BIG SKY’S BIGGEST WEEK: RECAPPING BINGO, COMMUNITY RODEO, BIG SKY PBR
GALLATIN CANYON SEWER PROJECT ADVANCES
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INSIDE THE BIG SKY ARTISAN FESTIVAL
MSU BREAKS GROUND ON INDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITY
July 25 - August 7, 2024
Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana
PUBLISHER
Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com
EDITORIAL
VP MEDIA
Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com
DIGITAL PRODUCER
Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com
EDITORIAL INTERN
Fischer Genau | frgenau@gmail.com
CREATIVE
LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ME BROWN | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com
SALES AND OPERATIONS
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com
VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com
DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS
Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com
MARKETING MANAGER
Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com
CONTENT MARKETING LEAD
Taylor Owens | taylor@theoutlawpartners.com
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Taylor Allen, Kaley Burns, Mario Carr, Fischer Genau, Marne Hayes, Rachel Hergett, Kelsey Kradel, Benjamin Alva Polley
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bucking bull Viper ended his six-year PBR career at the 2024 Big Sky PBR with a memorable performance, earning 42.5 out of 50 possible points alongside cowboy Brady Fielder. He took a lap of honor on Saturday night to cheering fans.
BY TAYLOR ALLEN/OUTLAW PARTNERS
EDITORIAL POLICY
Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors. EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.
EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.
On July 15, the United States Postal Service opened its new post office in Big Sky, the community’s first federally operated post office. A federally operated post office comes with advantages, according to a July 15 press release from USPS. The retail office will offer stamps, domestic and international mailing services, parcel lockers and smart lockers, and nearly 2,000 more P.O. boxes. The P.O. boxes and parcel lockers will be open 24/7. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY 14 10
GALLATIN CANYON SEWER PROJECT ADVANCES
Four years in the making, a project to build a centralized sewer in the Gallatin Canyon is picking up momentum. The sewer would replace septic systems, the vast majority of which treat water to relatively poor standards. Proponents say the treatment upgrade would result in a net benefit to the Gallatin River, even accounting for residential and commercial development that the canyon sewer district could enable.
BIG SKY’S BIGGEST WEEK: RECAPPING BINGO, COMMUNITY RODEO, BIG SKY PBR
In mid-July, Outlaw Partners and a wide swath of community sponsors hosted its annual series of summer events, from a community rodeo and BINGO night to the popular and 10-time award-winning Big Sky PBR. Explore Big Sky attended all the events that again made it Big Sky’s Biggest Week.
MSU BREAKS GROUND ON INDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITY
In less than a year, Montana State University will open its Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center, an indoor sports facility featuring a 300-meter track, built-in permanent field event venues and a turf field. Coaches and MSU officials emphasize the advantages of practicing year-round at high-quality indoor facilities, in addition to the oftenoverscheduled Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
INSIDE THE BIG SKY ARTISAN FESTIVAL
Artists and attendees at the 2024 Big Sky Artisan Festival say it was the most successful year in memory—more than 100 artists set up shop, and the event aligned with a busy week in Big Sky. Proceeds from the event supported education programs for the Arts Council of Big Sky, which hosts the annual event. EBS contributor Leslie Kilgore stopped by the festival to scope out the various artworks.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.
YCCF AWARDS OVER $1.5 MILLION TO BIG SKY COMMUNITY
EBS
In its 2024 spring grant cycle, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation awarded $1,668,500 in grants to 33 nonprofit organizations and qualifying government entities, such as schools and libraries, that serve communities in the greater Big Sky region.
“We are honored to support the great work of local organizations in the Big Sky, Bozeman and greater southwest Montana region that are working to provide food security, housing stability, conservation of natural resources, and accessible mental health care,” Ciara Wolfe, YCCF’s vice president of philanthropy, said in a news release.
YCCF’s spring grant funding focused on five areas: livability, health and wellness, environment, arts and culture, and education. Specific grants will help provide access to affordable housing, no- or low-cost mental health care and high-quality childcare.
Recipients include the Morningstar Learning Center, Big Sky’s only fulltime daycare, and Montana State University’s Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery, which is creating an online program that allows future counselors to serve rural communities while they get their license.
“This funding significantly aids in supporting mental health of rural youth in Montana as we work to get our online school program up and running,” said Dr. Katey Franklin and Dr. Rebecca Koltz of MSU’s department of counseling. “We are truly thankful.”
The grants will support Big Sky youth by providing scholarships, sports and outdoor equipment for summer camps, mentoring and outdoor adventure experiences. They’ll also fund workforce development initiatives for snow sports instructors, ski patrollers and behavioral health workers.
“We congratulate the grant recipients and look forward to partnering with them to serve our neighbors,” Wolfe said.
Since 2010, YCCF has awarded more than $34 million to nonprofits and other groups servicing the greater Big Sky region, with the support of Yellowstone Club members and guests, and local community members.
HEAT WAVE ESCALATES FIRE DANGER IN BIG SKY
EBS STAFF
Fire danger is on the rise in Big Sky and surrounding areas. As temperatures in earlyto mid-July approached 90F, fuel stores dried out and brought the risk of wildfire from moderate to high danger for the following weeks, according to Big Sky Deputy Fire Chief Seth Barker.
“We are in moderate danger both in the U.S. National Forest and federal land, and I would expect the weather to accelerate our fire danger to high very, very quickly,” Barker said on July 11.
Rainstorms in the Gallatin Canyon and surrounding foothills helped to counteract the effects of the heat wave, but temperatures were projected to remain in the 80s through mid-July, and with plenty of sun and little rain, people in Big Sky will have to exercise caution.
“We need our visitors and our residents to stay vigilant and stay observant of the weather patterns around them,” Barker said.
Barker asks that people not have outside fires if at all possible and, when grilling outside, ensure it’s contained and on a deck rather than near a fuel source. Open burning is also closed due to conditions.
Barker reminds us that the 2021 Porcupine Fire, the last wildfire to threaten homes in Big Sky, was caused by target shooting, so anyone firing a gun outside should be mindful of fuel behind their target. Bigskyfire.org, Firewise, and the Fire Adapted Big Sky Wildfire Hub all provide more resources and information on mitigating wildfire danger.
Last summer saw heavy rainfall through August, so fire danger never became extreme, but Big Sky residents should prepare for a much higher risk of wildfires this year.
“Let’s keep burning to a minimum, let’s not light any more fireworks this year, and let’s be super safe and vigilant out there,” Barker said.
THREE SMALL FIRES IGNITE NORTHWEST OF WEST YELLOWSTONE
SEVEN SMOKEJUMPERS DEPLOYED TO TACKLE LIGHTNING-IGNITED WILDFIRES
EBS STAFF
On the afternoon of July 12, a band of dry lightning moved through the Madison Range, igniting three spot fires in the Beaver Creek and Cabin Creek areas off U.S. Highway 287, about 15 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. Smoke from the fires was visible from U.S. 287 and from Hebgen Lake.
The fires were all adequately contained by July 15. The West Yellowstone Smokejumpers managed the Boat Mountain Fire and the Boat Mountain 2 Fire, and the Kootenai Rappelers managed the Beaver Creek Fire. Total personnel on the three fires was 16. The Refuge Point Trail parking area has been reopened.
According to a post on the Custer Gallatin National Forest Facebook page, the Boat Mountain Fire was identified on July 12 at 5 p.m. when an isolated burning tree was spotted. By Saturday afternoon, it grew to one acre in size, located along a ridge top burning heavy timber in rugged and steep terrain.
“A group of smokejumpers has engaged in direct tactics on that fire to attempt to keep it as small as possible,” said Robert Spence, incident commander for the Boat Mountain and Beaver Creek fires, in a video update posted on the Facebook page during the response.
Boat Mountain 2 Fire was one-tenth of an acre in size, burning along a ridge top in “extremely rugged and steep country, which is very difficult to access,” the Facebook post explained. Due to the terrain, a rappel crew was ordered to access the fire from the air.
The Beaver Creek Fire was one-tenth of an acre, and located mid-slope on the west side of Beaver Creek in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. It was located in an area “riddled with avalanche slide paths, which is very difficult to access,” the post stated.
“Thank you to our partners in our community, including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ game warden and the Hebgen Fire District for their assistance in locating these fires and protecting our community,” Spence concluded in the video update.
Voters recently approved the formation of local government review study commissions for Gallatin and Madison counties. These commissions are nonpartisan and made up of regular citizens. They will look at how things are run and make any recommendations for improvements in the structure and powers of these local governments.
To
run for a seat, candidates must:
Live and be a registered voter in the county they wish to represent. Not hold any current elected positions within the local governments being studied.
Gallatin County will elect 7 study commissioners. Madison County will elect 3 study commissioners.
Filing period closes at 5pm on August 12.
OBITUARY
RAYMOND JAMES MADSEN JR.
NOV. 30, 1943 – MARCH 12, 2024
Ray was born in Providence, Rhode Island on Nov. 30, 1943, to Raymond James Madsen and Alice Major Madsen while his father was serving in the U.S. Navy. After the war, his father took a teaching position in Seattle, Washington and moved the family, now numbering five, with the addition of brother Alan and sister Linda. Ray attended Shoreline High School, then joined the Army for four years. Upon returning to Washington, he attended Washington State University (becoming a lifelong Cougar fan), and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Communications. It was there he met and married Janie Borrevik, a fellow Cougar. After the birth of his daughter, Katherine, the family migrated to southern California where he spent his career in the insurance industry working with Pacific Mutual, Best Plans, New York Life and other major companies. In 1981, he formed his own company, Great America Insurance Administrators, along with partner Robert Staynor. After several successful years, both partners decided to retire in 1994.
Ray's love affair with Big Sky, Montana, started with the Huntley auction when he purchased his first Montana home. After retirement, Ray became a permanent resident and enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, boating, horseback riding and everything else that this great life offered him. When his marriage ended, many years later he met his soul mate, Susan Jenkinson in 1990 and they spent thirty plus years together following their dreams.
Ray passed away on March 12, 2024 after struggling with Parkinson's for the last four years. He is survived by his brother, Alan Madsen, sisterin-law, Robyn, many nieces and nephews, his daughter, Katherine and son-in-law Brett Dawson, and grandchildren, Erin, Hunter and Andee.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Soldiers Chapel, 47875 Gallatin Rd. in Big Sky.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
The Crazy Mountains are a spectacular gem in Montana, and they hold special significance to so many people. I worked on a ranch in Melville the summer of 2007 and have enjoyed time hiking, climbing, and fly-fishing in the Crazies via access from the east side.
