Big Sky, Montana
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How Big Sky Became an Arts Destination.
“We could be life every other resort town, but we don’t have to be.” -Katie Alvin, Development Director of the Arts Council of Big Sky
In the fall of 2018, Waldazo—a majestic life-size bison assembled from a collection of donated iron—by Bozeman sculptor Kirsten Kainz was installed in Town Center’s Fire Pit Park. Waldazo challenges viewers to question America’s throw- away culture. Photograph by Nathan Peterson
In a mountain town like Big Sky, our attention is typically drawn to athleticism—skiing, biking, running, boating—or the natural world—summits bathed in alpenglow, chance encounters with wildlife, the night sky at elevation. In that environment, happening upon art unexpectedly breaks us from our routines. In a small way it puts us in an altered state of consciousness, which lowers the heart rate and allows for reflection. Public art is another way that Big Sky connects. When it comes to the arts, says Katie Alvin, Development Director of Arts Council of Big Sky, “we could be like every other resort town, but we don’t have to be.” In Big Sky, artwork doesn’t just exist in galleries, it’s woven into the fabric of the community. Here, stakeholders believe that art builds communities. Montana, in their world view, has the potential to become an arts destination, like Vail, Colorado, or Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In October of 2018, Big Sky became the first location in Montana to install an outdoor sculpture, Winter, by renowned Montana artist Deborah Butterfield. The recipient of multiple awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts and Guggenheim, Butterfield began crafting horse sculptures out of primitive mixed-media materials in the 1970s. Her love for the equine form has resulted in gallery showings across the country and her work has graced museums like The Whitney, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. Made in Butterfield’s Montana studio, Winter was created using driftwood gathered along the banks of the Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Madison rivers, then cast in bronze and patinaed to withstand the elements. Photograph courtesy of Arts Council of Big Sky
Beyond the economic value of art, its primary benefit is in improving the lives of residents, employees, and tourists. By showcasing the work of regional and local artists, public art, says Jesine Munson, Public Art and Outreach Coordinator for Arts Council of Big Sky, lets artists and citizens engage in conversations about Big Sky’s past, present, and future.
Having lived most of his life amidst the serene beauty of the Northwest, Brad Rude’s art pays homage to the natural world that surrounds his Walla Walla studio and home. From dogs to rhinos, Rude’s sculptures often challenge viewers to see the animal world in unconventional terms. Brad’s sculpture, To The Skyland, depicts a lone wolf, alert and in motion, as it leans forward into an unknown future assisted by red wheels and a walking stick. Look for the final To The Skyland across from Town Center Plaza in 2024. Photograph by Nathan Peterson
But public art doesn’t happen without private support. In Big Sky, the arts community forged partnerships to achieve its goals. As Big Sky’s largest property owner, Lone Mountain Land Company has emerged as a key proponent for marrying art and development. “They’ve engaged the community,” says Alvin. “Lone Mountain Land Company’s shared vision of a dedicated art corridor ensures locals and visitors see not only Big Sky’s physical beauty, but its cultural history, too.”
“Lone Mountain Land Company’s shared vision of a dedicated art corridor ensures locals and visitors see not only Big Sky’s physical beauty, but its cultural history, too.” -Katie Alvin, Development Director for Arts Council of Big Sky
Today, the curated public art installments in Big Sky equate to more than $1 million in artwork acquired by citizens through community campaigns, or secured through private donations by individuals and businesses. Big Sky now boasts 11 outdoor sculptures that reflect an eclectic mix of contemporary and natural themes. The Arts Council hopes people will stumble across sculptures—and pause to reflect.
From Vermont to California, Fleming’s work has created
a “space lace” that defies linear structure and norms. “My works hint at the co-existence of the mundane and the cosmological where two realities exist including the possibility that the past is also the present,” Fleming writes. “The structures are diagrams of thought that provide a glimpse of the strangeness beyond the everyday world; opening a place where thought becomes tangible, history leaves a trace, and information exhales form.” Located at the BASE Community Center, Lightning serves as a memorial to Anne Buchanan and other lives lived and lost. Photograph by Nathan Peterson
Big Sky now boasts 11 outdoor structures that reflect an eclectic mix of contemporary and natural themes.
Combined with the Arts Council’s renewed emphasis on education, interactive maps now make it easy to learn about the artists and selection process.
The goal, says Munson, is to “select engaging art that is different, that is interactive, that makes people think.”
“The goal is to select engaging art that is different, that is interactive, that makes people think.” -Jesine Munson, Public Art & Outreach Coordinator for Arts Council of Big Sky
There’s nothing static about Big Sky, the air, light, and seasons constantly shape-shift. It’s no surprise, then, that kinetic sculptor Pedro S. De Movellán’s work, Gibbous, was selected by the Arts Council of Big Sky to grace the roundabout on Huntley Drive and Town Center Avenue. A towering sculpture made of natural hardcoat anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and painted with a bright orange automobile paint, the work’s spherical shapes and movement mirror a gibbous moon fluctuating between half full and full. According to the Davidson Gallery that represents De Movellán, his ability to harness motion through air and wind gives his work a unique and ever-changing dynamic. Photograph by Nathan Peterson
Expect to see more such work soon. Artist Brad Rude’s accessible and engaging bronze sculpture, To The Skyland, will be installed on a walking path across from Town Center Plaza in 2024. A collaboration with the Gallatin River Task Force will result in a water education mural in the newly opened Pedestrian Tunnel. The work will both celebrate the importance of Big Sky’s waterways to the physical and mental health of the community, and at the same time interpret the river as impressionistic artwork. Meanwhile, future Pollinator Pathway gardens will connect art installations while also showcasing native species.
