Explore Big Sky - November 2 to 15, 2023

November 2 - 22, 2023 Volume 14 // Issue #22

LONE PEAK TRAM TO OPEN FOR HOLIDAYS TIGER GRANT CONSTRUCTION PAUSES FOR WINTER Q&A WITH BOZEMAN’S MAYORAL CANDIDATES FALL SPORTS FINISH WITH PLAYOFF EFFORTS BIG SKY SNO PRESENTS AT SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT PLUS: MARV AND SARAH PETERSON REFLECT ON 50 YEARS

November 2 - 15, 2023 Volume 14, Issue No. 22 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL VP MEDIA Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

OPENING SHOT Before last week’s snowstorm, locals Lisa Samardich and Emily Annandono enjoyed quite the sunset on the North Fork ridgeline. PHOTO BY EMILY ANNANDONO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com DIGITAL PRODUCER Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER ME BROWN | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Treston Wold | treston@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 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

4 LOCAL 11 15 SPORTS 18 REGIONAL 14 21 TRAVEL & DINING 24 ENVIRONMENT 29 BUSINESS 15 33 A&E 18 37 FUN

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTRIBUTORS

ON THE COVER:

Emily Annandono, Daniel Bierschwale, Andrew Carpenter, Mario Carr, Rachel Hergett, Chris Kamman, Lizzie Peyton, Benjamin Alva Polley, Diane Renkin, Paul Swenson, Brian Swezy, Jerry Tinianow

Seasons collide! A snowstorm swept across Montana on Oct. 25, blanketing the entire Big Sky community in white for the first time this season. The October snow meant that when the sun came out, golden Aspen foliage enjoyed a rare moment of snowy glory. The storm came one month before Big Sky Resort’s 50th opening day, and certainly had locals dusting off their boots. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

LONE PEAK TRAM TO OPEN FOR HOLIDAYS On Nov. 1, Big Sky Resort announced plans to open the new Lone Peak Tram on Dec. 19. As part of the grand opening, the resort is hosting an innovative fundraiser for three local nonprofits—an auction for the first 45 public riders will support community recreation, parks and trails, early childhood education, and conservation on the Gallatin River. EBS spoke with each of the organizations involved with the fundraiser.

TIGER GRANT CONSTRUCTION PAUSES FOR WINTER After a late start, the TIGER grant construction on Montana Highway 64 (Lone Mountain Trail) caught up and completed all but one scheduled project: improvements near U.S. Highway 191. As scheduled, the construction will finish next summer. EBS spoke with a project manager and engineer, as well as leaders from the Big Sky Owners Association— Little Coyote Road saw high volumes of cut-through traffic during construction.

FALL SPORTS FINISH WITH PLAYOFF EFFORTS

Lone Peak High School’s soccer and football teams reached the playoffs this fall, and as playoffs tend to go, both seasons ended with losses.

However, the coaches reflected on exceptional seasons and leadership from seniors.

Q&A WITH BOZEMAN’S MAYORAL CANDIDATES With upcoming municipal elections for registered voters of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, West Yellowstone and the Central Valley Fire District, EBS tracked down Bozeman’s three candidates for mayor. Each candidate answered a few questions about their vision for the future of Bozeman.

28

BIG SKY SNO PRESENTS AT SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

6

PLUS: MARV AND SARAH PETERSON REFLECT ON 50 YEARS

Lizzie Peyton of Big Sky SNO and WestUrb consultant Jerry Tinianow attended the Mountain Towns 2030 conference in Vail, Colorado on Oct. 18 and 19. More than 500 representatives of mountain towns, ski resorts, government agencies and nonprofits shared ideas unique to resort communities and learned from each other. Big Sky SNO gave a presentation on the first day, discussing how the organization is making moves on its Big Sky Community Climate Action Plan.

On a condo-hunting road trip from Michigan in 1973, Marvin and Sarah Peterson discovered Big Sky and fell in love with Lone Mountain. They purchased one of Big Sky Resort’s first condominiums—it wasn’t even built yet—and met Chet Huntley after signing the deal. In the 50 years since, the Petersons have enjoyed Big Sky part-time in the winter and summer. They reflect fondly on their early days.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

SCAN FOR TOWN CRIER NEWSLETTER. DAILY NEWS, STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

EDITORIAL POLICY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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.

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.

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.

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ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the November 16th issue November 8th, 2023 CORRECTIONS Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@theoutlawpartners.com © 2023 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

@explorebigsky

GALLATI N CANYON

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422 Wildridge Fork 5 BED | 4.5 BATH | 6,609 +/- SQ. FT. | $12,250,000

Martha Johnson VP of Sales, Founding Broker martha@bigsky.com 406.580.5891

Charlie Johnson Sales Associate charlie@bigsky.com 406.209.0247

Please contact us for a summer recap analysis and to discuss listing your property.

View all my listings at bigskyrealestate.com/team/martha-johnson

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338 Grey Drake Road 5 BED | 4 BATH + 2 HALF BATH | 6,984 +/- SQ. FT. | $10,995,000

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ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS DEEMED RELIABLE BUT IS NOT GUARANTEED AND SHOULD BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. INFORMATION AND DEPICTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, PRIOR SALES, PRICE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. NO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT OR ANY REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED HEREIN. THIS MATERIAL SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL IN ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED OR WHERE SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED, AND THIS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE AGENT. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, TAX, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

25 TOWN CENTER AVENUE | 995 SETTLEM ENT TRAIL | 66 MOUNTAIN LOOP ROAD | 181 CLUBHOUSE DRIVE

4 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

LOCAL

NEWS IN BRIEF

ANNUAL CAN THE GRIZ KICKS OFF NOV. MOST ROADS IN YELLOWSTONE 4 AHEAD OF BRAWL OF THE NATIONAL PARK CLOSE TO VEHICLES WILD MATCHUP STARTING NOV. 1 EBS STAFF

EBS STAFF

The annual Can The Griz Food Drive will start on Nov. 4 and run through Nov. 18. The Gallatin Valley community, alongside Montana State University, will compete against University of Montana and Missoula to raise the most money and collect the most food in two weeks.

On Nov. 1, most park roads closed to regular vehicle traffic until late April. The only road accessible to regular vehicles is from the North Entrance in Gardiner, through Tower Junction to Cooke City.

Donations will go toward the Gallatin Valley Food Bank and Bounty of the Bridgers, MSU’s campus food pantry.

A release from Yellowstone National Park encouraged visitors to anticipate possible road closure and plan prior to traveling as Yellowstone’s five entrance stations are several hours’ drive from each other.

This is the 24th year of Can the Griz. Last year, MSU and the Gallatin Valley area were victorious after raising $405,200, and donating 207,854 pounds of food, according to MSU News Service.

Visitors can consult the live road map status, call (307) 344-2117 or sign up for text message alerts from Yellowstone National Park. Looking at webcams of the park’s north and west entrances is also useful.

ACCIDENT, PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES CAUSE BRIEF MT 64 CLOSURE FRIDAY NIGHT

WELLNESS IN ACTION WELCOMES COMMUNITY TO OPEN HOUSE, HOLLY JOLLY RAFFLE

EBS STAFF

EBS STAFF

On Friday night, Oct. 27 around 10:25 p.m., Gallatin County Sheriff, Montana Highway Patrol and Big Sky Fire Department responded to a reported single-vehicle accident on Montana Highway 64 (Lone Mountain Trail) across from the Powder Light apartments.

Wellness in Action is hosing the Wonderland Open House and the Holly Jolly Raffle on Tuesday, Nov. 28, a date widely celebrated by local nonprofits as Giving Tuesday. Between 4 and 7 p.m., community members are welcome into WIA’s newly remodeled first floor office, made possible by donors as well as the Big Sky Resort Area District.

The driver suffered “fairly significant injuries,” according to Sheriff ’s Sgt. Dan Haydon, and was resistant to initial efforts by BSFD to extricate and provide medical treatment.

Following protocol, BSFD stood back and allowed law enforcement to step in to make sure the driver could be safely detained in order to receive medical treatment, Haydon explained in a phone call with EBS on Saturday morning.

For public safety, law enforcement officers closed two-way traffic on Highway 64 for about 20 minutes between 10:30 and 11 p.m.

Eventually, the scene was deemed safe for the fire department to step in and the crash victim was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for treatment. The road was reopened to regular traffic.

The open house will include a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m., light hors d’oeuvres and drinks, as well as a kick off of WIA’s Holly Jolly Raffle. Between the dates of Nov. 28 and Dec. 31, purchase a raffle ticket—one for $25 or five for $100— to enter a chance to win 20% of the proceeds raised during the raffle, as well as a Yurt Dinner for Two with Montana Backcountry Adventures. A winner will be announced on Jan. 3, 2024.

Giving Tuesday is a nation wide day of charity, landing on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year wherein communities make an effort to donate to nonprofits and charities around the globe. Wellness In Action is a Big Skybased nonprofit dedicated to community wellbeing by connecting individuals to network of resources so that those who live and work here may thrive. Learn more at bigskywia.org/events/

“I want to highlight that the steps that we took were [intended] to build time and distance to allow for the safety of the person in the crash, the safety of the public, and the safety of the responding agencies,” Haydon said.

An investigation is ongoing, and Haydon was not able to provide the name of the crash victim.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that as of October 25, Phillip Dillavou, dba Family Meal by Phil, has, as a second delinquent offense within a 12-month period, failed to remit Resort Tax to the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) for 150+ days.

BETTER TOGETHER A District bulletin

2024 Business Registration

Now is the time to get ready for 2024.

All businesses that plan on doing business in the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) anytime in 2024, whether collecting Resort Tax or not, are required to complete the annual registration process.

Registration is due December 31 and is free.

Have an existing account?

Renew directly at ResortTax.MuniRevs.com

New to the District or have questions?

Check out our business resources page or reach out to staff for more information and help registering. resorttax.org/business-resources support@resorttax.org 406.995.3234

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Open Hours with Madison County Commissioner Bill Todd Thursday, November 9th 10:00 am - Noon

9

NOV

Stop by the BSRAD office anytime on Thursday morning for your chance to talk with your Madison County Commissioner.

This is a great opportunity to discuss important issues, share your concerns, and learn more about the initiatives that are shaping our community.

Administered by the Big Sky Resort Area District, a local government agency, Resort Tax is a 4% tax on luxury goods & services.

OUR VISION: “Big Sky is BETTER TOGETHER as a result of wise investments, an engaged community, and the pursuit of excellence.”

Info@ResortTax.org | ResortTax.org | 406.995.3234 |

6 November 2 - 15, 2023

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Explore Big Sky

SINCE '73: THE PETERSON FAMILY

THE STORY OF A COUPLE THAT GREW UP IN THE MIDWEST, DISCOVERED SKIING IN THE EAST AND LOVED BIG SKY FROM THE START and had a delightful 10-minute conversation….

We were now owners of a ski condo in Montana and committed to what would become 50 years of annual winter and summer trips to Montana.”

BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Fans of Chet Huntley and self-proclaimed nightly news addicts, Marvin and Sarah Peterson heard about Big Sky and hit the road from Michigan in 1973. These two educators and their daughters were among the first families to own a condo at the base of the ski resort.

