Explore Big Sky - September 8 to 21, 2022 by Outlaw Partners

DENIM RULES IN THE RUT MOUNTAIN RUN BIG HORN SPORTS ARE BACK TOWN CENTER OWNERS ASSOCIATION UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP TRES TOROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENS DOORS UPHOLDING TRADITION, PINKY AND THE FLOYD WRAP MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS September 7 - 21, 2022 Volume 13 // Issue #18

Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

After gloriously suffering through the 28K and 50K events in the daunting Rut Mountain Runs at Big Sky Resort, writer and runner Mira Brody decided to take on a whole different challenge for the race’s 10th year: running the vertical kilometer from the base of Big Sky Resort to the summit of Lone Mountain—in jean shorts.

Both the Music in the Mountains and local Pink Floyd cover band Pinky and the Floyd formed in 2008. Years later, the two created tradition together when Pinky and the Floyd started closing out Big Sky’s beloved concert series with a lively, crowdfavorite performance.

For the September 22, 2022 issue: September 14, 2022

OPENING SHOT 292512149

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

Sophia Breyfogle | sophia@theoutlawpartners.com

MARKETING MANAGER

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

EVENTS AND MARKETING COORDINATOR

Turn to page 12 to read more about this grueling race and the traditions that make this three-day mountain running festival such a special event.

MEDIA AND EVENTS DIRECTOR

Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com

DENIM RULES IN THE RUT MOUNTAIN RUNS

CONTRIBUTORS explorebigsky #explorebigskyexplorebigsky @explorebigsky

ON THE COVER:

TRES TOROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENS DOORS

Treston Wold | treston@theoutlawpartners.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOWN CENTER OWNERS ASSOCIATION UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP

OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@outlaw.partners

EDITORIAL

Jason Bacaj | jason@theoutlawpartners.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SALES AND OPERATIONS

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

EDITORIAL POLICY

FUNOPINIONBUSINESSAREGIONALENVIRONMENTSPORTSLOCALOBITUARY&E4320128622242933

September 8 - 21, 2022

CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGIST

MANAGING EDITOR

Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

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.

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.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

CORRECTIONS Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

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

VP OF SALES

Julia Barton | julia@theoutlawpartners.com

DIGITAL PRODUCER

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.

Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com

EJ Daws | ej@theoutlawpartners.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG SKY RESORT

Bella Butler | bella@theoutlawpartners.com

PUBLISHER

ME Brown | maryelizabeth@theoutlawpartners.com

BIG HORN SPORTS ARE BACK

Gabrielle Gasser | gabrielle@theoutlawpartners.com

UPHOLDING TRADITION, PINKY AND THE FLOYD WRAP MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Montana State University students cheered on the Bobcats in their season opening ‘Gold Rush’ football game on Sept. 3. In an exciting game against the McNeese State Cowboys, the Bobcats emerged victorious with a final score of 40-17. PHOTO BY GRAYSON TIMON

After Lone Mountain Land Company acquired the remaining land in Town Center from the Simkins family in May, it also assumed management of the Town Center Owners Association. In July, LMLC hired John Bowersox from Big Sky as TCOA community manager.

CREATIVE

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

Volume 13, Issue No. 18

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com

The mighty Lone Peak High School Big Horns have once again hit the field and the court for another round of exciting fall sports in Big Sky.

Molly Absolon, Tara Ayers, Jessie Bough, Scott Brown, Kate Eisele, Frank Eltman, Rick Graetz, Haley Houghteling, Scott Mechura, Chloe Nogaret, Joseph T. O’Connor, Dave Pecunies, Micah Robin, Benjamin Spiker, Shannon Steele, Paul Swenson, Grayson Timon, Cy Whitling, Todd Wilkinson

With the same focus on culture and experience that he brought to Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge, local restauranteur Twist Thompson and his partners, Brandon Blanchard and Josh Sauers, opened the doors to their new Mexican restaurant, Tres Toros, on Sept. 8.

Pro trail runner and North Face athlete Jennifer Lichter smiles as she runs in the Rut 50K race on Sept. 4. Lichter finished as the top female in the 50K for the second year in a row and fourth overall with a time of 6 hours 14 minutes and 58 seconds.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

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 REGISTRA TION 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. A legendary ranch located on the Jack Creek Road outside of Moonlight Basin, Big Sky Resort, Madison Valley, and Yellowstone National Par. You cannot put into words how magnificent this property is. Historically run as a summer guest ranch, all 160 acres are fenced and have corrals for horses. Large barn and outbuildings for vehicle maintenance and storage, an indoor tennis court, a spring-fed pond, Jack Creek, and Mill Creek run year-round through the property and it includes water rights. Adorable historically preserved log cabin homes. Lodge with commercial kitchen and enormous artisan stone fireplace where you can gather telling stories of your adventures from the day either fly fishing, horseback riding, skiing, hiking and so much more! This is an incredibly beautiful and picturesque ranch to complement your property in Big Sky or to leave the city and get back to nature in a setting that looks like it is out of the movies! With no zoning, you can run it as a business-create the ultimate guest ranch, or keep it for your private use.

