Gallatin & Madison Counties
Outdoor Kitchens, Decks & Patios for Big Sky Homes
An outdoor kitchen or deck in Big Sky spends most of the year under snow and still has to be ready for a summer that goes by fast. We build decks, grill islands, stone patios and fire features for mountain homes with both of those facts in mind.
The planning starts above the space, not on it. Where the roof sheds its snow, where the plow pile ends up and how steeply the ground falls away decide whether a deck or a patio belongs in a spot, and where a grill island can sit without being buried or crushed each winter.
Many Big Sky homes are second homes, so we also plan for owners who are not on site. That means regular updates through the build, materials chosen for low upkeep, and scheduling the ground work and stone for the part of the season when it can be done properly.
Local Conditions
What Changes for Decks & Outdoor Living in Big Sky
Roof shed and snow storage
Snow sliding off a steep metal roof can bury or damage anything below it. Decks, kitchens and fire features get placed out of the shed zone, or the roof above gets snow retention, and we decide where plowed and shoveled snow will go before anything is built.
Structure under a deep snowpack
A deck here carries snow for months, and a stone grill island on top of it adds a heavy, concentrated load. Framing, post layout and footings are sized for both, with the structural requirements worked out per project with the right professionals.
Steep lots and tight access
Many lots fall away hard from the house, and some can only be reached with smaller equipment. How stone, appliances and machines get to the back of the house, and where steps or retaining walls are needed, shape the plan from the first visit.
A kitchen that sits idle all winter
Counters have to shed water, any line to an outdoor sink has to be drainable or protected from freezing, and appliances need a way to be covered. On a house that may sit empty for weeks, those details are designed in rather than left for closing day.
Options That Fit
Decks & Outdoor Living We Build Around Big Sky
Outdoor Kitchens
Grill islands with gas, power and any water lines planned for a house that may sit empty through the winter.
Custom Decks
Decks framed for mountain snow, with railings that keep the view open.
Paver Patios & Walkways
Ground-level patios where the grade near the house allows, on a base built to stay flat through freeze-thaw.
Stone Masonry & Fire Features
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits in stone that suits mountain architecture.
Flagstone & Paver Staircases
Stone steps that tie a deck or patio to the slope below it.
Retaining Walls
Walls that cut level ground for a patio or kitchen out of a steep lot.
See every option on the Outdoor living page.
Big Sky Decks & Outdoor Living Questions
Can an outdoor kitchen go on a deck in Big Sky?
It can, but the deck has to be framed for it. A stone grill island is a heavy, concentrated load sitting under a heavy snow load, so the framing beneath it is planned for both from the start. Adding an island to an existing deck usually means checking and reinforcing what is underneath.
What happens to an outdoor kitchen over a Big Sky winter?
Stone and counters handle it well when they are built to shed water. Plumbing to a sink has to be drainable or freeze-protected, and appliances last longer under a cover. For a home that sits empty through the winter, we plan those steps so they are simple to do when you close up the house.
When should we start planning to build next summer?
Over the winter. The warm, dry window for concrete, base work and stone is short at this elevation, and appliances, utility routes and access all need to be settled before the ground thaws. Having the design done early is what lets site work start as soon as conditions allow.
Do you work on homes where the owners are not in Big Sky full time?
Yes, and many homes here are second homes. We keep owners updated through the build so decisions do not wait on a trip up the canyon, and we can talk through how the space should be closed up for winter.
Free Estimates & Measurements · Bozeman, MT
Let's walk your Big Sky property
Site visits and estimates are free. We'll tell you what the ground and the job actually call for, including when that is less than you expected.