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Montage Big Sky Debuts New Mountain Homes In Time For Ski Season

Montage Big Sky announces its new collection of signature Mountain Homes as an expansion of its residential portfolio. Located within the resort’s 3,530 acres of private forested mountain landscape, Montage Big Sky’s newest residences offer owners and guests an unparalleled experience in one of the country’s most exclusive and pristine wilderness regions.

“The Mountain Homes are an exciting and pivotal addition to the residential portfolio at Montage Big Sky,” says Tina Necrason, Executive Vice President of Residential, Montage International. “As part of our commitment to redefining the art of luxury stays and residential living, we are thrilled to debut these homes as an expansion that truly harnesses the natural beauty and adventure of Big Sky.”

Surrounded by Douglas Firs, Engelmann Spruces, and panoramic vistas of the Spanish Peaks, each of the 15 Mountain Homes is designed by the renowned team of architects at Poss Architecture & Planning, and is available in a choice of five-bedrooms with 5,320 sq. ft. of living space or six-bedrooms with 5,515 sq. ft. Select homes will be available as part of Montage Big Sky’s Residential Rental Program, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the privacy and comfort of a home while still experiencing the resort’s signature services, including dedicated management, housekeeping, concierge services, and more.

With triple-height floor-to-ceiling glass windows, sleek finishings, light oak hardwood floors, and bright white and cream hues woven throughout, intentional aesthetic elements celebrate the modern mountain lifestyle.  Each Mountain Home is designed with expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces that encourage families and friends to enjoy quality time together in an alpine setting.

Situated within the heart of the Spanish Peaks, owners and guests will enjoy direct ski-in, ski-out access, as well as the convenience of nearby hiking, biking, Nordic trails, and other outdoor adventures. After a day of exploration, they can return home to cozy up by the fire, unwind in the sauna, luxuriate in the outdoor jacuzzi, or prepare a meal in a full gourmet kitchen with premium appliances. Bedrooms are thoughtfully spread across multiple floors, including a master suite with a fireplace and private balcony, and offer options for king-sized or bunk bedding in each room. Additional features of the Mountain

Homes include a second living room and entertainment space with a full wet bar, an expansive laundry room, and a ski/mudroom equipped with lockers and boot dryers, offering every convenience for a perfect mountain retreat.

Mountain Home resident owners and guests will enjoy all the amenities of Montage Big Sky, from the expansive wellness services at the 11,000-square-foot Spa Montage with its tranquil indoor pool, to year-round outdoor pursuits with Compass Sports and unique on-site retail offerings. The resort also provides a wealth of dining experiences, including elegant Northern Italian cuisine at Cortina; craft cocktails, local brews, and live music at the lively Alpenglow; and family-friendly fun with bar games at Beartooth Pub & Rec.

For more information about the new Mountain Homes and residences at Montage Big Sky, please visitwww.montage.com/bigsky/accommodations/residences. To learn more about Montage Big Sky, please visit www.montage.com/bigsky/ and follow @montagebigsky.

Why Autumn Is The Perfect Time To Visit Big Sky, Montana

Burrowed in Montana’s Madison Mountain range, near Yellowstone National Park’s northwestern border, Big Sky is year-round destination full of exciting outdoor activities for folks of all ages. From skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, tubing, and snowmobiling in the snow-filled months to hiking, mountain biking, golfing, or white water rafting in the warmer seasons to marveling at the towering Lone Peak, which stretches 11,166 feet into the air, there’s much to do at Big Sky Resort and the surrounding area to keep your entire family entertained no matter what season. Autumn, however, is an extraordinary time to visit Big Sky. You’ll find that not only is the weather crisp and clear, but also, there are fewer crowds and plenty of special offers and packages during this shoulder season.

“Autumn is an especially awe-inspiring time to visit our destination, for those seeking a peaceful retreat amidst the tranquility of nature,” says Victorio Gonzalez, Montage Big Sky General Manager. “The air turns crisp, and the foliage begins its vibrant transformation, the pace of life slows, and the wildlife returns to the forefront of the land, allowing guests to fully immerse in Montana’s untamed beauty.”

The rooms are spacious and well designed, giving guests the opportunity to relax and sink into the mountain culture. Montage Big Sky

For comfortable luxury with a modern alpine feel, look no further than Montage Big Sky, where the spirit and character of the mountain west is alive and well. From eye-catching photography, found throughout the hotel and in the guest rooms, to ambient lighting and plush linens, fabrics, and furnishings, each of the 139 spacious guest rooms, suites, and residences are designed with nature’s palette of colors and natural materials.