DIAMOND J RANCH

EVERY 14 EXPLOREBIGSKY.COMDAYS Sign up at explorebigsky.com Pick up at 300 locations in Big Sky and Bozeman TOWN CRIER EXPLORENEWSLETTEREMAILBIGSKYNEWSPAPER ONE MEDIA OUTLET 1 MILLIONDAILYREADERS 5 x PER WEEK Want local news? FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: @explorebigsky & explorebigsky.comfacebook.com/explorebigsky

All Day | Community-Wide

GOVERNMENT Learn how to plug in and help the people & organizations that make Big Sky the community we love.

FRIDAY, OCT. 7

COMMUNITY

3:00 PM | The Wilson Hotel

Join the discussion with this casual opportunity to network & engage with the leaders of the community organizations working to make Big Sky Better Together.

Learn about the implementation of the “Our Big Sky Community Vision & Strategy” by joining community leaders serving in coordination of plan strategies, initiatives, & projects.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5

5TH ANNUAL BUILDERS FORUM & ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

PANEL DISCUSSION: WATER SUPPLY

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT WORK: FALL COMMISSION/BSRAD MEETING

PANEL DISCUSSION: TRANSPORTATION

5:30 PM | Warren Miller Performing Arts Center

I NPERSO N

2:00 PM | Zoom

Gain a deeper understanding of how elected officials in our region use the tools at their disposal to build a

5:00 PM | Montage Big Sky

VOTER EDUCATION

MONDAY,

12:00 PM | Zoom

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

9:00 AM | The Wilson Hotel

PANEL DISCUSSION: HOUSING

Engage in thoughtful dialogue with key private & public organizations charting the future of development in Big Sky with presentations from Lone Mountain Land Company, Big Sky Resort, & others, as well as, a deep dive into the story our economics in Big Sky tells, with a report from the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District.

WEEK 2022 Engage with public & private partners as they tackle some of Big Sky’s current challenges & opportunities.

2ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY EXPO

OCT. 3 VIRTUAL GIVE BACK BIG SKY 5:00 PM | Location TBD Big Sky is deeply rooted in a culture of giving & generosity. Join local foundations & philanthropic arms of local nonprofits. Learn more about their efforts & find out how to give back to your cause. I NPERSO N I NPERSO N VIRTUAL VIRTUAL I NPERSO N VIRTUAL I NPERSO N VIRTUAL I NPERSO N I NPERSO N VIRTUAL VIRTUAL I NPERSO N VIRTUAL I NPERSO N more info @ BigSkyCommunityWeek.com

Most

Big Sky’s locally elected officials (Big Sky Resort Area District, Gallatin County Commissioners, & Madison County Commissioners) meet bi-annually to act & focus on the most important topic – YOUR community.

TUESDAY, OCT. 4

October 3rd - 7th are familiar with the old saying “the world is run by those who show up” but where do you show up? year the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and Big Sky Resort Area District are teaming up to bring you Community Week 2022, a choose your own community engagement adventure. Join the conversations that matter most to YOU!

LUNCH & LEARN: OUR BIG SKY IMPLEMENTATION

8:00 AM | Big Sky Visitor Center

2022 faced Montanans with unique & unprecedented natural disasters, ranging from floods to fires. Hear from the team that works day in & day out to keep Big Sky safe & well prepared for emergencies in this virtual discussion.

COFFEE with COMMUNITY LEADERS

8:00 AM | Big Sky Visitor Center

2:00 PM | Zoom

The community of Big Sky certainly has some of the most committed & generous citizens with big hearts for important volunteer projects. Get your hands dirty while supporting your community.

BIG IDEAS

The water we drink is a necessity of life & helps nourish our spectacular natural landscape. Learn more about the data being used to conserve & plan around this critical resource in this virtual discussion.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6

12:00 PM | The Wilson Hotel

One of the most valuable ways to engage in your community is by electing officials who align with your vision for your region. Inform your upcoming vote by learning about the issues on the ballot & meet the candidates for the November elections.

The housing initiatives your community leaders are embarking upon are becoming models of public & private partnerships. Join experts to peel back the layers of this complex issue in this virtual discussion.