I am concerned about the proposed East Crazy Inspiration Divide Land Exchange and what it could do to the area. The exchange would consolidate the entire Sweetgrass Creek drainage on the east side into private land. That could open the door to development of that whole area. Currently, the checkerboard land ownership poses challenges for land managers, but it also functions as a kind of backstop against building roads or largescale developments along Sweetgrass Creek. Consolidating ownership could inadvertently result in huge changes to the Crazy Mountains that we know and love. There is a limit on subdivisions less than 160 acres but nothing in the proposed exchange to prevent resorts and other luxury estate development from happening like you can find over in the Big Sky area.
This exchange isn’t in the best interest of the public and favors wealthy landowners. It's important that Montana holds onto its public lands and established trails because it's part of the history of our State and it’s the heart of Montana. I’m worried and saddened at the rate Montana is changing in such a short time. This exchange isn’t in the best interest of the land that’s been in public use for over 100 years.
Page Grogan Butte, Montana
500 years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the plains. That number is now less than 30,000.
The depletion of free range bison has been attributed to:
•Decades of over-exploitation
•Decline in genetic diversity
•Habitat loss
•Human Interaction
Yellowstone National Park boasts the nation's largest free range buffalo herd, but only two others remain - the Henry’s Mountains and Book Cliffs herds, both in southern Utah.
American Bison // Bison bison
PUSH CONTINUES TO BUILD SEWER, CUT SEPTIC FOR BIG SKY CANYON PROPERTIES GALLATIN CANYON SEWER
PROJECT APPEARS FEASIBLE, MUST SCALE FUNDING AND EARN DEQ PERMIT
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—If things go according to plan for the nascent Gallatin Canyon County Water and Sewer District, a significant share of Big Sky properties along U.S. Highway 191 near the Gallatin River will disconnect from existing septic systems and connect to a centralized sewer.
That sewer would pump wastewater to Big Sky’s new Water Resource Recovery Facility, which yields virtually drinkable, Class A-1 effluent. Proponents say the treatment upgrade would result in a net benefit to the Gallatin River, even accounting for residential and commercial development that the canyon sewer district could enable.
Mace Mangold, VP of infrastructure for WGM Group—the engineering firm contracted by the district—said the potential for more development is the biggest point of community pushback he’s heard.
“And that is true, but I’d also argue that new development will happen regardless of central sewer, and that this is our opportunity to use new development to solve old problems,” Mangold said.
The old problems? The vast majority of septic systems do a relatively poor job removing pollutants from wastewater—the Gallatin River is officially “impaired” and studies are underway to determine the potential negative impact of nutrients found in wastewater like phosphorus and nitrogen.
Kristin Gardner, chief executive and science officer of the Gallatin River Task Force, told EBS the nonprofit is very supportive of the project.
“It’s such a huge benefit. I think it’s the most impactful project that we could do to address the water quality issues that we’re seeing in the Gallatin,” she said.
Aside from replacing old septic systems and eliminating the need for new ones, a centralized sewer would also serve as a release valve for the new WRRF. The Big Sky County Water and Sewer District could return surpluses of its effluent—reclaimed water not used for irrigation or snowmaking—for discharge into underlying Gallatin Canyon aquifers.
Although discharging into aquifers may sound concerning, Gardner said it’s a huge upgrade; the centralized, two-way sewer could reduce nitrogen output by a factor of 10, also reinforcing against increasing drought patterns.
“Septic systems are putting in wastewater that has [nitrogen] concentrations of 50 milligrams per liter, and we’re talking about a decrease to five [milligrams],” Gardner said. Phosphorus would drop from roughly 10 milligrams per liter in septic output to near zero.
“It’s a benefit. It’s an asset, rather than a liability,” she added.
In May 2020, GRTF commissioned a preliminary feasibility study and another in July 2021 to identify areas of highest impact, in support of the canyon sewer district, which was established in December 2020.
Johnny O’Connor, general manager of the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, endorsed the project in a July letter to the Big Sky Resort Area District board. O’Connor told EBS that BSCWSD’s goal is to be proactive in protecting the Gallatin River before ever being told to clean up by a regulatory agency. Cost inflation does not override that goal.
“We’re building, essentially, a whole new infrastructure to take degraded and outdated systems off-line. And we’re—as a community—looking forward to getting this [sewer], so we’re not influencing the Gallatin River,” O’Connor explained. “Doing our due diligence and being good stewards of our environment—that’s the crux of the partnership.”
Three hurdles to feasibility
On July 10, the project reached a milestone as O’Connor and the BSRAD board endorsed its feasibility—despite ballooning costs since its initial estimate in 2020—concluding a near two-year effort to evaluate three challenges.
First, whether Montana Department of Environmental Quality will issue a discharge permit when the district applies in August.
Properties shaded in blue have agreed to join the sewer district. COURTESY OF GCCWSD
“We landed on yes,” Mangold said. “We’ve got DEQ support for the project, they like the project, and it’s just navigating all the elements to get to a discharge permit.”
In September 2023, DEQ Water Quality Division Policy Analyst Eric Sivers wrote a letter to the district confirming the project appeared feasible, answering a request from the district to help secure funding.
In July 2024, a DEQ spokesperson responded to EBS with a written statement regarding the agency’s stance on the project.
“DEQ will begin the process of evaluating engineering plans, reviewing a discharge application, and developing a position once the district finalizes and submits the required application materials.
“The department generally promotes higher levels of treatment and connections of onsite systems to centralized treatment to reduce watershed nutrient loading. This goes for any of the state’s watersheds,” the spokesperson stated.
The second challenge is a choice: to stomach the increasingly expensive and complicated construction of sewer infrastructure along Montana Highway 64, or to build an independent wastewater treatment facility in the canyon.
The former is the original plan and will cost roughly double the $12 million forecasted in 2020, which BSRAD committed to fund with its additional “1% for infrastructure” resort tax. Mangold said it will now cost between $20 and $25 million to build pipes and lift stations to pump wastewater uphill to the WRRF, and that cost will likely keep rising.
“We’re comfortable with those challenges… working with MDT, working with the Forest Service, and potentially working with some landowners to get all that connected. But landed on yes, we can do that,” Mangold said.
Plan B is also feasible. But both water and sewer districts, and BSRAD, remain engaged in “the co-solution as the best solution,” Mangold said. It could create a $5 to $10 million benefit for both districts, and O’Connor said it would cost more in the long run to separately build an inferior and less durable treatment plant.
Third, the biggest challenge, is overall economic feasibility. The entire project will cost at least $50 million and will require widespread buy-in from property owners and developers.
The first phase—and likely the minimum viable—would include the northern half of the corridor, between the 191/64 intersection
and Buck’s T-4. Mangold said that’s the bulk of the entire district, including parcels located east of the highway beside the sensitive Gallatin River.
Eventually, if the sewer expands further south toward the Big Sky School District and Riverhouse BBQ and Events, overall cost would be roughly $70 million. Mangold said building a central sewer is an economy of scale—the more buy-in, the more affordable it becomes.
To achieve buy-in, the biggest hurdle will be reducing connection fees. Especially in existing developments like the Ramshorn View subdivision—just south of the initial phase boundary—where septic is already a sunk cost to property owners, the district will need funding to subsidize connection fees. To annex Ramshorn into the district, a 75% majority of homeowners association members would need to vote in support.
“It’s tough for a Ramshorn-type owner to get to a ‘yes’ there,” Mangold said. “No fault of their own, it’s just free versus paying a bill.”
In the past six months, the district has gained support from property owners in the northern half of the corridor.
Scott Altman, president of the canyon sewer district, believes that first phase includes the most important parcels to annex for the district’s mission of benefitting river health.
“We really want to replace those septic systems with [centralized sewer] that is really going to help the whole canyon,” Altman said.
Solution may be handcuffed to development
In addition to his role with the district, Altman is a leading developer in a large-scale planned unit development, the Quarry, that would largely fund the initial sewer implementation and benefit from its existence—full build would likely not occur until the sewer goes live.
As planned, the Quarry includes 135 single-family homes, 130 apartments, and commercial spaces. It has stirred up environmental concerns due to the uncertainty of the sewer project—two phases have already been approved for construction using high-tech septic systems as a stopgap until the sewer is ready, but if the sewer falls through, activists say septic will be detrimental in the long term.
Altman said the Quarry will pay for a significant part of sewer construction, in addition to providing a large customer base to sustain the district.
In the best-case scenario, the sewer project would come together quickly, and the Quarry can avoid building temporary septic infrastructure. If not, Altman said the Quarry will transition whenever the sewer is ready, but it would help with the economic hurdle to skip the septic and go straight to sewer.
“We want to be able to use that money to help canyon sewer, instead of going it our own,” Altman said.
Mangold added that new development, including the Quarry, would take on “more than their fair share” of early-stage costs— roughly one-third, upwards of $10 million—and that this is a chance to “stay out in front of new development,” leveraging private capital to fund the central solution.
“And if we don’t do it now, it may never happen,” Mangold said.
For all private properties and new developments across the corridor, Mangold and Altman hope owners will forgo individual septic projects, avoiding those sunk costs and instead saving that money for an investment into the centralized sewer.
For example, the Big Sky School District recently reconstructed its septic system as part of its facility upgrade and building addition.
“And we would rather use that money to fund a central solution,” Mangold said—of course, the solution was far away when voters approved the school bond in 2020.
Now, the district is weeks away from applying for a DEQ permit.
Centralized sewer will require collaboration and sacrifice, but for the health of the impaired Gallatin River, project leaders believe the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term costs.
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK GIVES BACK
Outlaw Partners follows a tradition of incorporating charitable giveback toward hardworking local nonprofits into all of its events. Through Big Sky's Biggest Week and Big Sky PBR events this year, Outlaw is excited to announce nearly $400,000 has been raised. Thank you to all who donated, and stay tuned for additional beneficiary information in next week’s paper.
Big Sky PBR Golf Tournament for Western Sports Foundation … over $50,000
Thursday PBR 50/50 raffle for Big Sky Rotary … over $2,000
Thursday PBR Calcutta for Big Sky Community Organization … over $32,000
Friday PBR 50/50 raffle for Big Sky SNO … over $3,000
Friday PBR Calcutta for MSU Athletics & MSU Rodeo … over $42,000
Saturday PBR 50/50 raffle for Big Sky Search and Rescue … over $4,000
Saturday PBR Calcutta for Warriors & Quiet Waters and Big Sky Bravery … over $103,000
Saturday PBR paddle raise auction for bull riders … $85,000
Saturday PBR paddle raise auction to Warriors & Quiet Waters and Big Sky Bravery … $42,000
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
BIG SKY PBR RETURNS FOR 13TH YEAR
EVENT ORGANIZERS CELEBRATE 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS AS PBR ‘EVENT OF THE YEAR’
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—Every July, the Big Sky PBR sets its roots deeper into Big Sky dirt as cowboys and bulls bring a Western display of courage and brute strength. But in 2024, event producers Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions, and officials with the Professional Bull Riders organization, are celebrating a new symbol.
