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Big Sky

March 9, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue #5

Inside the Chamberlin Rail Jam at Big Sky

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Tester + REhberg

TAlk Politics

Freeskier World Tour

local S k i e r p r o f i le s

Big Sky residents contribute 50% of all Madison County property taxes

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LEGEND OF AAHHH'S

Skier: Sandy Boville // Photo by David Reeves

Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper

Publisher of the big sky weekly

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Business of the Year March 9, 2012 Volume 3, Issue 5 PUBLISHER Eric Ladd COO & SENIOR EDITOR Megan Paulson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Martins MANAGING EDITOR Emily Stifler

Dumping snow at the Crystal Method Show

Atmosphere keeps the energy going at the Chamberlin Rail Jam Photo by Brian Niles

Photo by Chris Davis

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelsey Dzintars

The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of spring, and things

EDITOR Abbie Digel

The first weekend in March blew up in Big Sky. People filed to Big Sky Resort Friday night in scores.

On Saturday, yet a few more came, and more, and more, and more.

At the end of the weekend, 6,000 people came to the resort, and fed off the energy of the fifth annual Chamberlin Rail Jam, the first held in Big Sky.

Assistant Editor Taylor Anderson Distribution Director Danielle Chamberlain VIDEO director Brian Niles videographer Chris Davis Account relations coordinator Kacey Brown Operations director Katie Morrison WEB Programmer/Designer Sean Weas CONTRIBUTors

Kaley Bjornsen, John Boersma, Austin Christensen, Terry Cunningham, Renae Counter, Jamie Daugaard, Kurt Dehmer, Maren Dunn, Mike Mannelin, Erik Morrison, Sam Newbury, Brandon Niles, Mark Parlett, David Reeves, Greer Schott, Andrew Schreiner, Diane Tipton, John Zirkle

The event included Minnesota hip-hop phenoms Atmosphere and a band of electroheads called Crystal Method, as well as an over-hyped young lady (not pictured above) who lost her top and bottom garments and jumped on stage to lock arms with Slug and join in chorus.

Big Sky Resort’s Chad Jones said it was the first time the resort tried an event of this kind. From the sound

of his excitement, that won’t likely be the last time youthful crowds come celebrate in that fashion.

Meanwhile, Ullr ate the bad spaghetti and ended up puking more than a foot of snow throughout the weekend. The days are getting longer, the sun shines hotter, and the second annual Big Sky Weekly goggle tan contest is on its way in April; all surefire reminders that spring coming and with it comes perhaps the best skiing of the year.

Outlaw Partners LLC is the sole owner of the Big Sky Weekly. No part of this publication may be reprinted without written permission from the publisher. The Big Sky Weekly reserves the right to edit all submitted material for content, corrections or length. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or the editors of this publication. No advertisements, columns, letters to the editor or other information will be published that contain discrimination based on sex, age, race, religion, creed, nationality, sexual preference, or are in bad taste.

Letter to the Editor Parameters This is a platform for readers to express views and share ways they would like to effect change. The Weekly will run letters, positive or negative, of 250 words or less that are respectful, ethical, state accurate facts and figures, and are proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Please include: first and last name, address, phone number and title. Send letters to emily@theoutlawpartners.com.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE For Mar. 23 issuE: Mar. 16, 2012 CORRECTIONS The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections to errors we’ve printed.

Please report them to emily@theoutlawpartners.com © 2012 The Big Sky Weekly Unauthorized reproduction prohibited

2 March 9, 2012

That little ditty at the beginning is adapted from the Walrus and the Carpenter, a poem by Lewis Carroll, by the way. To see pictures from the first weekend in March, go to explorebigsky. com/chamberlin, facebook. com/explorebigsky, and on Twitter at Explore Big Sky.

The Freeskiing World Qualifier at Moonlight Basin is coming up March 22-25, and as the snow continues to pour from the sky in thick, moist flakes, the hills promise to offer steeps and deeps well into April.

Big Sky Weekly Distribution

Taylor Anderson, Assistant Editor, Big Sky Weekly taylor@theoutlawpartners.com

AK

BC

Editorial Policy

We in Big Sky will keep the snow tires on the rig, the shovel next to the front door and the chairlifts warm. Let’s keep up this momentum into spring, and send the 2012 winter season off the way it came in: nice and slowlike.

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Table of Contents Community...4 Local News...8 Regional..10 Montana...12 Opinion...15 Health & Wellness...17 Business...19 Explore...24 Business Profile...27 Classifieds...28 Environment...30

Classifieds...30 Food & Dining...33 Sports...35 Outdoors...40 Gear...41 Events...43 Arts...45 Column...47 Back 40 ...48 Ski Area News..49 Word from the Resorts...52

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Big Sky's Madison County residents contributed $2.4m to Ennis School District This is part one in a three-part series on the Ennis and Ophir school districts in Gallatin and Madison counties.

By Taylor Anderson

in the Madison Valley, one of which is the school.

Madison County, Big Sky— The borders were established long before Chet Huntley had his grand vision of a destination ski resort on Lone Mountain.

But according to Madison County commissioner Jim Hart, the town benefits from services that go unseen, and believes there is nothing wrong with Big Sky residents’ taxes heading to the valleys west of Lone Mountain.

big sky weekly assistant editor

Before Route 64 was created and would deliver residents and tourists to what is now the site of two ski resorts, Madison and Gallatin County lines were created. Along those same lines, between the Big Sky Mountain Village and the Big Sky Meadow Village, the Ennis and Ophir school districts meet.

With hundreds of people living at the resorts in Madison County, and nearly 400 more at the Yellowstone Club, Big Sky residents are at a crossroads.

The resort developments are in Madison County, and Jack Creek Road, which runs between Big Sky and Ennis, is private. Without access to that road, it’s a 90-mile trip north from Big Sky to Bozeman and then southwest to Ennis, which sits just miles west of Big Sky as the crow flies.

The issue has been around as long as the resort: Big Sky taxpayers are funding services they feel they can’t readily use

Most recently, attention has been focused on the schools.

After a recent Attorney General ruling that a new $9 million Ennis grade school was funded inappropriately, a decades-old debate in a town that spans two counties has been stoked, and some Big Sky residents want change.

The fundamental question behind the issue lies in one short sentence, as said by Ophir School Board member Barbara Rowley: “Why are we in the Ennis School District?”

Ophir School District is 99 years old. Ennis School District is 96 years old. Officials followed Madison and Gallatin County lines to establish the east-west border for the schools.

The issue became prevalent during development in the Big Sky section of

Madison County that started in the 1970s and continues today. The recent accusations against Ennis Superintendent Doug Walsh have agitated those affected.

Walsh, who announced his resignation at a Feb. 8 school board meeting, has been accused of fraud, misuse of public funds and illegally collecting benefits.

Although once approved by the Montana School Boards Association, Attorney General Steve Bullock decided early this year that funds raised by levies for adult education shouldn’t have been used to build the elementary and middle school in Ennis.

The school is said to have put $4 million in property taxes levied for adult education and transportation toward the new building, which Bullock later said was illegal in a contested decision.

Attorney Debra Silk has said that OPI Chief Dennis Parman said in 2010 the money shift was legal if the building was used for adult education.

The high value real estate in Big Sky and the Yellowstone Club contributed more than $13 million in taxes in 2011, 50 percent of all property taxes collected that year in that county. Over the past five years, Big Sky districts of Madison County have contributed a shade more than half of the entirety of Madison County’s property tax revenues.

The two, in districts 28 and 29 of Madison County, are the highest taxed districts in that county.

Big Sky and Yellowstone Club residents in Madison County in 2011 contributed $2,382,223.05 to the Ennis school system.

This year, 331 students attend Ennis K-12. That school’s budget last year was $16,754,554.51, according to budget information listed on the Montana Office of Public Instruction website.

Ophir School District enrolled 212 students this year and had an operating budget last year of $2,309,682.56.

At a meeting last month on proposed changes to the Lone Peak High School curriculum, Big Sky parent and Madison County resident Erik Lovold brought up an alternative to school changes: school district lines.

Lovold said he’s tired of paying for a school his 14-year-old daughter can’t feasibly attend, to which the public and members of the school board (including Superintendent Jerry House) murmured in agreement.

4 March 9, 2012

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“The [Ennis] school system is the thing that I think our kids are missing out on the most,” Lovold said.

Lovold says he and other Big Sky parents in Madison County get money annually from Ennis as reimbursement for the hour and a half commute from the Mountain Village to Lone Peak High School and back home each day. What would be more helpful, he says, is a school bus that would pick up Madison County students who attend the Ophir schools.

Ophir reimburses parents who live outside the bus route.

Ten of the 212 students in Ophir School District this year live across the county line, according to LPHS staff.

Ennis schools reimburse Ophir for tuition at a rate of $991 per year for elementary students, and $1,268.60 for high school students.

Madison County commissioner Jim Hart said that about a decade ago there was a discussion in the Montana Legislature about rearranging school districts. He said both school boards and superintendents must agree on a rearrangement before action is taken.

But that’s beside the point, because Hart said he doesn't see a problem with the current setup.

Asked whether the state should rearrange the districts, Hart said “I’ll just give that short answer, no.”

“I think they’re there as a result of where the county boundaries are. That creates some heartache I’m sure with Big Sky,” he said.

Hart spent 27 of his 30 years as a teacher in Ennis, and said that some members of the Ennis school board are former students of his.

Hart pointed out that his county has spent money on services that directly apply to the Big Sky area. Madison County has spent $90,000 in the last three years on the Skyline bus service, he says, which Gallatin County hasn't.

Madison County also pays $244,996 annually for police in Big Sky, a cost that is split by the two counties along with additional funding from Big Sky Resort tax funding. Resort tax funded about $122,500 during 2012 appropriations.

“I’m happy they’ve got a great school over there. I’m just not happy that we’re not able to take advantage of any of those services,” Lovold said. “If our kids were able to take the back road down Moonlight and go to school in Ennis, okay, that makes sense, but that’s not even an option.”

“The wrongs have to be righted,” Lovold said. “We need to see that there’s a better split for that, and that our students and our school is benefitting from the area that we’re in.”

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Big Sky Weekly

CPR saves lives By abbie digel

big sky weekly editor

BIG SKY—Pushing hard and fast in the middle of a cardiac arrest victim’s chest is all it takes to potentially save a life.

In the past five years, the American Heart Association has introduced a new hands-only method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, where the process has been whittled down, leaving only two simple steps.

1. Call 911 2. Push hard and fast on the center of the chest The Big Sky Fire Department hosted a Hands On CPR class at Big Sky Resort Feb. 21, in partnership with the Gallatin Heart Rescue, a Bozeman group dedicated to training as many people in the new method as possible.

About 20 people showed up that afternoon, watched two short videos, manually practiced on AMA dummies, and were finished with the training in about 45 minutes.

“Wait until you hear the ‘click’ in the dummy’s chest, and that is one compression,” said Martha Fecht, a Big Sky firefighter and instructor of the course. Real humans won’t ‘click’, she explained, but you need to push deeper than you think in order to keep blood moving through the body.

Hands on CPR involves performing deep chest compressions with the heel of the hand until medical responders, including firefighters or EMTs, arrive at the scene.

tally running on their home page, and at press time, GHR had trained 300 people in Gallatin County—about 100 people a week.

Kevin Lauer, assistant fire chief and American Medical Rescue field training officer in Gallatin Gateway, helped initiate the program last summer when he and other pre-hospital caregivers saved the life of a Gallatin Gateway man within minutes of a heart attack.

The man walked out of the hospital days later.

Before GHR was formed, there were six CPR saves since July 24, 2011.

“After that, I said, ‘Man we have got to be doing something,’” Lauer said.

If CPR isn’t provided to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest within a few minutes they will likely die, despite any advanced care delivered after the attack, Lauer said. The AMA notes that the hands on method works best on adult victims, because 99 percent of SCA victims are adults. It’s still important to know mouth to mouth for children, but chest compressions, delivered hard and fast on any victim, can save a life.

Anyone who has taken the class is eligible to teach one, Lauer says. Contact Gallatin Heart Rescue or the Big Sky Fire Department to acquire a ‘CPR class in a box’. The kit, which Lauer and his team developed, is portable and the class is easy to teach.

“We have participants practice chest compressions for three minutes just to see how tiring it can be,” Lauer said.

It’s harder than it looks, Fecht said, so it’s best to lean over the victim, placing all of your weight on your hands while compressing, and trade places with a partner so you don’t fatigue as easily.

Certification in mouth-to-mouth can take hours, but with basic Hands On CPR, “we’re just trying to save lives, “ Lauer said. He noted that 80 percent of SCA victims collapse in their homes.

With a goal to train 5,000 citizens in Gallatin County (5 percent of the population) in its first year, Gallatin Heart Rescue is making it easy for anyone to learn hands on CPR. They keep a

“I’m confident that soon, we are going to show up to a scene and someone who has been in one of our classes will be saving a life, right there on the ground.” gallatinheartrescue.com

Big Sky Farmers’ Market back again The 4th Annual Big Sky Farmers’ Market will be held every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at Fire Pit Park in the Big Sky Town Center, from July 11 – Sept.

5, 2012.

Our focus this year is to increase the number of local growers to offer even more of a selection of fresh produce, plants and flowers. We also want to find those vendors with high-quality, unique, Montana Made products that tourists just “have to have” to take back home.

The market will feature up to 80-90 vendors selling such things as farm-

fresh produce, herbs, plants and flowers to homemade jams and jellies, fresh bread, sandwiches, gourmet cakes and cupcakes, jewelry, western and fine art paintings, artwork, pottery, photography, handcrafted and Montana Made furniture, and more. There will be live music every week with some favorite local musicians and new faces as well.

For more information about becoming a vendor or sponsor, please call Wendy at (406) 570-2417, or check the Farmers’ Market page at bigskytowncenter.com.

Photo by Brian niles

Winter Special Olympics 2012 By abbie digel

big sky weekly editor

Big Sky—Moonlight Basin employees on Feb. 27 lined up on the edges of the Madison Avenue run, cowbells in hand.

As Special Olympics racers dashed past the crowd on snowshoe, the crowd roared, the ring of the cowbells echoing in the cold air.

The competitors crossed the finish line, and family members and other volunteers greeted the athletes with hugs and hoorays. The same enthusiasm stirred the ranks on Cup ‘o Joe and Wagon Train runs, where athletes skied through gates, with volunteers and spectators posted at every turn, cowbells in hand.

This was the third Special Olympics Big Sky Area Winter Games at Moonlight. It’s special event, said Moonlight events coordinator Ersin Ozer, “because everyone can get involved and share their love for outdoor sports with people who don’t have the opportunity to make it out here every day.”

This was the first year athletes rode the Six Shooter lift, which opened up even more terrain for the intermediate and advanced skiers, said Penni Koplin, winter games coordinator for the Big Sky area.

The athletes—27 skiers and 11 snowshoers—represented teams from the Belgrade Panthers, Bozeman Schools

Hawks, Bozeman Outreach Bobcats, REACH Renegades and the Gallatin Valley Bears.

“It was so exciting to see how well our Special Olympics athletes took to Moonlight's terrain with their ski volunteers,” said Koplin. Many of the volunteers also work with Eagle Mount, the athletes also benefited from their experiences through that program.

Heather West, a restaurant owner in Bozeman, skied alongside athlete Ty Sherwood all day. He skied a great run, and said he was looking forward to beating his time in the finals. West decided to volunteer this year because she skis at Moonlight regularly and wanted to share her enthusiasm for the sport.

Koplin also expressed gratitude toward Moonlight Basin, which donated close to 80 lift tickets. Moonlight Basin staff helped with course set up, provided use of the pavilion, and ensured they were doing everything possible to make the athletes and volunteers welcome for the competition, Koplin said.

“General manager Greg Pack has also joined us for opening ceremonies and enjoyed watching how excited our athletes get during the ribbon ceremonies.

We feel like royalty for how Moonlight Basin accommodates our needs for the competition.”

The Special Olympics Winter State Games were held in Whitefish on March 4.

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March 9, 2012 5

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Pie Auction Ophir School, Big SKy—Pull out your grass skirts, coconut shell tops, Hawaiian shirts and hula on down to Buck’s T-4, Saturday, March 10 for the 32nd Annual Ophir School Pie Auction. Fun and festivities begin at 7 p.m.

Enjoy roasted pig with homemade mango barbecue sauce, fruit and Hawaiian sweet rolls and wash it down with Buck’s tropical drinks. There is a donation requested for the pig roast.

with Klaudia Kosiak •

A few of the items up for auction this year:

Project SAS bringing wounded warriors to Big Sky this summer By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

•

Free Cocktail a day from By Word Of Mouth

•

Free coffee a day from Big Sky Coffee and Tea

BIG SKY—An event that supports wounded veterans by bringing them to Montana for outdoor recreation and adventure is returning to Big Sky for a second straight year.

For businesses: 7.5' x 3' banner space in the Town Center Hockey Rink, day of skilled labor from Big Sky Build, etc

The Sports, Afield and Stream project (SAS) this year will take on summer activities.

•

• This is the school’s largest fundraiser and a fun, social community event.

It’s the next best thing to being in Hawaii.