VOLUNTEER BIG SKY

COFFEE with COMMUNITY LEADERS

Learn more from transportation experts & how they are working to improve the operation of the Big Sky transportation system in this virtual discussion.

Join the discussion with this casual opportunity to network & engage with the leaders of the community organizations working to make Big Sky Better Together.

This showcase of community-driven organizations helps those wondering – how does Big Sky work? Stop at booths & learn a little or take deep dive with representatives from community organizations in a walkable expo format.

Big Sky, Montana thoughtful community.

This

12:00 PM | Zoom

PANEL DISCUSSION: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Wayne Elton Lee was born in Minot, North Dakota, but grew up in Max, North Dakota on a wheat farm. He was a farm boy at heart and loved the land. His life’s work revolved around it. Wayne passed away suddenly on Aug. 19 from a thoracic aneurysm. Throughout his life, he lived in Los Angeles, California, Escondido, California, and Cortez, Colorado, before retiring to Big Sky, Montana, and recently spent time in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Big Sky Chapel at P.O. Box 160792, Big Sky, Montana 59716. Wayne would like everyone to ski a tree run or have a powder day for him!

Explore Big Sky6 September 8 - 21, 2022

Wayne was generous and engaging, but also a thorough task master. He

A memorial service will be held at the Big Sky Chapel, Sept. 10 at 10:00

Wayne worked for Bethlehem Steele after graduating from North Dakota State University. He then went on to start Project Properties Inc. with good friend and business partner Bill Smith. Wayne was a farmer and a professionally licensed land surveyor in five states for forty years. He owned Four Corners Surveying, where he worked with long-time business partner Randy Bouet.

Arrangements are in the care of DokkenNelson Funeral Service.

WAYNE ELTON LEE OBITUARY

Wayne was a volunteer firefighter for the Lewis Arriola Fire Department during his time in Cortez, where he worked tirelessly to improve the firehouse and their equipment. He was also a volunteer soccer coach for many years. During his time in Big Sky, he worked hard for the Lone Moose Homeowners Association and worked to make U.S. Highway 191 safer for everyone. He also enjoyed the friendships and time spent singing

Wayne had a lifetime of love with the love of his life, Ginger (Flora Virginia) Lee. They were lucky enough to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary right before he passed away. He is also survived by son and daughter-in-law, John & Janelle Lee of Spokane, Washington; son, Curtis Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two grandsons, Dylan and Sebastian Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, David Lee; sister-inlaw, Jackie Brummel of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law, Loren Kjonaas of Bismarck, North Dakota; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; lifelong friends, Dave and Joan Milbrath of Sagle, Idaho; and not enough ink to list all of his many friends.

was a mentor to many and had a strong love of life. He was always willing to share his opinion with everyone whether you asked for it or not. He was a fierce patriot! His passion was snow skiing in the winter, especially father/son ski trips and golfing the rest of the year. His family thinks he is the only person to have read the entire internet. Wayne was a huge supporter of North Dakota State University Football and loved to cheer them on for their numerous wins at the National Championship in Frisco, Texas. Go Bison!

in the Community Choir. Some even considered him a renaissance man! Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Bernice Lee; and his sister, LaVon Kjonaas.

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Explore Big Sky8 September 8 - 21, 2022

EBS STAFF

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said in a statement that Johnstone had a track record of applying the law without personal bias.

EBS STAFF

The Moose Fire near Salmon, Idaho, which has grown to over 100,000 acres, and the 60,000-acre Double Creek Fire in Oregon, are two primary sources of the smoke obscuring views in the Gallatin Valley.

Opening weekend for Montana college football saw exciting home games for the Montana State University Bobcats and the University of Montana Grizzlies, with both teams securing wins in front of packed crowds.

Anthony Johnstone is a former solicitor for the state of Montana who has taught at the University of Montana since 2011. He previously worked at a private firm and clerked for Judge Sidney Thomas, who stepped down last year as chief judge for the 9th Circuit.

The Grizzlies hosted the Northwestern State Demons the same night, closing out the Demons 47-0. Senior quarterback Lucas Johnson, a graduate transfer from San Diego State, threw four touchdown passes to lead UM to the victory.

Jerod, 37, faces 51 to 63 months in prison while Joshua, 38, faces 41 to 51 months under federal sentencing guidelines. Both brothers have agreed to pay $2,000 each in restitution toward the $1.5 million in damages done to the Capitol as a result of the insurrection.

EBS STAFF

LOCAL

VISTA FINALIZES PURCHASE OF SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS

MISSOULA – President Joe Biden has nominated a University of Montana law professor to be a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Following the acquisition, Vista plans to separate its brands into two companies: Outdoor Products and Sporting Products. Simms will be included within the Outdoor Products company, which Vista has said will be renamed later. The new company will be headquartered in Bozeman, according to a Vista press release announcing the change.