Marv grew up on a cattle farm in Illinois, and met Sarah on the East Coast while they were in college.

There, Marv learned to ski and then taught Sarah in the late 1950s. They were hooked from the start and throughout the first half of the 1960s—when they both began their careers as educators—the two skied all over the East. In 1966, they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and began driving out West for their ski trips. By the early 1970s, they were looking for their own condo. They saw prices at Grand Targhee Resort jump from $30,000 to $40,000 between 1971 and 1972 and decided to act fast.

Marv has written extensively about his early life on the farm, and his family’s experiences in Big Sky. In an interview with EBS, Sarah described watching him sit at the computer, typing for hours, with a smile on her face.

Prospecting Big Sky In early June of 1973, the Petersons drove west with their daughters, six-year-old Julie and three-monthold Jessica.

They reached Billings and started asking around about this new “Big Sky” place, and were met with blank stares. They stopped at Red Lodge and camped amidst the snow banks. After seeing lilacs blooming in the middle of June—they’d bloomed months earlier in Michigan—Sarah told her husband, “We’ve got a lot to learn about summer in Montana.”

The family ended up in Bozeman, where locals sent them to Four Corners. There, they were told to follow the construction trucks into Gallatin Canyon.

“You drive in and there’s Lone Peak, and you fall in love,” Sarah recalled.

A journey worth taking

Marvin and Sarah Peterson have been part-time residents of Big Sky since the summer of 1973. COURTESY OF MARV AND SARAH PETERSON

A kind salesman drove the Petersons from the meadow up to the ski resort, although his name has escaped their memory.

“We didn’t want a condo on the golf course because we weren’t golfers. The road up to the mountain was a dirt road, bumpy as all hell, and our three-month-old barfed on the back seat [of the salesman’s car],” Marv remembered, laughing. He explained how the guilt they felt from this incident and the trouble it caused the salesmen further encouraged them to purchase a condo.

After viewing the floor plan, the family went to a restaurant, The Corral, to consider their options.

Marv used the pay phone to call his friend, Mike, who worked for Chrysler Realty, a company that would be investing in the soon-to-be Big Sky Resort.

Mike told the Petersons, “You should know that when they go on the market publicly next week, I’m going to buy two.”

Marv thanked him for the straightforward answer.

The Petersons decided to purchase a Stillwater condo for $30,000.

That day, the family was delighted by a surprise meeting with Chet Huntley himself.

“At the time he was meeting all new buyers,” Marv wrote in his reflective essay. “We were delighted to meet our favorite national TV commentator

In 1973, the Petersons decided to fly from Ann Arbor for their first Christmas vacation to Big Sky. With a seven-year-old and nine-month-old in tow, the family flew from Detroit to Minneapolis, to Jamestown (N.D.), then to Billings, then to Great Falls due to a snowstorm in Bozeman. The next morning they rode from Great Falls to Big Sky in minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit in a van with a door that wouldn’t close. Their condo was not yet fully built, so for their Christmas trip, the resort provided a temporary place to stay in Meadow Village along with rides to and from the mountain every day. The couple understood the construction delays—they were after the skiing, anyway.

With 200 inches of snow on the ground and only a few hundred skiers to pack it down, the Petersons were skiing powder like never before. Marv and Sarah were thankful to have the ability to put their children in ski school and daycare at the resort. The couple explained that having their young children with them for this first trip helped them make meaningful relationships with the local business owners and workers of Big Sky. “They had a holiday party that first year that was for the workers only, but we got invited,” Marv explained, still grateful for this gesture 50 years later. At the party, the locals were watching a homemade movie of the first descent of the Big Couloir.

Friends and family in Michigan asked the Petersons why they would buy a vacation home nearly 2,000 miles away when many Michganders were content buying lake houses in their own state. Sarah would respond, “Well …. There’s no skiing,” with a smile and a shrug.

Their 4,000 mile round-trip journeys to Big Sky were challenging. For their second Christmas trip in 1974, the family actually made it to the Bozeman airport where they marveled at how the “baggage claim” area was a snowbank. As their Karst Stage bus meandered up the canyon, they came across a jackknifed semi-truck that delayed their arrival by another five hours. But the Petersons’ love of skiing and Big Sky would always trump the obstacles.

Marv wrote about the early challenges. The design failures in their condo—that led to leaky roofs and lawsuits—along with the original ski resort investors disbanding had them worried about their investment. However, despite the financial debacles, the Petersons were able to maintain their investment by renting out their condo.

The skiers learn to conquer the mountains in the summer

The Peterson family grew to love hiking around Big Sky. COURTESY OF MARV AND SARAH PETERSON

As educators, the Petersons had summers free, allowing them to spend the last 50 summers in Big Sky. In 1979, Marv and his 12-year-old daughter Julie climbed to the top of Lone Mountain and were amazed by the steep rocky pitches that they

7 November 2 - 15, 2023

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Explore Big Sky or nearly retired. Unfortunately, time has changed those groups.

“One by one we’re dropping off,” Marv said. “Either somebody died, or somebody’s had a heart attack, so you know we’re at the point where that group is thinning out.”

In hopes of connecting EBS with other long time lovers of Big Sky, the couple had some very somber things to say.

“Well, the problem is that they’re old enough that they’re gone,” Marv said.

“Gone-gone,” Sarah emphasized.

Marv believes Big Sky has changed drastically because many of the “core people” of his generation have grown too old to do all of the exciting outdoorsy things that they came here to do.

The Peterson family grew to love hiking around Big Sky. COURTESY OF MARV AND SARAH PETERSON

thought would never be accessible by lift. They made many friends by meeting at the tennis courts in Meadow Village every Sunday. Some Sundays there would even be a keg of beer. Marv explained how the resort had put a lot of money into the tennis courts and even hired a tennis pro every year.

As the area matured, so did the people. Marv described Sarah’s development of a “late-life addiction to golf,” an addiction that deepened many of her relationships. Marv himself has six fused vertebrae and now chooses to walk with a pair of trekking poles out of an abundance of caution.

He remembers summer markets with vendors setting up tents and accompanying live music.

Buck’s T-4 Lodge would host Friday and Saturday night dances and a half-mile line of parked cars would stretch along the highway.

Marv’s daughters, the eldest being 14, once wanted to walk from the Meadow Village to Ousel Falls with some friends. The children set off in the late afternoon, trekking through sagebrush. Soon, the parents got word that a mother bear and her cubs had been spotted near the falls earlier that afternoon. The parents ran to the falls where the children were found to be safe and the bear was never spotted.

“We learned how to backpack from a book,” Sarah said, grinning. Being from Michigan, they had no experience in the backcountry but they never let that stop them. They spent two summers on guided horsepacking trips, but saw plenty of backpackers and wanted to try exploring on their own. Through their study of “the backpacking bible,” as they called it, Colin Fletcher’s The Complete Walker, the Petersons learned by doing.

Marv admits that they were naive and never carried bear spray; but they took precautions like hanging their food and making noise as they traveled. Their first trip was with their six- and 12-year-olds up Porcupine Creek where they were captivated by the views of Lone Mountain. Marv even wrote about a trip where their tent nearly collapsed under 16 inches of snow on Aug. 16, 1978. After returning home safely a day later than expected, the Petersons were grateful to find that locals had organized a search party, an act of neighborliness the Peterson's always appreciated about the Big Sky community.

“And at the same time there’s the deluge of all the people [moving in] so I think we don’t know as many people now as we did maybe 10 years ago,” Marv said.

When Marv was asked about why he types away, documenting the early days in Big Sky, he explained that many people just don’t know about those times.

“There’s some people who complain about the developments, there’s other people that say it’s fine and it’s what we need to do—I didn’t wanna get in the middle of that,” Marv said.

Marv, a self-proclaimed “flatlander” from Michigan, carves up Big Sky slopes. COURTESY OF MARV AND SARAH PETERSON

the 1990s. They held onto their original Stillwater condo until 2008.

After retiring in 2008, they were able to spend nearly six months out of the year in Big Sky, split evenly between the winter and summer. The couple got involved in the Master the Mountain program at the ski resort, joined cross-country ski and hiking groups, and regularly attended the Sunday services at Soldiers Chapel. Many of the friends that the Petersons made in these groups were fellow retirees,

Marv wants people to know what it was like in Big Sky for the first decade. He keeps a cheerful demeanor when speaking of all the change, Marv talks about how tightly knit the community was and how much unity could be found in the community events. When the community was smaller, Marv noticed that local workers, visitors, and “bosses” could all be found eating and recreating together. He believes that this is still the case in Big Sky, however it is at a “much grander scale, and less personal.”

“It was a very different place,” he said. Nevertheless, Marv and Sarah’s love for Big Sky remains. It’s still their favorite place to be.

For 40 years the family enjoyed the backcountry together. Marv would eventually complete a 40-day trip in Nepal in 1988, and the couple celebrated their 60th birthdays together with a 14-day trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Sanctuary.

The changing of the guard In 2004, the family bought another condo in Hidden Village to accommodate their growing family. Marv and Sarah became grandparents in

Marv poses after a Storm Castle hike. COURTESY OF MARV AND SARAH PETERSON

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N O M I N A T I O N PERIOD NOV EMBER 6 - 10 V O T I N G PERIOD NOV EMBER 13 - 17

VO T E BES T OF BIG SK Y, 2023!

Show your support for your favorite local businesses and community members by nominating and voting for the Best of Big Sky 2023!

Please visit Explore Big Sky’s website to nominate your favorite business and to cast your vote.

Winners to be announced on December 5th at the Best of Big Sky awards ceremony at The Waypoint.

10 November 2 - 15, 2023

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Explore Big Sky

GREAT PUMPKIN GIVEAWAY BRINGS IN 470 POUNDS OF FOOD BANK DONATIONS THE ANNUAL AUTUMN FOOD DRIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS NEED IN THE OFF-SEASON AHEAD OF WINTER

BY JEN CLANCEY BIG SKY—A spooky sight came to town on Oct. 21 in Wilson Plaza. Dozens of carvable pumpkins suddenly filled the square as the clock struck 12… in the afternoon.

The Great Pumpkin Giveaway brought the Halloween and giving spirit to Big Sky this past weekend with the Big Sky Community Food Bank’s annual food drive and fundraiser.

Those who donated 10 cans, 10 pounds of food or $10 to the community food bank were awarded with their choice of prize pumpkins.

The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce provided pumpkins for the event.

“I mean, it’s a perfect weather day for it, isn’t it,” observed Lizzie Peyton, food bank board member.

In years prior, Peyton recalled, food bank staff and volunteers faced winter conditions, some freezing in their pumpkin costumes. This year, the giveaway landed on the last weekend of warm weather in Big Sky. The fall weather also signifies a period of high need for resources like the food bank.

Supporting the community through the seasons “The fall off-season is the food bank’s busiest off busiest season, because it’s the longest period where people go between having work,” Peyton said of Big Sky’s season-affected economy. “When they’re unemployed in between the summer and the winter season, this is when they really need the most help.”

Megan Porter who owns Moving Mountains in Big Sky, carts in pumpkins for the Great Pumpkin Giveaway. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZZIE PEYTON

Though the fall season quiets down, it’s also a time to support those who make Big Sky such a popular destination in busier months, Peyton explained.