“10x” signifies the Big Sky PBR’s unique popularity among cowboys and fans of the bull riding event, which has now earned the PBR “Event of the Year” award for 10 consecutive years.
“You have no idea how long we have waited to join you here again,” PBR announcer Matt West told the crowd in the opening ceremony Thursday night, the first of three at the Big Sky Events Arena.
“We have blown the roof off this place now 10 consecutive years,” West said.
“The bar keeps raising up,” said Cord McCoy, PBR bull stock contractor. “To think this is 10-time Event of the Year and it keeps gettin’ better. I look down that roster of cowboys and bulls that are here this week, this stuff you gotta go to Vegas or New York to see… there’s some dynamite on this piece of paper.”
Another dynamite character made an appearance, a surprise after his retirement last year.
West said rodeo entertainer Flint Rasmussen is “the greatest entertainer in the history of our great sport.” The Montana native strode into the arena missing only his PBR uniform and signature face paint.
“I knew that Big Sky couldn’t happen without me just making an appearance,” Rasmussen told the crowd. “I’ve been here every year since its inception, can’t miss Big Sky… We talk about this event all year. We get to go places like Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles… but the buzz with all the riders, the buzz with all of us, is, ‘Hey, when is Big Sky week?’”
Ophir Middle School rising seventh grader Kaydence Rothmeyer sang the national anthem with confidence and grace, and Big Sky week began.
It took 10 cowboys until the first eight-second ride of the night. The crowd came to life with Conner Halverson’s 80-point ride, and the momentum continued as cowboy Brandon Chambers followed suit.
“How about two in a row, Montana,” West exclaimed after Chambers celebrated his 85-point ride by hurling his hat into the air toward the exhilarated crowd.
Five bulls later, Ezekiel Mitchell topped the leaderboard with his 85.5-point ride. He then cut a rug to “Teach Me How to Dougie” near the arena’s northern fence.
For the 13th year, bull riding had returned to Big Sky.
‘Hold on tight’
Ten little cowboys and cowgirls participated in the mutton bustin’ competition, clutching sheep with all their might.
Seven-year-old Tripp Effler stole the show, earning perhaps the most exuberant crowd reaction of the night.
Visiting from the “Buckeye State” of Ohio, Effler rode a sheep aptly named Buckeye. He had competed in mutton bustin’ once before and seemed to know the winning strategy.
“Just to hold on to the sheep as tight as I can—the wool as tight as I can—and also squeeze my legs on there,” Effler explained to EBS after his trophywinning ride.
The final contestant, Effler clutched the side of the fast-sprinting sheep and rode into the far corner, trumping the high score. He threw his hands in the air to hype the crowd, which responded by chanting “TRIPP” as he received his trophy and paraded it around the arena.
Effler said it felt good to hear the 3,000-plus fans chanting his name—but he revised his answer to “great,” and then “amazing.”
His advice to future contestants was simple: “Hold on tight.”
Another tradition, the Murdoch’s dance competition began with the commentators summoning a crowd member: “Where is Dan on his bachelor party?”
Call it a setup, but the Bozeman groom-to-be was ridiculed by Rasmussen for his unimpressive dance moves.
“Has your fiancée ever actually seen you dance before,” Rasmussen joked, before congratulating him and wishing him luck with Saturday’s wedding.
However, Bozeman 11-year-old Quinn and West Yellowstone resident Jacquelyn actually did dance their boots off. Jacquelyn won the contest after shaking that to the tune of Eminem’s “Shake That.”
After the arena transitioned back to bull-riding, Keyshawn Whitehorse, former PBR rookie of the year and seven-time world finals qualifier, was successful in his chance to ride one bull, Peyton’s Daddy, to win $1,000 and raise another $1,000 for the axeALS Foundation. The bull is named for Eric Stevens, the foundation’s founder, who is currently battling ALS.
As the sun set and The Wood Brothers took the Music in the Mountains stage at Len Hill Park, the bull riding action culminated in a rare showing of toughness: cowboy Trace Brown was granted a reride three times, after a sequence of fouls by his bulls.
West said Brown’s persistence was an example of why bull riders are the toughest athletes in any sport.
Brown was fairly bucked on his fourth ride but applauded for his four gritty attempts.
A three-way tie remained on the leaderboard, and all three cowboys rode bounty bulls for a chance to win $10,000. Unfortunately for the riders, none succeeded, but they will carried their 86-point scores into Friday’s action.
Rodeo attendees walked down Aspen Leaf Drive to finish their night with The Wood Brothers at Music in the Mountains. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
BOUNTY BULLS PAY BIG DURING FRIDAY NIGHT PBR
BY FISCHER GENAU
BIG SKY—Night two of the Big Sky PBR kicked off in style on Friday with Montana State University’s rodeo team galloping into the arena to one of the loudest cheers of the night and kicking up a storm of dust. However, the evening ended on an even higher note. After two hours of bucking bulls, mutton bustin’, the Murdoch’s dance-off contest and antics between announcer Matt West and entertainer Flint Rasmussen, two cowboys faced off on two bounty bull rides for a dramatic finale.
Luciano de Castro and Brady Fielder both notched scores of 89.5 on their first rides, giving them the chance to ride the bounty bull and win $20,000. Fielder won the coin toss, earning him his choice of bull, but in a display of sportsmanship he deferred to de Castro who chose two-time national champion Ridin’ Solo, leaving Fielder to ride veteran bull, Viper.
Dark had settled over Big Sky, with stadium lights competing with an almost-full moon illuminating the dirt and snot trailing from the bovines as the two riders tried to keep their seat. Both Fielder and de Castro went the distance, lasting eight seconds astride the leaping, spinning and bucking 1,500-pound athletes.
“I’m really thankful to get two bulls rode tonight and win a bit of money. There’s no better place to do it than right here,” Fielder, the 24-year-old from Queensland, Australia, told EBS after his ride. “I’ve got to say it’s the best event of the year.”
De Castro, a decorated bull rider from Sao Paulo, Brazil, had reconstructive knee surgery after sustaining an injury in the 2021 Big Sky PBR, and told EBS, “I’m very happy, I’m glad to have gotten another chance.”
The riders were supposed to split the $20,000 bounty bull purse if they both went the distance, but it would turn out to be an auspicious night for the two of them. After Fielder leapt from Viper, Outlaw Partners, event co-producer, announced they would contribute another $10,000 to each so both Fielder and de Castro walked away with a purse of $20,000.
De Castro heads into the final night of Big Sky PBR at the top of leaderboard, and he told EBS he intends to go for the win.
MSU honored
Montana State University was celebrated Friday. When the gates opened at 5:30 p.m., the first entrants to the Big Sky Events Arena were greeted by MSU football team players and members of the school’s spirit squad. Later, the football team, led by Bobcat mascot Champ, rushed into the arena to pump up the crowd as the letters “MSU” exploded into flames on the dirt. Before the night was over, two checks for $21,375 were awarded to the Chute Boss Club and Bobcat Collective from the calcutta auction.
“It’s just awesome the support [the rodeo team] gets from everyone,” said Kyle Whitaker, coach of MSU’s rodeo team.
Last rodeo
When announcer Matt West asked the crowd how many people were at their first rodeo, hundreds of hands went up and voices responded. For one important player at the rodeo however, it would be their last. Bucking bull Viper ended his sixyear rodeo career Friday night with a memorable performance, earning 42.5 out of 50 possible points as Brady Fielder rode him on his way to a $20,000 paycheck.
“[Viper] earned the right to finish his ride right here in Big Sky,” said Cord McCord, PBR stock contractor and Viper’s owner.
It was a special moment for his rider too.
“It feels amazing to be the last one to ever ride that bull and to get a score,” Fielder told EBS.
There was plenty of action for the other riders on Friday too. PBR rookie Hagen Braswell was knocked out during Thursday night’s competition, losing consciousness for several seconds in the arena, but he tied into another bull Friday night and held on for four seconds before Scary Larry sent him flying to the dirt.
“As long as you can keep a strong mind about it, you can do about anything,” Braswell told EBS after his ride.
The 18-year-old from Texas went through concussion protocol before being cleared Friday, and although he said the weekend didn’t go how he wanted it to, he’s excited to return to Big Sky.
“Big Sky’s been pretty dang cool,” Braswell said. “I’ve never been up here before and I’m ready to come back.”
Friday’s cowboys began 0-for-12 until Trey Benton III’s ride on the bull Candy Cane. The crowd, ready to see success, roared for Trey’s 87.5-point ride, a score that earned him third place on the leaderboard at the end of the night.
“I let one get by me last night, and I didn’t want to let it happen again,” Benton told EBS.
Benton left the arena to a storm of applause from his fellow riders. This is Benton’s first time on the PBR circuit after years spent with the PRCA Rodeo, and he said it felt good to “show out for them.”
Though it was Viper’s last rodeo, over 40 bulls ride again on Saturday, the third, and final night of Big Sky PBR as cowboys get their last chance to compete at the 10-time Event of the Year, and the finale to Big Sky’s Biggest Week.
PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN / OUTLAW PARTNERS
PHOTO BY KELSEY KRADEL / OUTLAW PARTNERS
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
PATRIOTIC START, DRAMATIC FINISH TO BIG SKY PBR
THREE-NIGHT EVENT FINISHES WITH HUGE PRIZE MONEY, FLAG FLYOVER, APPEARANCE FROM REP. ZINKE
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—On the final bull of the final night of the 2024 Big Sky PBR, cowboy Luciano de Castro rode for 91 points, a one-point margin of victory to earn $52,562 on top of his $20,000 bounty ride from Friday. After photos with his oversized check and a brief stadium interview on the dirt, he walked a few paces out of the arena, set down his helmet and kneeled in prayer.
After about 30 seconds, de Castro was called back for photos with PBR officials and event organizers. He jumped up, grabbed his cowboy hat and hustled back onto the dirt.
“I’m very happy,” de Castro told EBS. “I just want to say, thank God. Thanks to my family for supporting me, because in 2021 I [came] here for this event and I hurt my knee, I had surgery, and now I come here one more time and win. I’m very happy for today.”
Moments before the final three bulls of the event would settle the score between top riders, a paddleraise fundraiser upped the stakes. Eric Ladd, founder and chairman of Outlaw Partners, co-host of the event, announced a goal to make the prize winnings the biggest in PBR history.
The paddle-raise quickly collected $100,000, added to the pot to be split between the top-three cowboys: de Castro, Eduardo Aparecido and Brady Fielder.