HELENA – A pair of brothers from East Helena have pleaded guilty to obstructing official proceedings for their breach of the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

BIG SKY – A hot and dry couple of weeks have seen a rise in Western wildfires, bringing smoke to the Gallatin Valley from neighboring states and increased fire danger in Yellowstone National Park.

END OF SUMMER BRINGS SMOKE, INCREASED FIRE DANGER

The 9th Circuit has 29 judgeships and is one the busiest federal appeals courts in the nation.

Vista Outdoor Inc. finalized its $192.5 million purchase of Bozeman-based Simms Fishing Products on Aug. 23.

The pair were arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, and released two months later on their own recognizance.

BOBCATS, GRIZZLIES WIN HOME FOOTBALL OPENERS

His nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Three small wildland fires have ignited and since been contained in Yellowstone this summer, marking the beginning of the park’s wildfire season. The current fire danger rating across Yellowstone was raised to “very high” on Sept. 6.

It handles thousands of cases annually from federal judicial districts in nine Western states, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Simms is the third company based in the Gallatin Valley purchased by Vista, joining Stone Glacier and BLACKHAWK. Vista is the parent company of more than three dozen outdoor brands, including CamelBak, Giro and Remington Ammunition.

BIDEN TAPS MONTANA LAW PROFESSOR TO BE 9TH CIRCUIT JUDGE

Jerod and Joshua Hughes were among the first people to enter the Capitol during the insurrection, authorities said, climbing through a broken window.

EBS STAFF

The Bobcats took on McNeese State on Aug. 3 in the annual ‘Gold Rush’ game. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott threw a pair of touchdown passes and junior running back Lane Sumner ran for 168 years, providing the Bobcats with a comfortable 40-17 win.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MONTANA BROTHERS PLEAD GUILTY IN JAN. 6 INSURRECTION

Community-based housing will be a focus, according to Kidd, including apartments, townhouses and single-

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

family homes. The other focus for LMLC, Kidd said, will be continuing to develop Town Center as a community hub that helps to promote local businesses and stabilizes shoulder seasons.

In addition to managing TCOA, Bowersox also manages the Spanish Peaks Owners Association which includes the Inspiration Point sub-association and he will be managing some employee housing developments as well. He brings several years of managerial experience in the hospitality industry to his new role and said that the transition to heading up owners associations is a welcome change.

Now, Schreiner said he has seen visitation and demand for services and activities in Town Center grow to an overwhelming point.

Explore Big Sky9 September 8 - 21, 20222 LOCAL

“One of my biggest goals in the new role is to maintain what Town Center is, what it’s become and what it could be,” Bowersox said. “It’s the social, cultural hub of Big Sky and to be able to maintain…the landscaping, the streets, parking lots, homes, all of that kind of stuff, to the level that it should be to continue to make Big Sky a great place to live, work, etc.”

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Andrew Schreiner, co-owner of Grizzly Outfitters, remembers when the Town Center was largely sage brush fields and Greg Iszler, site services contractor with Rocky Mountain Townworks, who was with TCOA since day one, took care of snow removal with his four-wheeler. A member of TCOA, Grizzly has been in its location off Ousel Falls Road since 2005 and Schreiner has watched the Town Center and the owners association grow over the years.

In his new position Bowersox, who previously worked as the assistant general manager of Buck’s T-4, will lead TCOA’s efforts in maintenance including landscaping and snow removal as well as hosting events and marketing TCOA businesses. With the support of media and events contractor Erik Morrison and his company, Love Street Media, TCOA will also continue hosting its Big Sky traditions including the weekly farmers market in the summer, the Christmas Stroll and Haunted Peaks Festival around Halloween.

“[Managing TCOA is] a big job compared to what it used to be,” he said.

Schreiner said he looks forward to seeing TCOA maintaining Town Center and putting Big Sky’s best foot forward for visitors. One of the most critical pieces of that, Schreiner said, is continuing to communicate closely with businesses and making sure snow removal is prompt in the morning for places to open in the winter.

“It just is critical to the future success of the entire community to have a really strong retail, restaurant and activity center for people to come and it’s a big project,” Schreiner said.

John Bowersox took over as community manager of the Town Center Owners Association in July. PHOTO BY TARA AYERS

While LMLC Managing Director Matt Kidd told EBS at the time of the acquisition that nothing specific was planned for the future of Town Center, he said the developer envisions a mix of residential, commercial, hospitality, and parks and trails development.

