The Rut Mountain Run

Big Sky Resort is a 5,800-acre (2,300 ha) ski resort located in southwestern Montana in Madison County, an hour south of Bozeman via U.S. Highway 191 in Big Sky, Montana. Big Sky Resort opened in late 1973. In October 2013, Big Sky Resort became the largest ski resort in the United States by land area with 5,800 acres (2,300 ha) and a vertical drop of 4,350 ft (1,326 m). In July 2013, Big Sky Resort acquired 200 acres (81 ha) on Spirit Mountain, previously a private ski mountain for Spanish Peaks members, which is accessible by chairlift. In October 2013, Big Sky Resort acquired the terrain and facilities of Moonlight Basin, a neighboring resort that shared the northern exposure of Lone Mountain.

The Rut 50K is part of The Rut race events held in Big Sky Resort, Montana, USA, three of which feature on the 2016 Skyrunner World Series. The challenging steep and technical 50K with 3,200m vertical climb, traverses exposed ridge lines and includes harrowing descents down steep scree slopes. The high point of the race is the Lone Peak summit at 3,403m altitude. The Rut Mountains Runs have become one of the most well attended and prestigious mountain running events in North America and the the third year in a row as part of the Skyrunner World Series. As a part of the Series, many of the best mountain runners in the word will yet again, be in attendance.