Four VIP tickets to PBR in Big Sky on August 1 from Continental Construction

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For skiers, top of the line skis, boots, helmets, goggles, premium demo packages, cross country and downhill packages For the fit and beautiful: Yoga, Gym Membership, Tumble Bears Gymnastics, Massage and Beauty packages

The weeklong lineup includes rock climbing, horseback riding, rafting, fly fishing, zip lining, archery, mountain biking, golfing, a rodeo, time at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and a hiking trip in Yellowstone National Park with a pack string of llamas. Veterans will also win trips for hunting, fishing, backcountry horse packing, a cattle ranch vacation and a hot air balloon flight.

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For travelers and romantics, we have ski, golf, theater and relaxation packages in town, across the state, and in exotic places

Private Sushi Dinner for eight in your home from Kokoro (Amy Jones)

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For fishermen: Fly fishing excursions with Bill Lerch and at DePuy Spring Creek.

Several wounded warrior guests will return from the previous year, this time as volunteers and mentors.

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Day of skiing for two with extreme Skier Scot Schmidt at the Yellowstone Club

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Children’s art: which is always popular with parents and grandparents.

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10 months of free piano lessons

One of the six evenings, on July 20, will be open to the public. Speakers will include comedian Mark Sweeney, David Philipps (author of Lethal Warriors), and Staff Sergeant Mike Mills, a veteran who suffered near fatal burns from an explosion.

•

Private dinner for eight in your home prepared by a Yellowstone Club chef

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Healing • Advocacy • Victim Support Education • New Beginnings Are you being hurt by the one you love?

You are not alone…HAVEN can help

24-hour confidential crisis line:(406) 586-4111 Support for victims of domestic violence in Gallatin County 24-hour crisis line (406) 586-4111 15-bed emergency shelter Support groups for women and children Individual counseling Legal advocacy Community education Youth prevention education

For more information about HAVEN, visit www.havenmt.org, join us on facebook or call the office, (406) 586-7689 6 March 9, 2012

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Big Sky Weekly

The SAS Project is supported by Operation Never Forgotten, a nonprofit

which works to create awareness for wounded warriors, deployed troops, fallen heroes and military families on a national level. ONF is an all-volunteer organization.

“We saw what a great impact our first SAS event made for wounded warriors that we had to keep bringing well- deserved veterans back to Big Sky,” said vice president of ONF and veteran, John Kinzinger.

SAS also teaches the veterans about wildlife, hunting, fishing and wilderness, something ONF President Linda Kelly says is important.

“Too many of our combat veterans are struggling with invisible wounds or stress injury and are falling into high rates of crime, broken marriages, substance abuse and even suicide,” Kelly said.

“We introduce new hope and passion in life through adaptive skills,” Kelly said.

Without having a friend or family member in the military, it’s hard to comprehend the importance of supporting veterans and their caregivers, said Kelly, whose son and husband served in Iraq simultaneously.

To donate or get involved, visit sasproject.org.

YCCF contributes $860K to local nonprofits big sky weekly staff writer

BIG SKY—The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation released a report to the community in late February listing its contributions to the community.

Since its inception in 2010, YCCF has provided $860,000 in grants and sponsorships to more than 50 local nonprofit and school groups. The most recent grants awarded in January totaled about $262,000. The awarded grants ranged from $500 to $60,000 and the average request was $5,000 to $10,000.

The largest grants went to support BSCC for camp scholarships and to complete the skate park. The second largest went to the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, said Casey Schwartz, director of YCCF. Funding from YCCF enabled the Gallatin Valley Food Bank to host a major hunger-relief initiative, including a KidsPack program that provides food to 12 elementary schools, serving nearly 600 children on the weekends; the Ophir School District acquired new technology for students, hired a

full-time technology instructor and increased technology course offerings at the high school level; Big Sky Youth Empowerment expanded its mentoring program for at-risk youth to include high school juniors and seniors and incorporate a stronger focus on education; and Big Sky Community Corporation raised funds for its skate park.

“YCCF’s inaugural report to the community illustrates our continued dedication to Big Sky and the Gallatin Valley,” said Sam Byrne, YCCF board president. “We are committed to helping our neighbors and look forward to continuing the tradition of supporting our community for many years to come.”

The organization recently changed the request dates for grants to May 1 and Nov. 1. The grant application should be completed on the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation website.

Further details on YCCF fundraising and giving programs are available in the Report to the Community, which may be downloaded at yellowstoneclubfoundation.org

velopment with a Long-term Financial Perspective A Unique Development explorebigsky.com

Big Sky Weekly

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March 9, 2012 7

local news The only Consignment Store in Big Sky!

Your local, best store for the resale of quality, lightly used goods

PRICE REDUCTIONS! • Winter Clothing (Women, Men, Children)

• Sports Gear (Skis, Snowboards, Boots, Ice Skates)

• Winter Sports Clothing • & Much more !

Come in to see us!

Located in the Big Horn Center, north of signal light, at corner of Hwy 191 & Lone Mtn Trail, across from Bugaboo Café - Big Sky

Call: Janine & Dick @ 406-993-9333 Open: Tues – Sat, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sun, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Closed on Mondays

Big Sky Weekly

Pilot Fast Pass program is controversial, successful By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

BIG SKY—It’s similar to a program at Disneyland.

Big Sky Resort did the first trial run on its new Fast Pass program over the weekend of March 3 and 4. The system allows day ticket or season pass holders to reserve a timeslot on the Lone Peak Tram, between 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Riding the Lone Peak Tram is the signature Big Sky experience, and we want to make sure everyone gets a chance to do that,” said Meg O’Leary, Big Sky Resort’s director of sales and marketing. The idea is to allow guests to spend time skiing instead of waiting in line, O’Leary said.

On weekends through March, the plan is to distribute fast passes on a first-come, first-served basis each day. Skiers are limited to one per day and are given a 30-minute grace period from their assigned timeslot until their pass expires. Fast Pass timeslots will take up a third of available tram capacity.

It could make the tram less intimidating for visiting skiers, and give locals a chance for one walk-on tram each day.

But many season pass holders and employees have expressed frustration, particularly employees because they aren’t eligible.

When the resort announced the program on its Facebook page, it received more than 80 comments, many of them negative. Several

season pass holders threatened to throw snowballs and epithets at Fast Pass users.

“I think the idea is sort of good, but I’m just not for something that’s good for ticket holders and season pass holders but not employees,” said one employee who had been with the resort for four years and wished to remain anonymous. “It’s biting the hand that feeds you.”

“Everyone is afraid they’re going to charge for it,” the employee said.

But the first weekend went without any hurling snowballs whatsoever, said Chad Jones, Big Sky’s public relations director.

“We’re still evaluating it, working out some kinks and ways to make it more efficient,” Jones said. The passes went quickly in the morning, and had a good redemption rate, he added.

A review of the resort’s Facebook page showed no new comments after the weekend.

“I think most of the problems that I ran into were from people misunderstanding the program initially,” Jones said. He said there are no immediate plans to charge for the Fast Pass.

As part of the program, guests interested in taking a scenic tram ride without waiting in line may now do so between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., after the tram is closed to skiers.

Scenic rides are still available during regular tram operating hours, no Fast Pass required.

Two residences auctioned at Spanish Peaks, one in the YC BIG SKY—Luxury real estate auction firm Concierge Auctions sold three luxury mountain residences within the Yellowstone Club and the Spanish Peaks at auction on March 2.

The auction was conducted in cooperation with listing agent Martha Johnson, a realtor in Big Sky. Martha Johnson, John Bauchman and Tim Ryan represented the buyers.

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"I could not have imagined all of the interest generated by the concierge program and the urgency that was created with the set auction date,” Johnson said.

In the Yellowstone Club, the residence that sold is approximately 4,806 square feet, and includes multiple living rooms, outdoor entertaining areas and private ski bridge access.

The two other residences are located within Spanish Peaks. Pioneer Cabin 18 is a furnished five-bedroom, sixand-a-half bathroom residence with a detached, two-car garage. Discovery Cabins 15 also has five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms and includes an attached, two-car garage.

“We were engaged to sell two properties on this assignment—one in the Yellowstone Club and one Bidder’s Choice in Spanish Peaks,” said Laura Brady, Concierge Auctions’ vice president of marketing for auctions.

Concierge’s worldwide exposure campaign identified 362 buyer prospects and 12 bidders for this auction, which also resulted in additional interest in the communities, Brady noted.

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local news Ticket sale announced for Big Sky PBR for more seating, but that effort isn’t yet a done deal.

Last year’s sellout event was voted as one of the ‘events of the year for Big Sky’ by locals and visitors.

Vendor information hasn’t been released yet, and event coordinator Eric Ladd said he’s looking into finding bigger bands and sponsors for this year’s two-day rodeo.

Photo by John Marshall big sky weekly staff writer

BIG SKY—The group that announced last month it was officially repeating the Big Sky PBR on July 31 and Aug. 1 said this week it would sell tickets for the event starting June 15.

Tickets for the event will include general admission and standing room seating for $40, and what’s been dubbed Golden Buckle seating, for $150. Children age 6 and under get into the event free.

The group is using the off-season since last August to raise funds that would go toward new bleachers

This year the event will include a Calcutta and pre-party on July 31 with proceeds benefiting local charities like Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Big Sky Community Corporation. The main event will be held on Aug. 1 in the Big Sky Town Center.

Ladd said the second annual pro bull riding event will also include mutton bustin’, where youngsters cling onto sheep for an 8-second ride around the arena dirt.

Information for the event is hosted on explorebigsky.com/pbr, which is updated daily with contacts, sponsors and rider information.

Big Sky Weekly

Local opportunity extended David Mueller Scholarship Applications Now Due March 24 Local youth aged 12 to 18 who have their eyes on an extraordinary outdoor experience this summer should consider an opportunity provided by a memorial fund created to honor David Mueller (known locally as Big Bald Dave).

Up to $5,000 will be given to help a young person participate in an outdoor experience this summer. The deadline for applications has been extended to March 24. Applications for the award must be submitted online at Yellowstoneclubfoundation.org. The winning recipient will be announced on April 2.

This is the second year the scholarship is being offered. Last year, Griffin House attended a ten-day National Outdoor Leadership School trip as a result of this scholarship. A video of the experience is available on the YCCF website.

David Mueller loved to fish, ski, hike and bike, and the scholarship will go to a young person who best describes his or her desire to further knowledge, love and respect of the outdoors. Preference is given to local youth.

Integrity.

Vision.

Craft.

For available Continental Properties at Yellowstone Club call Bill Collins at 1-888-700-7748 or visit continentalconstruction.com explorebigsky.com

March 9, 2012 9

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Big Sky Weekly

How far can you go?

The sixth annual Equinox Snow Challenge is March 24 and 25

By Kaley Bjornsen

equinox snow challenge

WEST YELLOWSTONE—The sixth annual Equinox Snow Challenge will be held on March 24 and 25 at the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone. Skiers, snow bikers or snowshoers can enter as a relay team with up to eight members, or as soloists. Divisions are three, six, 12 or 24 hours. Changing disciplines is allowed. There will also be a 24-minute kids event on March 24.

The event has grown consistently since its inception, as skiers from around the West come to either push their limits, or just catch some of the last groomed skiing for the season.

Last year about 90 participants enjoyed the spring sun and festivities at the Equinox Ski Challenge.

This event is ingrained with camaraderie, challenge and commitment to the well being of our communities.

The Equinox will benefit the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation and the Manaia Youth Programs in an effort to support organizations keeping our communities mentally and physically healthy. There will also be a food drive for the West Yellowstone Food Bank. The event gathered over 100 pounds of food for the West Yellowstone Food Bank at the 2011 race and raised $250 each for Wysef and Manaia, bringing our total to around $1000 for each organization since the race began in 2007.

The festivities include a potluck with beverages on Saturday evening and the requisite all night bonfire at the start/finish line. Complete details, race updates and online registration are available at equinoxsnowchallenge.com.

The current 24-hour soloist record is an incredible 326 kilometers set in 2007. The 24-hour team record was set in 2009, at 401 kilometers.

The skier who set the solo record slept only 45 minutes. Plenty of other skiers have contributed 45 kilometers to their team total, eaten three square meals, and slept eight hours. The 2011 participants skied 6304.7 km total through snow squalls and warmer temperatures. The goal is to have a lot of fun and also complete as many laps as you can.

Photos courtesy of sam newbury

Yellowstone’s winter season drawing to a close

New Bozeman HAZMAT truck to serve Big Sky and West Yellowstone

By Kurt Dehmer

Big Sky Weekly Contributor

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK —March 1 means two things in Yellowstone: a celebration of the birth of the world’s first national park in 1872, and the beginning of the end of motorized oversnow travel in the park’s interior for another year.

Commercially guided snowmobile and snowcoach travel between Fishing Bridge and the park’s east entrance over Sylvan Pass ended at 9 p.m. on March 1. Closures on other road segments occur during the following two weeks, with all oversnow travel scheduled to end for the season at 9 p.m. on March 15.

The roads will reopen to car travel on April 20, weather permitting.

10 March 9, 2012

The road from Gardiner, through the park's north entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City, Montana, is open to automobiles all year, weather permitting.

Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling (307) 3442117.

The National Park Service is working on a long-term plan to guide winter use in Yellowstone. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will be released for public review and comment late this spring. The NPS intends to have a final Supplemental EIS, a Record of Decision and a long-term regulation for winter use in Yellowstone in place before the midDecember start of the 2012/2013 winter season.

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GALLATIN COUNTY—Last December the Bozeman Fire Department got a new tow vehicle for its regional hazardous materials trailer. This tow rig, built by Rosenbauer Firefighting Technology of Wyoming, Minn., has a customized Freightliner cab and chassis with a rescue body, and is configured specifically for HAZMAT emergencies and operations.

In previous years the Bozeman Fire Department relied on a Ford F-550 truck as the primary tow unit for the HAZMAT trailer, acquired in 2004.

A state grant covered the $160,000 sticker price of the new Freightliner.

Missoula, Helena and Great Falls also received similar grants and identical vehicles; Billings and Kalispell are set to receive similar trucks within the coming year.

The Bozeman HAZMAT team is one of six regional teams in Montana. This group of professional firefighters is comprised of 18 specially trained technicians, and is on call around the clock.

The team covers not only the city of Bozeman, but also the surrounding area of Gallatin County, including Big Sky and West Yellowstone. In addition, it may respond to hazardous materials emergencies throughout Montana if requested by state agencies such as Disaster and Emergency Services.

While the new truck will spend most of its time in Bozeman, it should serve as an added element of security to citizens of the Big Sky area, as well.

The HAZMAT unit was called into service for the President’s 2009 visit to the region; on average it’s utilized nine times a year. Some of the emergencies requiring this specialized service occur in Gallatin Canyon.

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Big Sky Weekly

montana This is part of a series of interviews the Big Sky Weekly has conducted with Montanans running for seats both in Montana Government and in Washington, D.C.

interviews By Taylor Anderson big sky weekly assistant editor

Jon Tester Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, is in the sixth year of his first term serving in the U.S. Senate. He has stood for protecting services for veterans, protecting gun rights and developing and reforming the energy industries.

His Forest, Jobs and Recreation Act of 2011 seeks to create 700,000 acres of wilderness in western Montana forests while creating logging jobs in an industry he says needs a boost. That bill has seen stark opposition from the House, notably from Rep. Denny Rehberg, a Republican who is giving up his at-large seat in Congress to run in the senate election against Tester.

This race has quickly become the most contested in the country, and could potentially determine which party holds the majority of the Senate.

So how’s the campaign going for you these days?

I think it’s going as well as it possibly can. We’re in good shape as we move forward [if you look at] what we’ve accomplished in DC over Rehberg’s 12 years he’s been here versus the six I’ve been here.

You stand for breaking our dependence on foreign oil. And you say drilling at the Bakken Oil Fields in eastern Montana is a way of doing that. You’re not alone in that belief on your side of the aisle, are you? What are your views on the Keystone XL pipeline?

It starts with jobs and it ends with jobs. There’s important work yet to be done. Hopefully we’ll get some work done in the next six to eight months. If we could put the Bakken oil fields into Billings that would be great.

I support the pipeline even if it goes to Houston. It has to be done right and safely. The issues with the Ogallala have to be dealt with. Short-term jobs are one thing but the long-term impacts are much, much greater. I pushed the president, and I think he’s wrong on this, so we pushed him to change his opinion.

Your website says, “Jon believes that Montana has great potential to be a leader in many industries.” Which industries do you see Montana a potential leader in?

We have incredible conventional energy resources: coal, natural gas and oil. I also think we have a tremendous opportunity in renewable energy. I’m still a big supporter of all of the above.

We have better solar resources than Germany, better geothermal than Iceland. Biomass on our farmland can be used. One of the best wind sources in the country in eastern Montana. We could literally be the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy.

If you look at our forests, we have good forest infrastructure. The [Forest, Jobs and Recreation Act] would put people back to work in the forest.

Of course, on all these things whether you’re talking wood products or livestock or grain production, we have incredible ability to manage all those things.

Whether making logs into lumber or furniture. We have incredible opportunity to preserve these products. Montana has a special name in the marketplace.

12 March 9, 2012

What about the university system in Montana?

MSU is just up the road--those are incredible econ drivers. We need to do a better job funding research that will help in industries to save us money over the long haul. Montana is a great place to live. The small businesses that can spin off…can create a lot of jobs in the state. We have a great university system, and we need to start using it.

I’ve heard you quoted saying there’s no more middle class.

Is that accurate, and if so, do you still believe it’s true?

Why? There’s still a middle class but it’s shrinking, and that’s the problem. We need to focus on working families and small business. It’s one of the reasons veterans need to get the benefits they deserve.