As Bowersox settles into his new role, he said he’s received guidance from Ben Holst, director of property management at LMLC, who has plenty of association management experience and has helped make the transition smoother.

BIG SKY – As part of its May acquisition of the remaining land in the Town Center from the Simkins Family, local developer Lone Mountain Land Company this year assumed management of the Town Center Owners Association. John Bowersox started as community manager for the TCOA in July with a focus on maintaining the major local hub as well as managing it for the growth to come.

“[TCOA has] been great for us throughout all the years,” Schreiner said. “…They have really supported the community of Big Sky because they’ve built what people want to see when they come to a ski resort. Bringing in more businesses and bringing in more activities and shopping and things for people to do is really important for all the businesses and Big Sky to be successful.”

Explore Big Sky10 September 8 - 21, 2022 LOCAL

“We all went into this knowing this is a learning curve and every time you do any kind of a drill, there’s usually a lot of things that you find that we could improve on,” she said. “I’m really excited with how it went inside the ER.”

Three Big Sky Fire Department personnel load a severely injured patient into an ambulance.

“I really appreciate Big Sky Fire putting on this drill and of course, we always appreciate the volunteers for coming in,” she said.

this are important for staff to work through and make decisions about how to allocate resources to best serve patients.

“I feel like it’s not an if, it’s a when, and so we want to be prepared for something in case a catastrophic event happened,” he said.

time, according to Big Sky Deputy Fire Chief Seth Barker, meaning the responders made use of the resources available rather than calling in extra staff to keep the response realistic. In total, Barker said the fire department responded with two ambulances and a fire engine with a total of six personnel. The YC fire department responded with one ambulance, one command staff and a total of three personnel.

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Coleman added that since Big Sky Medical Center is a small facility with limited resources, trainings like

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Grand Targhee Resort is a year-round mountain resort situated in the Western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming. Located in the CaribouTarghee National Forest it’s a mountain biker and adventure-lovers paradise. The mountain serves up over 70 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and biking, including 18+ miles of liftserved downhill trails and 50+ miles flowing cross-country trails. Plan your next adventure and escape to the Tetons this summer.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER TETONS

In the scenario, a rafting bus had crashed and flipped near Deer Creek, blocking traffic on U.S. Highway 191 and injuring 15 people. This meant the only outside resources the agencies could draw on were the Hebgen Basin Fire District and the YC fire Thedepartment.drillwasreal

The patients were ultimately transferred to the Big Sky Medical Center where the hospital staff took over Chaneycare.Coleman, trauma program coordinator and staff nurse at the medical center, said she was happy with the way the drill went.

The drill was a way for the agencies to practice their emergency response, mobilize resources, and ensure they’re all prepared to best serve the Big Sky community during an emergency.

“This is a very huge, collaborative drill between all agencies that are working together for a common goal of making sure we’re addressing the community’s needs and identifying target hazards,” he said.

LOCAL AGENCIES CONDUCT EMERGENCY DRILL

B R I N G T H E F A M ! A L T A W Y . | W W W . G R A N D T A R G H E E . C O M | 8 0 0 . 8 2 7 . 4 4 3 3

It took 47 minutes to triage and transport all the “Thepatients.guysdid a really good job today,” Barker said.

S U M M E R A T T A R G H E E

The drill was executed well, Barker said, and benefited everyone involved.

BIG SKY – The Big Sky Fire Department, Yellowstone Club Fire Department, Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department collaboratively ran a Mass Casualty Incident Drill on Aug. 30 responding to a mock bus crash in the Gallatin Canyon.

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CHAFING TO THE TOP DURING THE RUT’S LONE MOUNTAIN VERTICAL KILOMETER, DENIM RULES ALL

SPORTS

for the 28K or 50K, you’re carefully balancing your months leading up to the event cramming in vertical and endurance training, with a heaping side of heat and elevation acclimation and nutrition management, before carefully tapering in the lead up to the big event.

Training for this bite-sized Rut looked lot different than in years past. To train

1. A combination of the words "jean" and "shorts" used to describe the hideous attire.

David Sinclair of Norden, California won the 50K race with a time of 5 hours 4 minutes and 17 seconds breaking the previous all time course record by 5 minutes.

rugged triangle of stacked granite rocks. We all know each other well up here.

weekend. There’s also the Runts Run, a chaotic children’s 1K loop with hay bale Thisobstacles.year,agroup of friends, with whom I have shared the trails with for years, decided to take on the VK with carefully coordinated outfits. Our denim garb was another one of those strange aforementioned traditions; the “jorts division” is a celebrated podium achievement that grants one male and one female finisher who completes the VK in jorts with a fine denim vest to wear with pride.