For more information about upcoming installations and art collaborations visit: bigskyarts.org.
YELLOWSTONE CLUB TURNS RECLAIMED WATER INTO SNOW
ACCORDING TO THE GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE, the most cost-effective and sustainable way to address drought and protect the Gallatin River is through water conservation. In Big Sky, every gallon of water saved or reused directly contributes to the health of the river and the watershed. That’s where snowmaking with reclaimed water comes in. Man-made snow boosts the snowpack, and because it is denser than natural snow, it delays runoff in the spring, helping to keep the watershed and aquifer healthy. The Yellowstone Club project, says Rich Chandler, Director of Environmental Operations for the YC, is about water conservation and the beneficial use of a scarce resource. Chandler also notes that man-made snow from reclaimed water is safe to ski and recreate on. This winter at the YC, another 35,000 linear feet of pipe with 66 different connections to snowmaking guns will take reclaimed water from the pond on top of the golf course to make snow on 55 skiable acres. That man-made snowpack will deliver a 25 million gallon benefit to the aquifer and watershed.
LONE MOUNTAIN LAND COMPANY AND MSU BRING A TEACHING HOTEL TO CAMPUS
The Montana State University campus in Bozeman, Montana, where the Marriott Tribute Hotel will be built to further students’ careers in hospitality. Photo by Joe Esenther
MONTANA IS BOOMING, but as fast as it’s growing, the state still experiences a brain drain when its college- educated youth leave in search of work. Montana State University’s Hospitality Management program and Lone Mountain Land Company hope to help change that by developing a campus “teaching hotel.” THE VIM will be a Marriott Tribute Hotel developed by LMLC on a 40-year land lease. The hotel’s name comes from the MSU Bobcat’s fight song: “We’ve got the vim, we’re here to win.” (In the old expression “vim and vigor, vim means energy or pluck.) Once THE VIM opens, students will work alongside seasoned hoteliers as they get hands-on training in hospitality management, culinary arts, marketing, engineering, design, retail, and construction. THE VIM is expected to break ground in late 2024 or early 2025. The clientele? Visiting faculty, students, parents, alumni, and donors. Aesthetically, the hotel will honor the historic architecture of the University and downtown Bozeman with brick facades and arched windows. A rooftop Alumni Club—with its private dining bar, hot tub, cold plunge, fitness center, sauna, and steam room—will serve as a philanthropy hub. There will be discounted rates available to welcome parents and students. “With a three-meal restaurant, cafe, marketplace, and official Bobcat-themed store, MSU will not only promote their brand, but offer classes that train kids to stay and become part of Montana’s driving economic force,” says LMLC’s Vice President of Planning and Development, Bayard Dominick.
BIG SKY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION GOES “ALL OUT” ON TRAILS AND PARKS
Biker riding one of the diverse BSCO trails.
Photograph by Tibor Nemeth
THIS PAST SUMMER, the Big Sky Community Organization (BSCO) celebrated its 25th anniversary and launched its “All Out for Parks & Trails Campaign’’ with the goal of serving residents and visitors alike. With this campaign, BSCO has three key initiatives: the creation of a new multi-use park for all ages and abilities; improving and expanding existing athletic fields and courts; and enhancing the existing trail network to ensure the safety and enjoyment of cyclists and pedestrians by building new multi-use recreational trails to meet increasing demand.
BSCO believes that community building happens through recreation. Expected to break ground in 2024 on land donated by LMLC in summer 2023, a new park will be constructed for the public off Ousel Falls Road which will repurpose six acres into a community hub. Initial plans show a dog park, lawn game area, picnic shelters, playground, and a full basketball court with a small plaza and seating. Cornhole boards with boulder seating, and a multi-use playing field suitable for everything from soccer to ultimate frisbee will round out the site. “The park will serve the entire population of Big Sky,” says BSCO CEO, Whitney Montgomery.
Existing parks will be modernized and receive a significant renovation, too. BSCO will expand the skate park and pump track to include a jump-line to practice skills. Existing athletic fields will be expanded and upgraded to provide a longer playing season, and a new adventure based, ADA accessible, playground designed for multiple ages and abilities will become a hangout for young families.
Other initiatives include adding 20 miles of multi-use recreational trails and improving in-town paths and trails to ensure a safer experience for pedestrians and cyclists. Ultimately, BSCO’s campaign will bring everyone in Big Sky “All Out”—connected, healthy, and thriving.
BIG SKY COMMUNITY PARTNERS FIND CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS
LAST SPRING, AS SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS COUNTED DOWN, many Big Sky families were struggling to find quality, affordable childcare for the summer months. In a poll conducted by the Big Sky Child Care Task Force, more than 35 families indicated a need for childcare for four to five-year- olds. Hannah Waterbury, Executive Director of Spanish Peaks Community Foundation says that although a lack of affordable childcare is a national and statewide issue, it particularly affects Big Sky residents. She notes that more than 96 percent of women who live in Big Sky work, and those with children spend $1,733 monthly—16 percent of their median income— on childcare. Moreover, says Waterbury, the 50 percent of Big Sky’s workforce that commutes also face a need for childcare. Montana is one of only a handful of states that does not offer public pre-kindergarten. And Big Sky has only one full-time, year-round childcare facility—Morningstar Learning Center. These collective challenges make it difficult for families to live in Big Sky. They also make it hard for businesses to retain middle management employees.