The reason for it is wages have been stagnant for the last 27 years. You can’t have those stagnant wages.

Also, there are a whole lot of folks going into the poor category. When you’re living in a condition that you’re one sickness from bankruptcy, that isn’t middle class quality. I don't think there’s no middle class, I consider myself middle class.

When you pull up Denny Rehberg’s campaign site, your picture is the first to appear. When you pull up JonTester.com, it’s a picture of Montana Veterans. What does this say about the different campaigns you two are running?

I appreciate him putting my picture up because I’ve done a lot of good in Congress and he hasn’t done a lot. We've aggressively worked to get things done in Montana.

Vets are important to this country. We get into Iraq and Afghanistan, and before that other wars…one of the things we need to do better as a country is living up to the promise we’ve made to our vets. I believe in their sacrifices.

Looking across the aisle, you share several of the same views on issues as Rehberg. Breaking dependence on foreign oil. Better technology to harness alternatives. What makes you two so different?

That’s a great question. I think it’s one thing talking about priorities and another doing things to make those real. One of the reasons I push for renewables is to take pressure off foreign oil. One of the reasons I vote for the highway bill is it improves infrastructure.

He’s the only member of the delegation that voted against Keystone. He says one thing and he does another. That’s a fact. I don't want to be critical when I say that. Part of the problem is he does a fundraiser with BP on the anniversary of the oil spill in the Gulf. That’s fine. He gets a ton of money from big oil so I think he probably has to do that.

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You could talk about priorities, but when the rubber hits the road, what have you done to fix it?

This may be the toughest question you’ll face on the campaign trail. What does Denny Rehberg do well?

That’d be a better question for him. I would say I don't know. I gotta say something huh?

He is a human being; there must be something he’s done well. They don't come to mind easily. His housing development out of Billings is good. Any time you can get affordable housing for people--assuming they are affordable.

Without protection by the Forest, Jobs and Recreation Act, what could happen to those National Forests? Why is this legislation needed? Sum up your bill for the Montana people.

The reason it’s needed is because in order to have a vibrant mill industry you need a dependent supply.

This is going to get the Forest Service out and cut 10,000 acres for 10 years. This is more wood than they’ve cut in a long, long time on federal lands.

[Montana] still has eight or so mills and they’re doing pretty good work.

It will withstand any sort of lawsuit brought against it. It’s written in a way that I feel very, very secure in that. In the end it’s important because we have 5.5 million acres of red dead trees in our forests.

We still have eight or so mills and they’re doing pretty good work. What they need is dependable supply. What our forest needs is some management for those trees.

Plus it sets aside land for snowmobiles permanently, by the way. It sets aside wilderness for future generations.

It truly is important. It’s a bill that was built by Montanans, not me, Montanans.

Do you have anything to say about the current state of Congress?

This place is crazy.

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montana

Big Sky Weekly

denny rehberg language in support of Keystone XL that’s passed both the House and Senate with bi-partisan majorities. Here is a project that's truly ‘shovelready,’ would create jobs now, and would be paid for by private investment instead of taxpayers.

It's a win-win.

In what industries is Montana a leader? How do you plan to push the state to be a leader nationwide?

Each of Montana's 56 counties has unique opportunities. You won't find better workers anywhere in the world, and that's why we've got so many important industries.

Denny Rehberg couldn’t conduct a phone interview, and these answers were coordinated via email.

Rep. Denny Rehberg, a Republican, is giving up his seat in the U.S. House to challenge Sen. Tester’s seat in the Senate. Rehberg stands for curbing energy resources while still harnessing the vast coal and oil that abound Montana, ending state-run health care, and passing a balanced budget.

The Billings native has served six terms as Montana’s congressman. This race has quickly become one of the most contested in the country, and could determine which party wins majority of the Senate and House.

How’s the campaign going these days?

We're seeing so much energy from folks in Montana who are ready to get involved in this election so we can elect a new president and get new leadership in the U.S. Senate.

They're tired of what Washington has been doing, but they're excited and optimistic about our country's ability to change course and get our economy moving again. We've got campaign offices in Billings, Bozeman, Kalispell and Missoula, and we're seeing a lot of interest from folks who want to volunteer.

As I travel the state meeting with Montanans, it's very clear we've got the issues on our side, along with the momentum and enthusiasm.

You support what many others do for energy reform--harnessing traditional energy and developing ways we can use less. What are your thoughts on the Keystone XL pipeline?

Where should it start?

The time to start building the Keystone XL pipeline is now. Montana workers need these jobs, and Montana energy producers in the Bakken need this pipeline to bring their product to market.

A lot of politicians in this state say they’re for [it], but I'm the only one who has introduced

We need to continue to find ways to responsibly develop our [rich] natural resources. We're blessed with exceptional nature and outdoor activities that are the envy of the country. In much of our state, agriculture will continue to be the backbone of the economy.

A buzzword around Congress today is ‘Balanced Budget.’ How would you work to pass this if there were two different parties in Congress? How would it be different next term?

"It's been more than 1,000 days since my opponent and the Democrats who run the Senate have passed any budget at all, much less a balanced budget. That's something for Montanans to be concerned about.

A budget, whether for a family or a government, is about setting priorities and making sure you've got the funding required to meet needs and promises. The first thing I did this Congress was sponsor a constitutional amendment to require Congress to balance the budget. I've also sponsored legislation that says no one in Congress gets a pay raise until the budget is balanced. I'll continue to bring Washington's reckless spending under control so we can protect the programs folks have paid into and count on, such as Medicare and Social Security, and stop putting future generations into debt.

When I pulled up your site a few weeks ago, the first picture up there was of Jon Tester.

That begs the question, what makes you better than him? And why should you earn the vote from Montanans come November?

There's a clear contrast in philosophies between myself and Sen. Tester. While he's supported President Obama's agenda 95 percent of the time, I have been a check and balance on the President in the House and would be even stronger in the Senate.

Since Obama took office and Tester began voting for his policies, our country has lost more than a million jobs and we're in our 36th straight month of above-8-percent unemployment nationally.

Meanwhile, our national debt has skyrocketed and stands today at over $15 trillion.

In the Senate, I will work to reverse this dangerous trend and get our nation to a point where

Washington is no longer over-taxing, over-spending and over-regulating.

Let’s talk about the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. What are you against? Is there anything in the bill or any theme of it that you support?

New wilderness lands are the only thing this proposal truly guarantees. We know from experience the very same environmental groups holding up timber production today, many of which are not on board with this bill, will sue to prevent the timber harvest and kill those jobs by tying them up in court for years.

I've proposed a straightforward solution to that issue by suggesting to Sen. Tester and others that any new wilderness land be phased in as these jobs are created, which would ensure that we get the jobs we were promised and not just the new wilderness. That would go a long way toward making this a better deal for Montanans.

Do you want to share any thoughts on the Wilderness Study Areas in western Montana that are ready for management by the Forest Service?

The federal government has locked up 42 million acres of federal land in so-called Wilderness Study Areas and Inventoried Roadless Areas.

These were possible wilderness areas, but for whatever reason, the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service, respectively, have determined they are not suitable for wilderness. It's past time to return some of these lands to the public for their use and enjoyment. I've sponsored legislation—H.R. 1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act—to open public land for public use.

What does Tester do well?

I think Sen. Tester is a nice guy. Something he and I both do well is to separate a person from how you feel about their philosophy and politics. Sen. Tester and I have some very important disagreements, and we're certainly opponents in this race, but at the end of the day it's a contest of principles, ideas and records, and not a matter of personal attacks. That's how I plan to run this race, and I hope he'll do the same.

What makes you two different even though you share many of the same views?

I think the biggest difference is that, while he may say he shares certain views with me or other Montanans, his record tells a different story. For instance, he ran in 2006 promising to lead efforts to balance the federal budget, but it's been more than 1,000 days since he and his fellow Senate Democrats have passed any budget at all. He says he opposes bailouts, but he voted to bail out Fannie and Freddie at taxpayer expense and to allow taxpayer-funded bailout bonuses to go to executives at insurance giant AIG. He says he supports our Second Amendment rights, but he's voted to confirm both of President Obama's anti-gun activist judges to lifetime appointments on the Supreme Court. Words aren't enough—you need to back those words up with deeds, and in too many cases Sen. Tester has said one thing in Montana, then done the opposite in Washington.

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March 9, 2012 13

montana New state program aims to let no Montana child go hungry HELENA—More than 48,000 children (21.8 percent) in Montana are at risk of hunger. That means more than one in five children live in families struggling to put food on the table.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer this February joined with America’s leading child anti-hunger organization, Share Our Strength, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, and a diverse group of education, nonprofit and government leaders to launch Montana No Kid Hungry.

“Montana is a state known for growing the food that helps feed our nation,” Schweitzer said. “It’s time to make sure that all of Montana’s children have access to the food and basic nutrition they need to be healthy and to grow.”

Montana No Kid Hungry aims to increase awareness about federally funded nutrition programs, including the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infants and Children Program. DPHHS oversees administration of these programs.

“Childhood hunger is a public health concern with serious consequences that

can last a lifetime,” DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell said.

Montanans can also connect to the programs, implementing outreach strategies to teach more families about SNAP, and offer nutrition education to help them learn how to cook affordable meals on a tight budget.

Share Our Strength has invested $145,000 with DPHHS to build the Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger that includes state and local level organizations. Montana is one of 18 states where Share Our Strength is partnering with state and local agencies, as well as communitybased organizations to raise awareness about childhood hunger.

“Hunger is a reality often silenced because of shame and stigma,” said Michael McCormick, director of the Livingston Food Pantry. “In Livingston, our volunteers serve families and individuals who find themselves without enough food because of unemployment, low or fixed incomes, or unforeseen circumstances. It’s never easy for anyone to ask for food.” mt.nokidhungry.org

Department of Labor and Industry announces extension of federal Emergency Unemployment HELENA —The federal extension of emergency unemployment benefits has been passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. The program will contain some new requirements including in-person work search assessments for claimants entering into emergency benefits and a gradual change in weeks available.

The emergency benefits are for people

who have exhausted regular state jobless benefits and don’t include any additional weeks for those that have already exhausted regular and emergency benefits.

The final week of emergency benefits is the week of Dec. 29, 2012.

Further information is available at uid.dli.mt.gov.

Call for submissions – student photographers BOZEMAN—Montana high school and college students are invited to showcase their photography talent by submitting themed photos to be highlighted at the 2012 Student Summit for Sustainability and the Environment.

The photograph theme categories are “Mother Earth” and “Sustainability in Practice.”

The photos will be viewed by high school students and organizations; university organizations and professors; green businesses and community organizations and individuals who are interested in sustainability and the environment.

MSU adjunct professor, Martha Joh Reeder-Kearns. As part of the Gallatin Earth Celebration, the event intends to inform, inspire and empower young people by creating a dialogue between youth, educators, businesses, political leaders and community organizations.

Interested photographers may submit up to four black and white or color photographs, two per category. Submission forms are required and can be requested by emailing mjreeder@hotmail.com.

Photo submissions must be received no later than April 6.

The event is April 20 (8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at MSU’s Procrastinator Theatre.

The Gateway Youth Group spearheads the summit, under the leadership of

14 March 9, 2012

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State wolf hunting season 166 wolves harvested of overall quota of 220 wolves

more than double the previous hunt (2009) when

72 wolves

were harvested FWP.COM

Ophir School District #72 School Board Trustee Position Ophir School District #72 has two three year term and one two year term school board trustee positions available. Election will be held May 8, 2012. Any person who is qualified to vote in Ophir School District #72 is eligible for the office of trustee.

Nomination petitions are available from the main office at Ophir School or by calling Marie Goode, District Clerk, at 995-4281 ext. 202. A valid nomination petition requires five signatures of registered voters from the district. The deadline for filing a petition is March 29, 2012. NO CANDIDATE MAY APPEAR ON THE BALLOT UNLESS HE OR SHE MEETS THIS DEADLINE. No person signing a petition may sign more nomination petitions than there are trustee positions open.

  Discuss Proposed Culvert Replacement on U.S. 89 at Cedar Creek Wednesday, March 14, 2012 6 p.m.

Yellowstone Association Headquarters 308 Park St. (across from Roosevelt Arch) Gardiner, MT The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will discuss a proposal to replace the existing two culverts with a reinforced concrete box culvert on U.S. 89 at the Cedar Creek crossing north of Gardiner The project is located approximately ten miles north of Gardiner in Park County at milepost 10. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public of the project status and design changes.

The meeting is open to the public and will be recorded. MDT attempts to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s participation in any department service, program or activity. For reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Paul Grant at (406) 444-9415 at least two days before the meeting. For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is (406) 4447696 or (800) 335-7592, or Montana Relay at 711. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request.

Comments may be submitted in writing at the meeting, by mail to Dustin Rouse, MDT Preconstruction Engineer, Butte District Office at PO Box 3068, Butte, MT or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml Please indicate comments are for project CN 4577 and submit comments by April 6, 2012.

opinion

Gearheads can have a say in WSA, if they organize

By Taylor Anderson

not the Forest Service, had the solution for how to manage the 166,000-acre WSA.

big sky weekly assistant editor

Cynics may disagree, but a recent meeting hosted by the Forest Service to open discussion about the future of Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Areas was extremely beneficial for those looking to use those areas for mechanized recreation.

The meeting featured Dr. Steve Daniels, a Montana native who specializes in organizing groups into action committees to work for conservation.

That sort of advice should ring loudly with many in attendance that night, ranging from longhaired college hippies to camo-wearing motorheads. The group was visibly on edge after what they say has been too much government wrangling and regulation over the forest.

The truth is that meeting, though little direct action came of it, laid a blueprint that, if harnessed, could put an enormous amount of power in the hands of those wishing to recreate in the HPBH WSA.

If the owners of the pickups that packed the parking lot at the Fairgrounds on Feb. 29 truly want change, they’re going to need to put in about 18 months of work to get anything done.

Building 1 Gallatin County Fairgrounds filled with hoots and hollers when poll results favored motorists, and some confronted Gallatin National Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson suggesting they,

Daniels said that in the past, groups seeking collaboration with the Forest Service have organized to enforce ideals. The groups concerned with this particular issue could create steering committees, which are made of six people crafting the desires and goals of a collective mindset. Those committees would then open up to a working group of up to 20 people, and then with hundreds of other interested and informed citizens (ie, those in attendance).

It’s not a process that accomplishes itself, Daniels warned. But if the owners of the pickups that packed the parking lot at the Fairgrounds on Feb. 29 truly want change, they’re going to need to put in about 18 months of work to get anything done.

That’s how it works. Bureaucracy isn’t a hasty process, which in this case can work to the benefit of those most interested.

What won’t work, as Daniels noted several times, is the policy ping pong that’s plagued this particular stretch of wilderness since the courts designed the current system of designating roadless wilderness areas in 1977.

“You can keep playing the policy ping pong if you want, you’re really quite good at it, it appears.”

As was reiterated during the meeting, every year a final decision on wilderness management for the HPBH isn’t made, it becomes more and more difficult to define wilderness character in 1977 terms.

An impressive number of people came out for the meeting in Bozeman that night—about 400. Some were misled about the form the meeting would take and thought they were coming to stop a piece of regulation that would forever ban motorists from the WSA. That wasn’t the case.

But they may have stumbled onto an influential meeting that could shape the way the Forest Service manages the HPBH WSA in the future. It’s up to them.

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March 9, 2012 15

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Big Sky Weekly

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Section 2:

Health & business // ophir school news

Big Sky Weekly

March 9, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue #5

health & wellness

Ask Dr. Dunn Does atmospheric pressure, like spending time above 5,000 feet or scuba diving, have any effect on Vertigo?

The short answer: no. Most people who suffer from vertigo have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV. This type of vertigo gets its name due to lack of malfunction or infection of the brain or nerves, the fact that its symptoms come and go and are worsened by positioning of the head. Symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance and sometimes nausea.

Many people describe feelings of “spinning.” The cause is thought to be debris floating in the fluid that fills the tiny canals of your inner ear. This debris, in conjunction with head positioning and gravity, causes erroneous feelings of movement when the head is turned. Pressure changes are not thought to have an effect on these fluid filled canals, or the associated symptoms.

I’ve been told I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

What’s the treatment?

If you’ve been diagnosed with SAD, you’ve likely experienced a depressed mood starting in the fall that improves in the springtime. Symptoms of SAD include fatigue, sleeping too much or not enough, weight gain or loss, inability to concentrate and irritability.

While studies are conflicted regarding success of different treatments, one method continues to stand above the rest: light therapy. This involves exposure to visible light producing 10,000 lux, a measure of light intensity essential to reach anti-depressant effects. Light therapy requires the person’s eyes to be open, although staring at a light source is not advised.

Initially, treatment times are 10 – 15 minutes a day, working up to 30 – 45 minutes a day.

Commercially produced light sources are recommended due to their safety

and improved quality, including fluorescent light instead of incandescent, and added features to protect your eyes from UV rays. Some people notice an immediate response to light therapy, while others may feel a difference within seven days.

Treatment should be reevaluated if symptoms haven’t improved after four to six weeks. It’s important to seek medical advice before starting light therapy so you can be properly evaluated for all possible treatments, as well as educated on the risks, benefits and potential side effects of each one.

My child has a sore throat, and I’ve heard strep throat is contagious. Is that true?

Yes, Strep tonsillopharyngitis (strep throat) is caused by a nasty bacteria called Group A Streptococcus, or GAS. It’s very contagious, and in fact 34 percent of close contacts like family members or schoolmates who are exposed become infected.