Jorts

BY MIRA BRODY

“How many times have you done this?” asked the runner behind me between gasps as the air thins around us. He was in direct eye-level with the black elk antler tattoo above my right elbow, the mark of someone who is very familiar with the shenanigans that take place during this annual mountain running festival. Local artist Drew Clendenin had inked me with the race’s familiar logo last year alongside thousands of others as a part of the Rut’s string of strange annual “Twenty-eight,traditions.twice,”

The Bone Crusher ridgeline veers skyward as we near the end, providing a crisp view of the surrounding mountains I’ve trained on over the years: Sphinx with her stark red soil and sloping summit; Gallatin Crest to the east, a band of glacial-carved, flower-speckled ridges and cirques; the Bridgers, familiar and shrouded slightly in September wildfire smoke; and Gallatin nestled in the Spanish Peaks to the north, an imposing,

Two friends who have finished before me are waiting with smiling faces as I crest the top, a peak most usually reached by way of the Lone Peak Tram whose gears and cables are already ferrying people back down the mountain. The flattest section of the course is the last 20 feet and I make a few victorious strides toward the line that will trigger my bib chip to stop my race time, welcoming me in at a modest 1 hour and 41 minutes. The sun is hot on my skin, marking the beginning of an unseasonably warm September weekend.

BIG SKY – I’ve sweated through my jorts. I’m somewhere around mile 1.5 at an elevation of 9,000 feet on the unrelenting spine of Bone Crusher, a prominent ridgeline jutting off Big Sky Resort’s Lone Mountain. It’s Rut Mountain Run weekend and somehow, I’ve once again found myself in this great peak’s presence begging for mercy, this time in a pair of denim cutoffs, festive glitter smeared across my sweaty face.

Explore Big Sky12 September 8 - 21, 2022

Now in its 10th year, the Rut Mountain Runs is a three-day mountain running festival that draws thousands of pain- and peak-addicted runners from all over the world. The series was founded in 2013 by North Face athletes Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe who designed the courses to be nothing short of brutal.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

The VK course sends runners from the Big Sky Resort base area to the summit of Lone Mountain over the span of 2.85 miles. While that may sound like a short distance, the finish line sits at 11,166 feet above sea level, 3,632 feet higher than the start line of the race—that’s one kilometer of elevation gain over less than 5 kilometers of distance, or the VK. It’s essentially an exposed stair climber made from scree and the blood, sweat and tears of those ahead of you.

We cheer the whole squad home and wait in line to descend back to the base area via the Tram with the other 239 VK finishers. The Tram car pulls from its dock and as we move down, revealed are the mountain’s sharp crags, chutes and bands of dacite rock of alternating color, marking the epoch that took place before we were here to climb it. As we move toward where began our journey, we revel in yet another grand adventure spent on Lone Mountain.

Writer Mira Brody ascends Bone Crusher ridge up to the peak of Lone Mountain. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIRA BRODY

Instead, this week I had spent time at local thrift stores looking for a pair of jorts with the perfect amount of character, stretch and fray. I ultimately settled on a pair of well-loved Levi’s that had been hand-cut by the previous owner, the pockets hand-sewn in places their scissors had strayed—this was exactly the kind of positive, creative energy I needed with me to summit Lone Mountain.

2. Adorned by intrepid Rut runners looking for extra glory; a major source of chafe. (n.) /jôrts/

“Nice work,” said a couple Big Sky ski patrollers as we pass. They’re staggered strategically along the ridge watching carefully for the missteps that are easy to take in this narrow, wobbly scree trail.

I gasped back, referring to the 28K. “Fifty last year. First VK.”

Rut events include the VK, a vertical kilometer from the base area to the top of Lone Mountain; the 11K, a familyfriendly trail run up and over Andesite Mountain; the 28K, all the hard portions of the 50K, condensed into a shorter distance; and the 50K, the 31-mile, 10,500-foot gain crown jewel of the

Near the summit of Lone Mountain, the trail becomes so steep you’re using your hands to navigate just as much as your feet and the sweet sound of cowbells and cheers can be heard from spectators mere yards from that welcome finish line. My pace is so slowed that my watch fails to calculate my speed. “Running” is a relative term in the mountains, but we keep moving nonetheless.

More than 200 athletes started the VK at 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Kids leap over hay bale obstacles during the 1K Rut Runts Run on Saturday, Sept. 3. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

At the starting line, spectators held up signs and cheered the VK runners on. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Gabe Joyes (in blue) runs by the Andesite aid station accompanied by his family during the 50K race on Sept. 4. Joyes completed the trifecta, running the VK, 28K and 50K over three days and finishing in the top ten in each race. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Explore Big Sky13 September 8 - 21, 20222 SPORTS

A volunteer squeezes a sponge full of ice-cold water over Keaton Rich’s head to cool him down. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

VK runners head up Calamity Jane towards the Bone Crusher ridge. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Volunteers James Pyke (left) and Jennie Bender (Right) dressed up in capes to cheer 28K runners on at the Swiftcurrent aid station.