Recognizing the urgency, Big Sky’s private, philanthropic, and public entities joined forces. Employing spaces donated by Big Sky School District #72, the Lone Mountain Land Company, Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, and Yellowstone Club Community Foundation worked tirelessly to launch the Big Sky Summer Camp for preschoolers.
But that was just one piece of the puzzle. “When Lone Mountain Land Company became aware of the need for childcare, they stepped in to help,” says Waterbury.
Morningstar needed more resources. Applying for a Childcare Innovation and Infrastructure Grant, funded by The American Rescue Plan Act and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services was the best option. In order to receive the $1 million dollar grant, Morningstar needed a 10 percent corporate match. That’s where LMLC was able to help. While Morningstar only ended up receiving $413,904 of its request, LMLC still matched its $100,000 commitment. The funds were the next piece of the puzzle for helping to address Big Sky’s childcare needs. Ultimately, more expansion will be necessary.
COMMUNITY HOUSING COMING TO BIG SKY
A rendering of the RiverView Place development.
Rendering courtesy of Lone Mountain Land Company
WORKING WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS, LMLC wants to ensure that the people who work in Big Sky can also call it home. To date, hundreds of millions of dollars has been earmarked to address community housing initiatives.
RiverView Place is slated to house 387 locals in 97 units in 2024. Featuring a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, as well as shared living suites, RiverView residents will find affordable housing within walking distance to amenities such as playgrounds, pickleball courts, as well as athletic fields in the Community Park and restaurants, nightlife, fitness centers, and other critical retail services in the Town Center and Meadow Village shopping districts. The deed-restricted residential development ties directly into Big Sky’s extensive trail network and features a Skyline Connect bus stop that is expected to ease vehicular traffic. The housing complex focuses on sustainable building practices with low-flow plumbing fixtures and solar panels, and even includes covered bike storage to encourage residents to consider alternate modes of transportation.
“Affordable housing in mountain towns remains a critical need without a clear solution,” says LMLC’s Cryder Bancroft. “Through collaborative partnerships with the Big Sky Housing Trust and the Resort Tax, LMLC is working to ensure anyone who works in Big Sky can also live in Big Sky.” The upcoming Gateway Village development in Gallatin Gateway will offer 323 3-and 4-bedroom units catering to workers who prefer commuting to Big Sky. Meanwhile, the design sports a mountain-modern aesthetic and Gateway Village will look and feel like a mountain community.
WINTER LIGHTS & DELIGHTS: TOWN CENTER FRIDAYS
Photograph by Joe Esenther
EXPERIENCE THE ENCHANTMENT of Big Sky Town Center every Friday between 4–7pm from December 22 to the end of March. Immerse yourself in a lively atmosphere where local retailers, restaurants, bars, and art galleries offer exclusive specials, retail raffles, local musicians, and more. Friday nights in Town Center are the place to be this winter season!
BIG SKY’S TOWN CENTER WELCOMES SIX NEW SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
Inside the new Surefoot boot fitting store in Town Center.
Photograph by Cryder Bancroft
Town Center gets more vibrant every year. The town is already rich with well-established shopping, dining, and nightlife. This winter brings even more.
– Got nagging pains in your ski boots? A Surefoot boot fitting store is now open at 47 Town Center Ave.
– Need a top-of-the-line chef ’s knife to round out your professional kitchen? The craftspeople at the renowned New West KnifeWorks will set you up.
– Got young ones coming to town? Cut back on their screen time when they’re indoors with a visit to The Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company, a southwestern Montana standout shop from Bozeman.
– With an eye on premium men’s and women’s lifestyle and outdoor apparel, Bluebird is a must hit for your four season casual wear.
– For those who don’t want to head to the base area to load up on Big Sky Resort logo wear, you can now pop right over to the new Big Sky Resort Store in Town Center.
– All that shopping will make you hungry, which is where another Bozeman transplant, Thai Basil, comes in. The Deep Fried Tiger Bombs—crab, cream cheese, onion, green onion, and carrot deep fried in a wonton paper sound like the bomb.
These new additions add to the already 35 established Town Center restaurants, bars, outfitters, and boutiques.
A Careful Appreciation of the Porcupine
They’re big-appetite herbivores with powerful incisors similar to a beaver’s who favor a diet of tree bark, the sub-bark layer cambium, roots, and tubers.
In the pantheon of small Rocky Mountain mammals, the porcupine falls somewhere between the wee, squeaky pika foraging to the side of an alpine trail, and the raccoon raiding your garbage. Cute, but not too cute. Best avoided, but still kind of cool to encounter from a safe distance.
Will you? Porcupines are common enough around Big Sky to get a major creek and trail named for them, as everyone who has hiked or biked Porcupine Creek Trail knows. But the truth is, the North American porcupine is primarily a solitary night forager and lives much of its life up in the trees. They’re a bit elusive. “I spend a ton of time in the woods, but I rarely see them,” says Andrea Saari, cofounder of Big Sky Adventures & Tours. “It’s my dogs who have encounters. I see the aftermath— the vet bills.”
Maybe a more apt question is: Should you want to encounter a porcupine? To that we give a big, hearty, slightly qualified, yes.
That’s partly because they’re really darn cute. Sweet eyes, button nose, soft fur (yes, really). It’s also worth seeing porcupines because they’re fascinating examples of evolution. They’re big- appetite herbivores with powerful incisors similar to a beaver’s who favor a diet of tree bark, the sub-bark layer cambium, roots, and tubers. They were once blamed for causing forest loss, and in the dark days of the 1950s to the ’70s, voracious porcupines were the target of ill-advised eradication efforts.
