusive luxury ranch experience should give you peace of mind without feeling surprised by added costs. With any resort, lodging taxes and tipping is likely a cost you’ll incur, but it’s always important to understand the full costs and ask before you travel. When contacting Mountain Sky, our associates are available to answer all your questions to ensure that the cost is transparent.
If you’re in the process of choosing an all-inclusive guest ranch, be sure to check that the experiences you and your group love are included or within your budget if they incur additional fees.
If your goals are daily riding and a myriad of ways to enjoy nature for your entire group, then Mountain Sky is likely the right fit for you. Each guest becomes a part of the Mountain Sky family and that starts with being comfortable from the first call to the farewell.
“Mountain Sky makes this vacation hassle-free with access to laundry, bountiful food, cozy robes, walkable upper ranch, shuttles to lower ranch, variety of activities, and cash free/wallet free experience.” ~Jilly B, TripAdvisor
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does “all-inclusive” at Mountain Sky include alcohol?
A: No. While all gourmet meals are included in the package rate, alcoholic beverages from the saloon and gift shop purchases are billed separately. However, guests are typically welcome to enjoy their own wine or spirits in their cabins.
Q: Are off-ranch excursions like Yellowstone tours included in the rate?
A: Generally, no. Activities that take you off the property, such as guided tours of Yellowstone National Park, guided fly fishing off-site or whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River, involve third-party logistics or dedicated guides and are considered add-ons.
Q: How does Mountain Sky’s riding policy differ from other ranches?
A: Unlike some resorts that charge per ride, Mountain Sky’s “all-inclusive” rate covers daily horseback riding. This allows guests to ride daily and progress through different skill levels without worrying about accumulating extra fees.