Where to Eat

Enjoy sips and noshes at multiple places around the resort, including Backcast, a casual option for vacationers. Montage Big Sky

Dine at Cortina, for mouthwatering Italian fare, where you may order handmade pastas or something off of the wood-fired grill. Open for breakfast and dinner, this is the elevated spot to fill your belly before or after an adventurous activity in the outdoors.

Enjoy live music, bites, and inventive cocktails at Alpenglow, named after the lovely sunsets Big Sky is known for. An all-day menu is available to keep you satiated no matter what your vacation’s itinerary holds. Choose from bison tartare, cucumber soup, chicken schnitzel, caviar, or a number of other seasonal favorites.

Families love the ease and fun of Beartooth Pub & Rec, the perfect casual place for a game of bowling, darts, or pool. Be sure to sample a wood-fired pizza or giant pretzel while you play arcade games with your loved ones for the evening.

Other options in include the Wildflower Market for grab-and-go snacks and coffee; Backcast, for mountainside ambiance and imaginative fare; and in-room dining.

How to Save

Kids get to pick out their very own stuffed animal, a special on-arrival amenity. Montage Big Sky

Several packages and extra savings are offered during the fall season at Montage Big Sky. For example, for the Autumn Away Package, enjoy a complimentary fourth night, when you reserve three consecutive nights. For the Advance Purchase package, reserve your vacation 30 or more days in advance and enjoy discounted rates. The Spa Memories package includes a $200 daily spa credit, a $75 daily breakfast credit, and complimentary valet parking. The Discover Big Sky Package offers discounts for bike rentals, guided hikes, and archery.

The extra savings make this property the perfect basecamp for adventure before you head out to explore Big Sky or visit Yellowstone National Park. Plus, the the added benefit of fewer tourists this time of year really makes this a special experience for families.

What to Do

The large outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs provide perfect places to relax and enjoy some down time with your family in tow. Montage Big Sky

“The inherent solitude of this vast landscape creates a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere,” says Gonzalez. “The fall season at Yellowstone National Park is a hidden gem that offers a truly spectacular experience and prime viewing opportunities, without the elevated number of visitors that the park experiences in the summer months. Guests can enjoy a privately guided tour led by one of our expert naturalists and witness the famed rut season, where bison, elk, and other wildlife put on a dramatic display of dominance to attract their mates, a truly captivating time to observe animals in their natural habitat.”

When you’ve explore Big Sky and the surrounding area enough and are ready for some rest and relaxation, book a treatment at Spa Montage Big Sky. Make sure you give yourself extra time to enjoy the heated plunge pool, steam rooms, and exclusive indoor swimming pool. From body treatments to facial therapies to massages to skin care to sound therapies to couples’ treatments, there’s something for everyone here.

“Complement these moments with a cozy fireside nook to enjoy a warm beverage and a comforting meal featuring locally harvested fare at Cortina, leaving you rejuvenated and grounded in Montana’s natural beauty”, says Gonzalez.

How Big Sky, Montana Became The Hottest New Mountain Town

Residences at Montage Big Sky

After its much-celebrated opening in 2021, Montage Big Sky has doubled down on its coveted mountain hospitality with new residences. In addition to its 139 guest rooms, Montage now offers residences from two to six bedrooms available for short-term rentals. Many of these are two-story and come complete with expansive living spaces, outdoor patios, hot tubs, and fully equipped kitchens for entertaining and staying awhile. Located right in the heart of the hotel or a quick walk to the other side of the property (through an underground tunnel to stay warm in winter), the residences still have a luxury hotel feel and, of course, offer all the same amenities.

The Montage recently unveiled 14 free-standing Mountain Homes right next door to the main lodge. These state-of-the-art five- or six-bedroom homes are ideal for those who want to enjoy the best of mountain home ownership and the five-star hotel experience.

Best of all, the Montage Big Sky resort is conveniently at your fingertips, including its three signature restaurants, massive spa facilities, fitness center, daily yoga, event spaces, cozy lounge areas with sweeping views, daily curated live music, and impressive art collection of work by David Yarrow, Sperry Kane, and more. The hotel and residence alpine hospitality offerings pay homage to welcoming Montana culture. 