Now, about those quills, all 30,000 of them per animal. You might not actually see them from a few yards off. When you behold a porcupine in full bushy grandeur, you’re seeing fur: a soft outer layer and a second layer for warmth. The quills, which are technically hollow hairs, lie underneath. Yes, they are incredibly sharp. No, porcupines can’t shoot them. But if you touch—or if you are a dog, sniff—a porcupine it will raise and swing its spiky weaponized tail and you’ll get a painful cluster of them in your hand or snout. Just ask Andrea’s dogs.
The quills are sharper than hypodermics, and they’re scaled and barbed like fish hooks. The quills break free of the animal upon impact, leaving a victim looking like a pin cushion. If you’re stuck, get to the ER. If it’s your pooch, get right to the vet. When quills break off inside of dogs, they can migrate for years through soft tissue, eventually endangering vital organs. If you’re way off the grid, you might want to start plucking with a Leatherman tool. Given the risks—which really should only involve our dumb canine friends— and the fact that porcupines don’t hibernate, a great way to observe them is from a chairlift adjacent to a pine forest in winter.
Doug Rand, a retired landscape architect from Gallatin Gateway, sees them fairly often eating trees around his home. He once encountered two angry porcupines in a face-off, both noses festooned with quills. “Pure agony for both.” The males fight with tooth and quill for dominance. The victor sprays the female with urine to mark her as betrothed. Doug, using a spade for a prod and staying well clear of the quills, herds them into a wooden box, and ushers them to the backcountry.
Set amid the Montana wilderness, this private golf and ski community is adding to an already impressive slate of four-season amenities
At Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Big Sky, Mont., they say the adventures are as endless as the landscape. That’s not hyperbole. With the namesake range towering in the background, Yellowstone National Park less than an hour away, and the surrounding Big Sky country a four-season wonderland of activity, the club is a haven for adventure seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone dreaming of a life well lived in wide-open spaces.
In addition to all this the rugged region offers blue-ribbon trout streams; miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding; and thousands of acres of world-class skiing and snowboarding. The 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks community offers ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort’s nearly 6,000 acres of skiable terrain; a members-only clubhouse with dining room, bar, full-service spa and fitness center, and swimming pool; a riverside outpost for fly-fishing; a mid-mountain winter dining venue; tennis and pickleball courts; a snow-tubing hill; and a year-round calendar of member-only events and experiences.
During golf season, the Tom Weiskopf course, which sits at 7,000 feet, thrills on 300 acres of gently rolling terrain. The layout fits seamlessly in the Montana wilderness, with no two fairways bordering each other. When you play the 7,193-yard course, it comes as no surprise to learn that Weiskopf designed it on horseback. But golfers enjoy the 40-mile views of Spanish Peaks and Gallatin Range, as well as Yellowstone’s Absaroka and Beartooth peaks, from golf carts, not saddles. This fall, the golf experience will expand to include a 10-hole Par-3 course designed after 10 of the late Weiskopf’s favorite holes from around the world.
Located less than an hour from the Bozeman Yellowstone International airport, Spanish Peaks offers a wide range of real estate options. You can build a home in Highlands West, buy a five-bedroom townhome next to the new Par-3 course, or go as big as the Montana sky with a five- or six-bedroom Montage Mountain Home. Or opt for one of the new, fully furnished, three- and four-bedroom offerings at The Inn Residences at Montage Big Sky. Now under construction, The Inn Residences are available in deeded, one-quarter-ownership interests and include membership at Spanish Peaks. If you’re looking to maximize time with family seasonally and enjoy Spanish Peak’s signature amenities, The Inn Residences may be the perfect opportunity.
The 2023 Men’s Health Travel AwardsSome guys like to hike, bike, climb, and surf their way through vacation. Some are ready for Ashiatsu barefoot massage, Ayurvedic meditation workshops, and all-organic juice bars at the break of dawn. Others want to skip all the pretense and just chilllll. Whoever you are and whatever brand of getaway you’re into, there’s a hotel, resort, inn, or cruise out there for you.
But the world is a big place and your bucket list no doubt gets longer every year. So, how to know where to head next? Our crack team of travel-obsessed editors, writers, and staffers did the hard work of researching, comparing, and personally vetting many of the world’s best travel destinations and experiences over the past year (ya know, for science!). No matter what flavor of vacation you’re looking for, these 79 picks are guaranteed to please.
So, pack your bags and get ready to go! This is the 2023 Men’s Health Travel Awards.
Tucked into Big Sky’s chic Spanish Peaks enclave, this poshest of posh hotels is the area’s first five-star resort. Expect world-class luxury, including no-request-is-too-much concierge service, excellent fine dining options, a solid cocktail lounge, and one of Montana’s best spas. Oh, and complimentary Cadillac ride service.
Nestled in the serene mountains of Montana, Montage Big Sky is the region’s pre-eminent luxury resort centrally located within Big Sky’s 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave. The resort is home to 100 well-appointed guest rooms and suites with a premium selection of experiences for every season. While known as its world-class ski resort, this destination is just as thrilling in the summer months.
This summer, Montage Big Sky invites guests to enjoy:
• Embarking on a guided adventure hike into the Big Sky ecosystem of local wildlife, flora and fauna, and limitless exploration.
