REGIONAL BILL TO OPEN MORE WALKUP CAMPSITES IN MONTANA SAILING THROUGH

BY KEILA SZPALLER DAILY MONTANAN

Helping Montanans have a better shot at camping in state parks is a popular idea.

House Bill 440, which would limit the number of reserved campsites at 80% in order to allow more walkups, passed unanimously in committee, and then it passed unanimously in the House. The state senate’s fish and game commission is scheduled to have a hearing on the bill on March 28.

Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, had said the bill was aimed at creating more availability for Montanans, who sometimes want to go camping spontaneously in the summer. That’s hard to do because reservations fill up fast and well in advance.

If the bill continues to sail toward the governor’s desk and gets a signature, it would affect 12 of the 25 state parks that currently allow camping, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, more people have been venturing outdoors.

A 2022 Montana State Parks visitation report described “explosive” growth in 2020, and it counted 3.4 million visitors to parks in 2021, just shy of the record in 2020 — but still 27.7% over 2019.

As popular destinations in the state, such as Glacier National Park, draw more tourists and fill up, visitors who get turned away are putting pressure on other recreational areas, Gunderson explained during a hearing.

The idea with the bill is the remaining 20% of campsites that can’t be reserved ahead of time will be open to walkups.

That way, locals who might not want to plan a weekend trip in their near-backyard months ahead of time have a better shot at a lastminute getaway—although the bill does not ban nonresidents from walkups either.

At least one neighboring state has a different way of giving its residents a leg up, although Montana might not be able to follow suit.

Gary Schoene with Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, said most sites require reservations in his state, and Wyoming residents can reserve a site up to 120 days in advance. However, he said nonresidents have to wait one more week, 113 days before their trip.

The change started about three years ago, partly in response to Covid-19 and the huge increase in demand for campsites, including when Colorado closed down and its residents turned to Wyoming to go camping, Schoene said.

“We still get a ton of Colorado people up at our southern parks, but we’re getting a lot of Wyoming people now too,” Schoene said.

Some sites still are available on a first come, first served basis, however. Schoene said some people like “hunting” a campsite, and then some campers also don’t know if they’ll have a weekend off until the day before, so the system accommodates them, too.

At the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Craig Quintana said campsite reservations were “a hot topic” at the legislature roughly two years ago. Basically, legislators wanted to figure out how to give Idahoans priority.

He said Idaho mulled giving residents the same priority Wyoming does, but federal law stopped the state in its tracks.

That’s because the majority of state parks have been developed in whole or in part with money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which does not allow residents to get ahead in line, Quintana said.

Instead, Idaho settled on essentially doubling the cost of camping for nonresidents, Quintana said. Regardless, the parks are busy.

“During the peak season at popular parks, we are booked fairly solid,” Quintana said.

However, he also said a savvy person can work the reservation system so it sends an alert when there’s a cancellation and a site opens up.

“So they should never lose heart,” Quintana said.

In Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Greg Lemon said the Treasure State is also restricted by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which would prohibit the state from discriminating against nonresidents.

Montana has used Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for a variety of projects, such as swimming pools, skateparks, trailheads and playground renovations. In 2021, FWP used $1.34 million from that fund for the Somers Beach acquisition on Flathead Lake for a new state park, according to a project list from the agency.

Montana campsites cost $4 to $34 depending on the season and amenities, but cabins, yurts and tipis cost more for nonresidents who don’t buy a park pass, according to FWP. Those passes cost $35 for seven days.

In Montana, residents can get a break, too. Those who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration don’t need to buy passes.

The bill also notes that campers who have multi-day reservations but don’t arrive by 10 a.m. on the second day of their reservation will have their booking canceled and the site open to others on a first come, first served basis.