“I think it’s really important that we’re supporting the people who are allowing tourism to happen. All of our businesses rely heavily on hourly wage workers who are either commuting in the canyon or living in workforce housing that may or may or may not have proper stoves.”

The food bank is located at the junction of Montana Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 191—the one way between Big Sky and Bozeman. Peyton explained that the food bank also helps families who commute in and out of Big Sky, making the food bank’s impact and demand higher with each year.

At the “State of the Community” presentation during Big Sky Community Week, Sarah Gaither Bivins, senior operations manager and services navigator, alluded to the food bank’s ballooning demand—now serving almost 1,900 unique customers.

Giveaway-goers donated 10 food items, 10 pounds of food or $10 and then selected from a great collection of pumpkins. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZZIE PEYTON

“[Last year] my services at the food bank were up 97% from the year before, which was up 60% from the year before that,” Bivins told the audience at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. Representing the topic of “community

wellness,” she suggested that right now, we are in “severe crisis.”

“I’ve been doing this for ten years, and I’d only ever seen a 10% increase,” Bivins added. “So it was very extreme.”

Seasonal ways to make a difference This year, the food bank encouraged Halloweeners to bring soup, rice, beans, and canned and boxed meals to the giveaway.

In total, they collected 470 pounds of food, according to Bivins.

From Nov. 6 to 13, those with pumpkins can drop them off with Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) at the parking lot beside BASE to compost them.

On Nov. 11, there will be another opportunity to donate food to the food bank. The Big Sky Bravery Veterans Day Ruck encourages participants to pack their bags with food donations for the food bank, recommending items like rice, beans and peas. Those items carry easily in a pack and are in high demand, especially black beans.

If a participant brings items that can’t be packed as well, the Veterans Day Ruck team will provide equivalent weight.

11 November 2 - 15, 2023

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Explore Big Sky

RESORT ANNOUNCES TRAM OPENING DATE; FIRSTRIDE AUCTION TO BENEFIT BIG SKY NONPROFITS THE NEW LONE PEAK TRAM WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON DEC. 19, AND PROCEEDS FROM A FIRST-RIDE AUCTION WILL BENEFIT BSCO, GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE AND MORNINGSTAR LEARNING CENTER

BY JEN CLANCEY AND JACK REANEY Three weeks before its 50th season begins, Big Sky Resort announced its opening date for the new, 75-passenger Lone Peak Tram: Dec. 19, 2023.

After reaching final stages of the project on Oct. 23, construction teams and engineers hung the two tram cabins.

On its opening day, the tram will carry its first 45 public guests, selected by an auction. All proceeds will be divided evenly to benefit the Big Sky Community Organization, Gallatin River Task Force and Morningstar Learning Center.

Tram construction began in June 2022 and is headed

by Swiss gondola-specialist Garaventa, which operates with Doppelmayr. The original, 15-passenger Lone Peak Tram, built in 1995, was removed in early October after nearly 30 years serving Big Sky skiers.

Adapting the per-day charge to ride the original tram in recent years, the new tram will charge riders between $10-40+ per ride, according to Big Sky Resort.

After two summers of construction, the new Lone Peak Tram is within weeks of carrying skiers and scenic riders to the summit. PHOTO BY CHRIS KAMMAN / BIG SKY RESORT

“The staff at the resort have been marvelous in their leadership and putting together the materials,” Montgomery said. “They have been so receptive to our ideas.”

An example of local leadership and collaboration Mariel Butan, executive director of Morningstar Learning Center, spoke on the phone with EBS after the news broke on Nov. 1.

Butan described the connection between the resort and Morningstar; the early learning and child care center enables parents to work at the resort, restaurants, Big Sky Fire Department and all the components that make for a safe and enjoyable vacation.

“The resort approached us with this really incredible opportunity to have this, really, once-in-a-generation event at the resort... that actually gives back to our local community,” Butan said. “So that was really cool, and I think it really says a lot that [Big Sky Resort] took this opportunity to not just have it be about the resort, but to have it be about the community as well.”

The Big Sky Community Organization (formerly Big Sky Community Corporation) manages parks and trails, the BASE community center, outdoor recreation programs and summer camps including Camp Big Sky. COURTESY OF BSCO

The Gallatin River Task Force’s chief development officer, Bucky Lamb, shared similar sentiments when talking with EBS. “Each of our three nonprofit organizations play such a vital role in the community,” Lamb said.

The Gallatin River Task Force is committed to protecting and enhancing the health of the Upper Gallatin River and contributing ground and surface waters. COURTESY OF GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE

Butan is excited to see how much money will be raised for “three really impactful community nonprofits,” she said, and she doesn’t know what to expect—she can’t think of any precedent in the ski industry.

“Having the partnership on this fundraiser is a really exciting and innovative example of how we can get creative to keep our learning center open,” Butan said.

“We are honored to be able to partner with Morningstar and BSCO and we have tremendous respect for them,” he continued. “We agreed it would be best to unite and have one combined fundraiser.”

The Gallatin River Task Force will promote the auction on their silent auction website. Since the auction opened on Nov. 1, seats have already begun to receive bids, which start at $500.

“We’re excited to find out, and we’re also really grateful that the resort is leading the industry this way—there hasn’t been another fundraiser like this,” Butan said.

Butan did not point to any single capital project at Morningstar that the fundraiser will support, but she explained that early childhood education, especially with children aged three and under, generally does not make financial sense. Simply put, parents can’t pay enough, and teachers don’t get paid enough, she said.

It requires a lot of community support.

“It's been great to work with Morningstar and the Gallatin River Task Force,” Montgomery said on the phone with EBS. “Collectively we are all putting in equal effort to make this successful.

“It's been fun to work together on a common cause,” Montgomery said.

Butan is thankful for the event as a fundraiser, but even more for Morningstar’s increased visibility.

“The resort has a much wider audience than Morningstar does,” Butan said. “All of the members of their audience, whether they realize it or not, are impacted by the work of Morningstar... I’m really excited for our small but mighty organization to get some real exposure.”

Montgomery expressed how honored BSCO was to be among the three nonprofits that Big Sky reached out to several weeks ago. The organizations came together to make a plan that played into each other’s strengths and made the auctioned ride a rare event.

Of the 45 seats up for auction, 25 are designated “Buy it Now” for a donation of $10,000.

Morningstar Learning Center is the only full-time, year-round, licensed childcare in Big Sky, and the only provider for children under three years old. COURTESY OF MLC

BSCO Executive Director Whitney Montgomery described the way the resort has worked with the organizations to set up a one-of-a-kind fundraiser.

The online silent auction will close Nov. 15. Winners will share a champagne toast at the peak on Dec. 19, a memento to remember the experience, and a one-day lift ticket and single-ride tram access. A professional photographer will capture the tram event.

“There is a lot of excitement for the new tram coming online,” Lamb said. Montgomery seconded this, saying how excited he was for the tram to finally open up and for the event to spread more awareness of how the three nonprofits benefit the community.

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14 November 2 - 15, 2023

L O CA L

Explore Big Sky

RUSH HOUR: OFFICIALS REFLECT ON TIGER GRANT PROGRESS, REMAINING WORK FOR 2024

BY JACK REANEY BIG SKY—A new stoplight, now the second along Montana Highway 64 (Lone Mountain Trail), signals the end to this year’s TIGER grant construction.

Installed in August, the stoplight was scheduled for activation in early October. Its activation was delayed by two weeks due to electrical service issues, but the light turned green for the first time on Oct. 24. It’s the final major change for drivers in Big Sky resulting from the summer’s TIGER grant construction.

Danielle Scharf, project engineer with Sanderson Stewart, addressed the public at the Madison-Gallatin Joint County Commission meeting in Big Sky on Oct. 4.

She thanked the community for their patience during a slow-moving summer and expressed hope that drivers are noticing improvements.

“I know it was really hard with the traffic control, especially when they were paving and they had any sort of lane closures… vehicles would back up pretty quickly,” Scharf told EBS in a follow-up interview.

She sees the new left-turn lanes—constructed at Huntley Drive, Big Pine Drive, Andesite Road, Little Coyote Road, Meadow Village Road and Big Sky Resort Road—as a big accomplishment from this summer’s work, improving safety and traffic flow.

Scharf also noted that pedestrians and bikers seem to be enjoying the paved pathways between Big Pine Drive and Andesite Road, and along Little Coyote Road between the highway and the Big Sky Community Park.

Other pedestrian-oriented work also included the construction of a tunnel under the highway at Little Coyote Road, and a bridge over the West Fork—where pedestrians previously needed to hug guardrails on a curved, two-lane bridge.

This summer’s construction started late. Originally scheduled to begin in mid-May, the work didn’t begin until June 5 due to weather holding up the contractor’s projects across the state.

Project Manager Cale Fisher with Missoula-based Riverside Contracting told EBS that the crews worked as efficiently as possible to catch up.

“When we went into this, originally our plan was to get all the schedule completed minus the chip sealing,” Fisher said. “We were really close to being able to achieve that, even with the late start.”

Scharf said Big Sky’s short construction season is challenging, but she was “very impressed” by Riverside Contracting.

Fisher said strong collaboration with Danielle’s team helped overcome day-to-day challenges. Additional complications included housing availability and Big Sky’s location.

“There’s not a lot of availability of housing for our people.

We were renting townhouses for them, kinda where we could,” Fisher explained. “And the amount of traffic that you have utilizing Montana 64 and the 191 corridor makes it a challenge… Because the resources that we need [like gravel and asphalt materials] are not readily available…

That’s all coming from Belgrade, and it requires a lot of trucking.”

Scharf thanked the Big Sky Resort Area District, both Gallatin and Madison counties, and MDT for coming together to provide the final funding needed for this project.

“It was pretty great to see the partnership,” she said.

Daniel Bierschwale, executive director of BSRAD, said this partnership with MDT opens doors for the future.

Montana 64 is an auxiliary or off-system route for MDT, but the successful procurement of federal TIGER funding sets a new precedent for road maintenance. In the past,

Montana 64 was “a neglected road that has been one way in, one way out, over the course of multiple decades,” Bierschwale summarized.

The traffic signal was not part of the original application.

But in the years between submitting the application and designing the project, traffic volume had increased.

Scharf pointed out that as an unincorporated community, Big Sky doesn’t have a government to move things forward.

“It was suggested that we evaluate signal warrants again at Little Coyote and at Huntley [Drive],” Scharf said.

Based on vehicle volume, Huntley Drive did not meet signal warrants, but Little Coyote Road did, and the entire project team agreed to pursue the stoplight.

“You’re kind of dependent on the county and MDT,” she said.

However, Bierschwale said this recent federal, regional and local partnership allows Big Sky “[to] work together to plan for the road’s future, ensure that it’s safe, effective and well thought out as we move into the next iteration of Montana 64’s future.”

An important next step will be to figure out the connectivity and safety of U.S. 191 and MT 64.

“That’s going to be really important,” Bierschwale said.

Separate from TIGER grant work, MDT continues to collaborate with local and county leaders to improve the 191 corridor and Highway 64. On Oct. 4, representatives explained MDT’s unprecedented “context sensitive” planning approach at the joint county commission meeting in Big Sky. 2024: a smaller TIGER TIGER grant construction will wrap up next summer.