Nestled within the private Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, the hotel is a luxury hub for mountain activities in any season. It has direct access to the rest of the resort and all the amenities of its resort community, including an 18-hole golf course. 

For those wanting to make Montage Big Sky a more permanent investment, a purchase of a coveted residence also buys you an automatic membership to the neighboring Yellowstone Club, the famously posh 2,200-acre playground with rumored members including Bill Gates, Justin Timberlake, and more. 

Owning a residence at Montage Big Sky means enjoying all the state-of-the-art spaces including ski-in ski-out services, boot rooms, and private entrances.

To read the full article on Paper City Mag, click here.

Tom Weiskopf’s final design opens at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club

On July 1, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club opened its new Tom’s 10 golf course, designer and 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Tom Weiskopf’s final contribution to the sport before he passed away in August 2022.

The 10-hole par-3 course pays homage to Weiskopf’s favorite holes from around the world. A member of Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and resident of the Big Sky, Montana, community, Weiskopf designed the club’s original 18-hole championship course and, in his final years, collaborated with longtime partner Phil Smith of Phil Smith Designs on the new par-3 course.

With increasing membership and the opening of Montage Big Sky on its grounds, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club began looking at options for a new golf course in 2020. The effort was led by Ryan Blechta, senior director of grounds and mountain operations.

“Working with Tom on this course was such an incredible experience,” Blechta said. “From our first walk through the woods when he shared his vision till the last time he was on the site a week before his passing, I got to know Tom on not just a professional level, but a personal one, and will always cherish the time spent with him and his wife, Laurie. On behalf of the club, I’m proud to share this course with our members — I truly believe it kept Tom going in his final years.”

In Blechta’s time at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, Weiskopf had taken to visiting his office on occasion to talk. On one of these visits, Blechta told Weiskopf of the club’s desire to expand and Weiskopf said he knew the perfect location for a par-3 course, a 35-acre site where he liked to walk his dog among the timber, streams and wetlands. Soon, the two were scouting the site on foot with Weiskopf describing potential locations for tees and greens.

The club broke ground on the course in summer 2021. Weiskopf brought in Smith throughout the design and construction process. Smith worked for Weiskopf for many years and continued to partner with him after starting his own company. Frontier Golf was the primary contractor. Construction took three summers because of the complexity of the project and its elevation at over 7,000 feet.

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, Weiskopf was undergoing treatment during the initial design and construction of the course. In spring 2022, when his cancer returned, a second shaper was brought in to speed up the process. Weiskopf was able to work on the course until the week leading up to his passing in August 2022 and approved all but the final hole.

Spanish Peaks Mountain Club dedicated the course to Weiskopf with the name Tom’s 10 paying homage to the British Open winner’s favorite par-3 holes from around the world. Holes include the original 18th at the club, seventh at Pebble Beach, 18th at Loch Lomond, eighth at Royal Troon and 16th at Augusta National. Holes range from 90 to 161 yards and total 1,199 yards. The course has 200 feet of elevation change.

Unique features include a man-made half-acre pond stocked with over 1,000 westslope cutthroat trout — the state fish of Montana on hole 4 — a deep bunker at the front right of the fifth green set to Weiskopf’s 6-foot-3 height and an old log cabin from one of Weiskopf’s properties that was reassembled and converted into a comfort station filled with memorabilia from his career that was donated by his wife, Laurie.

“This new par-3 course really shows off the design principles we used throughout our time working together — It’s a throwback to a lot of fun things we’ve done in the past,” Smith said. “And it was very therapeutic for Tom. Because he lived nearby, he was able to keep his mind off his illness and give the project his personal attention. Being at Spanish Peaks from the inception of the original course till he couldn’t work anymore was such a gift. This final project is a direct reflection of his commitment to his craft.”

Tom’s 10 is open to members of Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and their guests.

Weiskopf’s final course opens in Montana

Experience the Majesty of Big Sky with Your Four-Legged Best Friend

Nestled in the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Big Sky, Montana, has been calling to winter enthusiasts seeking the ultimate skiing adventure for generations. Renowned for its expansive landscapes and the iconic Lone Peak, Big Sky visitors have plenty to see and do. Big Sky Resort is the largest ski resort in the United States, and offers skiers and snowboarders vast and varied terrain, a true winter wonderland for all skill levels.

Encompassing over 5,800 acres of skiable terrain and receiving an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches, Big Sky Resort is a haven for powder enthusiasts. But Big Sky boasts far more than just skiing and boarding, visitors can find unique adventures and experiences year-round!