• Choosing an electric or analog mountain bike for venturing in Montana’s picturesque mountains and exploring the Spanish Peak trail system.
• Practicing backcountry and 3D archery and ax throwing in Montana’s great wilderness with the resort’s well-experienced Compass adventure guides by your side.
• Mountain boarding along diverse terrains without the need of black diamond slopes or concrete.
• Channeling the authentic spirit of the Mountain West on horseback through Montana’s mountain trails, wildflower-blanketed fields, and unspoiled wilderness.
• Yellowstone Wonders National Park tour: Journeying into the most scenic piece of Yellowstone National Park’s 2.2 million acres on a guided safari tour with moose, bighorn sheep, and elk viewings along the way!
• Exploring the rugged landscape full of wildlife moving against the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on the resort’s Southern Yellowstone Wildlife Safari (Hayden Valley) tour led by a professional naturalist tour guide.
• 4-wheeling through Montana’s wild lands on an UTV tour for a true backcountry ride with a GPS guided, off-road, and all terrain experience.
• World-class fly fishing with access to four miles of private riverways, where thousands of rainbows, cutthroats, and Montana brown trout swim in abundance.
• Experiencing a thrilling adventure through Big Sky’s only locally owned Gallatin River whitewater rafting outfitter. Raft the Gallatin River, made famous by the movie “A River Runs Through It”.
Experience the great outdoors where adventure meets luxury at Montage Big Sky. This summer, the upscale resort transforms into an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with endless outdoor activities, from fly fishing to white water rafting, and mountain biking to safari tours to Yellowstone National Park led by professional outdoor nature guides. With these exclusive experiences, guests can immerse themselves in Montana’s stunning natural landscapes and learn something new, while absorbing breathtaking views of majestic mountains.
Big Sky leaders to teach hands-on wildlife safety‘Mobile wildlife education center’ to inform visitors, residents and workers about local wildlife, backcountry safety
Charles Johnson paces excitedly around a trailer, quizzing EBS on paw prints, scat, pelts, and the difference between antlers and horns.
More than just a trailer, it’s a “mobile wildlife education center,” Johnson says. He’s leading an effort called Wild Big Sky, which aims to bring Big Sky’s visitors, locals and workers up to speed with the needs of our forest-dwelling neighbors. Beginning this week and running indefinitely, Johnson and other trained community leaders will host pop-up wilderness education around Big Sky, quizzing and teaching curious people “to better prepare the community and tourists with practices that mitigate potential human-wildlife conflicts,” according to a Wild Big Sky press release.
The mobile wildlife education center includes animal skulls, scat molds, taxidermy and fur samples, a TV monitor showing slides to practice species identification, a remote-controlled, charging bear to practice deploying inert (non-active) bear spray, and a variety of informational printouts tailored for various audiences—from kids’ coloring books to printouts in Spanish.
Johnson is the director of security for the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, where a grizzly sow recently lumbered across a driveway with a her cubs—a reminder that humans only recently moved into that apex predator’s ecosystem, now living together on close quarters.
He spoke with EBS in the club parking lot as he prepared to host the first of two “train the trainer” sessions, he said. Any Big Sky community member who completes Johnson’s training will be able to rent the trailer, free of charge, aside from the cost of replacing inert bear spray. Johnson hopes community leaders will bring the trailer to community and business events, employee barbecues and schools.
The second training will take place on June 12. Those interested in becoming eligible to use the trailer can email Charles Johnson for more information.
The Wild Big Sky program is comprised of local employers: Town Center, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, Montage Big Sky, Lone Mountain Land Company, Yellowstone Club, and Moonlight Basin launched the Wild Big Sky website last year “to centralize the best information available on safe human-wildlife interactions,” the release states. The mobile wildlife education center adds a hands-on, interactive learning environment.
“I need visuals,” Johnson said, holding up fox and bobcat skulls, and distinguishing between taxidermy grouse feathers. “I need the touching; I need the sight.”
He emphasized that Wild Big Sky’s main goal is not to scare people or deter them from exploring the outdoors. Rather, the program intends to spread awareness—not just the danger of bears but also moose, the importance of proper food and waste storage, and the need to give space to animals such as calving elk, Johnson suggests. He said grizzly bears get the most attention, but safe coexistence between humans and other animals is just as crucial as Big Sky continues to grow in population and visitation.
“With the potential to reach thousands of individuals each year, we aspire to create a more informed and responsible community that prioritizes both human safety and the well-being of local wildlife. With this resource, we hope the negative interactions with wildlife become a thing of the past,” Johnson stated in the release.
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks worked with Wild Big Sky to inform the quality of educational resources in the mobile education center. The nonprofit People and Carnivores provided a grant for the construction of the trailer, according to the release.
“The Mobile Wildlife Education Center is an innovative and practical example other resort communities should replicate to reduce human-wildlife conflicts,” stated Rosie Costain, program and communications coordinator for People and Carnivores. “It’s a win for the Big Sky community, visitors, and the local wildlife.”
“I am excited to see the impact the Big Sky community will have through their Wild Big Sky program,” stated Danielle Oyler, wildlife stewardship outreach specialist with Montana FWP. “The mobile wildlife education center will help spread the word that people living in and visiting Big Sky can be great stewards of our wildlife.”
Johnson said this is “an asset that we need” as a community. He looks forward to seeing the trailer in use at the weekly farmers market, Music in the Mountains, and at BASE.