Remaining work will require some temporary lane closures, although delays should be much less significant.

“We’re definitely through the hardest part of it in terms of the traffic impacts, so that’s good news,” Scharf told EBS. She also expects a shorter overall duration. Crews will try to start as early as weather allows in the spring, and final steps—chip sealing and final pavement markings—should be completed in August.

At the joint county commission meeting, Scharf explained why chip sealing wasn’t completed as construction activity and total traffic began to wind down in September: “We have really specific temperature requirements for the chip seal,” Scharf said. “So we can’t do that this fall, it will have to happen… between May and August. So that was always the contractor’s plan [to] come back for that the second season.”

The only project that didn’t start as planned this summer was construction near U.S. Highway 191. Those improvements will include bus pull-outs, vehicle pull-outs for wildlife viewing, elimination of gravel shoulder parking with extended curb and gutter, and signage improvements.

That project will take priority next summer.

Fisher agreed that the bulk of disruptions were completed this summer, but warned that drivers will need to be “cognizant and patient” during a few slow moments near the 191 intersection.

“So, that’s how we ended up with both,” she said. “At the time we did discuss whether or not the tunnel should still be included, and BSCO… [was] pretty adamant that they did still indeed want the tunnel too—they did want both options for crossing the highway.”

Scharf said the crosswalk’s presence will only lengthen the red light when pedestrians push the button. She added that crossing the road is more A.D.A. accessible than the paved hill involved with using the tunnel.

Cutting corners The new traffic signal may impact another issue: drivers cutting through Little Coyote Road. The shortcut phenomenon could gain popularity as the new stoplight helps drivers to turn left back onto Lone Mountain Trail toward Bozeman. Scharf said that will need to be monitored, and enforcement likely falls under jurisdiction of the Big Sky Owners Association.

Suzan Scott, executive director of BSOA, said the cutthrough was a big problem during this past summer’s construction, especially with large construction trucks.

Little Coyote Road is an un-striped, two-way residential street.

“That’s really, truly a huge disturbance for the neighborhood,” Scott said. “It’s a residential road, it’s not meant as a pass through.”

BSOA Project Manager Emma Lawler said safe traffic matters for the area’s children and animals.

This summer, traffic-monitoring technology showed a significant increase in speed violations at peak times, morning and evening. On five Wednesdays between July 24 and Sept. 3, more than 4,600 total vehicles drove oneway through Little Coyote.

“Our stance is that if the driver’s destination isn’t somewhere along Little Coyote Road, they should use the improved section of Montana 64,” Lawler said.

In September, the BSOA submitted an RFP to construct speed tables—trapezoid-shaped speed bumps with a flat top for snowplows—on Little Coyote Road. Lawler said it’s a shovel-ready project.

BSOA will also be adding signage to discourage throughtraffic from using Little Coyote.

Although the cut-through is an issue, Scott isn’t sure if the new traffic light will make an impact.

“There are gonna be times that traffic gets backed up,” Fisher said. “We do our best to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible.”

“There’s certainly potential for that,” she said. “I guess we’ll just have to see what is going to result from that.”

The BSOA will continue to collect its data.

Fisher also recognized the courtesy and “mindful presence” of Big Sky drivers during this past summer.

Scharf and the construction team did hear concerns about the shortcut during construction. But as recent winters have shown, traffic can stack up even without lane closures and paving work.

Pedestrian redundancy?

With the new stoplight, some community members may wonder why an expensive tunnel was constructed almost directly beneath a pedestrian crosswalk. Scharf explained that the tunnel has always been part of the Big Sky Community Organization’s vision for the overall connectivity of pathways—more recent data showed that a traffic signal was also warranted near the same location.

“The tunnel is a project that dates back for years. Stahley [Engineering] had been involved with BSCO on that project 10 or more years ago… It was part of the TIGER grant application,” she said—an application filed by stakeholders including BSCO, the Big Sky Transportation District and the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.

Scott hopes to see an increased presence from Gallatin County Sheriff ’s deputies. She understands they are short-staffed in Big Sky and recognizes their efforts, but believes more is needed to effectively manage speed on Little Coyote.

Scott added that the turn lanes and traffic lights on Highway 64 are going to improve traffic.

“We’re looking forward to all of that being up and running,” she said.

15 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

SPORTS

LONE PEAK FALL SPORTS FINISH, DESPITE STRONG PLAYOFF EFFORTS On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Big Horns faced off against the Whitefish Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won, 5-0, and advanced to the state championship against Billings Central Catholic High School.

BY JACK REANEY BIG SKY—On Friday, Oct. 20, the Lone Peak High School Big Horn football team celebrated senior night with a 64-18 victory over Powell County High School (Deer Lodge).

Coach Coppola described the game in an email to EBS, calling it a tough loss to wrap up the season.

Lone Peak celebrated five graduating seniors: Juliusz Shipman, Aidan Germain, Charlie Distad, David Perdue and Bryce Houghteling. Four of the five scored in their final home football game in Big Sky. “It feels great,” Distad said of the dominant win. “It’s all the hard work that us seniors and all the other players on the team have put in. And all the coaches as well.”

Houghteling said it feels good to win, but he’s also sad to play his final home game.

Coach Shipman and his seniors celebrate the six-win season.

PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

“Good luck to Whitefish and Billings Central in the state finals this weekend,” Coppola added.

“I wasn’t ready for this to be my last,” Houghteling said.

He said he won’t dwell on the disappointing outcome.

Head coach Dustin Shipman said three of the five seniors were four-year starters.

“Let’s talk about the fact that the team in just four short years has been in the playoffs all four seasons, have won two playoff games and this season made it to the state semifinals,” Coppola noted.

“I mean, we’ve been talking all week about what these kids have meant to the program… I’m really, really thrilled for them,” he said.

He pointed out that a Montana Class A state semifinalist trophy will be added to Lone Peak’s trophy case.

Shipman added, “I think they had a zero-win season, a two-win season, last year a five-win season, and this year, to go six-and-three, finish in front of a good crowd at home with a victory, probably a playoff berth next week. I’m just really thrilled for the guys.”

With the win, Lone Peak earned a playoff berth and advanced to play Fort Benton High School. On Oct. 28, the Longhorns defeated the Big Horns, 36-33, and Lone Peak’s season came to an end.

The Big Horn seniors and coaches Jeremy Harder (left) and Tony Coppola (right). COURTESY OF TONY COPPOLA

Coach Shipman wrapped up the season in an email to EBS. He noted that despite the loss, it’s an accomplishment to be one of the 16 teams remaining in the state for two consecutive seasons.

Shipman highlighted performances by seniors Juliusz Shipman and David Perdue, and sophomore Ebe Grabow. He said the entire team left everything they had on the field and fought until the end.

Shipman wrote, “40 teams representing 43 schools began the season in 8-player football and to be in the playoffs from arguably the best division in the state is an accomplishment. While we are disappointed, the boys can and should be proud of the season that they had and fighting through adversity all season long.”

“Our strengths were the same as we have had all year, dynamic play from the quarterback position, hard running and great catches in the passing game; defensively, Eli Gale really showed why he will have a great future for the BigHorns and the entire defensive unit played a solid game,” Shipman wrote.

The game began with an early 7-0 lead for Lone Peak.

The Big Horns turned the ball over on the one-yard line at the end of the first half.

He said this team will be remembered for the commitment of its seniors—some made strong contributions for all four years in high school.

“Boys were confident going into the second half and played that way,” Shipman summarized. “Lead changed a handful of times, but in the end, we needed a stop and couldn’t get one.”

“Additionally, to have the injuries we had at the beginning of the year and finish the season where we did, while disappointing, is a testament to the character of these guys and an attitude of never giving up,” Shipman wrote.

Junior Grady Towle missed the second half, and his absence hurt the Big Horn defense. Fort Benton’s strong rushing attack helped carry them to victory.

Shipman said the young Longhorns team made minimal mistakes.

“On the road we really needed to put them away early and letting a good team like Fort Benton hang around, [in Fort Benton], resulted in a fight to the finish. The boys fought hard until the final horn sounded.”

“The field conditions were wet, the boys were nervous and in the end we just didn’t get the job done,” Coppola wrote. “The boys showed grit and the seniors lead the team with a never-give-up attitude (even when it was 5-0) but to be completely honest, Whitefish dominated most of the game with size, speed, precision passing and a couple of spectacular goals. I know that [our] team was super stoked to be in the final four, but it just wasn’t in the cards for the boys that day.

He believes the Big Horns were the better team and knows the loss will sting for some time.

“I am confident the boys will ultimately remember the high points of the season and the lessons they learned this year will stick with them forever,” Shipman concluded.

Big Horn soccer falls in state semifinal For the first time in the short history of Lone Peak soccer, the Big Horns reached the Montana Class A state semifinal.

“And to add to that, the only two losses we had this season came to the two teams who are playing for the Class A state title game in Billings this weekend.

Posting a 9-2-3 record and netting 50 goals this season are also things to celebrate,” Coppola wrote.

“The team had great chemistry all season and with 16 returners and a decent sized freshmen class, the future looks very bright.”

Coppola and assistant coach Jeremy Harder thanked the Big Sky community and school district for their support throughout the fall season.

“But most importantly, and with gratitude to the Bighorn players and their families, thank you for allowing us to work with your sons and supporting and believing in the process that culminated into a historic season. Job well done gents!”

Volleyball falls in district tournament, but grabs first win of the season Lone Peak Volleyball did not earn any wins in the regular season, but head coach Bailey Dowd noted the young team’s continuous improvement. The Big Horns finally earned their first win in the district tournament.

Lone Peak lost their opening match to No. 2 Jefferson High School. Even in the loss, “we came out strong in our first game and took a set,” coach Dowd wrote to EBS. Jefferson won the next three, and advanced.

In the double-elimination tournament, Lone Peak faced Whitehall High School next.

“We registered our first Class B win by beating Whitehall... We won in five [games] after losing the first two games, and I could not be more proud of the girls for not giving up and [for] grinding out the next three games.”

The Big Horns were eliminated in the next match, but finished their season on a high note.

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18 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

REGIONAL

MEET BOZEMAN’S MAYORAL CANDIDATES

BY MIRA BRODY With Montana’s first major snow event comes the municipal election for registered voters of Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, West Yellowstone and the Central Valley Fire District; 48,500 ballots were sent to registered voters on Oct. 20.

Bozeman is at the crux of considering new leadership— there are open seats for mayor and a city commission position. Explore Big Sky exchanged emails individually with Bozeman’s mayoral candidates—John Meyer, Joey Morrison and incumbent Cyndy Andrus—about the city’s current issues, and what solutions they hope to enact should they be elected.

Responses in this print version have been edited for brevity.

We encourage you to read the full interviews at explorebigsky.com.

Explore Big Sky: What led you to join the race for mayor?

John Meyer: I’m running for mayor to make Bozeman the most sustainable town on the planet. My wife and I have twin boys that just turned four years old—we want them to grow up in a good town.

Joey Morrison: I’m running for mayor because Bozeman is in crisis. From housing insecurity and mismanaged growth to high property taxes and climate vulnerability…

I am running because in this moment of crisis, we need responsive leadership that can bring the community together and work toward solutions.