Many of Big Sky’s outdoor adventures are perfect for bringing your four-legged family members along, who doesn’t love hiking with their dog? These Big Sky accommodations welcome your dog along for the adventure. From cozy mountain lodges to luxury alpine homes, these are the best dog friendly places to stay in Big Sky.

Aspects Big Sky

The new luxury rentals welcome your four-legged friends. Aspects Big Sky is a group of thoughtfully designed houses that sit on 6-acres of land featuring a sauna, fire pit and gorgeous 365 views. Signature homes come with a private out door hot tub. Each home sleeps up to 7 and includes everything, no worrying about doing chores before you leave like some other housing rentals! You can book one home for your Big Sky getaway, or you can book multiple for a memorable group travel experience.

The Wilson Hotel

Located in the Big Sky town center The Wilson Hotel offers convenience and luxury for guests visiting Big Sky. Take a dip in their outdoor heated pool or relax in the hot tub while you take in stunning views of Lone Peak Mountain. The Wilson Hotel offers guests a free shuttle to the base of the mountain for easy access to skiing and when you return for the day enjoy some après at the Wilson Bar! The Wilson welcomes dogs, you will find treats on the front desk for when you return from a walk.

320 Guest Ranch

Just 12 miles down the road from Big Sky, 320 Guest Ranch provide guests with a true retreat. Select from a variety of deluxe cabins for you, the family and your dog! Connect with nature on through one of the many activities offered right on-site including horseback riding, fly fishing, or sleigh rides in the winter. For those looking to ski and ride, Big Sky is just a short drive down the road!

Montage Big Sky

Offering ski-in/ ski-out convenience Montage Big Sky aims to wow guests with beauty and a luxury ski experience. Opened in 2021 the resort offers breath taking views of the Spanish Peaks Mountain range. Guests will find little reason to leave, everything they could need or want can be found at the resort, the 139 guest rooms offer modern design and comfort, there is a wide selection or world class dining, and the spa is the perfect place to unwind after participating in one of the many activities offered on-site like snowshoeing, skiing, and more. Montage welcomes your four-legged family members and will work with you to make sure your stay with them is comfortable and relaxing.

The Huntley Lodge

If you’re looking to stay as close to Mountain Village as possible with your dogs The Huntley Lodge is a great pick! The Huntley Lodge has a down-to-earth alpine feel to it and it’s convenience to the mountain cannot be beat. The Huntley Lodge is the original Big Sky Lodge, reimagined and refreshed for modern comfort. Select rooms are pet friendly so book early to make sure your furry friend can join in on the fun.

From Mauritius To Montana, Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Star Award Winners

The Only Five-Star Hotel Brand

Montage Big Sky, an alpine ski retreat in Southwestern Montana that opened in 2021, picked up its inaugural top rating. The win marked a Five-Star sweep for Montage Hotels & Resorts across its seven properties, giving it the title of the world’s only all-Five-Star hotel brand. The Montage collection spans from Bluffton, South Carolina, to Los Cabos with a strong presence on the West Coast with properties in Sonoma, Laguna Beach and Park City, Utah.

The U.S.-based company is a longtime luxury hospitality purveyor—it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 and boasts the longest-running Five-Star spa. California’s Spa Montage Laguna Beach was the first spa to earn the Five-Star distinction in 2005 and has maintained the rating ever since.

From Beantown to Big Sky

How CrossHarbor Capital’s Sam Byrne revitalized Yellowstone Club and realized a vision for the Big Sky we know and love today.

If you’ve spent much time in Big Sky, you might have run across the name Lone Mountain Land Company. It’s the outfit behind the development of Town Center, Moonlight Basin, and Spanish Peaks Mountain Club. You might also have heard the name CrossHarbor Capital, parent company of LMLC.

But how did a Boston-based private equity firm find its way to the wilds of Montana? And how did that event morph into the visionary community building of Lone Mountain Land Company?

Like so many good things in life, it started with a ski trip.

“I fell in love immediately. The ski experience was so extraordinary.”

Sam Byrne, Cofounder and Managing Partner at CrossHarbor Capital

The year was 2005, and CrossHarbor’s cofounder and managing partner Sam Byrne arrived at Yellowstone Club as the guest of a family friend. “I fell in love immediately,” he recalls. “The ski experience was so extraordinary.” It was also revelatory, because at the time so much attention in the premium ski market was directed toward the likes of Deer Valley in Utah, and Beaver Creek in Colorado. But Yellowstone Club’s 2,200 skiable acres (now 2,900 acres) surpassed both. Byrne likes to cite a comparison with Beaver Creek. Roughly the same size as Yellowstone Club, Beaver Creek does 1.1 million ski visits per year. Yellowstone Club does just more than 70,000.