Various horns and antlers sit on a removable shelf outside the trailer. Johnson held up two antlers and asked which belonged to a mule deer and which to a white-tailed deer. He pointed out the difference, before lifting up a black bear pelt to show how its claws differ from a grizzly’s.
As more community leaders become trained in hands-on teaching through Wild Big Sky, the trailer could become a community fixture. And most anyone who spends a few minutes at the mobile wildlife education center is apt to bring new knowledge to the outdoors, helping keep Big Sky wild.
Why US ski resort Big Sky Montana should be on your radarAspen. Jackson Hole. Telluride. Park City. Start a conversation with avid skiers and snowboarders about which American resorts they love to go, and those five would be in the mix. But ski folks should also be talking about Big Sky Resort in Montana and trust me, once they go, they will be instant fans.
There is a lot to love about this Montanan behemoth. It’s easy to get to – an hour from Bozeman Airport (fly direct from DFW or LAX). It is a 45-minute drive from Yellowstone National Park so add some bison, moose and smoking geysers to your run list. And did we mention it was big? Huge. It has 2,367 hectares of skiable terrain, with the most technologically advanced lift network in North America. Thirty eight lifts that sweep and swoop around terrain that is all things to all people, from gentle greens for absolute beginners to thrill-seeking, hair raising couloirs and chutes that will test your mettle.
Get peaky
There is one peak that stands out from the crowd in Big Sky. Lone Mountain soars to over 11,000 feet (3403 metres), and it is here that the daredevils go to take on gnarly chutes like the Big Couloir (google it). Big Sky Resort has 34 per cent expert (single black diamond), 13 per cent double black diamond and 5 per cent extreme terrain rated triple black diamond. Yep, triple black diamond – and all inbounds. This oxygen-depleting terrain is accessed by the famous 15-person Lone Peak Tram, which is being replaced next season (2023/24) by a bigger tram carrying 75 skiers and snowboarders. Even sightseers will be able to ride it, to get an eyeful of the incredible scenery from up top from the glass floored platform.
New Big (Sky) things
Apart from the new tram, Big Sky Resort has plenty of things to write home about, including the biggest – and probably fanciest – building in Montana – Montage Big Sky. The Resort’s first five-star hotel opened in late 2021 and is ski-in, ski-out. Everything about it is five star, from its service to its ski valet, its 100 guestrooms and 39 residences, its six restaurants and bars – Beartooth Pub and Rec even has a bowling alley – its spa, and its heated pools and hot tubs. It also has more than US$1million of curated art inside including remarkable photography of achingly beautiful landscapes, western photography of horses and cowboys (and cowgirls) and stunning wildlife shots, from a close up of a grizzly to a snow-drizzled bison.
Another five star resort will open in the winter of 2024/25, with One&Only Resorts opening their first US property – One&Only Moonlight Basin – close to the Pony Express and Iron Horse chairlifts. There are whispers about the Limelight Hotel and the outdoorsy Gravity Haus looking at building in Big Sky, which would add more beds to Big Sky Town Center, a blossoming town with shops, galleries and accommodation about 15 minutes’ drive down the mountain. The Wilson Hotel by Marriott opened there in 2019 and already has plans to extend to cope with the growing demand.
Big mountain fun
When not getting stoked on the mountain, exploring its many runs from Spanish Peaks on one side to Madison Base on the other, there are plenty of things to do. Don snowshoes, go snowmobiling, dog sledding, ziplining or take a horse-drawn sleigh through the forest for dinner in a rustic cabin. And with Yellowstone National Park so close, it is easy to book a day tour to see the world’s oldest national park with snow as added fairy dust. It’s definitely icing on the already delectable Big Sky cake.
Good to know
Eat: Head for the Six Shooter chairlift and pick up a freshly baked sweet treat at Uncle Dan’s Cookies.
Ski/board: If you want to tackle the extreme terrain, book a Tram Guide. They’ll check your ability first then accompany you.
Ride: Rides on the new Tram will be charged per ride and are not part of the Resort lift ticket, or the Ikon or Mountain Collective passes. Swift Current 6 carries six people and is the fastest chairlift in North America. It is one of four bubble chairlifts with heated seats.
Hotel prices for Memorial Day Weekend pack a punch, but for America’s one per cent the inflated costs are no problem.
Consultants from Two Nights In – a luxury travel agency providing a VIP-style booking service – have revealed to DailyMail.com the most sought-after destinations in the US for those with cash to splash this upcoming vacation period.
Coming out in first place is Aspen, Colorado, a location beloved by everyone from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Gwyneth Paltrow and Paris Hilton, with the must-stay spot being The Little Nell.
Other locations making the haute hit list include the Big Sur in California, the Hamptons and the wilds of the Utah Desert.
Take a flight of fancy down to see some of the salubrious spots you can start saving for, if you want to rub shoulders and soak up rays with the rich and famous.
1. Aspen, Colorado – The Little Nell: From $599 per night
The experts say: ‘Aspen in Colorado is renowned for skiing, but it is also beautiful when the weather warms up.
‘Along with the stunning scenery, upscale accommodations like The Little Nell, incredible restaurants, and high-end shopping attract affluent travelers who love the outdoors.’
About The Little Nell: Aspen has long been the playground for celebrities, but even in a town awash with luxury hotels and exclusive chalets, The Little Nell is one standout place to stay.
Nestled at the base of the Aspen Mountain, the 92-room boutique hotel is the only ski-in, ski-out property in the infamous town.
It’s also the only hotel with both a five-star and five-diamond rating.