EBS [To Cyndy Andrus, incumbent]: You started as a city commissioner and then took on the role of mayor two years ago. What drove you to want to continue your public service to our community?

Cyndy Andrus: During my two terms as mayor, I have worked alongside a dedicated team. Together, we have made significant strides toward making Bozeman better during a time of tremendous growth, a pandemic and preemptions of local control by the legislature. The issues facing Bozeman today are complex and require collaboration and partnerships.

EBS: Tell me a bit about your experience in local public service.

John Meyer: I have dedicated my entire professional career to public service. I run a nonprofit law firm that is dedicated to protecting the people, forests, water and wildlife of the American West.

Joey Morrison: I’ve been a public servant through my social work background, as a volunteer for many beloved organizations in town like Haven, Big Sky Youth Empowerment, the help center and more.

Cyndy Andrus: Over the last 13 years, I have been able to get up every day and serve my community. I have had the opportunity to build relationships with mayors across the state and the country. I currently serve on the Montana League of Cities and Towns board … a former National League of Cities board member, presently serving on their advisory board. I have working relationships with members of our state legislature and have spent hundreds of hours advocating for policies on clean air and water, climate change, housing, local option sales tax and maintaining local control.

EBS: What do you think are the most pressing three issues Bozeman is facing right now?

John Meyer: 1. Water availability 2. Overdevelopment 3. Growth Joey Morrison: Housing insecurity, climate vulnerability and mismanaged growth.

Cyndy Andrus: Growth, climate change and community engagement/collaboration.

EBS: How do you plan to address these, should you become the leader of our city?

John Meyer: Have the city commission declare a water availability crisis and place a moratorium on approving unnecessary luxury developments.

Joey Morrison: Housing: As mayor, I will do what the city has failed to: prioritize locals. By prioritizing Bozemanites, we can create the density needed for affordable housing where it makes sense and without sacrificing the character of our neighborhoods. Climate: In less than 10 years, Bozeman will run out of water.

If elected, I will implement a 5 Point Plan to build a climate resilient Bozeman, which readers can find in detail at morrisonforbozeman.com. Growth: We have to ask ourselves, “Who is Bozeman growing for?” As mayor, I will work to… make sure we grow sustainably and responsibly to create a fair economy where you can live where you work, young families can put down roots, and Bozeman can remain the beautiful place we call home.

EBS [To Cyndy Andrus, incumbent]: Do you feel you’ve worked to address these in the last two years, and how do you plan to continue to do so if reelected?

Cyndy Andrus: If I am re-elected, I will continue to work hard to protect the things that make Bozeman, Bozeman, including identifying where and how we grow while preserving the land and the beauty surrounding us. … Working together to ensure Bozeman is a place where we all feel welcome regardless of gender, race, identity, or life circumstances.

EBS: Bozeman’s housing prices are currently 22% higher than the national average. What do you think of this number and what’s the first thing we should do to address it?

John Meyer: The working class cannot afford to live in Bozeman. The first thing I would do is declare a housing crisis and stop approving all unaffordable housing developments.

Joey Morrison: There is no silver bullet, and the state legislature has tied our hands on a number of options. …

We need to get serious in negotiating with land owners to create housing trusts. We can work to establish a Public Housing Authority. Last week, the city passed a ban on all new Type 3 short-term rentals, the result of over a year of organizing that I was deeply involved in.

Cyndy Andrus: If re-elected, I would continue the strategies that have seen the most success, including negotiating individual development agreements to incentivize affordable housing, using Tax Increment Finance dollars to incentivize affordable and missing middle housing, and removing regulatory barriers. I am also interested in exploring the idea of a Public Housing Authority as part of our Affordable Housing Action Plan update.

EBS: What are some decisions previous leadership has made that has disappointed you? What would you do different?

John Meyer: Relying on over-priced, out-of-state consultants for information and advice that should have been prepared by local firms.

Joey Morrison: The city’s failure to engage the community on the changes to the United Development Code is unacceptable. That’s a conversation that started three years ago, and the community should have been brought in and bought-in on the proposal before it was put up for a vote.

EBS: Montana schools are struggling to fill nearly 60% of open teaching positions. With Bozeman’s growth and cost of living, this is an issue felt in our local schools. Is this something that you plan to address, and with what approach?

John Meyer: I understand cost of living issues—my wife and I both work for nonprofits and we have fouryear-old twin boys. We purchased our first home in an affordable housing development less than one year ago.

I will work to ensure teachers and other workers have… similar housing opportunities.

Joey Morrison: The loss of quality educators is a good example of how the housing crisis is not just about housing. If we decisively prioritize locals, that means prioritizing our children and working to ensure that we are a city that attracts and retains quality teachers. The city can be a partner to the school districts as we tackle unaffordability.

Cyndy Andrus: The city cannot control how much private employers pay their employees, but we can lead by example. Under my leadership, we increased pay for city employees, which resulted in increased retention and a drop in vacancies from double-digits to single-digits due to this pay compensation.

EBS: What do you think is special about Bozeman? What is most worth preserving about the community?

John Meyer: Bozeman has some of the smartest people in the world and best access to public lands and water. As a hunter, skier, climber, mountain biker, fisherman and Clean Water Act attorney, I am committed to ensuring Bozeman does not become a playground for the rich. We need to protect the character of Bozeman by stopping unnecessary luxury housing from destroying the social fabric of our community.

Joey Morrison: Our people. A community is only as good as the people who compose it. Bozemanites care deeply about creating and participating in the community. If the city is a partner in that effort, then the things that now seem impossible—affordable living, climate resilience, and a Bozeman that grows for locals— can be achieved.

Cyndy Andrus: Maintaining our small-town character as we balance density and infill to create more affordable housing in new developments and our historic neighborhoods while protecting their character.

Preserving our clean air and water and providing resources for a healthful environment. Sustaining our sense of community. Working together to ensure Bozeman is a place we all feel welcome regardless of race, gender or life circumstances.

EBS: What else would you like to tell the Bozeman community—is there anything I didn’t ask you that you think is important to discuss?

John Meyer: I will not condone continued luxury development that threatens Bozeman residents' water supply. I will also work to ensure urban campers are limited to staying a maximum of ten days and enforce regulations that protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents and businesses.

Joey Morrison: The question I’ve been asking voters is, “Do you like the direction Bozeman is going in?” If your answer is like mine—a resounding No—then I invite you into this work of building a better Bozeman by voting for me on Nov. 7.

Cyndy Andrus: I am ready to continue putting my 13 years of public service to work, leading our community toward an even brighter future.

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21 November 2 - 15, 2023

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TRAVEL & DINING ROAD TRIP

THE MAGIC OF DRIGGS, IDAHO

BY LESLIE KILGORE EBS CONTRIBUTOR

When recently driving into Teton Valley, Idaho from Big Sky to visit some friends who recently moved to the area, I was greeted with the most spectacular views of the Teton Range.

Often referred to as the “quiet side of the Tetons,” the mountain views surrounding Teton Valley are stunning and vast.

Once a community centered around agriculture, ranching, tourism and recreation, the communities of Driggs, Victor and Tetonia are now growing at a fast pace for the area. Grand Targhee Resort boasts more snowfall than most ski resorts in North America, the access to hiking and mountain biking trails is world class, fishing waters are abundant, and Jackson, Wyo. is a 45-minute drive away—a few of many reasons for its rapid popularity.

Like many growing towns in the mountain west, the once sprawling farms and ranches viewable from the Targhee ski lifts, now butt up to golf communities and subdivisions. And as the valley continues to change, residents are concerned with many issues familiar to the Big Sky community: high housing costs, lack of infrastructure, an increase in traffic and wildlife fatalities, and long lift lines at the resort. But even with the all-toofamiliar issues, Teton Valley has managed to keep its small town, rural charm.

After the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Big Sky, we started our weekend trip at The Provisions Kitchen, a breakfast and lunch spot on Main Street in Driggs, where mountain bikers, anglers, ranchers and other locals of all ages gather for breakfast all day, burgers, sandwiches and chef specialties. I tried the Chilaquiles, which was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in years: totopos (fried tortillas), black beans, chile verde, bacon, carne asada, avocado, queso fresco, fried eggs and red onions. I can’t wait to have it again this winter before a day of skiing at Targhee.

The Provisions Kitchen is where mountain bikers, anglers, ranchers and other locals of all ages gather for breakfast all day, burgers, sandwiches and chef specialties. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

After a very filling meal, we walked along Main Street to check out some of the local businesses.

Habitat - High Altitude Provisions is the local outdoor shop and outfitter with an impressive collection of ski gear, mountain bikes and apparel.

Above the shop is Tatanka Tavern, which, according to many locals, has the best wood fired, thin crust pizza in the valley. Corner Drug is another fun stop on Main Street and has been a staple in the community since 1920. The soda fountain inside the store serves ice cream, malts, freezes and delicious huckleberry milkshakes year-round.

Next to the Corner Drug lives the family-owned Barrels & Bins Natural Market, a market that also serves smoothies, fresh juices and soups. We grabbed some healthy snacks before heading to Teton Pass for an afternoon of mountain biking.

While both Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort have extensive trails for liftserviced mountain biking, Teton Pass also has an impressive trail system for both biking and skiing, which is easily lapped with a two-car shuttle or hitch hiking, a common practice there for bikers and skiers.

Often referred to as the “quiet side of the Tetons,” the mountain views surrounding Teton Valley are stunning and vast. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

Barrels & Bins Natural Market, a market that also serves smoothies, fresh juices and soups. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

After several laps and shuttles on some very challenging terrain, we ended our day at the Knotty Pine Supper Club in Victor. A longtime favorite for locals and visitors, the "Knotty" serves a variety of food ranging from Kansas City-style BBQ to steaks and seafood, soups, and fresh salads from their garden. Since the 1960s, the Knotty Pine has hosted some of the best touring bands in the country and continues to host rowdy shows in a small setting on a regular basis. Food is served nightly from 4 to 9:30 p.m. and live music begins between 9 and 10 p.m. when both the restaurant and bar become 21 and older.

To end our weekend trip, Sunday entailed a beautiful and easy hike on the Mill Creek Trail. A four-mile hike out and back, the trail is shared by bikers and hikers through some beautiful scenery and views of the Tetons at the top.

Before heading home, we stopped at Big Hole Bagel & Bistro for some sandwiches, boba teas and good coffee to-go. When the weather cooperates, Teton Valley is a quick and easy drive to and from Big Sky. After a full day outside, we were home on Sunday evening with daylight to spare, which to me makes for an even better weekend road trip.

Corner Drug is another fun stop on Main Street and has been a staple in the community since 1920. PHOTO BY LESLIE KILGORE

22 November 2 - 15, 2023

T R AV E L & D I N I N G

Explore Big Sky

A LA CATRE

CONSUMED BY CEVICHE

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

One dish has me consumed. With so many quality local food joints—plus my own kitchen, consistent friend family dinners, and the wondrous haven of mom’s house—it is rare I become a true regular anywhere. Then, on a September visit to Latin American grocery store El Mercadito to stock up on cotija cheese and tamales, my eye landed on a small sidewalk sandwich board.

“Estrella del Mar: Ecuadorian ceviche,” it announced. I was not at all hungry, yet there was no question that I was heading inside.