One 50K runner sporting a “No one cares that you ran Baldy hat” smiles and high-fives a volunteer at the Andesite aid station.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

BIG SKY – It’s Friday night at the Big Horn Coliseum, the new turf field complex at Lone Peak High School. The sky radiates pink as the sun drops behind the mountains and the stadium lights and scoreboard paint a hazy glow around the field. The smell of burgers wafts on the breeze and a chorus of “Let’s go Big Horns!” echoes from the stands. Parents and fans donning Big Horn blue greet each other, and kids too young to play varsity football instead play catch on the sideline, shooting admiring glances at the high school athletes.

The Lady Big Horns celebrate a kill during their Aug. 27 match against the Sheridan Lady Panthers. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

One LPHS parent, Bobbi Gilbert, stuck around to watch the football game after seeing her children compete in the earlier soccer games. The Gilberts came to Big Sky after spending time living in Washington, D.C. and Bobbi said it’s been fun to reconnect with other families after a summer apart.

towns were eager to watch the teams battle it out after the Big Horns claimed a heart-pounding Homecoming win over the Mustangs last year in an overtime game. This year, the Mustangs claimed redemption over the Big Horns 46-19.

“The biggest thing that I really like about being here and the small-town sports compared to the larger stuff we’ve done, historically, is just the

“We’recoverage.certainly

excited about the talent that we have,” Farr said. He and his coaching staff are looking forward to honing that talent throughout the season, he added.

SPORTS

Freshman Cate Leydig (9) dribbles by a Lady Bronc defender on Aug. 27.

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

SOCCER, FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL GAMES KICK OFF FALL SPORTS AT LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL

The return of the Big Horns served as a great reminder of the way these sports serve as a centering point for the Big Sky community.

Explore Big Sky14 September 8 - 21, 2022

It’s the first football game of the year for LPHS. This past weekend, the football, volleyball and soccer teams took the court and the field to play a total of nine games between Aug. 26 and 27, kicking off the 2022 fall sports season.

“It takes a whole town to put a football game on like this,” said Jeremy Harder, assistant coach of the boys’ soccer team and longtime LPHS sports announcer over the loudspeakers at the football game.

The season's inaugural game pitted the Big Horns against the Ennis Mustangs, and fans from both

Big Horns Defensive Coordinator Adam Farr said the younger Big Horn team didn’t execute on certain plays, adding that they have some work to do on offensive blocking and defensive pass

BIG HORNS FANS TURN OUT FOR SEASON OPENERS

Junior Colter Smit (13) dribbles the ball by a Yellowjacket defender during the Aug. 26 game. PHOTO JULIA BARTON

Despite the ultimate defeat, Big Horns fans ran up and down the sidelines for more than two hours, keeping the energy high.

LPHS senior Max Romney echoed Gilbert, saying he enjoys the culture of Class C sports here in Big “EnnisSky.has got their whole town here,” Romney said at the football game. “Everybody cares about the team and is supportive and loud, comes to games and really contributes to the teams.”

“For their first time playing together, I could not be happier with the hustle they put in and the hard work that they showed,” said Head Coach Bailey Dowd.

“It went really well,” said Kim Dickerson, head coach of the girls’ soccer team. “The girls had been

The girls kept their momentum up on Saturday, Aug. 27, winning 8-0 against the Frenchtown Lady Broncs. The boys came out high energy and ready to play following the Lady Big Horns’ victory and beat the Broncs 4-3.

“I am very pleased with the boys’ dedication thus far and look forward to a great season of soccer,” Coppola said.

The Big Horns face off against the Ennis Mustangs in their season-opening football game. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER

cohesiveness and everybody is really cheering for each other and supporting each other,” she said.

Explore Big Sky15 September 8 - 21, 20222 SPORTS

Over in the Bough Dolan Athletic Center, the volleyball team made its way through the bracket of the Battle in Big Sky tournament on Aug. 27. The varsity Big Horns team played a total of four games, losing their second match to the Twin Bridges Lady

“The school supporting each other is awesome,” she said. “It’s such a good community and it makes a difference when they’re here and cheering and the gym is loud. We love it.”

Following a weekend packed full of high school sports, the Big Horns have busy schedules the rest of the season. To stay up to date on LPHS sports, visit bssd72.org/athletics for the full schedule of games.