While the stunning hotel’s first-class design, amenities and hospitality go above and beyond, the property manages to feel intimate yet fun and is much of a destination as the beautiful mountains that look down on it.
Oenophiles will be in their element, as the hotel has an extensive wine selection, a cellar tasting room and a squad of sommeliers to steer what you sip.
2. Florida – Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: From $1,650 per night
The experts say: ‘Miami properties like the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club are well known hotspots for the rich and famous.
‘This hotel in particular offers great privacy and it is home to one of the US’s most jaw-dropping penthouse suites, which starts from $40,000 per night.’
About The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: The Surf Club in Miami opened its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1930 and now it is part of the upscale Four Seasons portfolio, offering 77 guest rooms, including five beachfront Cabana Suites and 31 Private Residence suites.
The most expensive room is the three-bedroom Marybelle Penthouse Suite, which starts from $40,000 per night.
Designed for entertaining friends and family the suite features multiple communal spaces, including a media room, a dining room, a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sprawling rooftop.
On the dining side of things, the hotel boasts a one Michelin star restaurant masterminded by famed chef Thomas Keller, along with a more informal Italian eatery and a palm-fringed champagne bar.
This iconic beachfront spot has welcomed everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elizabeth Taylor and it continues to draw high society from far and wide.
3. Big Sur, California – Post Ranch Inn: From $2,550 per night
The experts say: ‘The Route 1 road trip is a great American classic, but those in the know head to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur.
‘With the best view along the coast and a fantastic cliffside restaurant, it’s easy to see why it is a great escape from Los Angeles.’
About the Post Ranch Inn: This slickly designed hideaway has 40 guest rooms perched 1,200ft along a dramatic promontory above the ocean.
Guests can soak up the views from the comfort of their beds thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms are also decked out with private hot tubs and there are two communal infinity pools, along with a lap pool.
In terms of activities, there are free yoga sessions and nature walks on offer, or falconry sessions for a unique vacation takeaway.
To replenish energy levels, there is a Wine Spectator award-winning restaurant serving up complimentary daily breakfasts as well as seasonal lunch and dinner menus.
4. The Hamptons, New York – Topping Rose House: From $1,595 per night
The experts say: ‘Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the start of the season out east in the Hamptons.
‘Summer-long rentals are the name of the game here, but boutique hotels like Topping Rose House also offer a stylish stay by the beach.’
About Topping Rose House: Priding itself on being ‘the only full-service luxury hotel’ in the Hamptons, Topping Rose House is home to 16 spacious guest rooms and six one-bedroom suites blending historic elegance with contemporary comforts.
The main house dates from the 19th century, while a number of contemporary buildings have been added to create a stark contrast in design.
Catering to refined tastes, the hotel has a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine with the dishes masterminded by Michelin-stared chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Other perks include a serene heated lap pool, lush gardens, a fitness studio, a spa and a luxury car shuttle running to a spread of the local beaches.
5. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee – Blackberry Mountain: From $1,895 per night
The experts say: ‘Popular among celebrities, Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are sister resorts known for their farm-to-table food and breathtaking natural beauty.
‘In 2019, Gwyneth Paltrow hosted the first GOOP Escape retreat at Blackberry Mountain.’
About Blackberry Mountain: Blackberry Mountain makes for magnificent venue set amid 5,200 acres of private land in the Great Smoky Mountains.
On the accommodation side of things, the high-end resort serves up 18 large cottages, 14 treehouses, six classic cabins and multi-bedroom homes.
The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Four Sisters, offers inventive four-course rotating menus with a focus on seasonal produce. Meanwhile, the Firetower is set inside a former 1950s lookout tower so guests can feast on the views and for a more casual atmosphere, the Sycamore eatery has a bistro-like atmosphere.
To work up an appetite, there a dozens of activities on offer from fly fishing to horse back riding. And for a spot of relaxation, there is a state-of-the-art wellness center.
6. The Utah Desert – Amangiri: From $4,200 per night
The experts say: ‘The Utah Desert is home to one of America’s few ultra-luxe Aman properties, Amangiri, and fans of this flawless brand will travel far and wide to experience the offerings.
‘With striking architecture that blends into the rugged landscape, Amangiri offers a secluded and tranquil retreat in the middle of the desert.’
About Amangiri: Amangiri, from the luxury hotel brand Aman, seamlessly blends into the wild Utah landscape, thanks to understated architecture and various tented structures.
Described on the website as ‘one of the world’s most dramatic secluded settings,’ the high-end camp is home to 34 accommodation units comprising ‘pavilions,’ ‘suites,’ and ‘homes.’
All of the simple yet luxurious structures boast outdoor lounges, sun roofs and private pools.
This hotel makes for a great place to explore some of America’s top natural wonders, with Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park just a stone’s throw away.
Despite being in the middle of nowhere, the cuisine adheres to the Aman’s high standards, with the main restaurant serving artfully presented cuisine celebrating Native American flavors.
7. Lāna’i, Hawaii – Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort: From $1,080 per night
The experts say: ‘Lanai is the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii and offers a secluded atmosphere compared to the more built up islands.
‘The Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is an incredible offering, allowing you to pair a beach vacation with a luxury wellness retreat.’
About Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort: Tucked away amid lush foliage on the secluded Hawaiian island of Lāna’i, this hotel is described as being ‘one of the most unique wellbeing retreats in the world.’
The resort was the result of a unique collaboration between wellness brand Sensei (established by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who also owns the majority of Lāna’i), the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and celebrated Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
There are 92 rooms and four suites in total, with neutral cream and sandy tones running throughout.