Ceviche, a Latin American coastal dish, features citrus-marinated fish or shellfish and relies heavily on the freshness of its ingredients. I’m big on fresh.

I found “my” ceviche place in Restaurant Bar Bahía while spending a few weeks in Todos Santos on the Baja Peninsula. I did not expect one in the Gallatin Valley.

Estrella del Mar, which means star of the sea, or starfish, is everything I want in fast casual dining.

It is healthy. It is fresh. It is fast. I’d say it would be perfection if it had a drive through, but then you

wouldn’t get the pleasure of meeting owner Michael Román.

Román’s already wide smile somehow widens as customers walk in the door of Estrella del Mar in Four Corners. His infectious enthusiasm for his food is on proud display. Román is a product of Montana and Ecuador, where his parents met in the Peace Corps. His stories of the places interweave as he talks. At one point he and his five siblings are helping run the family pizza joint in Forsyth, aptly named Forsyth Pizza and Beer. At another, he speaks about his father, a judge, needing to be in Ecuador to advance his career.

Like the homes the languages represent, Román easily switches back and forth between Spanish and English, even adapting his accent as he says the name of the restaurant. In Spanish, Estrella del Mar’s double “L” is pronounced like a “Y.” Sometimes Román says “es-trell-a” to connect the name with the spelling for English speakers. It sounds much more lyrical when he says “es-trey-a.”

Román has “loved ceviche for years and years and years.” Ready for a change, he opened Estrella del Mar this year after spending more than 20 years in the mortgage business.

Montana, he said, is also ready. Estrella del Mar’s concept was tested among small groups of friends and family here and in Ecuador. Both found it delicious and unexpected.

Michael Román brings Ecuadorian flavor to Bozeman. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

Estrella del Mar’s ceviche explores combinations of seafood and tropical fruits from Ecuador. It uses common Ecuadorian ingredients in ways that are uncommon in that region.

“They don’t necessarily use all of these tropical fruits they have for ceviche,” Román said.

Fruits like tree tomatoes, naranjilla and the elongated banana papaya known as taxo appear in Román’s marinades, hot sauces and juices.

While there are set recipes on the menu, I’ve been gravitating toward the build-your-own ceviche approach. Pick a marinade (my favorite of the moment is a combination of taxo and coconut lime). Pick your seafood (octopus and shrimp are parboiled, fish and scallops are cooked in citrus juices). Pick fresh fruit and veggie toppings like mango, avocado and onion. Pick some spicy peppers or add tree tomato ají. The ceviche is served in Ecuadorian style with plantain chips as well as white or brown rice.

“It’s the Chipotle of ceviche,” Román said, not wanting to associate with the chain but also knowing that it helps people understand the concept.

Currently, Estrella del Mar is experimenting with hot dishes to complement the ceviche and add a warm option for the coming winter season. I was as impressed by the intensity of flavor in the encocado, an Ecuadorian dish with fish and shrimp in a rich coconut sauce. And I’m drooling for another bowl of locro, a potato soup with cheese, cilantro and avocado.

“These flavor combinations are going to blow people away a little bit,” Román said While he talked, I stuffed myself, wanting to try each new dish on offer as well as eat a giant bowl of ceviche. I took more to-go and I was still back at Estrella del Mar two days later. What can I say?

I’m hooked.

Ceviche from Estrella del Mar in Four Corners. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

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.

ity

IT’S T I M E TO H E L P PROTEC T THE E L K AN D DE E R HERDS OF GAL L AT IN GATE WAY AN D B I G SKY

PHOTOS BY HOLLY PIPPEL

PROTECT THE LIVES OF ANIMALS AND YOUR FAMILY

1,322

ANIMAL CARCASSES BETWEEN WEST YELLOWSTONE, BIG SKY AND FOUR CORNERS BETWEEN 2011 AND 2020

24%

OF ALL REPORTED CRASHES INVOLVE WILD ANIMALS ALONG THE 37 MILES BETWEEN BEAVER CREEK IN BIG SKY AND FOUR CORNERS, NEARLY 5X THE NATIONAL AVERAGE Make your voice heard and petition for change, contact: Gallatin County Commissioners Office Zach Brown - Zach.brown@gallatin.mt.gov

Montana Department of Transportation Kyle Demars - kdemars@mt.gov

Animal Carcasses Collected

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 1. Support and donate the groups getting the work done!

Gallatin Valley Land Trust gvlt.org Center For Large Landscapes largelandscapes.org

2. Attend a public meeting about this topic.

Data sourced from MDT corridor study between Four Corners and Beaver Creek south of Big Sky from 2009 to 2018.

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24 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD

WOLVES AND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES ARE OFTEN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

Managing wolves or any animal is a dicey subject.

Some people want wolves protected and kept on the Endangered Species List forever, and others would prefer them managed hard and kept in check ‘so they don’t eat all the elk’ and stay away from livestock. There might be a few people who are indifferent to the ways of wildlife, while others are against hunting and trapping altogether. Wildlife management agencies are often in the crosshairs for managing too hard or not protecting species enough. Limiting the number of animals taken in certain regions is no easy job, and establishing quotas on wolves is no different, especially outside Yellowstone National Park. Either way, we wouldn’t be in this predicament of managing species if there was enough habitat left for all animals and certain animals weren’t overharvested or hated.

Montana wolf quota Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Wildlife Commission recently lowered wolf hunting quotas throughout the state, except in Region 3, bordering Yellowstone National Park. A quota is the number of wolves allowed to be harvested from a population through hunting or trapping per season. The FWP commission set the statewide hunting and trapping quota at 313 wolves for the 2023-24 season. This quota is lower than last year’s goal of 450 wolves but still aligns with the 2021 legislative goal of reducing the state’s wolf population by 40%.

According to data gathered last year, there were 121 wolves killed by hunters and 137 by trappers. Their quota allows six wolves to be removed from the management unit neighboring Yellowstone.

Most comments opposing their targeted quota wanted them lowered to one or two wolves for the Region 3 area bordering Yellowstone. Last year, hunters killed 82 wolves in that region alone.

Is there any reason to hang on and maintain that quota around Yellowstone when all it does is anger people against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks?

In pre-settlement days, North America was teeming with a robust wildlife population. Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals about seeing millions of bison and regularly encountering grizzlies and wolves. There was no wildlife management agency managing predators to save ungulates. Wolf packs are territorial and usually self-regulate if their numbers grow too large.

Habitat quality and quantity will also limit the number of animals in a population.

Predator control should never be conducted without meeting several criteria—knowing the number of predators in the area before removal begins, knowing the carrying capacity of predators a given habitat can support, knowing the number of breeding pairs and keeping that number stable, identifying a maximum number of predators that will be removed, and having a plan in place for measuring the success of the removal program and public support or opposition to it.

When European settlers arrived, wolves occupied most of North America. As settlers moved westward, wolf territory shrank, and wolves were extirpated from the East Coast to the Ohio River Valley by the 1880s. Gray wolves were pretty common throughout the Northwest until the 1900s. Wolves were prevalent throughout Montana when settlers arrived. Early fur trappers and explorers like Lewis and Clark encountered wolves regularly and jotted their sightings in journals. The first statewide bounty on wolves wasn’t set until 1884, when wolf eradication began. That first year, 5,450 wolves were collected. By 1936, they were mostly eradicated throughout the state, with the occasional dispersers coming down from Canada into the ‘50s and ‘60s. Still, those wolves were shot and killed whenever and wherever they were observed.

According to FWP, the state estimates that the wolf population for 2022 was around 1,087.

Trapping season usually starts the first Monday

My recent column discusses wolves’ recolonization of Montana in the early 80s. Fortunately, they were protected by the Endangered Species List in 1973. Otherwise, they would never have made the successful comeback that they have now.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has managed wolves since they were listed as endangered.

However, since Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began regulating wolves in 2009, it has been impossible to please everyone. That first year, hunters harvested 72 wolves.

A Yellowstone wolf in winter. PHOTO BY DIANE RENKIN / NPS

after Thanksgiving. The agency usually plans the date in hopes that grizzlies will be denning by then.

But there is no exact date that grizzlies den because every bear is different, seasons differ, and it depends on the habitat, slope, and elevation where each bear is denning. They usually prefer north-facing slopes because they hold snow the longest and are usually the coldest. Some areas are warmer at that time of year, while other areas of the state are colder. Many variables affect when bears decide to hibernate for the year. Climate warming also causes grizzlies to den later and emerge earlier, which may cause conflicts with wolf trapping seasons. FWP usually assesses this information based on radio collar data and reported sightings to make this determination and will open or close wolf trapping accordingly.

Trapping and hunting wolves is a very controversial topic. Some people are for managing wolves, while others are against it. Either way, harvesting wolves outside a national park should have a lower quota, especially after they were hit so hard over the last few years. Wildlife managers should allow buffer zones around places that have been historical recovery zones.

Hopefully, the day will come when public opinion returns to the middle regarding wolves, the misguided hatred will fall to the wayside, and they will be treated like any other animal in the state.

Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller with stories published in Outside, Adventure Journal, Popular Science, Field & Stream, Esquire, Sierra, Audubon, Earth Island Journal, Modern Huntsman, and other publications at his website www.benjaminpolley.com/stories. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana.

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26 November 2 - 15, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Explore Big Sky

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR

BY PAUL SWENSON EBS COLUMNIST

Imagine being a geologist during the late 1700s to early 1800s. James Dutton in Scotland has just published books on the “Theory of the Earth.”

He was going against the dogma of the day: a static, young Earth that’s only 6,000 years old. His theories were based on observations made on his family farm and the surrounding countryside. One location displayed upturned strata of sedimentary rocks truncated and overlain by horizontal layers of other sedimentary rocks. He noticed the sands and gravels in these rocks were remnants of even older rocks. Dutton proposed that entire mountain ranges were built up by some force, then eroded by streams and rivers and that this cycle happened many times.

A grizzly bear walking through glacial erratic rocks in the lower Lamar Valley. These rocks were transported more than 30 miles from the center of the Beartooth Range. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

One of the major ideas that came from his years of study is called Uniformitarianism: a theory that physical processes that occur today behaved the same way in the past. Not a huge leap of faith to believe this would be true, but for most scientists and general populous during Dutton’s time, it was unthinkable. He studied how slow erosion occurred and knew that the earth had to be really, really old.

The rock type of the Bacon Rind erractics can be found up the drainage about three to 10 miles to the west, which means the small glacier moved these rocks that distance down the valley. In Taylor Fork they have been moved about 10 miles from the Taylor-Hilgard range, and the rocks in the Lamar Valley have been transported up to thirty miles from the top of the Beartooth range.

So let’s take a walk across the countryside of Scotland. One notices rolling hills with large rocks dispersed throughout the view. Walking over to one of the rocks, it is found to consist of a rock type that is not found at this locale. The closest outcrop of this rock is over 50 miles away. How did they get here? This is not usual. Perhaps they could be described as erratic, something with unpredicted or unexpected behavior.

Referencing back to an article published last October in EBS, the glaciers of the greater Yellowstone region left piles of rock and gravel called moraines. This material moved along with the ice, and as the ice melted at the terminus, accumulated into piles and small hills known collectively as hummocky topography. This terminology can be traced back to its Scottish origin in the mid 1500s. Little did these Scots know that their word describing small conical hills would be used as a common geological term hundreds of years later.