The illness presents itself after two to four days of incubation. Symptoms include severe sore throat, fever, tender lymph nodes in the neck, and exudate on the tonsils. It requires antibiotics ASAP to protect close contacts from infection, and to decrease the likelihood of serious complications.

Studies show that after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy most patients are 80 percent less likely to transmit the bacteria to others.

Because there are many causes of sore throat, it’s important that a medical provider see your child in order to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Maren Dunn, D.O., is owner of Gallatin Family Medicine, a medical clinic in the Big Sky Meadow Village. gallatinfamilymedicine.com

Rebalancing at the Moonlight Spa By katie morrison

big sky weekly contributor

My New Year’s resolution for 2012 is to achieve better balance in my life. I plan to have harmony of mind, body and spirit and proportionately divide my work, personal, and social time. A lofty goal.

My progress has not been astounding in the past couple months. However, I recently received a jumpstart. My husband, who always encourages me

to take better care of myself, offered to treat me to any therapy I wanted at the Moonlight Spa. I immediately went online to check out my options. The many types of massages, facials and aesthetics were all enticing, but in light of my resolution, I decided to try something different. I booked an Abhyanga massage, an ancient Ayurvedic full body massage, which promised to restore my flow of “prana,” or life force.

Answering emails while running to the spa a few afternoons later, I used some self-control and turned off my phone as I walked in. For the next couple blissful hours, I let myself be immersed in the relaxing environment.

Starting out in the sanctuary, it was easy to let go of my stress. I snuggled up with a blanket and cup of tea on a chaise lounge next to the fireplace.

The serenity of the sanctuary seemed to extend down the hall and into massage room, where my therapist led me. She explained how she would revitalize my energy through a rhythmic massage using marma points (similar to acupressure points) and warm healing Ayurvedic oils.

It sounded quite different than the typical deep pressure sports massage that I was accustomed to, but I remained optimistic.

The warm oil and fluid massage strokes were hypnotic, gently easing built up tension and circulating energy through my body. The biggest difference though, was how revitalized I felt. I had more energy and seemed to accomplish more in all aspects of my life for days afterwards.

While I won’t be able to achieve my idealistic goal in one afternoon at the spa, it helped me achieve balance in the short term, which inspired me to keep trying.

Photos by Erik Morrison

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March 9, 2012 17

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business Report: Yellowstone’s economic impact Yellowstone-A new National Park Service report shows that 3.64 million visitors in 2010 spent over $334 million in Yellowstone National Park and in communities near the park. That spending supported nearly 4,900 jobs in the local area, according to a YNP press release.

Most of the spending and jobs are related to lodging, food and beverage service (52 percent) followed by other retail (29 percent), entertainment/

amusements (10 percent), gas and local transportation (7 percent) and groceries (2 percent).

The figures are based on $12 billion of direct spending by 281 million visitors in 394 national parks and nearby communities and are included in an annual, peer-reviewed, visitor spending analysis conducted by Dr. Daniel Stynes of Michigan State University for the National Park Service.

Consignment Cabin of Big Sky to host a St. Patrick’s Day Business after Hours The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce’s monthly networking event will be at the Consignment Cabin in the Big Horn Center, Thursday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Wear green to this Business after Hours: It will be an evening to savor traditional Irish “blarney” fare and festive beverages while catching up on the state of business with Big Sky colleagues. The Consignment Cabin offers lightly used clothing, home furnishings, sports equipment, artwork, kitchen items and electronics.

For more information please call the Chamber of Commerce at 995-3000.

Chamber to host business sustainability workshop BIG SKY—An upcoming workshop will make a case for business sustainability, offer tools for reducing waste through areas such as energy efficiency and purchasing modifications, and help businesses plan for sustainability policy implementation.

The workshop, hosted by the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and the Yellowstone Business Partnership, is free and open to any business or organization, but space is limited to the first 15 organizations to respond.

It will be Thursday, March 29, from 10 – 2 p.m. in the Meadow Village Clock Tower building at 75 Center Lane, in

the Outlaw Partners’ conference room.

Local survey gives insight on how to improve Big Sky community big sky weekly staff writer

Seventy-eight percent of visitors to Big Sky come in the winter, and 42 percent of these visitors begin planning their trip one to three months in advance.

This information is useful for organizations, boards and businesses in Big Sky working to improve aspects of the community, including summer tourism, signage and amenities.

These statistics, gathered from the online survey Bigskyfuture.com, are garnered on a daily basis. Bigskyfuture. com is organized and managed by Outlaw Partners LLC, a Big Sky based marketing, media and consulting agency.

"Bigskyfuture.com continues to be a great way for us to gather information about people who live and visit the Big Sky region,” said Eric Ladd, CEO of Outlaw Partners. This data is used to help consult local businesses on how to better position themselves within the market. It’s also very helpful when meeting with local groups and/or charities working to develop our community, Ladd said.

Since its inception in November of 2011, hundreds of people have

For more information and to RSVP, visit yellowstonebusiness.org/sustainabilityworkshop. Contact Wendy Weaver, YBP Field Representative and workshop presenter, with questions at fishngirl@gmail.com.

The Yellowstone Business Partnership is a nonprofit organization that creates regional partnerships and programs to enhance the environmental, social and economic well being in the Greater Yellowstone. YBP is partnering with Chambers throughout the region to offer these workshops.

Big Sky Weekly

BigSkyFuture.com taken the survey and about half of the participants are residents, 12 percent commuters, and 18 percent visitors.

Other analytics from the survey show that 76 percent of participants have lived in Big Sky permanently for 5 – 9 years, while 24 percent have left after two years. This shows a trend that at the two-year mark, residents either move, or stick around for the long term.

The survey shows that Big Sky is growing, and the results will now give the people who live and work in or around Big Sky more control over the direction it takes, the website says.

Participants can enter for a chance to win a Choppers Grub and Pub gift card after taking the survey. bigskyfuture.com

Family Wellness Month • Pediatrics • Chronic Conditions • Women’s Health • Pregnancy Care • Osteopathic Manipulation

LEGAL 3 Rivers Annual Membership Meeting Monday, March 19, 2012 Fairfield Community Hall Registration 10:30am Lunch 11:30am - 1:00pm Business Meeting 1:00pm Fairfield office closed 11am to 3pm Conrad office closed for the day Big Sky & Shelby offices will be open Browning Radio Shack will be open

Are your kids up-to-date on their vaccines?

Gallatin Family Medicine is a member of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program offering free vaccines to Medicaid and uninsured children.

Maren Dunn D.O. Board Certified in Family Medicine 18 Meadow Village Drive, Big Sky, MT (across from the post office) Phone: 406-995-3111 | gallatinfamilymedicine.com

467.2535 ● 3rivers.net

Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays

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March 9, 2012 19

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Big Sky Weekly

Ophir School Newspaper The Ophir School Newspaper is a joint production of Outlaw Partners and the aspiring MiddleSchool Journalists of Ophir School, who are self-assigning the content and reporting and photographing the stories you see here. The Ophir School Newspaper will appear on two pages of the Big Sky Weekly throughout the school year. - Barbara Rowley, Ophir School Newspaper advisor

Science madness!

By katie middleton Ophir School has been very busy lately with the science fair.

First, there was the school fair with around 70 students participating in the fifth through eighth grade. The judges chose about 21 lucky kids whose projects received first, second or third places. They attended the Montana Tech Regional Science Fair the following week.

At the regional fair, only the first place winners, grades six through eight, went on to the state competition, which happened in Missoula, on Feb. 19 and 20. The fifth graders, who had five first place finishes, couldn’t go to the fair.

While sixth through eighth graders cannot advance past the state level, high school students can go on to internationals. Three students, Anna Middleton, Micah Robin and Joe McGough, competed in Butte two days earlier than the middle school. Middleton won the grand

prize of a free trip to the Intel International Science Fair in Pittsburgh, Penn. in May. Kuka Holder, who won a blue ribbon and a gold medal, says she enjoys going to the fair because “it’s cool to see other people’s projects.” Holder’s project was titled “Vermicomposting” and was about using worms to eat garbage.

Jackson Raden, who received a blue ribbon and a gold medal with Holden Samuels for their project “Do headphones hurt your hearing?” said the best parts were doing well in the competition and having fun with their project. Jackson and Holden won a special award of $25; Holder and Solae Swenson also got special awards. At the Ophir Fair, Bella Butler and Dasha Bough split a $100 award from the Jack Creek Preserve for their project.

If you like the idea of winning cash, keep doing science when you are in high school, because those competitions have cash and scholarship prizes up to $100,000.

Photos by KP hoffman

Spelling semantics Fifth grader wins Bee

by Elizabeth Quakenbush This year, Ophir School hosted its second spelling bee. It was an hour of non-stop spelling, and what better place to hold it than the Community Library?

Teachers Sue Barton and Nettie Breuner judged from afar, while guidance counselor Kasey Anderson gave the contestants their words.

Students from fifth through eighth grades competed. Spewing words out one after another, the eliminations happened quickly. Soon it came down to five contestants, then to three. And momentarily there were just two people left.

Seventh grader Bella Butler and fifth grader Ben McCabe were the two last standing contestants.

Bella almost

20 March 9, 2012

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had it, but Ben obtained first place by spelling the word “semantics."

“It was really exciting when they told me I had gotten it right,” said Ben of his win. Ben McCabe will now go on to Bozeman to compete among other school spelling bee winners.

That’s the rap on Spelling Bee 2012.

Congratulations to Ben McCabe for being the first fifth grader to win an Ophir School spelling bee—beating all the sixth, seventh and eighth graders!

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Big Sky Weekly

Contact Jessie Neal for more information 993.2112 jessie@bsccmt.org

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Architecture

Big Sky Weekly

Europe, part 5: Venice

By Jamie Daugaard

big sky weekly Contributor

On a recent trip to Europe, I visited the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Italy. In this article, I’d like to discuss the architecture of the city of Venice, Italy, which is a city that was built out of protection from barbarians and feudalism.

The historic city of Venice was my last destination in Europe. Venice has many past names, such as, Queen of the Adriatic, the Floating City, City of Bridges, and City of Canals. It was established in the 10th century BC. The arts and architecture were taken very seriously and flourished in this wealthy city. This is a great place to visit, but be prepared for crowds.

Venice is composed of many architectural styles, the most significant of which are Gothic and Renaissance. Gothic Architecture was based on the earlier Romanesque style with an emphasis on a heavy/ blocky structural expression. As the Gothic style took form, it evolved into structures of soaring heights, asymmetry, pointed arches evolved from circular arches, elaborate stonework and, of course, the flying buttresses.

As the Gothic flowed to the Renaissance, there were differences in basics that started with the Classical style of symmetry and proportions of Classical Greece and Rome. In Venice the Renaissance elements stood out because of the repeating symmetry of openings, elaborate cut stone for columns, friezes and capitals, triangular pediments, arches and most notably, the domes. A number of the Cathedrals in Venice implemented the multi dome sequence, which was based on Byzantine Architecture.

Closely spaced wooden piles that create the lowest portion of foundation system support most of the structures in Venice. In the early 20th century, Venice was sinking due to the extraction of drinking water from the aquifer below. There has been discussion that global warming that may eventually swamp the floating city. It has been stabilized, and engineers are working on systems to protect Venice from storm surges and high tides.

The architecture I experienced through the areas surrounding Venice, on the mainland, was smaller

in scale and less opulent.

In Venice, many of the buildings were overpowering in their scale. The detail throughout Venice was also interesting, since it was influenced by the European styles but also by Byzantine and Moorish (Arab) Architecture.

The Gothic Architecture there is different from the Gothic Architecture in France or Germany. Venice has a more enlightened “Venetian Gothic,” with lighter colors made from local materials of white limestone and pink marble and richly decorated surfaces. The columns and capitals and stonework on many of the palazzos were coupled with pointed arcades, open tracery with Arabic geometric forms, and long horizontal and diagonal detailed line work.

The bell towers were also of significance throughSt. Mark's Companile out. I thought the 323-foot tall St. Mark’s Companile was the most beautiful structure in Venice. Built mostly from fluted brick, its rich colors contrasted the surrounding limestone and marble buildings of St. Mark’s Square. The five bells in the tower are still being used.

Many of the alleyways were very narrow—sometimes only four or six feet wide. The arterial canals were originally used for commerce trade and are now mainly for tourism. There are many bridges in the city. The most famous, the Rialto Bridge over the Gran Canal, is highly artistic. Venice is Europe’s largest car-free city.

Since this is my last in this series, I wanted thank the group I traveled with: Tom Simkins, Dave Behan, Peter Lee, Chris Lohss, Reid Smith, Van Bryan, Boz Boswell, Eric Coon, Tom Stumpfig and Pierpaolo Brombal.

CENTRE SKY ARCHITECTURE LTD

Jamie Daugaard, principal of Centre Sky Architecture, received his B-Arch and M-Arch from MSU. Sustainability is deeply rooted in his work, which is mostly located in mountain regions with offices in Denver, Colo., and Big Sky, Mont. centresky.com

Name that building

Know what interesting structure this is, and where? Post your answer at facebook.com/centresky Last week’s answer: The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain Rialto Bridge

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March 9, 2012 23

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explore

Big Sky Weekly

Rescue on Hardscrabble Peak

Photos courtesy of Animals of Montana

By Terry Cunningham big sky weekly contributor

BOZEMAN—Backcountry search and rescue efforts are rarely mundane, and one recent rescue was particularly memorable for those involved. It included a snow leopard, a raging blizzard and the U.S. Air Force.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, a party of 10 photographers and animal handlers was shuttled by helicopter to the top of the Bridger Mountain Range near Bozeman to participate in a wildlife photo shoot featuring a snow leopard. Troy Hyde, owner of Animals of Montana—a company that provides exotic animals for photo shoots—supervised the event. This was fully permitted by the Gallatin National Forest.

Pilot Mike Carisch lowered Mekong, a 12-year-old male snow leopard, onto the spine of the Bridger range near Hardscrabble Peak. A hot-wire fencing system was set up to give the leopard an operating perimeter of roughly 200 yards. Around 1:45 p.m., 45 minutes into the planned three-hour photo shoot, the wind increased dramatically and a storm approached from the northwest.

Hyde called Carisch to begin an evacuation. The snow leopard was lured into its crate and dragged to the lee side of the ridge. Since Carisch could only carry out four passengers in a single load, Hyde selected the first clients to be evacuated based on age, fitness and weather-appropriate clothing.

Within minutes of the helicopter taking off, weather conditions deteriorated. Carisch radioed that he wouldn’t be able to evacuate the remaining six members of the group until conditions improved. Hyde led the group along the wind-whipped ridgeline with the intention of reaching the saddle between Sacagawea Peak and Hardscrabble Peak, then descending to the east side of the range, eventually hiking out to the Fairly Lake trailhead.

A whiteout ensued, and when Hyde reached what he thought was the saddle, he took a left turn and descend-

24 March 9, 2012

ed into a bowl. Unbeknownst to the group, the gully they were descending actually funneled them down the west side of the range. After a mile of hiking, they found themselves trudging through chest-deep snowdrifts.

Around 4:30 p.m., Hyde decided to seek shelter in small clump of trees. By then, they had been in communication via cell phone with the Gallatin County Search and Rescue team and were aware that a rescue operation was underway.

Doug Chabot, a longtime member of the SAR unit’s Alpine Rescue Team, received a page at 3 p.m. to report to the SAR barn. He was driven to the incident staging area, and then shuttled via snowmobile to the summer trailhead near Fairy Lake. Four skiers (including Chabot and SAR veteran Scott Gill), two snowshoers and three hikers were briefed that— based on coordinates established by the 911 Center and a verbal report from Hyde’s group—the stranded party was in the bowl on the east side of the saddle below Sacagawea Peak.

Taking care to avoid the steep avalanche-prone slopes ringing the bowl, the searchers reached the area where they expected to find the photo crew, but couldn’t locate them. The SAR Incident Commander asked Hyde’s group to aim their high-intensity photo flash equipment into the air.

“We could detect a very faint, diffused light in the storm clouds, but it wasn’t close by,” Chabot recalled. “If they were in the bowl, we would’ve seen the flashes clearly.”

The search team returned to the trailhead to make another plan. Consulting

explorebigsky.com

maps, SAR members noticed another saddle closer to Hardscrabble Peak, and the four rescue skiers skinned up that drainage. Several hours later, around midnight, a brief clearing in the skies improved visibility, but the rescue skiers could find no trace of the lost party.

The lull in the storm allowed Summit Air Ambulance, a helicopter outfit with night vision capabilities, to assist with the search. Around 1 a.m., Hyde’s group saw a red beam from the Summit Air Ambulance helicopter and used flash equipment to attract attention.

The helicopter pilot made note of the GPS coordinates before the weather window closed.

The coordinates provided to SAR incident command matched the previous 911 coordinates, placing the party where Hyde believed they were: in the bowl east of Sacagawea Peak. This news was relayed to Chabot’s team, and they skied back toward the trailhead in the resurgent storm. Three of the skiers returned to Bozeman and replacement rescuers were transported to the scene.

Chabot later said that GPS coordinates should be used as guidelines only, especially along ridgelines. “We’ve learned to take them with a grain of salt.”

Meanwhile, Hyde’s party had built a fire using a magnesium fire starter, sawed off tree limbs with a Leatherman multi-tool and pushed over dead trees to use for firewood. When Hyde’s cell phone battery began to falter in the cold, his associate Demetri Price rigged an alternate power source using a camera battery and a length of wire. This allowed them to continue to receive updates from incident command.