A&E ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MAKING ‘SNOW STYLE’ HAPPEN KB FASHION PRODUCTIONS TO PRODUCE ITS SECOND ANNUAL FASHION PREVIEW SHOW FOR THE U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD HALL OF FAME IN BIG SKY

BY JULIA BARTON

Kathy Benharris has been in the fashion industry for decades, so when she rode her first chairlift, naturally her first thought was: “Oh my God, it's a vertical runway.”

Benharris’ fashion styling and production company KB Fashion Productions will run with this idea of highlighting “snow style” for the second year as a part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame induction ceremony being held at Big Sky Resort. The 2024 Fashion Preview Show will take place at the Summit Hotel Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25.

Friday’s fashion show—sponsored by Gorsuch, Ltd., a luxury ski apparel brand based out of Colorado—will have an alpine ski focus, Benharris explained, featuring 2024 brand samples from a number of high-end brands that have yet to be seen by consumers.

“Friday is a traditional runway show,” Benharris explained. “It is upscale, luxe brands that are very fashion forward, high end, marquee brands… And you're going to see over 60 looks.”

The brands include Bogner, Alps & Meters, Fera, CB Sports, Skea and many others that will explore the intersection of high fashion and snow sports. Benharris believes that clothing can be technically advanced while also coming in bright colors and stylish cuts with a feminine flair. Friday’s show will present up-scaled brands that are doing just that with their 2024 snow apparel lines.

“I am definitely trying to develop an American snow style Fashion Week for the Hall of Fame,” Benharris said.

Saturday’s show turns the focus away from the luxury brands to snowboarding and free skiing inspired styles.

“I'm trying to make snow style happen,” Benharris said. “To me, snow style is anything anybody wears when they go out to play in the snow. Whether they're skiing, riding or sitting on a cafeteria tray sliding, I don't care—you're my person if you go out to play in the snow.”

The second night’s fashion show will be a “party.” Benharris is breaking up the runway into three separate stages and spreading them across the Summit Hotel Terrace. There will be a DJ and a variety of looks from brands such as Bogner Fire & Ice, Boarding 4 Breast Cancer, 686, Helly Hansen, Burton, Dakine, ThirtyTwo, Roxy, The North Face and Jones Snowboards, among others.

Saturday’s show is sponsored by OOSC, a colorful, retro-inspired brand based out of the United Kingdom that makes their products with recycled plastics. Benharris plans to highlight sustainability at the second show, including other brands with sustainable production practices.

“I am actually including some looks from Big Sky Thrift,” Benharris said, adding that she will also include belts from Jelt, a local brand that makes their product from recycled plastic bottles. “What is more sustainable than reusing and repurposing some great stuff that somebody loved already?”

Benharris explained that beyond showcasing sustainability and styles that will be released for 2024, she hopes to inspire people to wear gear that they feel confident in while spending time out in the snow.

“If we put you in a suit that makes you feel like ‘yeah, I look good in this,’ you're gonna have a much better day,” she said. “You're gonna ski better, you're gonna smile more. Confidence is a superpower and ultimately as a stylist I am trying to find things that help people feel confident. ”

Between the two shows, Benharris is sure that there is something for everyone—lovers of high-end luxury and freeski steeze alike.

Both the Friday and Saturday shows are free and open to the public.

Benharris is looking for behind-the-scenes volunteers to help models change between different looks on Friday night. Email kathy@kbfashionproductions.com if you are interested in volunteering.

For more information about the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame induction at Big Sky Resort, head to its website skihall.com/induction/schedule/

Big Sandy

25,000± acre ranch near Big Sandy, MT. 18,124± acres deeded and over 8,000± acres BLM and State lease the ranch is a 650 cow calf pair and had 5,000± tillable acres plus a 30+ year outfitting history for trophy mule deer and big horn sheep hunts.

Big Sky

Incredible views of Lone Peak, Mountain Village and Andesite. This home has been partially renovated and would be perfect for a new owner to complete the renovation to their own specifications. Ski accessable with local knowledge.

Unregulated trapping, deforestation, and destruction of dams due to unwanted flooding have continued to affect the beaver population.