The geologists at the time struggled to come up with an explanation. Was it moved by man? Was it a result of a flood? Some even thought these erratic rocks were a result of the “Great Flood.” This was called “diluvial” deposition, meaning deposited by a flood. The only problem: there was no other evidence for flooding anywhere else close to these rocks.

It wasn’t until 1840 when a Swiss-American, J.L.R. Agassiz, described that glacial processes were responsible. At the time, glaciers were thought to only exist in the high alpine regions of the world, so Agassiz’s hypothesis was not readily accepted.

For example, examples of erratic rocks can be

Hummocky topography at the mouth of Bacon Rind Creek. There are at least 12 glacial erratics measuring three or more feet in diameter.

PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

found in Central Park, New York, Plymouth Rock, Massachusettes, and all throughout the Midwest.

Some of these rocks are hundreds of miles from their sources. They got there by raftingalong with continental size ice sheets during the last glacial period.

The Big Sky region hosts some glacial erratic rocks. There are three conspicuous areas close by: the Bacon Rind region, the upper meadows along Taylor Fork, and the lower Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

Glacial erratic rocks at the mouth of Bacon Rind Creek in the hummocky topography of a terminal moraine. PHOTOS BY PAUL SWENSON

So when you are out and about this week, look for hummocky topography with large rocks that seems out of place. Walk over to one of these rocks and you could feel a little erratic without having to blame the change in weather.

Paul Swenson has been living in and around the Big Sky area since 1966. He is a retired science teacher, fishing guide, Yellowstone guide and naturalist. Also an artist and photographer, Swenson focuses on the intricacies found in nature.

27 November 2 - 15, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Explore Big Sky

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

THE WEST HAS TOO MANY VISITING HUNTERS WRITERS ON THE RANGE

rancher and founding member of the Montana Sportsmen Alliance. “That excludes residents.”

Hunting may be losing popularity nationally, but in the West the number of hunters is climbing.

Though hunting tourism may discourage some locals from hunting, It’s a windfall for state wildlife agencies while subsidizing license prices for residents.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2022 there were 10% fewer hunters across the country than there were when hunting peaked in the 1980s. At the same time, four Western states—Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Utah—saw more hunters than ever before.

Except for Utah, which reserves just 10% of its tags for non-residents, Western states such as Colorado, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico and Wyoming receive more than 60% of their license revenue from non-resident hunters.

BY ANDREW CARPENTER

A key driver of this trend is out-of-state hunters who have run out of luck in their home states: elk, deer and other big game species have declined precipitously in many parts of the nation.

“Opportunities to hunt elk are very limited where I live,” said Wisconsin resident Erik Rollefson. “My home state only has a few hundred elk and issues fewer than 10 elk hunting permits per year. I have a better chance to get a license in any Western state.”

Out West, big game hunting licenses are distributed in state-run lotteries. While most are reserved for local residents, some can be allotted to non-resident hunters. Hunter numbers are down 8% in New Mexico, but the state still reserves 16% of its licenses for non-residents.

That’s because non-residents pay so much more to hunt than residents do. The Wyoming Legislature recently passed a bill to increase certain kinds of non-resident elk licenses from $576 to $1,258, while a resident pays just $57.

Increasing costs for hunting licenses and what many say is crowding in the outback may finally reduce the ranks of out-of-state hunters. “It’s a big expense, and you don’t get to experience the wilderness if the mountains are overrun with hunters,” said Rollefson, the hunter from Wisconsin. “I’d rather go less often but have a higher-quality hunt, with fewer hunters and more animals.”

Joe Livingston, a public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said the agency’s approach is that “the animals take priority,”

although “crowding has become a factor.”

The agency is considering reducing the nonresident license allocation from 35% to 25%, a change expected to cost the state $1.4 million.

I live in Colorado, but I no longer hunt locally.

I support allocating fewer hunting licenses for visitors so that locals don’t feel locked out. I believe resident hunters and a local hunting culture that’s invested in public land and its wildlife deserve to take priority over hunting tourism. Those of us who live in the state are the ones who pay taxes, vote and volunteer to clean up trails in the mountains.

If locals lose interest in hunting because wild places have become crowded, and animal populations drop because deer and elk are over-pressured, the next generation of hunters will be seasonal tourists rather than year-round stewards of their local area.

We need to preserve the wildness we’ve got left in Colorado along with the wild animals that depend on it. To do that, local hunters need to come first when it comes to issuing licenses to hunt.

Andrew Carpenter is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He lives in Colorado.

Contrast that with Colorado, where as many as 35% of the licenses go to out-of-state hunters. Colorado also sells unlimited “overthe-counter” licenses that do not require a lottery entry to purchase. Policies like this have contributed to a whopping 26% more hunters in the state than there were in 2008.

It’s not surprising that many local hunters resent losing hunting opportunities to visitors.

“Many residents depend on hunting for food,” said Rebecca Bradley, a bow hunter from Colorado. “I’d prefer that the state reserve licenses for locals that want them before setting any aside for non-residents.”

Consider Montana, where hunter numbers are up almost 4%. Big Sky Country sold slightly fewer hunting licenses to residents from 2008 to 2021, but non-residents bought 35% more licenses over that same period. With more out-of-state hunters pressuring game, some residents tell me they’d rather stay home.

“The non-resident (hunter) numbers have gone up like crazy,” said Joe Perry, a Montana

Paonia, Colorado resident Dan Vigueria and bull elk, 2022. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRIZZLY BOWS LLC

28 November 2 - 15, 2023

ENVIRONMENT

Explore Big Sky

BIG SKY, MOUNTAIN TOWNS MEET IN VAIL TO WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION

BY LIZZIE PEYTON AND JERRY TINIANOW GUEST COLUMNISTS

Mountain towns compete with each other—for talent, grants, visitors and investments. In recent years, however, they have set the competition aside and collaborated to address human-caused climate change.

At the Mountain Towns 2030 conference in Vail, Colo. on Oct. 18 and 19, over 500 representatives of mountain towns, ski resorts, government agencies and nonprofits met to share ideas on how they could work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase environmental resilience, and influence other people and places to do the same.

MT2030 was launched in 2019 in Utah by the Park City Community Foundation. At its inaugural meeting that year, a small number of towns and businesses developed a coalition-driven organization to take on climate change. Mountain towns like Big Sky and the resorts within them are at risk of losing business and employment because of declining snowfall and related problems that climate change is already causing. Those problems are likely to worsen in the years to come, absent substantial reductions in human-caused emissions.

No single city, town, or resort can solve this problem alone. The hope is that by working together and finding allies, the worst effects of human-caused climate change can be avoided, particularly given that these mountain towns adore and thrive on their unfettered access to breathtaking wilderness.

Lizzie Peyton of Big Sky SNO and Jerry Tinianow of WestUrb explain how Big Sky is activating against climate change. PHOTO BY BRIAN SWEZY / MOUNTAIN TOWNS 2030

coordinating land use, housing and transit programs to make housing and transportation convenient and affordable.

One important moment for Montana during the conference came during a keynote presentation

by K.C. Becker, the administrator of region 8 of the U.S. EPA. Region 8 recently gave the Montana Department of Environmental Quality $3 million to develop a statewide plan to reduce GHG emissions.

Lizzie Peyton of Big Sky SNO and Jerry Tinianow of WestUrb explain how Big Sky is activating against climate change. PHOTO BY BRIAN SWEZY / MOUNTAIN TOWNS 2030

MT2030 includes “2030” because the latest report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that GHG emissions worldwide must be cut in half by 2030. Mountain towns know that they need to do better than half, because other places that are less at risk or have fewer resources may not act so assertively.

After getting off to a rousing start in 2019, MT2030 hit an immediate obstacle. The COVID pandemic prevented the group from meeting again until 2022. Its meeting that year, in Breckenridge, Colo., attracted a much larger audience than the first one in 2019. This year’s meeting in Vail brought an even larger turnout, showing that collaboration on climate change among mountain towns is increasingly seen as urgent.

Big Sky teaches and learns The Big Sky community was well represented at this year’s event. The Big Sky delegation included representatives from Big Sky Resort—as Boyne Resorts sponsors the conference—in addition to Lizzie Peyton, director of community sustainability with Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO), and representatives from Yellowstone Club and Lone Mountain Land Company.

On the first day of the conference, Peyton and Jerry Tinianow of WestUrb—a consultant assisting Big Sky SNO in implementing Big Sky’s Climate Action Plan released in February 2023—led a session on how to create a plan that would not just sit on a shelf. A room packed with leaders from mountain towns and ski resorts throughout North America learned how Big Sky has gotten

Mountain town climate activists from across North America attended the 2023 Mountain Towns 2030 conference in Vail. PHOTO

BY BRIAN SWEZY / MOUNTAIN TOWNS 2030

off to a fast start with its own climate action implementation, and how they could achieve similar success with a focus on local collaboration.

In addition to leading a discussion of climate action planning, Big Sky also showed leadership by being one of a handful of towns announcing commitments to specific actions. Big Sky SNO announced that, within the next year, it plans to launch a “Green Build Toolkit” as an online platform to help owners, architects, contractors, and developers to reduce GHG emissions from buildings while saving money over the life of those buildings.

The Big Sky contingent wasn’t just at the conference to teach and inspire; they were also there to learn. The group attended a variety of breakout sessions on topics ranging from how to reduce energy consumed by heating outdoor spaces like sidewalks and pools, to strategies used to influence sustainable behaviors by tourists, and tips on

In announcing the kickoff meeting for the planning effort earlier in the month, DEQ said it would use the money to plan for “measures that can effectively curb pollution without imposing additional regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals.”

Becker was asked whether the country could cut GHG emissions 50% by 2030 exclusively through measures that do not impose “additional regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals.”

Becker did not answer the question directly but did note that a new, much larger round of competitive implementation grants would be offered to states this spring. In deciding who receives those grants, she said, the EPA would decide which states had taken climate action planning seriously. Montana could be at a disadvantage if its statewide plan lacks ambition.

Defending against climate change won’t be easy. It’s comforting to know that Big Sky can turn to a large group of similar towns and resorts to share best practices and get the job done by working together.

In recent weeks, Big Sky SNO has hit the ground running in its efforts to implement the community climate action plan. It recently persuaded the Madison County Commission to begin the process of creating a “C-PACE District” in the county. This will open the door to affordable financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in commercial buildings in the county. Big Sky SNO is also organizing a training session next spring for HOA managers on how to incorporate sustainability and climate action into HOA operations, responding to expressions of interest by several of the area’s major HOA managers.

Lizzie Peyton is Big Sky SNO’s director of community sustainability. Jerry Tinianow is the proprietor of WestUrb and served as Denver’s chief sustainability officer from 2012 to 2019.

29 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

BUSINESS MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: ALDER & TWEED

EBS STAFF Down to the coffee maker—that’s how focused custom home designer Alder & Tweed is on the details when taking on a new project in Big Sky. Their team designs homes inspired by the wild and scenic landscape around us and with offices in Big Sky, Park City and New York, the Big Sky team understands the joining of modern sophistication and mountain living to create a home that will bring an owner’s vision to life.