Byrne enjoyed his visit to Yellowstone Club enough to become a member that same year. As the story goes, Sam’s wife, Traci, agreed to the membership… “as long as you promise you’ll never get involved.” Obviously, things changed.

Before we fast-forward to Byrne’s eventual purchase of Yellowstone Club, let’s rewind a moment. Byrne grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where his mom worked in real estate. When Byrne was 17, he filled in for an agent in his mother’s firm—and made a $1 million sale. From that point on, he was hooked. After graduating from Tufts University in 1986, he learned the ropes of restructuring bad loans for Bank of New England. By the age of 26, he had struck out on his own, starting CrossHarbor Capital Partners in 1992. The firm specialized in real estate, and Byrne had a particular affinity for structuring deals to acquire distressed properties. His passion for racing off-road vehicles and powder skiing are likely related to his career path. Sam Byrne likes calculated risks.

Yellowstone Club Rescue

In 2008, Yellowstone Club was in the midst of a messy bankruptcy. The principal owner had taken out a large loan, using the club as collateral. He was being sued by his limited partners and at the same time going through a divorce. The principal asset in the divorce? The overleveraged club.

Despite the financial troubles, of course, Yellowstone Club still had a lot going for it. The setting is one of a kind and the ski experience is too. But more than that, Byrne recognized that the Yellowstone Club needed to coexist with the larger community of Big Sky to thrive. The goal would be to tie the communities and infrastructure together with great people. Byrne never lost sight of that even while the YC was floundering. Remember, this is a person skilled in the art of buying distressed properties. “The more complicated and broken the better,” he says. “As a distressed investor, I have to have conviction around doing things when other people are fearful.”

In engineering the deal that would lead Yellowstone Club out of bankruptcy by July 2009, Byrne also pledged to provide $100 million in working capital. That cash infusion was what got the YC moving forward again.

“Byrne recognized that the Yellowstone Club needed to coexist with the larger community of Big Sky to thrive.”

Robert Earle Howells

Restoring Confidence

“When we brought the deal originally, Yellowstone Club was a huge consumer of capital,” Byrne recalls. “It was losing money hand over fist.” Not only that, but the club’s reputation had suffered greatly. “We didn’t expect to generate much revenue those first few years,” Byrne says. That was, in part, because he was committed to making good on the club’s debts. Again, rebuilding the club’s ties to greater Big Sky was paramount.

“Yellowstone Club couldn’t have had a worse reputation,” he says. “So many vendors hadn’t been paid. The club didn’t have good standing in the community. We knew that we wouldn’t succeed in bringing Yellowstone Club and the resort and the budding town together if we didn’t make those partners whole. The debt and ill will extended all over southwest Montana. We needed to build goodwill, not for monetary gain, but because that was and is a core tenet of who we are.”

“We needed to build goodwill, not for monetary gain, but because that was and is a core tenet of who we are.”

Sam Byrne

A key element of the bankruptcy plan was to deliver checks to every single creditor at 100 cents on the dollar. “We knew we couldn’t function in the community if we didn’t get that money to the people who had been working at and building the club,” he says. Byrne hand-delivered a number of those checks.

That “repair and rehabilitate” commitment was the first step to bring YC out of bankruptcy and into profitability and ongoing success. As such, Byrne and CrossHarbor were the driving forces behind the revitalization of Yellowstone Club, but Byrne emphasizes that it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the club’s original 260 members.

“I went to them and gave them all the right to co-invest in the deal. I said, ‘Listen, you have to be part of the solution here. If every one of you brings one great friend, we not only make the club better, but we get to the break-even operational standpoint.’”

With that, CrossHarbor moved into the next phase: product creation. Working with the club’s developer, Discovery Land Company, “We wanted to create ways to get people into custom homes in a very short period of time,” says Byrne. “We did a lot of market study work to create the best possible product.” The emphasis, and Byrne’s personal passion, was on the club’s one-of-a-kind skiing. Delivering the best possible ski experience meant investing in snowmaking, new lifts, a 30 percent expansion of skiable terrain, and everything necessary to nurture the club’s trademark offering: the ability to ski right up to a lift, get on immediately, and savor the mountain’s world-class snow.