Between the nightly Calcutta auction and extra surprises like the paddle-raise, Big Sky’s lavish crowd makes for big time prizes for the cowboys. But the riders weren’t alone in feeling the crowd’s generosity on Saturday night. O’er the land of the free
The Calcutta auction supported nonprofits Big Sky Bravery and Warriors and Quiet Waters—who provide programming for active-duty special operations forces, and post-9/11 combat veterans, respectively—raising $54,375 for each.
A few minutes after the Calcutta, the letters “USA” burned into the dirt during the opening ceremony. At first, the letters seemed to match the large American flag being unrolled in the arena, and the theme of supporting our nation’s military.
However, the patriotic letters took on even deeper significance when announcer Matt West asked the crowd to direct their attention to the sky, where a small dark speck leapt from a helicopter hovering 5,000 feet above.
Jake Kauffman spent 16 years as a pararescueman in the U.S. Air Force, before being medically retired in 2021 due to a combat-related injury. He completed 14 combat deployments and received the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars—two with Valor—and two Purple Hearts.
On July 20, he added to his roughly 5,500 career jumps as he entered freefall toward the Big Sky Events Arena.
“Tonight ladies and gentlemen, I encourage and invite every single one of you that love this country, to join together in opening your hearts and opening your voices as the most beautiful song ever written—our national anthem—is led by the wonderful and talented voice of Riley Mullaney,” West said.
As the crowd sang along with Mullaney, Kauffman descended by graceful parachute within hundreds of feet of the sagebrush meadow, an American flag trailing. During the anthem’s final words, Kauffman swooped low
from the west above the bleachers with perfect timing. The crowd roared.
Later that evening, the three flags—the star-spangled banner, and one each for Warriors and Quiet Waters and Big Sky Bravery—were auctioned off with proceeds adding to the Calcutta and its nonprofit beneficiaries.
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke visited Big Sky on Saturday night and had a chance to share a few words in the opening ceremony.
“You know what, rodeo is one of those events where we begin with a prayer and a pledge for a reason,” Rep. Zinke said. “We love Montana. Folks that are visiting, and those that are here, rodeo is Montana, PBR is Montana, let’s all have fun.”
After a few bucking bulls, the bull riding paused for a special ceremony to honor the Big Sky PBR for earning the PBR “Event of the Year” for the 10th consecutive time.
During the brief celebration, Rep. Zinke presented a plaque to celebrate a reading he made into the U.S. Congressional Record in June about the Big Sky PBR’s impact on the state of Montana.
“From a Montana kid, I can tell you: rodeo represents Montana… It’s not an easy job to compete in this sport,” Zinke said. “… Buy and large, I can tell you, PBR is Montana, and Montana is PBR.”
‘Big Sky’s Super Bowl’
In 2024, Big Sky hosted its 13th year of professional bull riding, an event “built from the sagebrush up” by organizers Outlaw Partners and Freestone Productions.
As the community continues to grow and evolve, so does the scale and impact of the Big Sky PBR. From the parachute flyover to the final bull ride Saturday, Outlaw producers say this was the best year yet.
“It was great to have all the fans back for another successful event,” said Ennion Williams, Outlaw Partners VP of events. “Definitely our opening ceremonies were spectacular, and we look forward to doing it again next year.”
Josh Timon, Outlaw COO, said it’s most important to credit event sponsors and the Big Sky community “for coming together and helping us put on what has become the creme de la creme of PBR events in North America.”
One of many sponsors, Lone Mountain Ranch, has been a key supporter of the event over the past decade. LMR hosts Cord McCoy and his bulls every year, and the Horn and Cantle staff do “an amazing job” providing catering for the VIP tent, according to Ryan Kunz, LMR general manager.
“I think the Big Sky PBR rodeo is like the Super Bowl of summer for a lot of us,” Kunz said. “It brings an electric environment to Big Sky, all our guests and people that live here really enjoy it, and it’s an extremely fun event for everyone.”
Kunz said the event is a heavy lift, but the ranch looks forward to it every year.
Another sponsor, Engel & Völkers, sponsored the bounty bull.
Bret Snyder, license partner with Engel & Völkers, wrote in an email to EBS that the Big Sky PBR helps perpetuate the sense of community in Big Sky.
“I have operated or owned two firms since the inception of the PBR here in Big Sky and we have always been involved in some manner—minor and major. It is a testament that you see the same sponsors coming back again and again,” Snyder wrote. “… Montana is truly different in a very positive manner and the PBR is both a microcosm of and reason for that!”
Timon believes that widespread support is the reason why Big Sky has won PBR “Event of the Year” for 10 consecutive years, and said Outlaw will continue to raise the bar as long as the community shows commitment to supporting the event.
“I think the ability to witness unbelievable athletes— both human and animal—is something to behold,” Timon said. “Outlaw can’t do it alone, it’s a combination of many entities that put this event on, and we look forward to doing it for years to come.”
De Castro rode the final bull and was crowned Big Sky PBR champion. PHOTO BY TAYLOR ALLEN
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
FUELED BY CROWD’S ENERGY, ATHLETES COMPETE IN BIG SKY COMMUNITY RODEO
BY JEN CLANCEY
BIG SKY—On July 12, the Big Sky Community Rodeo began with a low hum overhead. As the hum grew louder, the audience turned to see a helicopter dangling the American flag, which circled the Big Sky Events Arena to the tune of the national anthem. As with any Western roundup, after the color guard, attention soon turned to the dirt—it was time for a rodeo, after all.
Presented by the Yellowstone Club and produced by Explore Big Sky’s publisher, Outlaw Partners, the Big Sky Community Rodeo set alight Big Sky’s Biggest Week with athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tiedown roping, breakaway roping, and barrel racing.
Ahead of the event, brothers Brooks and Bentz Bolich spoke with EBS while sitting on their horses. The Bolich brothers are part of a family that has a legacy in the rodeo realm. Andy, father of Brooks, Bentz and eldest son Blaise, and husband of Tracey, was the head rodeo coach at Montana State University for more than two decades. Tracey Bolich has placed first in regional Pro Rodeo competitions across the state in breakaway roping. Both parents help their sons develop their love and skills for rodeo competitions.
Brooks has competed at the Big Sky Community Rodeo three times now, and noted that he was excited to execute and enjoy the crowd atmosphere.
“[We’re] just doin’ it, going and roping fast,” Brooks said. In May 2024, he was ranked
second in ribbon roping in Montana junior high school rodeo standings.
Bentz, who competed his second time at Big Sky’s rodeo this weekend, added that the arena is “really fun.” He’s previously competed in the Valley View Rodeo, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman, and the Northern Rodeo Association in Billings.
Between competitive events, a trick rider performed stunts on her horse, Jet, as audiences cheered. Bella Da Costa, 19, is a professional trick rider from Alberta, Canada. Friday was
her second time at Big Sky Community Rodeo. She spends rodeo season traveling from her hometown, where she began trick riding at five years old, to show her skills across the West.
“The energy is above and beyond,” Da Costa said of the Big Sky crowd. Da Costa has been professionally trick riding since she was 12. Along the way she’s met friends who also have a love for roundups, including Saydee Shera from Edmonton, Canada. Shera and Da Costa met at the YETI Junior World Finals in Las Vegas, where Shera qualified for saddle bronc riding.
At the Big Sky Community Rodeo, Shera competed in bareback bronc riding and came in first. As a first-timer at the event, Shera was impressed by the crowd, saying it was “amazing,” and that she felt pretty good about her execution in her event.
For athletes, the event overlooking Lone Mountain is a step along the way in regional competitions and events in the U.S. throughout the summer. Da Costa performed the next night at the Livingston Classic PBR while Shera planned to hit the road after the Big Sky Community Rodeo ended.
For Big Sky, the rodeo was just the beginning of a week leading up to Big Sky PBR on July 18, 19 and 20. Friday evening ended with live music in Len Hill Park by The Tony Marques Band with covers of country classics ringing through the night.
Saydee Shera in the bareback bronc riding on Friday night. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
Brooks (left) and Bentz Bolish (right) ahead of beginning of Big Sky Community Rodeo. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
BIG SKY'S BIGGEST WEEK
MUTTON BUSTIN’ BRINGS TOGETHER FIRST-TIMERS AND COMMUNITY DAY
VETERANS, BINGO RAISES FUNDS FOR WIA
SILENT AUCTION AND BINGO RAISES NEARLY $13,000 FOR WELLNESS IN ACTION
BY JEN CLANCEY
BIG SKY—Five-year-old Solon Esposito has technically ridden a sheep twice, though he considers his first time a practice round. As the first rider of Big Sky Community Day’s Mutton Bustin’ on July 16, Solon began the afternoon of sheep-riding on his steed, Bandit.
The competition showcased athletes ranging from three to five years old. Fourth in the lineup for section one of mutton bustin’ was Bozeman native, 4-year-old Kaysen Barham. In his first mutton bustin’ ride ever, he earned 74 points. Known for his love of horses, snowmobiling and his sister, Kaysen’s strategy was to “hold on tight.” Although Kaysen competed close to home, competitors came from all over the U.S.
Three sections later, a victor was named. Tatum Porter, a three-year mutton bustin’ veteran, secured the title with an 89-point ride on a sheep named Lucy. She also competed in the boot race with other small competitors, collecting their boots in the center of the arena, putting them on and sprinting back to the finish line where they started.
Mutton bustin’ was just one of many community events that took place on July 16 at the Big Sky Events Arena. A family-friendly fair began earlier in the afternoon and led into the Dick Allgood Community Bingo Night where community banter ran at high volume under the tent. The event drew locals in for five rounds of bingo, ending in a special blackout bingo round, and then the famed championship round.
Proceeds from bingo went to Wellness in Action, a Big Sky nonprofit that provides mental and behavioral health resources to the community.
“WIA is honored to have been chosen as the nonprofit for PBR,” Allison Bradac, WIA’s executive director, said to EBS ahead of the evening. “It’s an opportunity to connect with the community for such a fun week in Big Sky.”
In addition to bingo proceeds, WIA also held a silent auction. Bradac was excited to highlight participating local businesses like Shelly Bermont Fine Jewelry, which donated several pieces to the
silent auction. At the end of the night, the auction had raised about $8,500 for the organization.
In-between bingo rounds, WIA hosted heads and tails and a wine pull which totaled close to $4,000, bringing total funds raised just shy of $13,000.
“It is important that the community supports and rallies behind our mission so that everybody can receive access to the care they need,” Bradac said of WIA’s work. She noted that being a part of bingo, a local favorite during Big Sky’s Biggest Week, was special.
Brett Slehofer was the announcer at the event, keeping the pace moving and verifying bingo winners with the American Legion Post 99 officiators. Slehofer is a member of the Sons of American Legion and has volunteered with the
organization for at least 10 years. This was his third time leading community bingo.
“I got asked specifically [to announce] this year and I love it,” Slehofer said to EBS in-between bingo rounds. He believes in keeping bingo nights moving, and learned how to pick up bingo-specific cadence from skilled announcers at other events.