Around 3:30 a.m., Chabot and five other rescue skiers reached the bowl below Sacagawea. It was pitch black and snowing hard.

“I’d searched this same area earlier, and I was literally standing on the coordinates that we were given,” Chabot said.

He also came upon avalanche debris that wasn’t there before.

The stranded party was asked to use their camera flash again, and this time, the searchers could clearly see the silhouette of the ridgeline in the reflected light, confirming that Hyde and his crew were actually on the west side of the range. Given the avalanche danger, accessing the west side of the ridge from the east wasn’t a viable option. The search crew skied back to the trailhead as daylight approached.

Meanwhile, a military helicopter from Malmstrom Air Force Base had arrived at Bozeman International Airport to assist in the operation. At daybreak, the storm had cleared, and the Air Force helicopter crew spotted the stranded photo crew on the west side of the Bridgers.

Shortly thereafter, Mike Carisch circled the bowl in four descending loops and set his helicopter down 25 feet from his clients. Carisch flew out three of them, and the other three were transported to the airport courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

Carisch flew up to the ridge an hour later to transport the snow leopard to the airport. According to Hyde, Mekong has experienced no ill effects from spending the night atop the Bridgers. Although the snow leopard is an endangered species, it’s well suited to harsh mountain climates. In fact, Mekong may have been the least "endangered" creature involved in this incident.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin praised the work of the 25 members of the SAR team who participated in the Hardscrabble Peak incident. “Our volunteers are top notch. I’d argue that they are the best in the region.”

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Big Sky Weekly

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Big Sky Weekly

SnowBiz Big Sky

By Taylor Anderson

big sky weekly assistant editor

Delzer Diversified Incorporated

When it comes to Big Sky winters, you’re kidding yourself if you think you can hand plow your property all year long.

The snowy season here is said to last nine months, so your gigantic biceps would be accompanied by a broken back and recordlow ski days by the end of winter.

That’s where Delzer Diversified Incorporated comes into play with its winter snow management company, SnowBiz Big Sky. “Snowbiz is a one stop shop for all your snow and ice management needs,” says owner and long-time Big Sky resident John Delzer.

“When a new client calls us requesting a snow bid, we generally respond within a day to meet the client on site and get all the necessary information to provide a snow and ice management bid.”

That means less time shoveling feet upon feet of snow out of the driveway and off the roof, and more time outside and on the hill.

Big Sky averages about 25 feet of snow a year, and SnowBiz’s fleet of massive plow trucks, Holder tractors, Zaugg blowers and Honda walk-behind blowers are there every step of the way.

Delzer’s crew is the only in Big Sky to use that kind of heavy artillery, so it’s truly one-of-a-kind when it comes to putting SnowBiz to work on your property. The machines they use are capable of working efficiently and blowing snow all the way to the asphalt of driveways, something other blowers can’t do.

Delzer also turned a Honda ATV into a custom-made trail groomer for anyone with ski-in, ski-out opportunities.

“Throughout the season we occasionally contact our clients and try to get input from them and generally no changes are required, they’re happy with the service and they’re happy with the product.”

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March 9, 2012 27

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Classifieds for rent

Help wanted

RENTALS Snowmobiles, Side by Side/Trax, Snowshoes, Baby Gear bigboystoysrentals.com 406.587.4747 -------------------------------------------------

Ophir School Food Service Position.

Approx 2 hours/day, 10:30 to 12:30 Mon–Fri, School Days Only. Setting up, tearing down & monitoring salad bar. Knowledge of food safety & sanitation required. Application avail at Ophir School, or school web page.

Apply to Kathy Hudson.

Office Space - Executive Office suites available in amazing building in Meadow Village, Big Sky - $300 to $500/mth depending on terms and office size. Each office has private door, shared conference rooms, shared kitchen space. Terms Negotiable. Call Eric 570-0639 ----------------------------------------900 sq ft shop space with zoning to allow for numerous business and usage options on 191. Includes radiant in-floor heat, bathroom, hot and cold water service, a finished office space, storage loft, ample outside parking and trash/recycling service.

Unlike other warehouse options in Big Sky, this building allows for actual employees or workers to use the facility, and is not limited to “cold storage." Main door and 10x10 Shop door. $950 per month Please call for details and questions.

406-580-7220

Big Sky Weekly

Home of tHe Email classifieds and/or advertising requests to media@theoutlawpartners.com

-------------------------------------------------

Ophir School District #72 has an immediate opening for a route bus driver. We are looking for a safe, dependable driver who works well with children. This position requires time in the morning and afternoons, leaving much of your day free.

A CDL with “S” endorsement is required. Will train the right person. $18.00/hr. Also hiring substitute bus drivers. See website, ophirschool. org, for more complete description.

Contact Ron at 995-4281, ext.218 or email bldgmgr@yahoo.com

Email classifieds and/or advertising requests to:

services

media@theoutlawpartners.com

Victoria Bentley is the Owner and Director of Bentley Bodies, a premiere mind-body-wellness boutique committed to healthy lifestyle choices. Locations are in Big Sky and Bozeman. bentleybodies.net

Classifieds!

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NEVER GO ALONE

GOING OUT OF BOUNDS?

Sharpen your skills, bring the proper safety gear and always bring a partner.

T H I N K R I S K , T H E N R E WA R D BSSAR.ORG // MTAVALANCHE.COM 28 March 9, 2012

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Big Sky Weekly

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March 9, 2012 29

environment

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Big Sky Weekly

Upper Henry's Fork, Harriman State Park

Future West: Helping western communities create their future By sharlyn izurieta

big sky weekly contributor

The landscape of the Northern Rockies, with its high, rugged mountains and expansive valleys, shapes a way of life. Agriculture, recreation and natural resources are important to our history and future. There is a need to preserve this way of life for future generations.

But those who live here know that managing, conserving and maintaining the quality of life that we enjoy is a challenge.

Future West is a nonprofit consulting group that has taken up that challenge. Based in Bozeman, Future West works to foster constructive dialogue around natural resources and rural development issues.

What makes it unique is its community-based, collaborative model that helps address the needs of each community and project.

Dennis Glick and Jennifer Boyer founded Future West, encouraged by communities, colleagues,

friends and donors, in 2009. Their goal was to “make sure the hearts and minds of citizens in this region are engaged to achieve a future including vibrant communities and a healthy natural environment.”

Future West is working on multiple projects in the Northern Rocky Mountain region, including the Henry’s Fork Legacy Partnership, a consortium of twelve non-governmental organizations and government agencies all working together. The Henry’s Fork area is located west of Yellowstone National Park in a landscape encompassing stunning scenery, fish and wildlife, amazing outdoor recreation opportunities along with working ranches and farms.

According to Dennis Glick, the partnership’s aim is “to conserve the critical open spaces and working places,” there. Future West was invited by the project partners to develop educational materials for the partnership in order to help the partners conserve this unique landscape.

Boyer and Glick have over 30 years of combined experience working with communities, which helps them develop capacity and determine solutions to their specific needs. Their expertise is bolstered by other professionals in GIS mapping, land planning, economic analysis, landscape architecture, communications, rural development, ranch management and conflict management.

Because Future West’s approach is collaborative, they work where they’re invited and do not influence project outcomes. Their aims are to foster a constructive dialogue around natural resource and rural development issues, provide professional expertise, as well as facilitating the public engagement necessary for informed decision making.

Future West also assists organizations, state and local agencies and provides community workshops and seminars, and hosts capacity building workshops for other conservation organizations and community leaders. future-west.org.

Upper Henry's Fork, Flat Ranch cowboy

30 March 9, 2012

Sharlyn Izurieta is the owner of SGI Consulting in Bozeman. She has worked as a coordinator for several nonprofit organizations in Bozeman, including the Greater Gallatin Watershed Council, and the Montana Center for International Visitors.

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Some of Future West’s Projects Big Hole River Corridor Protection

Montana’s Big Hole River is one of the nation’s best-known trout streams. It also harbors rare fluvial Arctic grayling. Efforts to protect the river and its riparian habitat have resulted in improved management of fish and water, and better protection of the river corridor. FW is leading a landowner driven process to further strengthen both incentive and regulatory-based mechanisms aimed at improving floodplain protection.

If approved, this innovative and unprecedented four county process will result in the most progressive floodplain management in Montana.

Rocky Mountain Front GIS Collaborative

Leading a team of Geographic Information System specialists, and in cooperation with Teton County government, FW has managed the creation of a comprehensive GIS database that will be used for land use planning, land and water conservation, and economic development initiatives along the Rocky Mountain Front. Local decision makers and citizens have been involved in identifying which natural, community and economic resource databases are most important for conserving local values. The result is a comprehensive set of over 60 GIS data layers. This project also offered hands-on GIS trainings, building local capacity for decision making on land use issues.

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environmenT Sale of plastic water bottles banned in Grand Canyon Big Sky weekly Staff writer

Grand Canyon National Park recently banned the sale of plastic water bottles. Discarded plastic bottles account for approximately 30 percent of the park’s waste, according to a National Park Service estimate. Zion National Park in Utah launched a similar program in 2008.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides water stations and requests visitors bring bottles or buy reusable

ones at the visitors’ center. Grand Canyon installed 10 water filling stations on the South Rim and three on the North Rim. Yellowstone National Park has not considered a program like this, said Al Nash, YNP’s Public Affairs Officer. However, Nash said, “We have a very active and aggressive recycling program in Yellowstone which includes plastic bottles.”

Big Sky Weekly

ONLY SECONDS TO

8,000 Acres OF POWDER, GLADES AND CHUTES.

Annual Recycling in Yellowstone National Park (2010)

stats courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Paper/Magazines Cardboard Aluminum/steel Glass Tires Plastics 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Tons This year the Park began to recycle bear spray canisters and continued with their propane canister program recycling over 35,000 units.

A collection of lots within Yellowstone Club, on the saddle bordering Big Sky Resort. loneviewridge.com

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Section 3:

March 9, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue #5

life // land //culture food & dining

Broken Spoke brings more than bar scene Pair serves up Texas, Argentinian inspired BBQ

story and photos

By Taylor Anderson

big sky weekly assistant editor

This ain’t Allgood’s anymore, kid.

Big Sky’s only Houston-inspired, pecan wood smoking, meat lover’s paradise has come at the hands of a former Texan and a long-time local with Argentinian roots.

Seven-year resident Anderson Wallace and 17-year resident Martin Spagat hooked a custom-made steel Texas meat smoker to the back of a Uhaul piled with five cords of Pecan, Oak and Mesquite wood, and drove the 1,750-mile trip from the Gulf of Mexico to Big Sky. The 30-somethings last year bought what was once Allgood’s bar in Big Sky after the former owner decided to close shop. (Spagat had worked for Dick Allgood for 10 years previously).

It’s been a good season so far, but it wasn’t easy from the get-go. The two had to revamp the vibe from the old bar, a project more mogul than anthill. They also had construction work and had to do a bit of soulsearching before they could open up.

“There was a point where we thought we were gonna lock the door and walk away,” Wallace said.

Now, as the Broken Spoke nears its first year anniversary (they’re planning a party on April 20 to mark the day they closed on the watering hole and grill), they’re finding troubled roads behind them, but some obstacles still ahead.

“If we can make it through the next off-season, it’ll be smooth sailing,” Wallace said, straight-faced and somber. “We’ve just gotta be prepared for whatever’s coming.”

"It’s felt like a community thing since the beginning."

Though he knows it could be a rocky one through spring, Wallace trusts the local following they’ve gathered, and has faith that the community will back them through the slower times.

He says the Spoke is going to start serving up hearty breakfasts—think homegrown Texas mixed up with the roots of Spagat’s Argentinian grandmother.

“People were coming by before we were even open,” Wallace said. “It’s felt like a community thing” since the beginning.

What they’ve done—aside from adding a second floor with pool tables, foosball, dart board and flat screens— is bring a menu to town that blends Texas with straight Montana beef, pork and chicken to create a tear-jerking Big Sky blend ranging from brisket to pulled pork and baby back ribs.

The menu, featuring the aforementioned meats, accompanies a hearty bourbon-baked bean dish to match the homegrown taste and feel of the entrees. The cole slaw’s not half bad either. The wings come smothered in house-made sauces ranging from Korean BBQ to honey Sriracha (highly recommended).

The place is clearly geared toward carnivores, but those watching their weight, arteries or performing vegetarian duty should ask for a salad or veggie burger: They’re not dainty, either.

explorebigsky.com

March 9, 2012 33

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Big Sky Weekly

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$945,000 • #180696 • Call Lincoln

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.25 +/- acre level building lot overlooks golf course great views of the surrounding mountains municipal water, sewer, utilities are adjacent

$439,000 • #176526 • Call Stacy

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$368,000 • #174888 • Call Eric or Stacy 3 bd, 3 ba, 2,054 +/- sf gourmet kitchen, knotty alder cabinets gas rock fireplace, furnishings negotiable deck, 1 car attached garage

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sports

Big Sky Weekly

By Brandon Niles

Big Sky Weekly Sports Writer

Some players deserve better Every year, NFL teams are forced to make difficult decisions about which players will remain with the team and which will be seeking employment elsewhere. More often than not, these decisions come down to what the best move is for a team’s future. Sometimes that means a player isn’t the right fit for a system, and sometimes it means the player costs too much money. Other times, the player is just deemed to be replaceable. Most players and fans accept this as the business side of sports, and they don’t let it get too personal.

Recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran wide receiver Hines Ward. Ward, a Steeler for the past 14 years and approaching age 36, has been a top-level player in Pittsburgh for most of his career. He’s a fan favorite who has amassed over 12,000 yards in his career, and he ranks eighth all time with 1,000 receptions. He was even the MVP of the Steeler’s Super Bowl win over the Seahawks following the 2005 season.

Perhaps most notably, Ward has symbolized what many fans love about the game. Ward has always seemed to take pride in the less glamorous aspects of the game, such as precision route running and top-notch blocking. While often labeled a dirty player for some of his vicious blocks, one has to admire the dedication Ward shows for mastering all aspects of his craft. One day he’ll possibly be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For now, however, those of us who have followed his long and prolific career are left with a foul taste in our mouths. While I fully understand the business side of sports, and I would even agree that Ward’s ability to play the game has diminished in recent seasons, I feel as though some players deserve more than to be cast aside amidst salary cap restrictions and roster limits.

Some players, if only a few, deserve to be considered pillars of a franchise.

Players like Hines Ward only come around so often. He truly symbolized what the Pittsburgh Steelers believe characterizes them: blue collar, tough and determined. While perhaps there’s more to this story than meets the eye, reports don’t indicate that any attempt was made to bring Ward back, even at perhaps a reduced salary. This seems like a clear money-saving decision that’s for the good of the future of the team, despite Ward’s public admission that he wished to retire a Steeler.

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In most cases, I advocate that teams move on when the time is right, and from a football and financial sense, the time is right for the Steelers to move on from their long-time star receiver.

However, in special cases like this one, where a player has truly epitomized what it means to be a part of a team and a community, exceptions need to be made.

Maybe Ward and the Steelers will reunite again, maybe they’re working on a new contract that would allow him to remain with Pittsburgh for the final days of his tremendously successful career. However, it seems more likely that Ward has become another example of a player who poured his heart and soul into a team and was shown the door once he lost a step.

Some players deserve better. Hines Ward deserves to retire a Steeler, and I find it difficult to accept that the team couldn’t find a spot somewhere on the roster for one of their all time great team members.

Brandon Niles has done online freelance writing about professional sports since 2007. His articles range from NFL news to team-specific commentary.

A Communication Studies graduate student at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Niles is also an avid Miami Dolphins fan, which has led to his becoming an avid Scotch whisky fan over the past decade.

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March 9, 2012 35

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sports YSL Ski Race results – Discovery Mountain

Big Sky Weekly

200 YSL racers took to the slopes Saturday and Sunday March 3 and 4 for two giant slaloms at Discovery Mountain. Big Sky Ski Education Foundation’s Alexa Coyle topped the podium both days in the most-attended YSL race in USSA’s Northern Division.

Here are the overall Top 15 BSSEF and BSF racers:

Saturday Women

Alexa Coyle 1st BSSEF 2.07.79 Julia Matelich 2nd BSF 2.10.14 Petitt Erin 3rd BSF 3 2.13.09 Megan Petit 4th BSF 4 2.15.19 Kuka Holder 5th BSSEF 2.16.49 Valerie Hetherington 8th BSSEF 2.21.40 Libby O’Donnell 9th BSF 2.24.66 Alexa Swoboda 11th BSF 2.26.54 Heidi Wills 12th BSSEF 2.27.61 Kodi Boersma 15th BSSEF 2.30.36

Saturday Men: Kyle Wills 14th BSSEF: 2:19.49

Sunday Women: Alexa Coyle 1st BSSEF 2.00.17 Pettit Erin 2nd BSF 2.03.30 Reece Bell 5th BSSEF 2.11.41 Valerie Hetherington 8th BSSEF 2.13.34 Kuka Holder 9th BSSEF 2.13.80 Libby O’Donnell 10th BSF 2.13.98 Alexa Swoboda 11th BSF 2.14.08 Heidi Wills 12th BSSEF 2.14.95 Riley Asbell 14th BSF 2.16.66 Maci St. Cyr 15th 2.16.91

Sunday Men: Clockwise from upper left: Alexa Coyle Photo by John Boersma, Charlie Lerch, Kyle Wills, Maci St. Cyr, Harrison Schreiner, Sam Johnson Photos by Andrew Schreiner

Kyle Wills 10th BSSEF 2.06.68 Boone Trafton 12th BSF 2.07.94 Tanner Klatt 13th 2.08.03

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sports

Big Sky Weekly

A word with Heather McPhie Heather McPhie is a fourth generation Montanan, an Olympian and Moonlight Basin’s new ski ambassador. This winter, her skiing has caught fire.

