BUSINESS
Explore Big Sky
March 12 - 25, 2021 29
SECTION 3: BUSINESS, A & E, DINING & FUN
Young artists join in annual art auction pg. 34
Big sky Brews: Beehive’s Pink Boots pg. 36
Our unseen oceans pg. 40
Making it in Big Sky: The Lodge at Big Sky BY GABRIELLE GASSER BIG SKY – The Lodge at Big Sky has operated since 2001, sporting multiple names and boasting a storied history rooted in the glory days of Chet Huntley.
SP: “Kruti and I are here every day during each season and don’t take a day off till it’s over. It’s very rare if we are not on a first name basis with a guest if they are staying more than four nights.”
EBS: Tell me about some of your amenities? SP: “The hotel is laid out like your typical limited-service hotel, but our rooms The Patel family acquired the Lodge in 2011 and Shivam Patel has been the are about 50-100 square feet larger on average. My favorite part of our rooms general manager for six years. His wife, Kruti, serves as the assistant general is the 10-foot ceilings throughout all four floors of the hotel. We’ve built many manager of the Lodge. Shivam originally came to Big Sky six years ago to supervise a carpet renovation on the property. Two days into his visit, the general hotels over the years stressing to the franchises that taller ceilings play a trick on the eyes to make them feel larger. The person who designed this hotel manager at the time quit, and Shivam has been in Big Sky ever since. apparently had the same thought process as we do, and we always get compliments on the size of Kruti married Shivam and moved out to Big Sky to our rooms and ceiling. The main focal point of our join him in the hotel business. “Our marriage was hotel is our Great Room, which has the best view arranged, and I still don’t know if she fell in love with in Big Sky. That’s a fact. The Great Room during me first or Big Sky,” Shivam said. the day is where we serve our breakfast where people eat while enjoying the gorgeous Lone Peak The Patel family has been in the hotel business since alpenglow in the winter. At night, we have our own 1990, a few months before Shivam was born, and for private bar that we operate for hotel guests only him, it has been a lifetime career. He explained that to enjoy in the Great Room by our fireplace, on he loves the customer service aspect of the general the patio in front of our firepit, or in our aquatic manager job and the opportunity to meet the many facilities. We have one indoor pool, an indoor hot interesting people who visit the hotel. tub, and three outdoor hot tubs for guests to use. Our hotel also has fitness facilities, ski and bike EBS sat down with Shivam to learn more about the Shivam and Kruti Patel serve as the General and Assistant storage, and a winter shuttle to take guests to and Lodge and its colorful history. Managers at the Lodge at Big Sky. They can be found at the from the Resort.” Lodge from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the winter season ensuring their guests have a great experience. PHOTO Explore Big Sky: Tell me about the history of COURTESY OF SHIVAM PATEL EBS: Has it been difficult adapting to CDC the Lodge? guidelines during COVID? Shivam Patel: “I believe that this was originally SP: “On the staffing side, we’ve all come together land used by Chet Huntley as a horse pasture or ranch. I currently have four as a team. All of us are working together to ensure that guests are abiding by our horseshoes that I found on our property and I have been told that this was the and local rules to keep everyone safe.” case as well. I was also told that the property was given to one of the Kircher’s wives in a divorce settlement and was originally built as a Holiday Inn Express. EBS: When is your busiest time? I believe the second owner renamed it the “Mountain Inn” then “The Lodge SP: “That’s now changed three times since I moved here. Winter was the at Big Sky.” I have a few pieces of apparel and collateral that still has the old busiest when I first got here. Then the Chinese tourism boom rolled through, Mountain Inn logo on it. That’s all I’ve pieced together over the years. I’m sure and then the summer became the busiest. Those months were the funniest as we some of the locals that have been here for 20-plus years could tell you a more had 95 percent of our rooms filled by tour buses so our parking lot would always vibrant story than I could as I’m learning new facts every year.” be empty during the day. It was a daily occurrence where someone would stop by to ask if we were open for business. After Big Sky became a part of the Ikon EBS: What sets the Lodge apart from other hotels in Big Sky? SP: “Independent ownership. Especially now that River Rock Lodge and Buck’s Pass the winter is again our busiest time.” T-4 Lodge have been sold. There’s a level of customer service and care that just EBS: What is the best business advice you have ever received? can’t be given in a corporate environment. That’s the biggest benefit of staying SP: “My dad always says, ‘If you fail, fail fast, and try again.’” at the Lodge at Big Sky. Kruti and I are at the hotel from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day during the season and much more during the holidays. We feel as though it’s our responsibility to ensure that everyone’s–most times hard earned–vacation EBS: Anything else that you would like to share? SP: “It makes me proud to be a part of my little slice of Big Sky history. In the goes off without a hitch. Most people we speak with say they’ve been waiting last six years, Big Sky has grown up so much, and I don’t see it stopping anytime a year or more to visit Big Sky and the area. It’s our duty to make sure they’re soon. When I first moved here, Big Sky was skiing’s best kept secret. Now, leaving smiling.” almost every guest that visits our hotel is here for the first time, and the secret is out. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Big Sky.” EBS: Why should travelers choose the Lodge?
MAKING IT IN BIG SKY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BIG SKY CHAMBER
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