“It’s not story time, we’re here to play bingo,” Slehofer said. He mentioned he would drop a few puns here and there but his goal was to stick to the schedule and keep participants in high spirits.
“It’s a privilege,” Slehofer concluded, saying that he’s honored to volunteer with Sons of American Legion in support of a community event like bingo night.
As cards filled with color daubs, bingo game winners were booed, then applauded for their victories, as participants tossed crumpled cards their direction. There were moments when more than one person had completed the bingo pattern, which led to a quiet tension in the tent—it was tie-breaker time.
Those lucky and unlucky enough to win bingo at the same time as another player had to select a card from a spread deck. The highest numerical card won.
Officials initiated a card pull between two blackout bingo winners, a rare occurrence. The prize in question was $750 cash, $250 at Conoco and Wildlands Festival VIP tickets, as well as entry into the championship bingo round. After deliberation, cards were pulled, a winner was crowned and the championship game began.
In a nail-biting four-minute battle to bingo, Cheryl Ladd achieved victory with a straight line across the center of her card. As she lifted the trophy to the sky, Ladd smiled and laughed. Her name will soon be the fourth added onto the annual trophy.
Cheryl Ladd celebrates first place with annual trophy. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
Mutton Bustin' began at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Big Sky Events Arena as a part of Community Day. PHOTO BY KELSEY KRADEL
OUTLAW THANKS FANS, PARTNERS AND SPONSORS FOR MAKING BIG SKY’S BIGGEST WEEK POSSIBLE
MICKEY BRENNAN
TARA DENEKE
HUGE THANKS TO ALL BIGGEST WEEK VENDORS
406 Recycling
Big Boys Toys/Cruise America
Big Sky Fire Department
Big Sky Resort
Big Sky SNO
Bozeman Trophy
Eco Montana
Erika & Co.
Gallatin County Road & Bridge Department
Gallatin Event Rental
Jereco
Journey Rent-A-Car
Justus Entertainment Group
MAV Event Services
Midway Rentals
Rocky Mountain Embroidery
Rocky Mountain Rigging
SCS Wraps
Spiffy Biffy
The Wrap Agency
YES Compost
Canyon Ranch Wellness Getaway
Guided Yellowstone Tour with GVLT
Pearl Jam Autographed poster + Tickets in Missoula
Avalanche Rescue Course with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides
7-Night Mexican Villa stay
Kevin Noble framed art
Vital Ground Bear Tracking Trip
Passalacqua Winery Package
Lukas Nelson autographed Gibson Guitar
Bitterroot Valley Cabin & Guided fishing
Dave Grohl framed photo by George Ortiz
Madison Double R Stay & Fly Fishing
Public Lands Dinner for 6 with Exec. Dir John Todd
OP NEWS
BERINGIA: BOZEMAN’S ONLY TECHNICAL SKI APPAREL BRAND
BY TAYLOR OWENS
Beringia, located in the new Wildlands commercial spaces in Bozeman’s Northeast Neighborhood, is a Bozeman-based apparel brand with a focus on the mountain experience that sells gear globally, with additional stores in Switzerland and New Zealand.
“Our expertise is based on mountain experience,” Robert Bernthal, founder of Beringia, said. “So we have 30 years of building gear for a life in the mountains. And we source, I would say worldwide, the finest components, the best textiles.”
Beringia was founded by both Bernthal and Outi Pulkkinen in 2020. Beringia is defined today as the land and maritime area bounded on the west by the Lena River in Russia; on the east by the Mackenzie River in Canada; on the north by the 72° north latitude in the Chukchi Sea; and on the south by the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Gear and apparel available at Beringia spans the gamut of what one would need to experience the outdoors from ocean landscapes to mountain tops, including base layers, jackets, shell systems and much more.
“We want to build gear that people recognize the difference between what's a Beringia product and a product from another brand,” Bernthal said. “And Bozeman is the best place to launch this brand from.”
Textile development is a key part of Beringia’s brand. The brand works with textile fabric developers around the world to create the highest performance, and most sustainable, fabrics one can find to create high-quality outdoor gear.
“Quality, I'd say high quality was missing in the outdoor space,” Bernthal said. “I find there's a lot of commodity brands out there that are just making products to hit a price point. I think the design inspiration is important because our gear allows you to engage in the outdoors, in the least mediated fashion. The product allows you to interact with your outdoor experience with the least amount of complications.”
Bernthal’s experience in the mountains, as well as prior experience working with other brands in the outdoor industry, has allowed him to funnel all of his accumulated knowledge into Beringia.
“Everybody working at Beringia does something in the mountains,” Bernthal said. “Most of them are either skiers or athletes that have had a career in high performance mountain sports. So if you're a passionate alpinist or passionate skier, you're going to look at gear you've used your whole life, you're going to look at it differently than somebody who just decides ‘Hey, I want to start an outdoor brand.’ So we've lived this life before we've started brands. We lived in the mountains and did 25 years in Switzerland and worked for most of the biggest brands in the outdoor industry.”
Beringia is now a resident in the Wildlands commercial spaces, adding even more color and variety to the Northeast Neighborhood.
“We’ve lived in this neighborhood for many years,” Bernthal said. “So we were super familiar with it. And this is our favorite neighborhood of Bozeman. It's on the way to Bridger Bowl, which is the access point to where we recreate. And this location, this is where Beringia was born. This neighborhood is where Beringia was born from, the Bozeman North side, where we have lived within two blocks of where the store is. So this is as local as it gets.”
The cultural fabric of the Northeast Neighborhood has been distinctly art-focused with the number of galleries and studios in the neighborhood. Beringia seamlessly fits into this fabric by providing design-focused outerwear.
“We support a lot of local athletes and the local art scene,” Bernthal said. “We are big on design
and style. That's a very important part of the experience you have with what you wear, is the design of the product. It is all related. I think design, style, art, and quality all have to come together in a mashup and a collision. And that collision is what brings the feeling to the Beringia brand.”
Outside of apparel, Beringia is sponsoring a surf film, “Search for Volcano Island,” which follows a group of surfers that traveled to the most remote islands of the Aleutian Islands to explore the remote surf breaks. The film premiered at the Emerson Center for Arts & Culture on July 18.
“We also have some secret sneak peek ski footage that hasn't been seen before by some of our ski film producers,” Bernthal said. “So we'll have a small showing of some different ski footage, some of it is skiing in the Arctic that was shot last year and some historical stuff.”
“I feel that we can seamlessly connect ocean and mountain, which is part of the inspiration behind Beringia being the North Pacific,” Bernthal said. “The North Pacific is where the energy originates for most of our weather systems and influences. That's where waves come from, that's where our winter storms come from. The polar vortex kicks down these ocean currents that sends giant powder storms our way and swells to the Pacific. So that's part of the Pacific energy that Beringia feeds off of.”
Beringia is set to open its doors during the Northside Summer Stroll on July 31.
Find out more about Beringia at https://beringia. world, and visit the store at 610 N Wallace Ave. in the Northeast Neighborhood.
Founder of Beringia, Robert “Bernie” Bernthal. PHOTO COURTESY OF BERINGIA
Beringia DragonFly Jacket featuring mountain guide Akio Joy in the Beartooth Mountains. PHOTO BY SETH LANGBAUER
MSU CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW KENNEDY-STARK ATHLETIC CENTER REGIONAL
BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR
BOZEMAN—Montana State University’s new indoor athletic center is scheduled to open in less than a year. Alongside Bobcat Stadium, the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center will feature a 300 meter track, built-in permanent field event venues and a turf field.
“The indoor athletic center [will provide] the tools and resources necessary to recruit, develop and retain top division-one student athletes. And will allow us to partner with the greater Gallatin Valley to provide access for community sports groups that have similar needs,”
MSU’s Athletic Director Leon Costello said at the July 16 groundbreaking event.
MSU’s cross-country and track and field teams, along with the football program will be the primary benefactors of the new facility, which will also ease pressure on other heavily utilized athletic facilities currently on campus, like the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
“It is difficult to quantify the total impact this new indoor facility will have on our student athletes,” said Lyle Weese, the Dale Kennedy director of track and field.
“The fieldhouse is an incredibly busy building … The building is in many ways the social and entertainment space of the greater Gallatin Valley,” Weese said.
The new indoor space will allow both the track and field, and football teams to have a consistent practice space year-round, which is very important to both programs in light of the often-inclement Montana weather.
The Brick Breeden Fieldhouse currently has a 200-meter track, and Weese is very excited for the new 300-meter indoor track, which he said will greatly impact his team’s ability to train and improve in a sport where improvements are measured in mere percentages.
“There’s a fine line in track and field between success and disappointment … In a sport where we’re fighting for a tenths of a percentage improvement, it is a gigantic advantage training on a 300-meter track instead of a 200-meter track,” Weese said.
Weese explained that the larger turn radius, and fewer repetitions required to run the same distance will help limit the stress on the athletes bodies.
“This new facility will allow athletes to perform at a higher level, be less likely to be injured and overall greatly improve their student athlete experience,” he said.
The school is hopeful that this new facility will show their recruits that MSU is a place where student athletes are appreciated.
“When you receive support like this, it is so much more than the money for this physical structure, it is a program-wide feeling of appreciation,” Weese said.
MSU football coach Brent Vigen expressed excitement for this new indoor facility, as they have had no indoor practice options when playing games as late in the season as January.
“Playing into January, it became clear that an indoor facility was a need, much more than a want,” Vigen said.
The football team’s field has many times been covered in snow and ice, and temperatures so low that they simply could not practice for long enough.
Beyond the obvious benefit of shelter from the cold during their respective seasons, the track and field team and football team are excited for the countless hours the facility will be used in their off seasons.
Vigen hopes to keep his players sharp through the spring semesters, when they have a space where they can continue to practice at a high rate of speed.
“We will no longer need to count on luck, and whatever mother nature has in store for us. We can get better daily, and know what that will look like,” Vigen said.
This new facility is entirely funded by a group of over 400 donors, and will cost roughly $27 million. Langlas and Associates are the builders for the project, and 45 Architecture and Interiors helped design the building along with MSU’s School of Planning Design and Construction.
“We can’t wait to see and use the finished product,” Costello said.
“This building marks the start of a new era for our football and track and field teams and I believe for all Bobcat athletics,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado.
“The indoor athletic center will not be limited to our football and track teams, but will be available to all Bobcat varsity student athletes during daytime hours. As well as—and this is very important—to community sports groups in the evenings and on weekends,” Cruzado said.
The Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center is named for two coaches that have left a lasting legacy on MSU and Bobcat athletics.