McPhie has thrown a d-spin (off-axis 720) in every World Cup event, recently signed with Red Bull, and with three events left she’s third overall on the tour.

“My plans for this season and the next are all preparing me for the Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014,” McPhie said. “I have a great crew of people around me and a good plan to do everything I can to push the sport and win gold.”

As Moonlight’s ambassador, McPhie has participated in autograph sessions, skied with homeowners, done a ski demo day, and posted snow updates and news to her social media channels.

She plans to return to the ski area in April.

ES: How long has your family lived in Montana?

HM: On my mom's side, my great grandfather moved here in the early 1900s and helped found West Yellowstone in 1908. That same year he started Eagle's Store, which is still run by the family. My mom grew up spending her summers in West and winters going to school in Bozeman. My dad moved to Montana in 1971, and they’ve lived in Bozeman ever since.

ES: You do the books for the family business, right? Did you go to school for accounting?

HM: Yes, I’ve been doing the bookkeeping for McPhie Cabinetry since I was 16. At that point their bookkeeper was leaving and they offered me the job to help pay for my skiing expenses. Between paying bills, processing payroll, dealing with taxes, and learning good communication skills, it has been incredible. I’ve only taken one accounting class, and it was three years after I started the job.

ES: Are you close with your family? Tell me about your siblings.

HM: We are really close. I spend whatever breaks I can in Montana with my family and cherish my time with them.

My sister Meagan is six years older than me. She was a competitive gymnast growing up, and a large part of the reason I stayed in gymnastics so long. She loves to ski and has run marathons. She has a great husband [and] two adorable little boys. They live in Bozeman.

“The support I have felt throughout my career from the community has meant a lot to me,” McPhie said. “I can't tell you how many times local businesses and individual families have helped me get to events, given me words of encouragement, and supported me along the way. The community has given me so much, and I want to continue to give back whenever I can.”

Unpretentious and kind, McPhie has no agent, but a slew of sponsors including Red Bull, Moment Skis, Full Tilt boots, POC, Lululemon Athletica and Smartwool. She wears a Montana belt buckle whenever she skis.

“No matter how far away I am, it has helped me stay grounded to remember where I’m from and go back to my roots.” -Emily Stifler

My brother Mark has always loved to be outdoors—hunting, playing paint ball and soccer, and he’s a great skier, as well. He’s an architect, and this year moved back to Bozeman and started a firm, Tuya Studios. Mark has always been incredibly creative.

I have so many memorable experiences: Getting rescued on a mountain pass in Montana on my way to Fernie which ended up being my first ever Nor-Am win; riding in the trunk of

a random person's car to get to the banquet with my team in La Plagne, France; seeing the Matterhorn and never getting sick of that view while training in Zermatt each year; Continued on p. 38

ES: What is it like traveling the world as a skier? What have you learned? What have been some challenges or memorable experiences?

HM: Traveling around the world as a skier is amazing. My passport is pretty much full. I’ve seen so many places, and I love seeing other cultures and ways of life.

I’ve learned that everything works out, that travel is not worth getting stressed about. I've learned to get along with a lot of people from really diverse backgrounds, and I love that our team feels like family.

When the ride down isn’t as smooth as the ride up

I've learned that school is important, but there are a lot of things about life that textbooks cannot teach you.

I’ve learned to be even more thankful to be from the U.S.A., but also that there are so many wonderful countries on this planet.

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned—even on vacation.

That’s why Bozeman Deaconess Pharmacy at Big Sky is here for you.

Lots of people assume we live this glamorous lifestyle, but that’s not always the case. We travel in economy; middle seats are not unheard of; we’ve been known to have 57-hour travel “days” [and lose] our bags for several days; we get to some really icy courses, and sometimes horrible accommodations or bad food. The time changes can be hard to adjust to, and sometimes I feel like all I ever do is say "goodbye."

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Whether you’re here for the week or a lifetime, we want to help you enjoy a smooth ride— on and off the mountain.

March 9, 2012 37

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sports

Big Sky Weekly

I think it’s the future of the sport, and I really want to be on the forefront of that innovation in women's mogul skiing.

ES: What are some of your memories from skiing as a kid?

HM: When I was driving up to Moonlight Basin last week I had flashbacks to driving from Bozeman to Big Sky with my family when I was younger. I’d get so excited to go skiing that I could barely wait to get out of the car, and I always found the view driving up the road breathtaking. We’d ski hard all day, and I’d get in the car to head home and fall asleep before we even turned out of the resort. I’m so thankful for the dedication and sacrifices my parents made for all of us to ski. It all started in the mountains of Montana.

ES: Why Moonlight? What would you like that partnership to turn into?

Mcphie competing in the FIS World Cup at Deer Valley in January 2010, where she placed second and third

Continued from p. 37 hopping out of the car with a teammate to dance with the security guards on our way home from training at the Olympics; my first World Cup podium at Deer Valley that qualified me for the Olympics and my parents getting to watch it; spending a few days in Prague with two of my close friends on the team; reindeer served on hot stones in Are, Sweden; traveling with Mike Papke (head coach for the Bridger Ski Foundation) on Nor-Ams and laughing to the point of tears almost every day.

ES: You're doing really well on the world cup tour this year. (Congrats!) How does that feel?

What will you do to keep pushing yourself?

What drives you?

HM: My season is going really well. It feels really good, especially since I’ve been throwing one of my more difficult tricks in every event (the d-spin).

My main goal, and what drives me, is to push the sport. I want to be exciting to watch, and I’m always pushing myself to improve and throw bigger tricks.

HM: I’ve wanted to represent a Montana ski resort for a long time. I love where I’m from—the people in Montana, the activities, the lifestyle I grew up in, and I’m really excited to represent that.

I would love to be an ambassador for Moonlight moving forward. I want to learn the mountain inside and out, be able to show people around and share the beauty of the outdoors. I’d love to stay in the ski industry when I retire from mogul skiing, and I dream of coming back and living in Montana.

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Big Sky Weekly

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outdoors

Big Sky Weekly

Ice fishing: Hard lessons on hard water

By Diane Tipton

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Ice fishing puts the angler in touch with the elements in a way no other outdoor activity does.

Fishing "hard water" is alluring for its simplicity—ice, water, wind, fish, a line in a round ice hole, and time.

Wind might be the element ice anglers have had enough of this year. One dedicated angler, who sometimes sleeps overnight on the ice during the season, recently had a wind-powered adventure he and his friends will remember for winters to come.

"I was suddenly sailing at highway speed on the ice in the black night, with the wind slamming my friend's ice shack into mine, twisting and spinning us."

40 March 9, 2012

Retiree Robert Morris of Helena made his There are some measures ice fishermen and others ice shanty from a recycled pop-up camper recreating on the ice can take to make every trip with 10-inch tires that carries a 2x4 framed safer. plywood shack. This winter he is set up at Canyon Ferry Reservoir a few miles out • Don’t fish alone. from the Silos, propped on jack stands with • Keep fishing holes small and few. When drilling tie downs to the ice. His fishing buddy's fishing holes with an ice auger, keep the diamice shack was sitting on skis and lashed to eter under eight inches. Bigger holes are not Morris's shack with a lead rope. necessary to land fish and can create a safety

hazard for others.

During one of the longest nights this • Watch your step. winter, Morris was up at 4 a.m. to fish for ling. The wind was already growling when • Spread out. Disperse weight and fishing holes. he checked his line with a flashlight and crawled back into his sleeping bag. All was • Be prepared for weather conditions. well for a time, until a heavy weight hit his • Be prepared for emergencies. Carry equipice shanty hard enough to break its moorment such as ice picks or awls, rope, extra ings and hurtle it across the ice. buckets and personal flotation devices. Also

pack a first-aid kit and matches for starting a "I was suddenly sailing at highway speed fire. on the ice in the black night, with the wind slamming my friend's ice shack into mine, twisting and spinning us," Morris said.

Morris said he felt pretty certain, with all the open water and pressure cracks along the ice at that time, that he was a goner.

"I started calling a few close friends to say thanks and let them know what happened to me," he said. "Odds were they'd be out looking under the ice for me come morning."

When the strange assemblage slowed, Morris hurriedly crawled out to take stock. The tongue of his ice house trailer was snagged on a sled he uses to pull groceries to his fishing site. able to reorient himself for a nearly two mile

walk back to the silos.

"I lifted the trailer

tongue onto the ice "I was so glad to be alive," he said. "I felt like hoping to add some Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz blowing out of traction," he said. "I Kansas in my little ice house on wheels." thought of abandoning

the whole thing and "He walked in just as I was about to listen to my hiking to shore, but in phone messages," said Sharon Walker, manager the dark I had no idea of the general store at the Silos at the Townsendwhere I was."

Canyon Ferry Lake KOA. "Boy was I glad he was

there in person before I listened to that message— Even as he climbed back otherwise I would have been scared to death that into his ice shack it took we'd lost him." off again, traveling

another few city blocks Friends in the Silos area helped Morris gather his with the trailer tongue belongings over the next few days. He had lots scraping and jittering of help, a lot of fellow ice anglers were scouting over the ice. around for their ice houses and belongings too.

But none had ridden the night's high wind as "My fishing poles, Morris did. supplies, jack stands,

everything was strewn "A few days later I was back out on the ice anchorfar and wide across the ing my ice house with bolts screwed into 2x4's ice back the way I'd under the ice," Morris said. "I spend 19 or 20 days come," he said. a year out on the ice in winter. It's one thing that I

really enjoy—even after this experience."

When first light dawned, he was finally

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Gear 4FRNT Renegade 186 Dimensions: 135-122-129

Hot Chilly’s Salsa Print Zip-T By over-50 ski mom

big sky weekly contributor

Heading out at freezing temperatures for first tracks can be tricky when you plan on staying out all day, and then heading directly to après. Tricky, that is, when it comes to base layers that will take you through the day and meet an array of skiing and social needs.

By mike mannelin

big sky weekly contributor

Beanzy and I stood at the top of a wall of chutes.

“I’ve been knocked out by my sluff on this one, so you have to keep moving across,” he said.

I dropped in and made a ski cut across to a spine, sending my sluff down the gut of the chute. Then I turned my skis down the fall line and cruised to the bottom in front of it.

slacks and boots for a more sophisticated look when dashing about town.

If you need to add a piece to spice up your otherwise mundane wicking apparel, this is the one for you.

I think all cougar moms need one. hotchillys.com

The Hot Chilly's Salsa print Zip T has a 1/4 zipper, and wicking capabilities a stylish design. The fitted cut of this top along with the contrasting and shapely black inset makes this my first choice when heading out for the day. It keeps me incredibly warm and toasty those first few powder runs, and is no less snappy when I order my extra dry martini at day’s end.

On any other pair 186’s I probably would have skied a little more conservatively, letting my sluff go by before I started again. With 4FRNT Renegades on my feet, I had the option of just getting out and staying in front of it.

The 186 Renegade is a stiff, full-rockered ski, handmade by 4FRNT in Salt Lake City. Its builders, Eric Hjorleifson and Cody Barnhill, have come up with a design that rips turns in tight trees and is super comfortable at high speeds. The maple core extends from sidewall to sidewall, making it one of the only skis on the market with no vertical laminations.

The typical layering piece will not have the same effect as this "wow" piece!

My presence at the bar was greeted with many "hey—great top" comments, as well as speedy service from the attentive bartender. I’ve even paired it with

For a Montana skier, this translates into a sturdy construction that is fun to ride and holds up to abuse. Get your hands on a pair if you can.

Available in Big Sky at Gallatin Alpine Sports, or in Bozeman at Northern Lights Trading Company. 4frnt.com

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NON-PROFITS: BIG SKY COMMUNITY LIBRARY, BIG SKY SKI EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WOMEN IN ACTION, BIG SKY COMMUNITY CORPORATION, MORNINGSTAR LEARNING CENTER - REGISTER YOUR NON-PROFIT TODAY AT LONE PEAK BREWERY 42 March 9, 2012

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EVENTS big sky

Cardio, Core and More Big Sky Resort Wellness Studio Wednesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Moonlight Basin Ladies’ Workshop Wednesdays thru April 4, 9:15 – 11:45 a.m.

Women’s x-Country Ski Clinics Lone Mountain Ranch Wednesdays and Thursdays Thru March 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sunset Saturdays Big Sky Resort Ramcharger spins until 5 p.m.

Trail side lunch buffet Lone Mountain Ranch Fridays thru March 16 Vinyasa Flow Yoga Yellow Mountain Center for the Arts Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Contemplative Prayer Group practice Studio in Ozzsage/Lone Peak Physical Therapy building Sundays thru April 15, 5 – 6 p.m.

Sunday brunch Lone Mountain Ranch Sundays thru March 31 Sunday brunch Olive B’s 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Yoga with Anna Mondays 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Tuesdays 8:30 – 10 a.m.

Fridays 6 – 7 a.m.

Call 600-7565 to register Prime Rib Monday 320 Ranch Steakhouse and Saloon Mondays thru March 31 Choppers open Mic Night Tuesdays thru April 15 Shuffleboard night Lone Peak Brewery Wednesdays thru April 15 Yoga with Callie Yellow Mountain Center for the Arts Wednesdays thru April 30 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Thursday evening music Lone Mountain Ranch Saloon Thursdays thru March 22, 8- 9 :30 p.m.

On mountain Sunday Service Big Sky Resort Chapel area cross by the Triple Chair Sundays, 1:30 p.m.

Apres Ski Music Moonlight Basin Every Saturday except. March 3 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Huck a Berry Jam Moonlight Basin Zero Gravity Terrain Park March 10, 8 – 9 a.m. registration 32 Annual Ophir School Pie Auction Buck’s T-4 March 10, 7 p.m.

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Big Sky Weekly

Planning an event? Let us know! Email abbie@theoutlawpartners.com and we’ll spread the word.

All Saints Winter Community Forum on Five Wishes® Hosted by Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Big Sky Chapel March 11, 7 – 8:15 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting First Security Bank March 13, 8:30 a.m.

Yellowstone Closes to over the snow travel March 15 Business After Hours Consignment Cabin March 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Western Region J3 Junior Championships BSSEF, Big Sky Resort March 15 St. Patty’s Day Party at Whiskey Jack’s Big Sky Resort March 17, 4 p.m.

St. Patty’s Day Party at Choppers Tom Marino, Cold Hard Cash March 17 Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons Whiskey Jack’s Big Sky Resort March 23, 9:30 p.m.

Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Moonlight Basin March 22 – 25 Big Sky Broadway Talent Show Lone Peak Cinema March 25, 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Bozeman

Spring 2012 hunter education classes set for Belgrade, Bozeman Belgrade The spring Belgrade Hunter Education class will take place March 19-23 at the Belgrade Middle School from 7-9 p.m. Students must also complete a field day on March 24 at the Logan Range. Online registration is required by going to FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov.

Bozeman The spring Bozeman Hunter Education class will take place April 9-13 at Chief Joseph Middle School from 7-9 p.m. Students will complete a field day on April 14 from 8 -5 p.m. at the Logan Range.

Register online between March 18 and April 6 at FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov or in person on March 29 between 7-9 p.m. at the FWP regional office in Bozeman.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985 must present a Hunter Education Certificate in order to purchase a hunting license in Montana. A student must be 11-yearsold to receive certification.

St. Patrick’s day party w Mankisi, Chizza, Brian Derham and Jackson Lamar Zebra Cocktail Lounge March 17, 10 p.m.

Basic Avalanche Awareness Bozeman REI March 20, 6:30 p.m.

“Wilderness and Hiking the Backcountry of Southern Utah” Emerson Cultural Center March 21, 7 p.m.

The Wildness and Spirit of Yellowstone: Grizzlies Bozeman REI March 21, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday Swing Dance Eagles Lodge – upstairs March 10, 7:30 pm.

Music: Charlie Parr Filling Station March 23

Pickwick – indie rock Filling Station March 11, 8 p.m.

The Disco Jam Gallatin Roller Girlz Fundraiser American Legion - upstairs

Stars of the Pyramids Museum of the Rockies and Taylor Planetarium March 11, 1, 2 and 4 p.m.

TEDxBozeman

Bridger Creek Boys – bluegrass Bozeman Brewing Co. March 12, 5 p.m.

The inaugural TEDxBozeman event will bring together global thought leaders and regional game-changers to offer presentations focusing on Montana based initiatives and inspiring ideas. The theme is “Big Sky, Big Minds.”

Open Bluegrass Jam Pine Creek Café Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Spring bird migration: Where to see them, how to attract them Bozeman REI March 14, 6:30 p.m.

Young Jay – hip hop Filling Station March 16, 9 p.m.

Live DJ The Pour House March 17, 9 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day party Fiddle Dundee – Celtic Bozeman Public Library March 17, 10:15 a.m.

Emerson Cultural Center March 23, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

March 23, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

The Bear’s Tooth first winter ascent – slide show Hosted by the American Alpine Club Northern Lights Trading Co. March 27, 7:30 p.m.

