Big Sky Logistics Overview for 2027 IEEE Aerospace Attendees

2027 IEEE Aerospace Conference

The 2027 IEEE Aerospace Conference will be held March 6–13, 2027, at the Yellowstone Conference Center in Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Village. The conference venue, Huntley Lodge, Summit Hotel, restaurants, shops, and ski lifts are concentrated within the walkable resort village. Attendees staying in the Mountain Village generally will not need a vehicle for daily conference activities.

Recommended attendee plan

Transportation between Bozeman and Big Sky

Airport transportation should be reserved well in advance. The primary airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), approximately one hour north of Big Sky under normal conditions. Winter weather and traffic through Gallatin Canyon can increase the trip to 75–90 minutes or longer.

The conference organizers recommend the following options:

• Scheduled shared shuttles: Usually the most economical direct airport option. Big Sky Shuttle is currently advertising reserved seats for the 2026–27 winter season at $65 each way, subject to availability and change.
• Private shuttle, SUV, or van: Appropriate for groups, late arrivals, families, or attendees carrying ski equipment. Providers listed by the resort include Big Sky Shuttle, Karst Stage, Peak Shuttle, Alpine Shuttle, and several private-car services. Big Sky Shuttle and Karst offer conference discounts available through the registration process.

• Skyline Bus: Offers low-fare transportation between Bozeman and Big Sky, but it does not provide direct curbside service from the airport. An additional connection from BZN to a Bozeman stop is necessary, making this less convenient for travelers with luggage. The intercity route requires a modest fare; local travel within Big Sky is generally fare-free. Seating is first-come, first-served and can be limited. The final winter 2026–27 timetable should be consulted before relying on this service.

• See the resort’s current airport transportation directory.

• Rental car: While this might be considered, we would like to emphasize that the route from Bozeman to Big Sky can be dangerous due to heavy commuter traffic, winter ice, wildlife, and narrow canyon terrain. Rental cars should be winter-capable, preferably all-wheel or four-wheel drive with appropriate winter tires and snow chains.

Uber and Lyft should NOT be relied upon for travel to or within Big Sky.

Getting around Big Sky

Lodging outside Mountain Village should be selected only after confirming a practical conference transportation plan. Big Sky consists of several distinct areas:

Skyline provides free fixed-route service among portions of the Canyon area, Meadow Village, Town Center, and Mountain Village. Attendees should check operating hours carefully, especially for evening functions.

Parking

Most Big Sky Resort day parking is free, although close-in or premium parking may require payment or a reservation. Remote Mountain Village lots are served by resort parking shuttles, generally operating between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Do not plan to overnight park in those lots unless you verify this is okay. Snow removal and other maintenance should be expected.

Attendees driving to the conference should:

• Follow signs and parking-attendant directions upon arrival.
• Allow additional time on weekends, special events, and powder days.
• Avoid leaving vehicles overnight in resort day-use lots; overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
• Confirm parking arrangements directly with the hotel, since registered lodging guests may receive property-specific instructions. Your concierge is your best chance to get accurate on-site information.
• Check the resort’s online parking-status page before driving to Mountain Village.

Vehicles should be equipped for winter conditions. Montana Highway 191 and the mountain access road can be snowy or icy even when conditions in Bozeman appear clear.

Skiing and lift tickets

Big Sky offers diverse terrain for beginners and experts. Some of the more exposed terrain may require that avalanche beacons and other equipment are worn. Conference registration does not include a lift ticket. Conference attendees can purchase discounted lift tickets on the registration website with the provided link. The conference team is not responsible for your tickets. You can print your tickets on automated machines throughout the resort using the code provided upon purchase.

Current 2026–27 lift ticket options include:

• Date-specific full-day tickets
• Flexible multi-day products such as “2 of 3 days” and “3 of 4 days”
• Same-day afternoon tickets beginning at 12:30 p.m., when available
• The three- to seven-day Freestyle Pass
• Military and qualifying passholder discounts
• Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective access or benefits, subject to the terms of the individual pass. Note: Tram access is not included with the Ikon Pass.

Because conference sessions may limit skiing to selected days or afternoons, attendees should compare date-flexible multi-day tickets with individual full- or half-day tickets before purchasing. The resort presently permits eligible online products to be canceled for a refund until 48 hours before the start date, subject to its Easy Change terms.