“Dale Kennedy and Rob Stark laid the foundation for what Bobcat track and field and cross country programs are today and I am honored to say that this gamechanging facility will bear their names,” Costello said.
MSU’s cross-country, track and field teams, and football program will be the primary benefactors of the new athletics facility. PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
MSU Athletics Director Leon Costello (third from right) and MSU President Waded Cruzado (fourth from right) at the athletics building groundbreaking. PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
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SIDE PIECE TO OPEN FOR DIERKS BENTLEY AT WILDLANDS FESTIVAL
BIG SKY RESIDENT ANNIE CLEMENTS BRINGS TOP FEMALE MUSICIANS TO MONTANA
FOR A WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE
BY LESLIE KILGORE
BIG SKY—Annie Clements moved to Big Sky from Nashville, Tennessee with her family in the winter of 2022. As a touring musician with Maren Morris, for whom she plays bass in her band, and a working mom, her life and weekly schedule are filled with traveling the world for performances, tours and interviews while also being home to take her daughter to school in Big Sky as much as she can. To say she lives an exciting life is an understatement, but coming home to Big Sky is always a welcome break from traveling and working with one of the top female country musicians in the world.
Clements and her husband, Thad Beaty, who was voted Best of Big Sky’s “Best Musician” in 2023, moved here for the same reason many couples choose this community as home: to raise their family in a mountain town lifestyle with the values that Montana often embodies.
Lucky for the Big Sky community, Clements and Beaty also brought with them a strong connection to the country music industry and world-class talent themselves, which has elevated the music scene in Big Sky in just two years. One example is his Songs from the Sky series that brings musicians to Lone Mountain Ranch.
Like many world-class musicians, Clements and Beaty have ongoing projects with performers who play with some of the top artists in the world. Most recently, Clements is confirmed to open for Dierks Bentley with her all-female band Side Piece—this time including her husband—at the upcoming Wildlands Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Explore Big Sky spoke with Clements about her upcoming show at Wildlands Festival and performing with her husband and musician friends at the Big Sky Events Arena.
Explore Big Sky: Can you tell us how Side Piece came about as a band?
Annie Clements: I’ve been touring for so long and sadly there aren’t a ton of women in the backing bands for bigger artists, especially in country music. You get to know the handful that are doing it, meeting up backstage at award shows, sharing bills at festivals. I’m always looking for opportunities to play with other women as I love the camaraderie, the sound of the harmonies, I just love that energy. It’s also important for me to have opportunities to perform when I’m not on a tour. So, Side Piece was created to meet several needs, both personally and professionally.
EBS: What is the meaning/significance behind the name of the band?
AC: The name is a cheeky double entendre as we’re all “side” musicians for bigger artists. It’s a “side project” of sorts and we’re also poking fun at the inevitable eye rolls you get in a so-called “girl band.”
No one calls Pearl Jam a “boy band” just because it’s all guys. We’re just owning and celebrating being a bunch of friends who have a blast playing and are embracing it all. Which is funny for this particular show, as my husband Thad will be joining us on guitar. We do make allowances for male family members!
EBS: Any fun/interesting facts about each band member, and where they are based currently?
AC: Because the band consists of people who are generally on tour, we have a rotating roster; I often refer to it as the “Babysitter’s Club” of bands. We have a core group but lots of friends we can pull in as well.
For Wildlands, we’ve got Megan Jane on drums who is one of the hardest-working and busiest drummers in Nashville. She’s played with Lainey Wilson, Alanis Morisette, tours with Brandy Clark and has the best hair ever. It’s gonna slay in a low-humidity climate!
Rachel Beauregard, also from Nashville, is on acoustic and vocals and is with me out on the Maren Morris tour. She’s toured with Hozier and Lauren Daigle and is one the highest energy humans you will see on stage.
Thad Beaty, my husband, will be on guitar and vocals. He and I met touring with Sugarland and have gotten to share the stage with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi and so many other amazing artists. He’s been working so hard here in Big Sky to put on shows and has organized a calendar of all local music happening daily here in town. People can now check out bigsky.com/music to find out who’s playing every night.
EBS: Can you share any interesting details about Side Piece’s music and your live shows?
AC: We play our favorite covers, lots of country, rock n’ roll, lots of songs by the artists with whom we’ve worked. It’s a really fun, high-energy show.
EBS: What are you most excited about for your show at Wildlands Festival and opening for Dierks Bentley?
AC: The very first tour Thad and I did with Sugarland was opening for Dierks Bentley and Kenny Chesney.
I’ve shared many bills with Mr. Bentley over the years and I always go back to the energy and excitement of that first tour. We filmed the music video for “Down in Mississippi (And Up to No Good)” on that tour, and there were so many firsts for my career. I’ll always associate Dierks with that special time and I’m excited to bring things back full circle in Big Sky.
EBS: Playing in your hometown, how does that feel?
AC: I am so excited to get to play Wildlands as a resident of Big Sky. I’ve played tons of shows in my original hometown of New Orleans and my hometown of nearly 20 years in Nashville and it’s always a thrill. But Big Sky is such a small town, such a close community. I have a feeling I’ll know approximately half the crowd on a first name basis. I’m so excited to look out and see so many friends, students and loved ones.
Side Piece features local Big Sky musicians Annie Clements and Thad Beaty, and will open for Dierks Bentley on Aug. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF SIDE PIECE
BIG SKY’S ARTISAN FESTIVAL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
ARTISTS, MUSICIANS AND FOOD VENDORS GATHER TO CELEBRATE FINE ARTISANS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST WHILE SUPPORTING THE ARTS
COUNCIL OF BIG SKY
BY LESLIE KILGORE
BIG SKY—The eighth annual Big Sky Artisan Festival took place at Len Hill Park on Saturday, July 20. With more than 100 artists, local musicians and food vendors attending, the event was one of the biggest and most successful since the event debuted in 2017.
Many artists who attended in previous years said it was the best they’ve experienced and enjoyed being in Town Center during Big Sky’s busy PBR weekend.
While vendors sold their art and mingled with locals and tourists about the inspirations behind their work, a variety of local musicians each played a set for the event on the Len Hill Park stage, and local restaurant vendors served food and drinks to the bustling crowd. The Arts Council of Big Sky also had an inspiring booth that offered kids the opportunity to create their own art while attending the festival.
“I came last year and sold several pieces and also had customers reach out after the event to purchase custom sculptures,” said Benjamin Breuckman, a metal sculptor from Harrington, Washington. “It’s a great event to visit with people who appreciate art and share some of my larger pieces in person.”
Breuckman creates customized life-size sculptures that can change dynamically with a variety of sections or accessories added or removed from the piece to make each piece one-of-a-kind. He was recently commissioned to create several sculptures for the city of Billings, one of which was on display at the Artisan Festival.
Artist Gregg Anderson displayed paintings for sale, mostly Montana-themed. Based in Hudson Valley, New York, Anderson and his wife spend time in southwest Montana with their son who lives in the area and Anderson said while his art covers a range
of locations, he always finds his best inspiration amongst the mountains and wildlife of Montana. The annual event lures artists from a variety of mediums and locations, which is part of the draw for many attendees, but it’s also an opportunity for the Arts Council of Big Sky to raise funds for educational programming within the community.
Artists such as Meghan Hanson from Missoula sold a variety of pieces while also educating passersby on her medium and unique style. And like many artists who attended the festival, she made connections with collectors who identified with her distinctive techniques and materials.
“I’m an artist first, that’s my real passion, and then an architect second,” Hanson said. “My art is
inspired by humans and their connection to the natural world but also has a lot of inspiration from my work as an architect around the West.”
One tent that was busy with customers most of the day was Belgrade-based Kirsten Kainz who was joined by her daughter to sell a variety of metal sculptures, clothing made with vintage textiles and paintings. Kainz is the artist who created the celebrated Bison, Waldazo, located on the northeast corner of Fire Pit Park in Big Sky, and has several commissioned pieces displayed in Bozeman as well.
“It’s fun to come to Big Sky for this event and see familiar faces,” Kainz said. “And what a beautiful day with a great turnout. I always love coming to Big Sky.”
Benjamin Breuckman shows his lifesize sculptures that can be adapted with a variety of objects. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE
Kirsten Kainz, artist of the popular Big Sky bison in Fire Pit Park, along with her daughter mingles with customers and admirers of her work. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE
Meghan Hanson shares the process for her pieces inspired by nature and her work as an architect with onlookers and supporters of her work. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE
New York-based artist Greg Anderson shares his paintings inspired by Southwest Montana, where he and his wife spend much of their time. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE
BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR
Thursday, July 25 – Wednesday, Aug. 7
If your next event falls between Aug. 8 – Aug. 12 please submit it to explorebigsky.com/calendar-event-form by July 31
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Pickup Grass Volleyball
Big Sky Community Park, 6 p.m.
Music in the Mountains: Mikaela Davis and Jacob Rountree
Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Coffee with Guest Author Dr. Rinaldi Big Sky Community Library, 1 p.m.
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: “The Winter’s Tale”
Town Center Plaza, 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
St. Joseph Mass
Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.
All Saints in Big Sky Service
Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.
Big Sky Chapel Potluck
Big Sky Chapel, 11 a.m.
Soldiers Chapel Sunday Service
Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.
Big Sky Christian Fellowship
Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.
Gallatin River Task Force: Hooked on the Gallatin
Riverhouse BBQ & Events, 5:30 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 29
Grow Wild: Pollinator Garden Ribbon Cutting
Ousel Falls Trailhead, 5:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, JULY 30
Lone Mountain Ranch Tuesday Rodeo
Lone Mountain Ranch, 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
Watercolor Wednesdays BASE, 2 p.m.
Community Art Class: Resin BASE, 6 p.m.
Trivia
The Waypoint, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 1
Pickup Grass Volleyball
Big Sky Community Park, 6 p.m.
Music in the Mountains: Carolyn Wonderland with Emma and the Ledge Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
Wildlands Festival: Maren Morris, Lukas Nelson, and Fader Magavin & The Risky Livers
Big Sky Events Arena, 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 3
Wildlands Festival: Dierks Bentley and Wyatt Flores
Big Sky Events Arena, 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUG. 4
St. Joseph Mass Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.
All Saints in Big Sky Service Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.
Soldiers Chapel Sunday Service Soldiers Chapel, 11 a.m.
Big Sky Christian Fellowship Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.
Watercolor Wednesdays BASE, 2 p.m. Do You or Someone You Know Need Help Getting Sober? Can't stop drinking? We get it. Contact AA today Call 1-833-800-8553 to talk to an AA member or go to a meeting in-person or online For a full list of meetings visit the website, aa-montana.org or download the MEETING GUIDE® APP
FEATURED EVENT:
Wildlands Festival is taking the Big Sky Events Arena on Aug 2 and 3, with headliners Maren Morris and Dierks Bentley, and openers Wyatt Flores, Lukas Nelson, Fader Magavin and the Risky Livers, and Side Piece.