Biathlon National Championships and US National Championships Adaptive Biathlon March 13 – 18 22nd World Snowmobile EXPO March 16-18 Equinox Ski Challenge March 24 – 25 Yellowstone Ranger Led Snowshoe Walk West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

paradise valley Montana Rose Chico Hot Springs March 9-10, 7 p.m.

Eli Madden and Luke Flansburg Norris Hot Springs March 10, 7 p.m.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Dinner Fairgrounds, Livingston March 10, 5 p.m Daylight Savings Bluegrass Blast Norris Hot Springs March 11, 7 p.m.

Trout Unlimited Presentation Elks Downstairs March 15, 6:30 p.m.

Cooke City Search and Rescue fundraiser and Sweet Corn festival •

west yellowstone Annual Winter Photo Festival West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center March 12, 7 p.m.

Hot Roast March 9 and 10 in Cooke City and Silver Gate: Live band at the Miner's Saloon on Friday night Happy Hour, dinner and an auction on Saturday night at the Antler's.

•

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Sweet Corn Festival in Cooke City and Silver Gate on April 20- 22.

March 9, 2012 43

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Big Sky Weekly

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44 March 9, 2012

Big Sky, Montana

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Spotlight on the arts

Big Sky Weekly

The Throats of Sardinia

By John Zirkle

warren miller performing arts center

When you hear an impressive new singer, you might think of that singer as having “nice pipes.”

It’s not just the pipes, however; it’s the chords, or rather, the folds that matter. Stretched across the larynx, the vocal folds are the little pair of mucous membranes that phonate when air moves through them, thus enabling each of us to have a “voice.”

We actually have two sets of these mucous membranes, but we rarely utilize the second pair, also known as the vestibular folds, the ventricular folds, or even the “false” vocal folds. When the false folds are activated, they tend to vibrate at a much lower frequency, yielding a more guttural sound. You might accidentally come across the use of them when you’re clearing your throat in the morning or screaming at your dog for defecating on the rug.

Several cultures around the world make use of these false vocal folds in musical traditions—for example, the chants of Tibetan monks and the throat-singing of the Tuva people of southern Siberia. This peculiar style of vocal utterance is not uniquely Eastern; it’s also an integral part of the musical culture of Sardinia.

Cantu a Tenore (or Canto a Tenore) is a style of polyphonic singing characteristic of the Barbagia region in this small Mediterranean island off the western coast of Italy. It typically consists of four male voices, with

one soloist, or boche, and three back-up singers, mesu boche, contra and bassu, and the songs are passed down from generation to generation in an oral context.

What makes these Sardinian singers so fascinating is their combined timbre, or color of the overall sound. Each accompanying voice represents different sounds symbolic of the pastoral history of Sardinia, with the deepest voice (bassu) representing the lowing of cattle, the middle (contra) the bleating of sheep, and the highest (mesu boche) imitating the wind.

Tenores Di Bitti

Both the sheep and the cow are imitated by way of throat-singing, which utilizes both the true and false sets of vocal folds. In performance, the soloist (boche) chants about modern day politics, relationships and the weather, while the cow, sheep and wind all accompany in sets of non-sense syllables (e.g. bim-bam-bom). The overall musical effect is remarkably unique. In 2005, UNESCO decided to add Canto a Tenore singing to the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

As is the case with oral tradition, the question is how to keep this special style of performance alive. With the decline of pastoral culture in Sardinia and the emigra-

tion of younger generations to more urban settings, the older generations might feel at a loss as to where their cultural heritage is headed.

Spotlight on the Arts is a reflection on the world of performing arts in both historic and contemporary contexts. Each entry features an individual or group of performers that use captivating mediums to communicate with their audiences. To find examples of Canto a Tenore music, visit tenoresdibitti.com The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center is scheduled to be completed by December of this year, and will feature many acts that challenge the way we see and think about performance.

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An independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Prudential is a registered service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Equal Housing Opportunity.

All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed reliable, however, is not guaranteed by Prudential Montana Real Estate, Managing Broker, Agents or Sellers. Offering is subject to error, ommissions, prior sales, price change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent verification of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser.

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Big Sky Weekly

further fetchins The mechanics of powder

LOT 488ACRE S LOT 488 | 1.77 THE ULTIM AT E

Alpine

EX PERIENCE

W ITH IN Y E LLOW STON E C LU B

Only seconds to 8,000 acres of powder, glades and chutes.

Le t t h e m e m o r i e s b e g i n .

By mike mannelin

big sky weekly columnist

The infamous ‘Food Gas Beer’ sign at the 33 Mile Roadhouse looked like a relic from the old west as the sun rose behind it.

Domino, the resident goat, bleated as he hopped onto the picnic table to look for cigarette butts to munch on.

Inside the restaurant, skiers ordered eggs, toast and caramel rolls while they anxiously waited for the helicopter’s jet engines to fire up. I filled my mug with hot coffee, left two bucks on the counter, and headed across the parking lot to the heli base.

The office was packed for the morning guides’ meeting. I found the last seat in the room, a Rubbermaid tote that began slowly collapsing beneath my weight. First we discussed the weather, then the snowpack, followed by logistics for the day ahead.

Next, I went outside to help the helicopter pilot, Al. He stuck his thumbs up out the window and, crouching low, I disconnected the power box he used to get the turbines going in the morning. I grabbed two orange flags and walked out to the snow bank on the side of the road to alert him pilot of any passing cars. As Al flew over my head, the rotor wash blasted through me like a five second hurricane.

He disappeared behind the trees, leaving me in silence on the side of the road. Above me, the mountains were completely white, spines of snow lining their faces like shower curtains hanging from the sky.

We assembled a group of guides to go take a few runs and check out the conditions with Al. I took my seat in the back of the A-Star. I had butterflies

in my stomach as we flew off towards Old Faithful.

We landed above the northwest rib of the mountain and crouched over our gear while Al flew off to get another group. The snow on the run down was cold, dry powder. Seth motored all the way to the bottom, scoring fresh tracks the whole way. The rest of us took more time, bouncing around, playing on the rolls, our skis hissing on the snow.

Panoramic View from Lot 488

Skiing out the bottom, we saw Al already waiting for us with the rotors spinning.

“You boys have a good run?” he asked over the headset.

We responded politely with beaming smiles. “We wanna go again if that’s OK with you.”

We stuck around Old Faithful and played in some chutes and bowls, each of us taking different routes back to the chopper.

An hour later, we were back to business. The cargo van needed a new starter and the diesel van was having some issues.

Before long I was lying underneath a van, my hands frozen from the cold steel, water dripping on my face, and dropping wrenches in the snow. A smile crossed my face as I lifted a new starter into place. In my mind, I was on top of a mountain, with butterflies in my stomach, waiting in silence for the next adventure.

Mike Mannelin has been skiing Big Sky with friends for 15 winters. He is a guide for Alaska Heliskiing, and spends his summers in a remote cabin with his wife, dog and some friendly brown bears.

ycsales@yellowstoneclub.com

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Noun: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area Origin: shortened form of “back 40 acres”

Big Sky Weekly

For the Big Sky Weekly, the Back 40 is a resource: a place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts to share their knowledge. Topics include regional history, profiles of local artists and musicians, snow and avalanche education, how-to pieces for traditional or outdoor skills, and science.

The perfect storm: An ethical defense of sick day “abuse” -anonymous

The stars were beginning to align.

The upcoming weather forecast indicated a winter storm warning in effect, and parallel to this meteorological phenomenon, the situation at my workplace was arranging itself perfectly for a day of absence.

I can’t discuss the exact details; it suffices to say it was evident my presence at work wouldn’t be missed much that day: the perfect storm.

Over the course of several years in the work-day world full of human drama and endless tasks, I’ve found myself disturbed on more than one occasion by the intense frustration level of my colleagues that sometimes boils over into red-faced, blood pressure raising anger—the kind of emotional state that most competent health professionals would say needs to be “released.”

The antidote doesn’t concern exIt’s time to view sick days as pre-emppensive, zombifying pharmaceutical tive opportunities to assist us in not drugs designed to assuage one’s ingetting sick in the first place. As anyone tense levels of anxiety, depression with a little contemporary medior anger, or spending more time cal knowledge knows, our physical on a treadmill during lunch hour. health is directly linked to our mental That kind of stress requires a day of and emotional health, and vice-versa. immersion in Therefore, in the sublime— It’s time to view sick days as prethe way of foshowever one emptive opportunities to assist us in tering a happy, finds it. healthy, not getting sick in the first place. productive, What is occreative—and casionally required is a carefully safe—employee, the proper care and calculated bucking of the whole feeding of his physical, mental and system, which can easily be accomemotional health is critical. plished by taking a sick day.

Such salubrious care is not accomThe situation I’m describing is a plished by mandating that workers sit paradox: An employee takes a sick through a “healthy habits” lecture put day when she is healthy in order on by the employer’s health insurance to stay that way, so that she may company. Contrary to that notion, a rebe fortified against colds, flus and sponsible employer will allow employmental and emotional neurosis of ees the occasional use of one of their all kinds. allotted sick days to prevent sickness as well as to cure it.

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Here in the Northern Rockies, there are a plethora of means by which an employee may go about the healing process. A good long hike or run through the mountains, a day of skiing or riding fresh powder, a trail ride aboard a favorite steed, shooting some pictures of wildlife, a day of fishing the hatch or hunting elk in the rut—all are appropriate forms of self-medicating.

With this ethical argument in mind, I made my final arrangements at work and then plotted with a selfemployed friend to make my escape.

We would be traveling to where the powder was deep and no one knew our names. We would fabricate mysterious identities, ski hard and make no Facebook posts about the experience. A day later, we would show up for work happy and rejuvenated— healthy, productive employees fortified against pestilence of all kinds.

Section 4:

March 9, 2012 Volume 3 // Issue #5

ski area news

Subaru Freeskiing World Tour set to kick off March 22- 25 By emily stifler

big sky weekly managing editor

It’s the sole qualifying stop on the Freeskiing World Tour this year, and it will bring 90 world-class competitors to throw down in Moonlight Basin’s headwaters terrain, showcasing the cirque’s 1,000-foot fall line chutes, gnarly rock features and intense steeps.

Locals have long known the Headwaters were a perfect place for this caliber competition, and last year the Freeskiing World Tour saw the light.

kevin callahan

Due to the FWT’s reputation, Moonlight anticipates drawing visitors both regionally and nationally.

Prior to the event, the Freeskiing World Tour made stops in Las Lenas, Argentina, Ski Arpa, Chile, Revelstoke, B.C., Snowbird, Utah, and will wrap-up in Kirkwood, Calif.

“We’re hoping that we’re going to see a lot more traffic, people coming up here and staying, checking out the event,” said Erik Morrison, Moonlight’s social media coordinator. He anticipates a regional draw, with spectators coming from Bozeman, Livingston, and

Colin stemper

West Yellowstone, but also skiers from Salt Lake and Jackson following the tour and coming to see friends compete.

The event was initially planned for January, but the FWT postponed it because snow cover was lean.

Morrison says it was worth the wait.

“The Headwaters are looking fantastic,” Morrison said. “By the time the comp actually goes down, especially if these weather patterns continue, we’ll be looking tip top.”

dan Greene

kruin seibert

DOB: 06/12/1980 Years Skiing: 25 Sponsors: Family and friends

DOB: 3/2/88 Years Skiing: 20 Sponsors: Nada

DOB: 6/12/84 Years skiing: 17 Sponsors: Big Sky Resort

Powder pig or guinea pig? I'll be the guinea pig to make sure it's alright for the powder pigs.

Powder pig or guinea pig? little bit of both I guess...

Powder pig or guinea pig? Powder

Favorite Style? Big mountain

Favorite style? I like goin' fast

Favorite Quote? "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." - Fortune Cookie

Favorite quote? "There's no point in skiing if you're not having fun. If you stop having fun just tell me. We'll come back another day" - Joe Stemper

Inspiration: I am inspired by all people, laces and things.

"Learn from your mistakes" - Pam Stemper

What are your goals for this season?

Base camping in Cedar Cirque with a tick list I've been working on. Competing in the FWT and the Spring Runoff at Moonlight Basin.

Inspiration: To have as much fun as possible, feel free and overcome challenges.

What do you do when the snow is not flying? Climb and bike What makes this place so special?

The Headwaters terrain pretty much speaks for itself. Many of us that have been competing in the Runoff and other surrounding big mountain comps have dreamed of this event taking place here for years. Now the dream is a reality.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing? I feel blessed to have been living in Big Sky for the last eight years. This place has a special energy necessary to be able to motivate and progress as a skier and as a person.

What are your goals for this season?

Smile a lot and have as little time injured as possible What do you do when the snow is not flying? Ride my bike, fish and relax What makes this place so special? You realize why the Headwaters are special from the first second you see them. It's a huge, gnarly venue with long, steep couloirs that have some mandatory air and narrow pinches. To think it's accessed by a lift and a short walk is just plain rad.

Favorite style? Dope style Favorite quote? "Its not the years in the life, its the life in the years." - President Abe Lincoln Inspiration: Mom and dad, and lots of others. Live life large and to the fullest!

What are your goals for this season? Not get too injured, and try to throw down a lot more What do you do when the snow is not flying? Fish, fish and I fish a little too What makes this place so special? Its graliness How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing?

This season I’ve been motivated by the inspirations and spirit of my friend who I lost to this mountain last year.

DOB: 7/5/87 Years Skiing: I started at the age of three here at Big Sky then switched to snowboarding for eight years. I started skiing again six years ago Sponsors: Just me Powder pig or guinea pig? Powder Pig of course Favorite quote? “Nothing is impossible, we are only limited by fear and even that we can overcome.” – Seth Morrison Inspiration: Every big mountain skier, and anyone that loves the sport and strives to throw down as big as they can What are your goals for this season?

I have a few lines picked out that if the snow allows it I would love to hit What do you do when the snow is not flying? I normally am looking for more snow. I also go kayaking and hiking What makes this place so special? The terrain here is incredible. It’s very steep, with a ton of different options for riders to choose their lines from.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing? I have been skiing every day and trying to push myself to be as good as I can.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing?

Sounds like a lot of other resorts have been having a way worse season than us so the fact that it could be worse motivates me to get out and enjoy what we have. That, and I have a super awesome group of friends that challenge me daily whether it's skiing or not.

We have some fun!

Continued on p. 50 explorebigsky.com

March 9, 2012 49

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ski area news liz welles

Logan schaetzel-hill

patrick gannon

Big Sky Weekly

scottie williams

DOB: 3/2/1977 Years Skiing: 32 Sponsors: Smith Optics, LEKI USA, Powderhorn Apparel

DOB: 5/6/1984 Years Skiing: 21 Sponsors: Smith Optics, 4Frnt Skis, Bridger CrossFit

DOB: 05/26/1983 Years Skiing: 26 Sponsors: Team Human, KuruLife, VodkaSki.com

DOB: 12/01/89 Years Skiing: 10 Sponsors: VOKE tabs, Phar North, Family and friends

Powder pig or guinea pig? Normally I'd say powder but this winter has been more of a guinea pig theme.

Powder pig or guinea pig? Guinea pig!

Powder pig or guinea pig? Powder hog for sure but you can find me playing "Guinea Pig" every now and then.

Favorite style? My style. I made it, I own it.

Favorite quote? "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn."

- Better off Dead

Powder pig or guinea pig? You get the best powder by going first, so is this like a chicken and the egg kind of question?

Favorite quote? "Just ski down there and jump off something, for crying out loud!"

-Shane McConkey Inspiration: My mentor, Team Duluth coach Scott Ransom; fellow Team Duluth alum Mike Mannelin; all the Team Duluth athletes I've competed with and coached throughout the years; the late and forever legendary Jim Jack who will be sorely missed at our upcoming event; Logan Schaetzel-Hill for pushing me to try new things on skis even though I usually didn't want to; the 14 dudes usually in the tram with me; my brother Ryan for toughening me up; Mom and Dad for putting up with my antics; and all the girls out on the mountain who are shredding hard.

What are your goals for this season? Finding a way to "live" while skiing five days a week.

I worked three jobs this summer so I could have just one this winter and continue to push my skiing to new levels. I spent time in the gym, mountain biked and hiked. Time with family and friends is so important to me; they are my true inspiration. Luckily most of them ski. My mom was out last spring for a visit, and I was stoked to be skiing the tram with her. She's 70 and still skis like mad!

Volunteering for Eagle Mount has been a great opportunity to share the enthusiasm.

I'm always open to new ideas for how I can contribute to skiing.

What do you do when the snow is not flying? Last winter seemed to last forever, so I got to do a bunch of spring and summer backcountry skiing. I worked my butt off and treated each day off like a mini vacation with day hikes, river floats, hot springs, bike adventures, or just getting together with friends and cooking dinner.

What makes this place so special? The Headwaters is home to some of the steepest, most exposed, hair-raising in-bounds terrain in the entire country. A few years back I showed FWT head judge Jim Jack around the venue. He'd skied all over the world, so when you hear someone like him say, "I can't believe this is in-bounds!" you know you've got something special. The FWT venue at Kirkwood is permanently closed. You can't even sign out for it; the only way to ski it is to be in the competition, or risk jail time by poaching it. When you factor in all the hard work that the Moonlight Basin Ski Patrol does to keep this open to the public, this place is truly one-of-a-kind.

Favorite style? Fast and clean

Inspiration: My dad taught me how to ski, and has always been a positive influence in my life. Skiers like Shane McConkey, Seth Morrison and Pep Fujas.