One of the resort’s unique features is an 18-hole golf course, with one of the teeoffs taking place 150ft from a cliff above the ocean.
8. Montana – Montage Big Sky: From $618 per night
The experts say: ‘Montana is known for its rugged beauty and expansive landscapes, offering outdoors activities like hiking, horseback riding, and fly fishing.
‘Montage Big Sky is just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, where you can live out your Dutton family fantasies.’
About Montage Big Sky: This photogenic alpine-style resort invites guests to experience the rugged beauty of Montana’s Big Sky Country.
Framed by the Spanish Peaks mountain range and located just 45 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, all of the 100 artfully designed guestrooms and suites serve up exceptional views of the surrounding scenery.
There are also 39 residences for longer-term stays.
Come summer or winter, the hotel prides itself on being able to an ‘unparalleled array of experiences for every season,’ with some of the highlights including ski-in, ski-out access, three world-class fly-fishing rivers, a private 18-hole golf course, a 11,000sqft spa, and six dining destinations.
9. Napa Valley, California – Auberge Du Soleil: From $1,575 per night
The experts say: ‘Nothing feels more luxurious than wine country.
‘Auberge Du Soleil is an iconic, adults-only luxury property that makes guests feel like they’re far away in Europe.’
About Auberge Du Soleil: Set amid rolling vineyards, Auberge du Soleil is not a winery, but a resort.
It started life as Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant thanks to the vision of French restaurateur, Claude Rouas.
In 1981, with business partner Bob Harmon, Rouas opened the venue in a bid ‘to reflect a taste of Provence in California wine country.’
The immediate success prompted the addition of the Inn of the Sun five years later. Today, there are 50 contemporary guestrooms and suites set on a terraced hillside and framed by 33 acres of olive and oak trees.
To accommodate all of the guests, there a now two dining options, both with breathtaking views. If you’re feeling flush, you can eat at the Michelin-starred restaurant (the original) or you can stop by the more casual bistro which has a wraparound deck, more than 40 wines by the glass and is a great spot for sunset watching.
10. New York, New York – The Mark: From $1,020 per night
The experts say: ‘New York City always offers a vibrant scene for America’s wealthiest, with world-class dining, exclusive boutique, exquisite galleries, high-end shopping.
‘There are dozens of luxury hotels to choose from, but one of our favorites is The Mark, for old school glamor and a great uptown location.’
About The Mark: Slap bang in one of Manhattan’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the Upper East Side, the Mark Hotel has been luring well-heeled guests for more than a decade.
Housed inside a historic building dating back to 1927, the hotel offers 100 classically-styled guestrooms and 53 suites.
Along with its slick interior design, other lures include a restaurant masterminded by top chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and a salon which is home to ‘the world’s most famous hairstylist,’ Frédéric Fekkai.
Topping things off, The Mark is home to the most expensive hotel suite in America. The Mark Penthouse costs an eye-watering $75,000 a night and it is where Meghan Markle hosted her lavish baby shower.
Yellowstone National Park, the United States’ original national park, is a bucket list trip for visitors from around the world due to its otherworldly geothermal features and western lore. Over 4 million people on average visit the park each year, and there are many ways to experience it, from wildlife spotting on the road to hiking through the wilderness and finding solitude in nature.
Lodging options in and near the park immerse guests in the magic of its pristine landscape. While at times rustic, park hotels place guests next to the national park’s greatest treasures, like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Properties just outside the park—still within the greater Yellowstone ecosystem—offer additional amenities, from gourmet dining and spa treatments to guided experiences like horseback riding, whitewater rafting and fly-fishing.
Visitors can access the park by flying into Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman, which is an hour and a half drive from the North entrance. Here are the best places to stay in Yellowstone near the popular North, West and quieter Northeast entrances.]
Best Luxury Hotel in Yellowstone National Park: Montage Big Sky
Who Will Love It: Luxury vacationers; golfers; spa seekers, skiers and snowboarders
All-Star Amenities: 10,000-square-foot Spa Montage; private Tom Weiskopf Signature Golf Course; bowling alley, ski-in, ski-out resort access; Kids Paintbox Program
What Not To Miss: The slate of daily events from culinary to live entertainment; creating a bespoke hat at Montana Territory Hat Co.; curated local art throughout the interior
Location: Big Sky, Montana
When the Montage debuted in 2021, it marked a new high point in luxury Montana lodging. The expansive half-a-million-square-foot ultra-luxury resort is on the slopes of Big Sky Resort just an hour from the park’s West Entrance. The hotel has 100 guest rooms and suites and 39 residences featuring modern wood and stone décor and all the luxe amenities travelers could wish for. The hotel’s seven restaurants range from casual fare to exceptional cuisine with open spaces for taking afternoon tea or sipping craft cocktails with a view.
Beyond local guided hikes and outdoor activities, the resort also offers private guided Yellowstone safari tours coordinated through the concierge. Additional Montage Hotel experiences include the private 18-hole Tom Weiskopf golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley and in the wintertime, ski-in/ski-out access. Families will appreciate the hotel’s signature Paintbox program with outdoor and indoor crafts and games for kiddos. The 10,000-square-foot Spa Montage and fitness center stands alone in the region and hels travels adjust to the arid mountain West. The treatment menu includes a variety of massages, facials and Performance Recovery treatments geared towards strenuous outdoor activities and High-Altitude Acclimation.