Big Sky is a census-designated place in Gallatin and Madison counties in southwestern Montana. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,308. It is 45 miles southwest of Bozeman. This unincorporated community straddles both counties, is not considered a town, and does not have a town government. The primary industry of the area is tourism.Big Sky was the dream of television commentator Chet Huntley, a Montana native. Huntley spent his final years on the development of Big Sky. The name Big Sky comes from A. B. Guthrie’s popular 1947 novel. Construction began in 1971. The ski lifts, and a post office, opened in 1973.