DINING
A LA CARTE NAVIGATING TO THE WAYPOINT
BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST
I’ve spent some time contemplating waypoints recently, and recently visited the local gathering space that uses the concept as a name.
Humans naturally use waypoints for navigation, places that mark our journeys through this life. My mind turns to the Oregon Trail computer game, where players are settlers crossing the continental United States to seek new homes in the west. As a consequence of having the game on my elementary school computers, the landmarks on the route are drilled into my head. I know I’m well into the trek if I make it to Independence Rock, and that the journey is almost to an end once I hit the Dalles in Oregon.
The game, of course, is based in reality and the actual hardships faced by those making the long, arduous haul. And maybe that makes waypoints even more important. Imagine your wagon train spotting Chimney Rock in the distance, its spire a welcome sight that marks the path, or the “way.” You’re heading in the right direction.
The space that started as Lone Peak Cinema became the Independent in 2022, but was forced to rebrand last spring after a San Francisco venue also called the Independent claimed trademark protection over the name. “Waypoint” was chosen to reflect the idea that through all its varied uses, the space remains a gathering place for community, a stop on our journeys.
Following the ideals behind the name, The Waypoint has become a popular hang for locals. It’s a movie theater, sure. But it’s also a gathering space and community hall of sorts. And a bar. And a restaurant. The latter, of course, is of the most interest at the moment.
On a Sunday evening, the place was relatively quiet. One man sat in the back room, watching football (soccer) on a giant projection screen. One bartender busied themselves behind the sidewalk-facing bar, despite dreary weather that kept outside customers to a trickle. A new bartender in his second training shift was sunny and attentive, though maybe not yet the best authority to ask about menu suggestions.
A friend and I took a seat in the bar area, forgoing the quieter upstairs dining space to be a part of the action. I was slightly tempted to rush through the meal for the Sunday dinner and a movie special: a free movie ticket and drink from the concession stand with each entree from the restaurant. Instead, I went through my normal paces, ordering way too much food in an attempt to get a feel for the scope of the menu.
Like the space, the restaurant at The Waypoint has undergone a spate of changes in recent years. As of April, the kitchen is under the direction of chef
Dustin Rixey, who was born and raised in New Mexico and found his way to Montana two years ago. Priorities had shifted amid a global pandemic, the former pro snowboarder told me over the phone. His son had graduated high school. Both wanted to start fresh in the mountains. Outside of the restaurant, Rixey is training his two Belgian Malinois—a breed of shepherd—to be sled dogs. You may find them bikejoring in the mountains.
The executive chef left the Strip House in Las Vegas to take a position at The Resort at Paws Up in northwestern Montana, eventually making his way to Big Sky Resort and, since May, The Waypoint.
When Rixey talks about training in French and Italian restaurants and cuisines, his menu draws inspiration from a range of global flavors. Beet hummus reminds me of the Mediterranean restaurant that once had a home upstairs. A delectable and perfectly rare charred bison strip is drizzled in Brazilian chimichurri, an herby sauce that adds just the right hit of acid to the meat.
Rixey’s Italian background does make a strong showing with the house-made cannoli, where mini malted milk balls are a welcome contrast to the smooth ricotta cream filling.
In the style of a French bistro, the new menu focuses on local ingredients with a range of dishes to satisfy a variety of palates. There are ancient grains and cauliflower steak, but also French fries and chicken wings. Rixey said the menu will change seasonally, as different ingredients become available locally. More fresh fish may be introduced.
While my initial impression was that the variety of options seemed directionless, maybe Rixey’s menu itself is a waypoint, directing us and guiding us forward along our chosen path. For a weary traveler, a waypoint can be an oasis, providing company and fuel to help us along the way. And that, The Waypoint certainly achieves.
Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.
The Waypoint recently unveiled a new menu, curated by Chef Dustin Rixey. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
Chicken Alfredo was introduced on the new menu. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
EXPERIENCE UNMATCHED RELAXATION WITH MOUNTAIN HOT TUB: MONTANA’S PREMIER SPA RETAILER
BY TAYLOR OWENS SPECIAL ADVERTISMENT
From its locations in Montana, Mountain Hot Tub has been transforming homes into personal sanctuaries of relaxation and wellness. Since its inception, this family-owned business has been dedicated to providing top-quality hot tubs, swim spas, saunas and cold plunges to residents across the state.
Founded by Bozeman locals Tom Walker and Scott Smith in 1979, Mountain Hot Tub continues to be locally owned and operated. Walker and Smith started Mountain Hot Tub by hand building wood tubs, one at a time. Since then, the company was purchased by a long-time employee and Mountain Hot Tub General Manager Kelly King in 2014, and has since grown to include six locations throughout Montana.
Mountain Hot Tub has gone on to be recognized by Aqua Magazine as one of the Top 100 pool and spa dealers many times and was inducted into the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame in 2005.
What sets Mountain Hot Tub apart from other retailers in the region is their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
“We offer comprehensive service for all of the products we carry and stand behind all our product warranties for our customers,” said Liza Salter, marketing manager at Mountain Hot Tub. “No matter how long ago you’ve bought a tub, swim spa, sauna or cold plunge from Mountain Hot
Tub, we will do everything we can to make sure our customers are happy with their purchase and confident with any repair we complete for them.”
Mountain Hot Tub exclusively carries Hot Spring Spa brands of hot tubs, offering a variety of sizes starting at an affordable price point of $4,485. As the only saltwater hot tub dealer in Montana, they provide the world’s most sophisticated saltwater systems, which require less maintenance and fewer chemicals than traditional chlorinated hot tubs.
“We meet our customers where they are—we can outfit almost any home, backyard or indoor space to create an oasis of our customers’ dreams,” Salter said.
When you step into any Mountain Hot Tub location, expect to be greeted by “multiple smiling faces and a warm ‘Hello—how are you?’” The friendly and knowledgeable staff ensure that every customer feels at home and receives personalized attention.
“We hope to keep expanding through our Montana, offering the same great products and services,” Salter said. “We just opened our sixth location in Whitefish, Montana and are excited for the next chapter.”
A memorable customer story from the Whitefish store opening exemplifies Mountain Hot Tub’s dedication to overcoming challenges for their customers. A homeowner needed a hot tub delivered to a location deemed inaccessible by other dealers. Mountain Hot Tub took on the challenge, using a barge and crane for the first time to successfully deliver the hot tub, now enjoyed with a breathtaking view over Flathead Lake.
“We pride ourselves in problem-solving for our customers and meeting them where they are—no matter what the circumstance,” Salter said.
For the owners of Mountain Hot Tub, the most rewarding aspect of running their business is the people and communities they serve.
“Knowing that we are making our customers happy with the product and service we provide” is what they cherish most about living and operating in Montana.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTAIN HOT TUB
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTAIN HOT TUB
BUILD A BACKYARD PARADISE.
At Mountain Hot Tub, we specialize in helping residents of Montana with building the backyard of their dreams.
Bozeman | Butte | Helena | Big Sky | Whitefish | Missoula
ENVIRONMENT
DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: THE RARITY, CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WHITE BUFFALO CALF
THE NATIVE AMERICAN PROPHECY PRESENTS A FORK IN THE ROAD
BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST
On June 4, a white buffalo calf, later named Wakan Gli, was born in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley. Wakan Gli means “returns sacred.” The birth symbolizes a blessing and warning, fulfilling a Native American prophecy for many tribes.
The birth of a white buffalo calf is exceptionally rare, occurring only once out of every 10 million buffalo births. This rarity adds to the unique and special nature of the event.
The prophecy presents a hopeful future, but it also poses a significant question for humanity. We stand at a crossroads with a choice to be made. Will we choose a path that respects and aligns with nature, based on reciprocity and giving back, or will we continue down a path of excess and exploitation of the natural environment?
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate in South Dakota says the birth of a white buffalo calf signifies a spiritual awakening, a fulfillment of a prophecy. “It’s our responsibility to care for Mother Earth,” he told NBC News.
American Indians share a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the bison with which they share the land. Bison represent strength and abundance to numerous cultures, including the Sioux, Cherokee, Commanche and Navajo, to name a few.
According to the American Indian College Fund, the spiritual and cultural significance of a white buffalo calf is deeply rooted in the history of the Lakota Sioux. It harkens back to a time in the Black Hills of South Dakota when the seven sacred council fires of the Lakota Sioux united and camped during the summer. Food was scarce, and people were starving. Two young men ventured out to search for game.
Along their path, a beautiful young woman dressed in white appeared and said to them, “Return to your people and tell them I am coming.” She presented a sacred pipe to the Lakota people, symbolizing and revealing how everything was connected, called “Mitakuye Oyasin”—we are all related. She taught them the mysteries of the Earth, how to pray, and how to follow the proper path on Earth.
Then, before Buffalo Calf Woman departed, she rolled upon the earth four times, changing color each time, turning into a white buffalo calf before she vanished. As she departed, great buffalo herds surrounded the encampment. Once again, people were fed and happy. After that day, the Lakota honored their pipe, and buffalo were abundant.
The Lakota and other tribes believed that a white buffalo is Earth’s most sacred living being. In
addition, many bison change colors as they age, and a holy man must interpret those colors to decipher what they mean.
The American buffalo is a symbol of abundance and manifestation. The lesson learned that day is that we do not have to struggle to survive if the proper prayer joins the right action. The sacred white buffalo calf’s birth signifies hope and prosperous times. For many tribes, the birth of the white buffalo calf is the most significant of prophetic signs.
“In tribal lore, it is similar to the second coming, a personal life-long journey,” said Chief Arvol Looking Horse.
No one has seen the white buffalo calf since its birth. The white buffalo calf symbolizes hope and prosperity to tribes, whether seen again or not, as a reminder of how humanity should treat one another, not just other humans but all life forms, all my relatives—mitakuye oyasin. The white calf symbolizes a new beginning—a path forward to abundance and peace.
Humanity has come upon a fork in the road. A choice must be made. What path will we choose?
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His stories have been published in Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian US, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications on his website. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana.
Perfectly located in Bozeman’s Northeast Neighborhood, just a few blocks from Main Street, Wildlands is a truly exception allocation. Conveniently situated near multiple coffee shops, restaurants, trailheads, and within 20 minutes of Bridger Bowl Ski Area, living at the Wildlands means you are never far away from world-class adventure and culture.
The six remaining residences each offers top-of-the line finishes, large living spaces, and meticulous detail. Schedule a tour today and experience the masterpiece that is Wildlands.