But the restoration of Yellowstone Club required more than a cash infusion. It required a face. After so many years of chaos, the homeowners, members, employees, and contractors needed to see someone steering the ship. Between Mike Meldman from Discovery and Sam Byrne from CrossHarbor, the people in charge committed to being on site every weekend. For the first five or six years—nearly every weekend, every holiday, every school break—Sam Byrne and his family were on the ground in Big Sky.

That invest-and-reinvest strategy continues. “We added summer experiences and built a tremendous amount of infrastructure for retail and ski operations,” says Byrne. “That includes a $40 million event barn and performing arts center. But more than that, we were no longer an anonymous entity. We put forward a name and a face and the accountability that comes with it. From that point forward, I stopped looking at CrossHarbor, and later Lone Mountain Land Company, as developers of distressed properties, but as people helping to build neighborhoods and towns. We wanted to develop a sense of place. You do that by putting great people on the ground. ”

Today, Byrne looks back on that phase with pride: “The membership invested in our success both emotionally and financially. What I gave back to them was infrastructure they never expected. But probably more important than that, Yellowstone Club stopped feeling like an island separate from Big Sky. Instead of just a vacation getaway, it began to feel like home.”

Beyond The Club

Let the above story serve as preamble because it was just the beginning of CrossHarbor’s presence in Big Sky. “As we were building out Yellowstone Club,” says Byrne, “we saw the need for more amenities outside the gates: expanding airlift into Bozeman, getting a downtown built in Big Sky, building a hospital, developing community housing, connecting neighborhoods with trails, rehabilitating second-growth forest, protecting the water and the views… all of those needs led us to making significant additional investments in Big Sky.”

In looking beyond Yellowstone Club, Byrne once again recognized the need for a strong local face and presence. CrossHarbor had succeeded in engineering the renaissance of Yellowstone Club, but the shared vision for the broader community required a different kind of presence. CrossHarbor, which had purchased both Spanish Peaks and Moonlight Basin from bankruptcy in 2013, was and is a real estate investor, not a developer or marketer or community builder.

“In 2014, CrossHarbor created Lone Mountain Land Company to help guide thoughtful and sustainable development throughout Big Sky. That’s when we went from being investors and financiers to developers and community builders.”

Matt Kidd, LMLC Managing Director

In 2014, CrossHarbor created Lone Mountain Land Company to help guide thoughtful and sustainable development throughout Big Sky. It was, says LMLC Managing Director Matt Kidd, “a monumental step forward.” Kidd, who was already part of CrossHarbor’s Big Sky/Yellowstone Club team at the time says, “That’s when we went from being investors and financiers to developers and community builders. Yellowstone Club became part of the broader community, and Spanish Peaks and Moonlight Basin followed. That was good for the foundational investment over the long-term. But more importantly it’s good for Big Sky. Without those communities we don’t have the resources to build parks and hospitals.”

If real estate investors typically take a short-term view built around profit, as a community builder, Lone Mountain Land Company’s vision is something else entirely. “We take the long-term view,” says Kidd. “If we can help Big Sky grow as a community, then everyone benefits. There’s not a single challenge in Big Sky we’re not actively addressing.”

For Kidd, the formation of LMLC was also an opportunity to build a local team—and in the process become a local himself. “I had been with CrossHarbor since 2009, and in fact I was on a plane to Big Sky on my third day on the job. I’d never been to Montana before. But the first time I drove up the canyon, I knew Montana was going to change my life.

“I bought the first house that Lone Mountain built in Spanish Peaks,” he recalls. “By 2014, it was becoming clear that Big Sky would be my focus and my future.” Kidd and his family started living in Big Sky all summer and winter, but Kidd was still spending time in CrossHarbor’s Boston office. In 2019, he became a full-time Big Sky resident. “I live here and love living here. I devoted a huge amount of my personal and professional life to this place. I enjoy Montana. I drive my kids to baseball and soccer games just like every other Montana parent.”

Having witnessed how taking accountability and joining the community changed Yellowstone Club through Byrne’s initiative, Kidd set about building a Lone Mountain Land Company team of like-minded folks who would put Big Sky first because they too were raising kids and volunteering locally. “Today,” says Kidd, “Sam and I are just part of that team. Everyone at Lone Mountain Land Company takes accountability. We are committed to maintaining the qualities that make Big Sky special. We’re all-in. We live in the community we’re working in, so it’s natural for us to be stewards of the land, to always try to do the right thing.”