But the skiers that have influenced me the most have been local rippers at Big Sky and Moonlight. I wouldn't be the skier I am without an awesome crew to shred around with.

What are your goals for this season?

To become a better skier while having fun and scaring myself a little along the way. It was my goal this summer to get stronger so that I could ski lines the way I envisioned in my head. I wanted to be able to charge bigger lines and features with more fluidity, greater precision and more confidence. I spent a lot of time doing Olympic lifting and interval training.

What do you do when the snow is not flying? In the summer I ride mountain bikes almost every day. It’s a good workout, plus after charging through the woods on dirt and rock all summer, snow doesn't seem scary.

What makes this place so special?

Moonlight is straight up GNARLY. Big vertical drop, sustained pitch and lots of exposure riddled with big technical features. The Headwaters have it all.

How have you been able to stay motivated this winter and continue progressing? I was in school for the last three winters so staying motivated hasn't been a problem. Skiing rocky hard pack is way better than homework. With 5,532 acres at my disposal it’s hard to not find something fun and different to do.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing? Even a low-snow year in Big Sky is better than an epic snow year in Minnesota, you get my drift? You can always find a way to challenge yourself on Lone Peak, even if it hasn't snowed in weeks.

50 March 9, 2012

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Favorite style? Big mountain playground, the art of having more fun

Inspiration: Shane McConkey, Seth Morrison, Tanner Hall, Eric Pollard, Peter Pan What are your goals for this season? To find a new perspective on the mountain, every day. To further explore new visions of features and terrain and different ways of riding them.

What do you do with yourself when the snow is not flying? Explore the almost endless peaks and rivers of the Rocky Mountain West with my backpack and raft.

What makes this place so special?

The Headwaters are very special.

They have some of the steepest, most technical inbounds terrain in the U.S. The ease of accessing the Headwaters makes this place a perfect big mountain training ground. The lack of crowds plays a big role here as the Headwaters hardly if ever get skied out. You can lap to your legs’ delight and still be finding great snow every run.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing? Skiing is what I love to do. It’s my passion to explore what is possible on a pair of skis.

Ninety percent of the time I ride alone, and it’s my creative interaction with the snow and the mountain that drives me.

No matter if there are six inches or 60, there is always a way to find fun and push yourself on the mountain. After growing up racing on the ice coast, every day in the Rockies is a powder day.

If you aren't having fun then you aren't trying hard enough.

Favorite style? Meat Hucking!

Favorite quote? "Ski down there and jump off something, would ya?"

Shane McConkey Inspiration: CR Johnson and Shane McConkey. Without them our sport would not be where it is today. I am one of those skiers who never met Shane, but he had the biggest influence on my life.

What are your goals for this season?

Stay on my feet as much as possible.

What do you do when the snow is not flying? I spend most my time working on golf courses in the summer, I enjoy being on the lake and camping with friends.

What makes this place so special?

Lone Peak is unlike any other mountain home to a ski resort. Moonlight Basin has some of the gnarliest in bounds terrain, I hope some of the competitors come here for the first time and pucker up a little bit.

It's been a challenging season for many resorts across the nation.

How have you been able to stay motivated and continue progressing? We really cannot complain about our season up here in Big Sky. We are a lot better off than the rest of the country. It has been great for big mountain progression because lines that we have been skiing in recent years are skiing much different.

One Grand Prize Winner Will Score: •

2-night stay in slopeside luxury lodging from Moonlight Lodging in Big Sky during Subaru Freeskiing World Tour weekend (March 23-25, 2012)

•

4 Moonlight Basin Lift tickets valid only for the 2012 season

•

Access for 4 to VIP area during the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour events on March 23-25, 2012

•

4 tickets to the athletes/sponsors-only party on March 22, 2012

•

4 prize packs of Moonlight Basin/FWT swag

Contest ends March 13, 2012.

Enter online - facebook.com/MoonlightBasin

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Big Sky Weekly

RegistRation 8 - 9 am Headwaters grille Entry fee is $25 and includes lunch and an event t-shirt. Contest open to skiers and snowboarders. Under 18 needs to have parent to sign waiver. Helmets Required.

slopestyle Competition

10 am Zero gravity terrain park

Lift ticket required. Discounted competitor tickets available.

Enter to compete in one of the following divisions: 15 & Under Ski • 15 & Under Snowboard Girls Ski (all ages) • Girls Snowboard (all ages) Open Ski (all ages) • Open Snowboard (all ages)

moonlightbasin.com • (406) 993-6000

big sky ’s FULL service grocery store Hand- cut meats • Fresh baked goods • Gourmet items • Beer & wine

LOCAL F R E SH Delivery available - have your rental unit stocked upon your arrival! 406-995-4636 Open 7 days a week 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

(Winter hours starting December 15)

Located in the Meadow Village Center next to Lone Peak Brewery

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word from the resorts Lone Mountain Ranch Big Sky Welcome to spring skiing with beautiful powder snow one day and warm, soft, slushy snow the next. Here are a few things you can focus on that will help when skiing the variable conditions of spring.

• •

Stretch and warm up to get your body loose and ready to go.

Edging with firm pressure using flexed knees helps control speed on the down hills, especially when the snow is transitioning from powder to slush.

•

Be ready for the “grip and go” snow going from sunny sections to shady sections. You might almost stop in the sunny spots like the snow is gripping your ski, but then your skis may zip out from underneath you as you ski into the shade.

•

Anticipate what the trail ahead might be like. Stay flexible, but strong in your ankles and knees and ready to do any kind of movement: edge; snowplow; turn; or anything else you want to do.

•

Look where you want to go and plan ahead.

•

Have your skis hot waxed.

•

Ski the freshly groomed trails for the best skiing.

•

Have fun!

In celebration of the over 50 combined years our horse teams have been hosting sleigh ride dinners, we’re inviting everyone to discounted sleigh rides from March 6 through the end of March. Ride with Blue and Bell, Minnie and Pearl or one of other horse teams.

And don’t forget about the Ranch Outdoor Shop, which is open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. lonemountainranch.com - Mark Parlett

Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trails Sula The 17 miles of trails at Chief Joseph Pass are in good condition. Groomers have been out grooming the deep snow that’s fallen recently, and currently there is an accumulated snow depth of over six feet after significant settling over the winter so far. Volunteers staff the Gordon Reese cabin located a half mile from the parking lot and will have a cozy fire and a smile for all who stop in to warm up and rest. Trails are groomed by the Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club.

Big Sky Resort Big Sky

Snow: Powder! The last storm cycle brought in over 50 inches of snow throughout late February and early March, with well over a foot falling in the last week.

Now the spring skiing begins with warmer bluebird days intermixed with more snowfall. Bring your powder skis, the snow is great! Follow Big Sky Resort on Facebook and Twitter for condition updates throughout the ski day. For more in-depth updates, check out The Ski Skinny, a weekly conditions report on Big Sky Resort’s blog, The Way I Ski it (bigskyresort.com/ blog).

Events: Sunset Saturdays start a week early this year.

Starting on March 10, come ski an extra hour on the front side of Andesite each Saturday when Ramcharger spins until 5 p.m. to celebrate daylight savings time.

Stick around for great live music in Whiskey Jack’s

Bridger Bowl Bozeman Bridger may have had a slow start, but they are off to a raging March. The Bridger Bowl Cloud (also known as the BBC) has been in effect, leaving storm totals in the double digits.

Finally.

If you haven’t been to Bridger in a few years, it’s worth going, because the mountain skis pretty differently with the Schlashman’s Chair (which rocks), and the new Bridger Chair. Bronco and Sluice Box minus the cat roads have more consistent fall line, and the skier

Rendezvous Ski Trails West Yellowstone There are two events remaining for the winter season at the Rendezvous Ski Trails in snowy West Yellowstone. The WYSSEF U.S. Biathlon Nationals and the Adaptive Biathlon Nationals are March 13 - 18. These events span four days and take place at the new biathlon range.

Event officials are expecting 100 participants, according to Dan Cantrell, Managing Director of WYSSEF said. The top domestic biathletes in the circuit will be racing, Cantrell said. This race is also open to people of all abilities, not just for elite racers. Participants must have a membership with the US Biathlon Association, a Red Book Safety Certification and their own rifle.

Big Sky Weekly

with favorites like Milton Menasco and Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. Check out bigskyresort.com/ events for details.

What’s New: Big Sky Resort is excited to announce the pilot Fast Pass program, where guests can get a free pass for one reserved timeslot on the Lone Peak Tram.

On Saturdays and Sundays during March of 2012, guests may show their season pass or lift ticket at a Fast Pass window to reserve timeslots from 10:45 a.m. through 3 p.m., running in 15-minute increments, weather depending.

Fast Passes are distributed the day-of on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are limited to one Fast Pass per day, and are given a 30-minute grace period from their assigned timeslot until their pass expires. Fast Pass timeslots will take up 1/3 of available tram capacity, ensuring that both Fast Pass holders and skiers without a reserved timeslot will be able to get on the tram quickly and efficiently. To learn more about Big Sky’s Fast Pass visit bigskyresort.com/fastpass. bigskyresort.com -Greer Schott

traffic spreads out better with the new setup. And it’s still snowing.

The NCAA ski championships March 8 and 10 brought top college racers from around the country to Bridger.

The community race series is ongoing. Alpine and telemark events include GS races (March 10, 11, 18) and great door prizes. If you win your age class you get a medallion!

Also, the Pinhead Classic is coming up on March 17. If you’ve got free heels, you probably shouldn’t miss this ridiculously fun telemark costume race. bridgerbowl.com -Emily Stifler

"This has been the busiest winter on record in terms of events and number of skiers for us," Cantrell said. On March 3, 560 racers came to ski in the Yellowstone Rendezvous ski race. The following Sunday 30 kids showed up for the Youth Ski Festival.

Grooming on the trails will continue until the end of March, and trails are typically groomed on weekends in April, Cantrell said. "Some years we've even skied into May." Ski rentals are available at Freeheel and Wheel, and Bud Lilly's Trout Shop. rendezvousskitrails.com - Abbie Digel

Join skiers, snowshoers and snow bikers March 24-25 for the Equinox Ski Challenge, a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters and WYSSEF. This 24-hour race held on the spring equinox is an endurance event, testing athletes of all ages. Sign up early at equinoxskichallenge.com

Photo Courtesy of Dan Cantrell

52 March 9, 2012

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Word from the Resorts continued on p. 54

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Big Sky Weekly

Creighton Block

Rob Akey Greg Alexander Jim Barrett Diana Brady Lynn Cain

Todd Connor Jerral Derr yberr y Flavia Eckholm Edd Enders Thomas English

Mark Gibson Don Grant Mimi Grant Ott Jones David Lemon

Asha MacDonald Mike Patterson Paula Pearl Jacqueline Rieder Hud Daniel San Souci

Deb Schmit Laurie Stevens Dave Swanson Shirle Wempner

ARTI ST PR O FI LE Shirle Wempner born and raised in Billings, Montana, has lived on a horse ranch most of her life and now lives on a ranch outside of Big Timber, Montana. Working predominately in oils and utilizing broad-brush strokes and palette knife techniques, she creates a feeling of realistic abstraction, concentrating on the ar tistic passion of the subject matter. Studying with Jack Hines and Jessica Zemsky who have greatly encouraged the spirit of her work, Shirle has challenged her imagination with her ar t, and continues to rediscover the creative process with each new piece. Shirle’s desired subjects are figurative and wildlife representations, with a mix of the spiritual relationships between the two.

Shirle Wempner “Summer Breeze”

B IG S K Y TOWN C E N T E R

1 1 : 3 0 A M - 6 : 3 0 P M TU ES DAY TH RU S U NDAY M O N DAY S BY APPOI NTM ENT

4 0 6- 9 9 3 - 9 4 0 0

C REI G H TO NBL O C KG A L L E RY. C O M

Ar twork also displayed at Outlaw Par tners and Lone Mountain Ranch Dining Room explorebigsky.com

March 9, 2012 53

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word from the resorts

Big Sky Weekly

Continued from p. 52

Moonlight Basin Big Sky The other week I was carpooling up to Moonlight Basin with my fellow Zero Gravity park crew (Shawn Whitehurst, Cody Rapp and Brent Mach) and just knew it was going to be a good day. It was a pristine morning in Big Sky. The first rays of the sun were just starting to hit Lone Peak, a few inches of fresh blanketed the ground, and the skies were clear. Once we got to the resort you could feel the good vibes all around.

“Oh yeah!” I said. “It’s going to be a sick park day!”

It was Saturday, and we had a full four-person crew and five parks to tune up. Suited and booted, we headed out to greet the day.

The fresh snow was exactly what the Freestyle Forest needed. We cherried up a few things and headed off to the next park. Even though it was still early, park riders were out getting warmed up while we raked our medium Bad Dog Park and Pony Park.

By the time we finished grooming all the lips and sides of our 60+ features, the sessions were in full swing. Everyone was coming through to check out the new features. A lot of kids were working on new tricks and getting their contest run dialed in for our sixth annual Huck-A-Berry Jam. Posses of jibbers and shredders, young and old, skiers and snowboarders were everywhere crushing features!

I couldn’t help but grin. Seeing our locals and guests coming together, fueling each other’s stoke, cheering one another on, and inspiring creativity: That’s the core of our sport. It may be an individual sport, but it’s the friends, coworkers and other shredders that help fuel the passion.

It’s days like this that keep me coming back year after year. The stoke is so infectious! It brings out the best in me, my crew and all our friends. It’s the fire that gets us up before dawn, motivates us to ride hard all day long, and keeps us warm to push hard and build on those cold dark nights.

Whatever the conditions, there is one thing you can be sure of with our crew. Whether it is an event, an epic pow day, or a normal mid week session: It’s going to get Critical! moonlightbasin.com -Austin Christensen

Discovery Ski Area Phillipsburg Discovery is in the powder belt, too.

“We have been steadily getting dumped on,” said Ciche Pitcher, Discovery’s vice president and operations manager.

“Skiing is as good as it’s been in a really long time up here.

In early March, Discovery hosted a weekend ski race that brought 200 kids both days. Many of the racers were trying to get away from their race responsibilities and ski the powder on the backside, Pitcher said.

The Billy Poole memorial event brought local school kids to the hill for a day of shredding, many of whom couldn’t otherwise ski or snowboard. “The kids were stoked,” Pitcher said. He was too, and hopes to host it again next year.

The one-hour midnight season pass sale sold 767 new passes, also a success.

Coming up, Disco will host another college day on March 11 (deals on a lift ticket, burger and beverage package).

March 18, the day after St. Patrick’s Day, the Clark Fork Coalition from Missoula will hosting a day of discounted tickets, with a percentage of sales going to the nonprofit. skidiscovery.com E.S

Where the islands meet the mountains Maverick Mountain

Polaris Over Presidents’ Day weekend, at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, the distinct sounds and costumes of an island tradition resonated in the Pioneer Mountains.

Maverick Mountain was blessed with the opportunity to host the University of Montana Western’s Polynesian Club, which performed traditional island dances. Native Hawaiian Kekoa’ilikea Perbera, an intern at Maverick, organized the event. Perbera, who is studying business administration, has been snowboarding at Maverick for three winters.

“I wanted to do something beside sit at a desk all day,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to do my internship at Maverick.”

Perbera’s internship requirements include promoting business at Maverick.

“Randy really helped me out with allowing me to set up the Polynesian performance,” Perbera said about Randy Schilling, Maverick’s owner. “I got to market it myself and bring in some business.”

With the upstairs of the lodge packed with people there to view the performance, Perbera was successful in bringing in business.

The women of the Polynesian Club started off the evening with the Aparima dance, a traditional Tahitian love song dance. The slow pace and timehonored sound of the islands was a nice introduction for the crowd.

Continuing on the Tahitian dancing, the men and women joined to perform the Otea to the beat of

54 March 9, 2012

the drums. This fast paced and high intensity dance soon had everyone cheering the dancers on. The traditional “Chee hee” cheers of the Hawaiians even echoed from men with cowboy hats on.

The main event, the Fire Knife Dance, was held outside. The stage was white with fresh snowfall from the day, and in the background the sun was setting behind the mountains.

Photo by Renae Counter

Dressed in only lava lava, traditional decorative wear that resembles a wrapped skirt, the five fire dancers took to their untraditional stage. Steam rolled from their mouths and smiles spread across their faces-- it was obvious that the cold wouldn’t stop them from sharing their culture.

“We are not all that different,” Perbera said. “We all love to have a good time, and Montana has really allowed us Polynesians to expand our culture and has given us the opportunity to experience theirs. We are grateful to be here in Montana.”

Each dancer had a brightly colored, double-ended baton with cloth wrapped around both ends. In one of the fire pits on either side of the stage, the boys dipped the cloth and their batons lit with soaring flames. To the beat of the drum they spun, flipped and caught their flaming sticks, all while repeating Samoan chants.

“If they’ll come back next year, I’ll have them. It brought a crowd and was fun for everyone,” he said.

“Everything flowed really beautifully,” one Maverick employee said of the dance.

When it was completed and the fires extinguished, the crowd and excitement for the event remained.

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Shilling was appreciative of the experience as well.

Downstairs in the lodge, the performers changed back into their warmer-mountain clothing. Perbera thanked his peers for all their hard work and dedication to not only the Polynesian Club, but to the state and culture that has hosted them throughout their college career. On his final note, he brought the group in and in unison they stated their club motto, “One love. One heart.” -Renae Counter

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Big Sky Weekly

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