AM EN ITIES
• Unique and spacious floor plans ranging from two-to-three bedrooms
• Private heated garage for resident parking
• Large storage space for each owner
• Secured owner’s lobby
• Professional management for ease of ownership
• Conveniently located blocks away from Downtown Bozeman
• Captivating mountain views and custom finishes such as poliform cabinetry
Beautifully designed condos and penthouses in an incredible, highly sought-after location. Footsteps away from Big Sky Town Center restaurants, shopping, farmers markets, live music, and all that Big Sky has to offer. A downtown lifestyle where rooms are filled with natural light and breathtaking views no matter the time of day or the season. 3rd level penthouses come with private, 4th-level rooftop decks. Relax in your hot tub and let the stargazing begin. CONVENIENT MAIN STREET LIVING IN BIG SKY
AMENITIES
• Exquisite engineered hardwood floors
• Meticulously crafted cabinets
• Luxurious granite countertops
• State-of-the-art stainless steel Ge monogram appliances.
• All residents have a storage unit in addition to their residence.
• All residences have a designated & secure parking space. Additional parking spaces are for sale.
• 3rd level penthouses come with private, 4th-level rooftop decks.
BY MARNE HAYES EBS COLUMNIST
As temperatures rise and summer swings into full effect, decisions about how we recreate become more important than just where we’re going to find our favorite variety of adventure. Being mindful becomes the name of the game, with understanding how temperature, heat index, impacts from heavy recreational use, and seasonal restrictions that come into play all have the ability to come together in a perfect storm to wreak havoc on the habitats and ecosystems around the Gallatin River watershed. The good news is our behaviors can make a positive difference.
One of the most rewarding advantages of living where we do—surrounded by national forest, within a stone’s throw of the Gallatin River, and with access to public lands and recreational trails of all kinds—is that we have an abundance of ways to get outside and play. What we sometimes take for granted is the range of impacts all of this use has on these places that we love. Impacts from heavy use coupled with impacts from climate variances like high temperatures and warmer waters can leave a
forest habitats, protecting these resources and outdoor assets into the future. By taking small steps to mitigate our impacts, we can ensure that the natural state of aquatic and other ecosystems remain healthy. Here are a few pointers that we’ve shared before, but which we feel are important reminders of how we maintain a level of respect for the habitats and recreation areas that make Montana—and Big Sky—special.
Anglers
River stewardship for people fishing along the Gallatin should be a given. Understanding the etiquette of fishing—how to handle fish, how to reduce physical damage to them, and how to clean, drain and dry your gear to prevent the spread of aquatic species all come into play. Remember that the fish are a commodity to the river, and that they are in high demand as more and more anglers every day are enjoying the river and the thrill of that fish on a fly. Warm temperatures contribute to the stress on the fishery each summer, and using best practices and abiding by hoot owl restrictions as they are put in place will go a long way for keeping our trout and other fish species healthy.
Access
Recreation in and around the river is a given on any day—even more so during summer months. Be mindful of using designated access points for both fishing and
fewer points of traffic affecting growth and health of vegetation and other species that comprise a river’s ecosystem. Remember, too, that trail use close to the river has an impact. When out hiking on trails that are close to the river, be aware that erosion eventually reaches the river via runoff, and the less we contribute to rogue trails or unestablished access points for recreation, the better.
Outdoor ethics
It goes without saying that it is not just our privilege to live in this place with so much magic, and so many opportunities to explore the outdoors. It is also our responsibility to take care of it for the next generation. Summer use puts an additional strain on many of the places we love to play, and much of the habitat that supports our healthy appetite for the outdoors. Using simple practices of leave no trace, and pack in, pack out do make a difference. No Empty Nets is a new partnership dedicated to keeping our spaces clean, healthy, and beautiful—you can help by picking up trash in the areas where you recreate.
Fishermen, boaters, trails users, those getting out on horseback rides and even those people accessing pullouts for riverside picnics all have a responsibility to take care of the outdoors in a way that contributes to their resilience and sustainability. Small changes to our collective behaviors and a big understanding of impacts we can help mitigate are foundational to how
GALLATIN VALLEY BUSINESS WANTS REGION TO SAY 'YES' TO COMPOST
BY FISCHER GENAU
BELGRADE—Karl Johnson, through his Belgrade-based company YES Compost, moves about 20,000 pounds of food scrap each week. With his two other employees, one part-time, one full-time, he runs five routes that service Bozeman, Big Sky, and Yellowstone National Park, collecting organic material including old apple cores, eggshells and coffee grounds, which over the course of a year he’ll turn, rotate, and sift before returning it to people’s gardens as fresh, rich compost.
Johnson conducts his operation out of Belgrade, where he combines the food scraps with wood chips in great heaps to decompose.
“It’s a lot. We’re getting around 11 tons of food scrap a week,” Johnson told EBS.
YES Compost also provides composting events at some of Big Sky’s biggest community events, like the Big Sky PBR and Music in the Mountains.
But despite the scale of his operation, it’s small compared to the amount of food waste going into the landfill. Logan Landfill, which services Gallatin County and surrounding areas, collects close to 180,000 tons of waste each year, 24% of which is food waste in the U.S., according to FDA research. YES Compost only processes a fraction of that, but when Karl first moved to Bozeman in 2014, the number was almost zero.
He moved from San Francisco, where recycling and composting were provided by the city, and upon his arrival, Johnson was surprised at the lack of waste disposal services.
“People were hardly even recycling when I moved here in 2014,” Johnson said.
In 2018, motivated by a concern for social and environmental costs of food waste, he decided to quit his job coaching Montana State University’s ski team and try his hand at composting. He gave a bunch of buckets to his friends, told them to fill them up with food scraps, and YES Compost was born.
“That was how it started, and it’s just been growing, growing, and growing ever since,” Johnson said.
Over the past six years, he has added homes and businesses to his route, bought more buckets and installed a better washing system for them, and designed a greenhouse, heated entirely from the microbial activity in his compost piles that keeps his vermicompost worms happy and healthy even during minus 20 degree Fahrenheit winter cold snaps.
Johnson’s products include worm castings, compost, and vermicompost that offer an alternative to chemical fertilizers and return nutrients to the soil.
Now he’s turning his attention to creating value-added products to sell, like potting mixes, but said he’s not doing it for the money. His primary goal is to grow the viability of composting in the region.
“If we can take food scraps, and through alchemy, turn it into something very valuable with our composting and then blending of custom soils, we can bring down our cost of our collection service to the bare minimum and hopefully get more people involved,” he explained.
For $12 a month, individuals can exchange their bucket up to once per week at one of YES’s bucket-exchange locations scattered across Big Sky, Bozeman and Belgrade. People can also opt for curbside service for $17 to $20 a month and YES Compost will collect their bucket biweekly. In return, all customers receive either one gallon of worm castings or 15 gallons of compost each spring. Businesses looking to compost are offered a free, two-week trial and can choose from a variety of collection options.
Johnson understands that the financial cost of composting can be too much for some to overcome. Still, he acknowledges that dollars and cents aren’t the only cost to consider.
“This material should not be going in a landfill—it’s hugely problematic there creating leachate, liquid stuff that can contaminate ground waters and rivers. And methane pollution is massive,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be incredibly expensive to deal with landfills in 100 years.”
Composting turns the waste that would otherwise be producing leachate and methane in landfills into fertile soil that then returns to gardens to help grow more food. It’s a circular system: a landfill keeps growing, but a compost heap grows, then shrinks and goes into a garden.
And the process repeats.
Once food scraps arrive, they are combined with woodchips in piles that reach over 140 degrees at the center and must be turned regularly to promote microbial activity. PHOTOS BY FISCHER GENAU
Johnson waters his vermicompost pile, where worms turn compost into an even richer fertilizer year-round in a greenhouse kept warm with the heat from his compost piles. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU
Johnson and his employees collect compost from their customers up to three times a week, taking full buckets and bins back to their warehouse to wash and replacing them with clean ones. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU
HEALTH BUZZ: A HOLISTIC RUNDOWN—THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
BY KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST
Whether we are in the midst of a pandemic or not, supporting your immune system is an important part of long-term health and wellness. The immune system is composed of cells, organs and messengers that work to protect us against infection and foreign substances. This includes white blood cells, the lymphatic system and antibodies. Our lifestyle choices every day influence the performance of our immune system.
Finding ways to manage stress that don’t involve alcohol or recreational substances is vital to immune function. While it may be tempting to pour a drink while winding down or watching the news, this can actually increase inflammation and overwork your immune system. Instead, finding ways to reduce mental and physical stress such as taking a walk or bike ride, or enjoying some herbal tea, can help balance and support the immune system.
Saltwater gargles are excellent for loosening mucus and helping fend off bacterial infections. Two tablespoons of honey in hot water can also help to soothe and decrease throat inflammation and pain, and also has antioxidant
properties and antimicrobial effects. Chamomile and peppermint teas are helpful for soothing irritated throats and help soothe the digestive tract, where much of the immune system lives.
Air purification systems are beneficial in reducing exposures in our home environments. These can be especially important during high pollen or fire seasons. With respiratory congestion due to exposures or viruses, using a humidifier, vaporizer, steam inhalers or spending time in steamy baths or showers can help alleviate irritation on the system. Vaporizers and inhalers can also be used with decongestants or essential oils such as eucalyptus, menthol, peppermint or frankincense. Nasal xylitol sprays are very helpful, as is nasal irrigation using a neti pot or nasal irrigation bottle, to eliminate any irritation to inflamed mucous membranes.
The types of food we eat and the challenges to maintain a healthy diet have changed significantly over the past few decades. In particular, we now know that added sugar is much more harmful to our health than previously thought. It’s little surprise many of the least healthy products make it into our homes when you consider that there are more than 30 types of added sugar and there are no restrictions around the amount of sugar or salt that can be added to foods.
Furthermore, probiotics contain good bacteria that not only support the health of the gut but also influence immune system functioning and regulation. Studies have shown that probiotic use can decrease the number
of respiratory infections, particularly in children. Food items such as kefir, sauerkraut, plain yogurt and kimchi are beneficial for supporting gut bacterial balance as well. Garlic contains a variety of compounds that can influence immunity. Some studies have shown that both fresh garlic as well as aged garlic extract and some garlic supplements may reduce viral upper respiratory infection severity as well as function in the prevention of infection with viruses that can cause colds.
Finally, the immune system thrives when we satisfy our sleep requirements. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, is light from your phone to blame? Browsing social media or watching TV right before bed can affect your sleep schedule by interfering with melatonin production. A new study also correlated nighttime light exposure with type 2 diabetes. Try putting the phone on silent or turn it off an hour before you intend to go to sleep.
Your immune system works to support you on a daily basis. You can improve your own health when you practice a daily holistic way of life and work with your wellness team.
Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.
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Portfolio Manager | First Vice President | Financial Advisor 2200 West Main Street | Bozeman, MT 59718
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