The ongoing development of Town Center is a clear example of this dedication, says Byrne: “We saw the community needed more food and beverage outlets, more retail activity, gathering places, and a community center, as well as community housing, conventional housing, and hotels.”

Looking back, Byrne acknowledges that getting to this point entailed many challenges, ranging from financing to public relations, and the simple fact that almost every project and advancement took longer than anticipated. But when he is out on the mountain with his family, he’s reminded of what drew him to Big Sky in the first place: what is now 9,000 acres of skiable terrain when you combine Big Sky Resort with the Yellowstone Club. “We will always deliver on the experience, on being the Augusta of skiing, and delivering an equivalent experience in summer. But now we’re also delivering on a dream that I didn’t originally envision. We aren’t just building world-class resort communities and infrastructure, we’re working with everyone in Big Sky to turn what was once a smattering of isolated developments into a hometown.”

“We aren’t just building world-class resort communities and infrastructure, we’re working with everyone in Big Sky to turn what was once a smattering of isolated developments into a hometown.”

Sam Byrne

 

The Tram Is Dead. Long Live The Tram.

After 27 years, the iconic Lone Peak Tram has been decommissioned, making way for its heir, which is also one of the boldest lifts in North America.

The most anticipated development in the North American ski world this winter is the grand opening of the new Lone Peak Tram, which will deliver more skiers (conditions dependent) and sightseers up the hill in faster and more comfortable cabins. The original tram changed the sport of skiing by ushering in a renaissance of steep skiing. The new iteration ensures the tradition lives on, while ramping up the quality of the experience. “When the first tram went in, our messaging was that Lone Peak was America’s Alp,” says Big Sky’s President and COO, Taylor Middleton. “When we took over operations of the Moonlight side, we celebrated the ‘Biggest Skiing in America.’ Both of those visions still hold true, but the new mission is to improve the quality of the ski experience for everyone. Nothing exemplifies that more than the new Lone Peak Tram.”

What it Means to “Manage to Snow Capacity.”

The original tram was small by design. John Kircher, the resort operator at the time, knew that skiers could safely enjoy the hairball terrain off Lone Peak, but he also knew that—in certain conditions—if too many skiers descended the same slopes the snow would bump up, get pushed down the hill, or burnish to a risky glaze under constant edging.

John Kircher passed away in 2023 from cancer. But although the new tram’s official capacity is 75 skiers—60 more than the old tram—don’t expect to see that many loading. That’s because the number of skiers allowed in each car moving forward won’t be determined by revenue models or some notion of customer service, but by what Taylor Middleton, Big Sky’s President and Chief Operating Officer calls “Snow Capacity.”

Although the tram’s official capacity is 75 skiers-60 more than the old tram-don’t expect to see that many loading.

Taylor, who is the only current Big Sky employee that was on the ground for the original installation, shares John Kircher’s vision: “When the original tram went in, people told us the terrain was too dangerous, the avalanche hazard too high,” says Middleton. “But working with our patrollers and snow safety teams we quickly figured it out. That management style will not change. We expect to load 25 skiers and 10 scenic riders per cabin on most days.”

“Setting up the tower cranes was the most difficult step in the entire installation.”

Chad Wilson, Big Sky Resort’s Vice President of Construction

Everything depends on mountain weather and mountain snow. If the wind is scouring the alpine, don’t plan on crowding into a full cabin. If winds are calm and the snow is chalky enough not to shear, it might be time to pile in. Tricky avalanche conditions? You’re going to have to wait. “Our team knows how to farm snow using snow fences, the right amount of skier compaction at the right time, and the right amount of avalanche control,” says Middleton. “We will have more skiers on the peak in good conditions, but we’ve accounted for that as well. You would never know it when the snowpack is deep, but we’ve excavated the switchback road in such a way that it will hold snow even in extended dry and windy conditions. The last thing anyone—even ski mountaineers—wants to encounter at these slope angles is what amounts to an icy groomer.”

“A Chinook helicopter’s max external payload is 28,000 pounds. But because thin air reduces lift, that’s not true at 12,000 feet…. We put these former military Chinook CH-47D helicopters on a weight loss program when we receive them.”

Brent Keeler, PJ Helicopters’ CH-47D Flight Program Manager

The Most Noble Way Possible