For this Making it in Big Sky, Explore Big Sky sat down with Alder & Tweed’s Principal Owner Heather Humphrey to chat about designing in an already stunning landscape.

This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.

Explore Big Sky: Why Big Sky—what brought you here and what made your business a perfect fit?

Heather Humphrey: We started with the idea of creating amazing vacation homes, overseeing and appointing every detail down to the coffee maker, so people could enjoy what is most precious to them, free time doing what they love with their loved ones in their favorite places and what better place for that then beautiful Big Sky. With our first office in Park City, Utah, we absolutely love mountain communities and are inspired by their beautiful landscapes so Big Sky was a natural fit for us and our experience in high end design for mountain communities.

EBS: How have you adapted your services or offerings over the years you’ve been here?

HH: Our relationships are everything to us and because of that we are always adapting and expanding our offerings to fit the evolving needs of our partners and desires of our clients. We are always looking at our technologies and processes and resources to constantly evolve, innovate and deliver the latest and greatest to our clients. Today

Alder & Tweed’s team designs homes inspired by the wild and scenic landscape around us and understands how to bring an owner’s vision to life. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALDER & TWEED

we offer full service interior design specification (including documentation and artistic renderings) and complete housewares offerings for a truly turnkey experience.

to them, what they love and how they live. This process helps us to create a home away from home that our clients absolutely love and feel as cozy and comfortable in as they do their primary home.

EBS: Tell me about home design in Big Sky. What makes it unique, what are most clients searching for?

HH: With its awe inspiring landscapes Big Sky is such a unique place; it’s a small mountain community that’s big on design. Our work is inspired by and always pays homage to the breathtaking panoramic views. Specializing in vacation homes, our clients are open to taking risks and we are always pushing our creative boundaries in creating next level high-end design.

EBS: What is some of the best business advice you’ve ever received?

HH: Your reputation is your most valuable asset. Everything that you do and every aspect of your business should reinforce and elevate that reputation.

EBS: What is your goal when designing to help someone design their living space?

HH: When we create designs for clients our goal is always to get to know them, what is important

EBS: What else should we know about your business, or what else would you like the Big Sky community to know about you?

HH: We absolutely love the Big Sky community.

It is a special place that really feels like home to us and we are thrilled to be part of this vibrant community and welcome every opportunity to contribute to its incredible quality of life.

30 November 2 - 15, 2023

BUSINESS

Explore Big Sky

THE BIG SKY WAY FROM COMPASSION TO ACTION

BY DANIEL BIERSCHWALE EBS COLUMNIST

Big Sky wouldn’t be where it is today without the tireless efforts of local nonprofit organizations.

Our community is home to a remarkable number of nonprofits offering programming and services in areas from healthcare and recreation to conservation and arts.

These organizations provide essential services, create vibrant cultural events, enhance our local environment, and much more. At the time of publication, the Big Sky Resort Area District has 42 registered nonprofits doing business within district boundaries.

Nonprofit organizations primarily rely on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations to help fund their programs and initiatives. This fundraising plays a crucial role in supporting nonprofits’ mission-driven work and funding their budgets. Aggregate annual revenues tallied from financial statements submitted by this year’s Resort Tax grant applicants totaled nearly $24 million among 17 nonprofits. Approximately 55% of this funding is derived from fundraising efforts; 30% comes from public funds, and the remainder from other sources.

RiverView apartments under construction through a public-private partnership between the nonprofit Big Sky Community Housing Trust and Lone Mountain Land Company. COURTESY OF BSRAD

The power of collective impact is particularly effective for nonprofits because it allows them to pool resources, share knowledge, and tackle complex social challenges more effectively. By working together, nonprofits can achieve greater outcomes and promote positive, lasting change in their communities. It’s a powerful model that recognizes the interdependence of organizations and stakeholders in achieving shared goals.

Donations from individuals and business Many nonprofits generate revenue from individuals who donate financial resources. In many cases, donors also offer their expertise, networks and time to support these organizations. These relationships are stewarded through time, fostering long-term support for the mission.

In some cases, corporate support supplements fundraising efforts by engaging businesses with aligned values. Sponsorships are also ways for business support to contribute towards events, helping offset costs to generate a larger gain. This benefits the nonprofit through additional exposure and brand awareness as well as generating revenue.

Grants and philanthropy in Big Sky Grants are financial awards typically provided by a government agency, foundation or organization to support a specific project, research or initiative.

Based on the data from financial statements, grants are responsible for the largest portion of fundraising in Big Sky. Local grants from community foundations awarded a total of $2,699,708 between fall of 2022 and spring of 2023. These philanthropic organizations include: • Moonlight Community Foundation: focuses on community wellbeing by supporting initiatives for youth, education, conservation and underserved needs.

• Spanish Peaks Community Foundation: supports programs that have the greatest impact in community services, education, conservation and recreation, and the arts.

• Yellowstone Club Community Foundation: fosters philanthropy, volunteerism, and capacity building for organizations in the greater Big Sky region that are addressing the greatest needs in the areas of livability, healthy & wellness, environment, arts and education.

Big Sky Community Organization performs trail maintenance.

COURTESY OF BSRAD

Wellness in Action, Skyline Bus and Big Sky Thrift provide services to the Big Sky community. COURTESY OF BSRAD

Collective impact for the future As the demand for programs and services continues to increase, nonprofits are poised to take on an even more substantial role in our community. For those who were in Big Sky for the pandemic, you may remember the efforts of Big Sky Relief. This was a collaboration between many organizations demonstrating the power of collective impact.

Collective impact is an approach that brings together various stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, businesses, foundations, and community members, to tackle complex societal issues collaboratively.

Elevate Big Sky was created to build on the success of Big Sky Relief and the power of collective impact. Elevate Big Sky is not just an organization.

It’s a funders’ collaborative with a mission to center the community’s voice, leverage public and private funds, and increase efficiencies to sustain essential programs and projects that empower the Big Sky community to thrive. In essence, Elevate Big Sky fosters collaboration and financial support to ensure the success and growth of vital nonprofit initiatives.

Lend a hand... or a dollar As our community continues to grow, the demand for programs and services provided by local nonprofits will also increase. The success of this network relies on the support of each and every one of us. We will all need to contribute in a meaningful way to create a positive influence.

Find a nonprofit that resonates with your personal values and passions, and get involved. Not sure where to start? Volunteer Big Sky shows a myriad of volunteer opportunities tailored to your interests and availability.

Whether it’s through financial donations, volunteering your time, serving on a board, or using your skills and expertise, your commitment can have a profound and lasting impact on Big Sky. Daniel Bierschwale is the Executive Director of the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD). As a dedicated public servant, he is committed to increasing civic engagement and voter education. Many ballot issues impact government services and public funding including subsequent property tax impacts. BSRAD is the local government agency that administers Resort Tax, which offsets property taxes while also funding numerous community-wide nonprofit programs.

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RANCH TO TABLE TASTE THE B O O K N O W MONTANA DIFFERENCE ©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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1662 ARROWHEAD CONDOMINIUM - BIG SKY RESOR T - Uniquely furnished front row chalet with true ski-in/ski-out access - 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath lavish, stand-alone condominium - 2 fireplaces, sauna, indoor jacuzzi, and much more! $3,500,000 | MLS 385525

78 MEADOW VILL AGE, UNIT E - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! - Commercial condo in the Meadow Village Center - 2,115+/- sf of office space in the heart of Big Sky $1,580,000 | MLS 377559

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33 November 2 - 15, 2023

Explore Big Sky

A&E ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 15

If your next event falls between Nov. 16 - Nov. 29, please submit it to media@theoutlawpartners.com by Nov. 22.

THURSDAY, NOV. 2 Peer Support Drop-in Hours Big Sky Community Food Bank, 4:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8 Community Art Class Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 6 p.m.

Pickleball Open Play BASE, 6:30 p.m.

Trivia The Waypoint, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 3 Date Night BASE, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9 Open Pottery Studio Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 5:30 p.m.

All Levels Pick-up Volleyball BASE, 6 p.m.

The Monologue Show (From Hell) WMPAC, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 4 Spotlight on History: Mining in Montana Museum of the Rockies, 11 a.m.

The Monologue Show (From Hell) WMPAC, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 5 Life Drawing Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 1 p.m.

Collaging Fall Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 3 p.m.

All Ages Pick-up Basketball BASE, 4 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 6 Storytime BASE, 10:30 a.m.

Pick-up Futsal BASE, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOV. 7 Wine and Dine Tuesdays Rainbow Ranch Lodge, 5 p.m.

American Legion Off-Season Bingo Riverhouse BBQ & Grill, 5:30 p.m.

Pickleball Open Play BASE, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 10 All Levels Pick-up Volleyball BASE, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11 Big Sky Veterans Day Ruck Moving Mountains, 10 a.m.

Classic American Pies Wildflower (Montage), 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12 Life Drawing Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 1 p.m.

Collaging Fall Big Sky Arts Council (BASE), 3 p.m.

All Ages Pick-up Basketball BASE, 4 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 13 Storytime BASE, 10:30 a.m.

Pick-up Futsal BASE, 6 p.m.

HONORING VETERANS IN BIG SKY There are a variety of events in Big Sky to honor veterans this weekend for Veterans Day. Join one or all.

Annual Veterans Day program at Lone Peak High School Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.

This year's keynote speaker is Jamse Miranda, LPHS high school math teacher and former intelligence officer for the US Navy.

Veterans Day breakfast at BASE Nov. 11 from 8 - 10 a.m.

BSCO will be holding their 2nd Annual Veterans Day Breakfast at BASE. Food provided by Cafe 191.

Veterans Day Ruck Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

Join Big Sky Bravery and Moving Mountains as they celebrate our Veterans and give back to the community by providing food for the Big Sky Community Food Bank.

Ruck from the gym to Hummocks Trail with canned food you intend to donate in your “ruck.” Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/MT/BigSky/ BigSkyBraveryVeteransDayRuck

TUESDAY, NOV. 14 Wine and Dine Tuesdays Rainbow Ranch Lodge, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 15 The Odyssey WMPAC, 7 p.m.

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help Getting Sober?

Contact A.A. - We’re alcoholics helping other alcoholics stay sober.

Call 1-833-800-8553 to talk to an A.A. member or Get the Meeting Guide app or Go to aa-montana.org for virtual and face-to-face meeting times and locations

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URBANFARMBOZEMAN.COM | 406.995.2404 All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. These offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you currently have a listing agreement or buyer broker agreement with another agent, this is not a solicitation to change. ©2023 Outlaw Realty www.outlaw.realty

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Providing exceptional service to buyers and sellers of Big Sky properties for 30 years. ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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37 November 2 - 15, 2023

FUN

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WORK WHERE YOU PLAY. B2 UrgentCare at Big Sky is ramping up for the 2023/2024 ski season.

We are currently looking for patient care techs and a radiology tech.

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PEAK SKIS SHOWROOM Located in Bozeman, en route to Big Sky, the Peak Skis Showroom is a place to shop our lineup of skis, browse fine goods crafted by Montana locals; or just hang out at one of our movie premieres, ski clinics, and barbecues.

245 Quail Run Road Bozeman, MT 59718

(406)-577-8328 peakskis.com