Julia Barton and Bella Butler contributed reporting to this story.

Head coach Tony Coppola said he thought the weekend went well for the boys. He said they did a good job taking what they learned from the loss on Friday and applying it against the Broncs on Saturday.

After their win against the Frenchtown Broncs, the Big Horns faced the stands and showed their appreciation for the fans.

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Falcons and later claiming third place after a skillful defeat of the Shields Valley Lady Rebels.

Earlier on Friday, Aug. 26, the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams took the field to face off against the Stevensville Yellowjackets. The Lady Big Horns played first, notching a commanding 8-3 win over the Lady Yellowjackets. The boys played a close game falling 3-2 to Stevensville.

He added that sports are an opportunity not just for the community to gather, but the school as well, bringing all students from different groups together to cheer for blue and white.

LPHS students gather on the sidelines on Aug. 26 to cheer on the football team. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER

working hard in preseason and a lot of what we’ve been working on they showcased in the game and that’s all a coach can ask for.”

Senior Maddi Cone (31) gets a kill against the Sheridan Lady Panthers. PHOTO

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Dowd added that the crowd and support from fellow student-athletes was a huge factor in their tournament success.

Heidi Makoutz (center) takes the podium as the 30-mile champion for women overall. To her right in second place for women 40-49 is Kathrin Meade and in third place to her left is Kelly Hayden. PHOTO

An example of recent work that’s moved the needle on that goal is Adam and Tele’s Connector, a 0.6-mile trail that connects the Uplands and Hummocks trails near Town Center to join two formerly independent lollipop loops. Part of the Biggie course this year, the connector was completed by BSCO with support from the landowner, Lone Mountain Land Company.

Now 7, Juniper participated in her first ever bike race in this year’s Biggie kids race for riders aged 4-10. Juniper and Clara’s sister, Frances, 10, also participated in the kids race this year and looks forwarding to trying the 15-mile race next year.

Explore Big Sky16 September 8 - 21, 2022 SPORTS

Scott, who placed eighth among men in the 30-mile race this year, said the Biggie has been like a “yardstick” for their family. One of their favorite family photos, Heidi added, shows Heidi at the top of the podium in the first year of the Biggie with their youngest daughter, Juniper, a baby on her back.

Big Sky Biggie racers ride down Adesite Road during a neutral start on Aug. 27, 2022. PHOTO BY JILL BOUGH

mountain bike race, the Biggie is a fundraiser for local organizations supporting trails in Big Sky. This year, the event raised a record $6,000 apiece for the Big Sky Community Organization and the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association Big Sky Chapter.

Clara Makoutz from Bozeman took home fifth place in the 15-mile race, a special way to celebrate her 12th birthday. Following in the footsteps of her parents, Scott and Heidi Makoutz, who’ve found great success at the Biggie since its first year in 2018, Clara accepted her award onstage beside the other top five women for the race, all from Bozeman.

She goes on to tell tales of hail, lightning and rain that she and the other 60-mile Biggie racers endured as they crawled toward the finish line in Town Center. One of only 55 athletes to complete the Biggie’s longest race, Schulz looks beaten and battered, but wears her mud and exhaustion like war paint.

“Natalie has just done an amazing job with her whole team to create this environment where it’s a family event,” said Heidi, who placed first among women in the 30-mile event.

“The goal is to be able to have a family park at a trailhead and ride for hours on different skill levels of trail and currently it doesn’t work like that,” Osborne said.

“It’s really rewarding for me as a father to see [my kids] enjoying biking and finding success in it,” Scott added.

Such a sense was demonstrated by bikers from all courses as they flew through the finish line throughout the day, some donning glitter and jean shorts and others wearing Lycra racing suits.

BY BELLA BUTLER

“It draws everybody from the pro or the semi pro to the young athlete to the beginner who’s maybe just wanting a challenge or something to train for,” said Natalie Osborne, cofounder of the Biggie. “… That’s definitely the culture that I want to promote at this event. It’s not just for the elite athlete. It’s for everybody.”

Osborne said a byproduct of the Biggie has also been connecting land managers, owners and organizations to seek solutions to further connect Big Sky’s extensive yet largely disjointed trail network.

BY BELLA BUTLER

FOURTH ANNUAL BIGGIE RALLIES COMMUNITY AROUND BIKES

Drew Asaro from Bozeman rides an adaptive cycle in the 15-mile race assisted by Howie and Micah Robin and Val Reynolds. PHOTO

In its fourth year, the Big Sky Biggie brought a record 408 mountain bikers to the start line on Aug. 27 to ride in 15-, 30- and 60-mile courses that traversed all over Big Sky, from Town Center to the slopes of Big Sky Resort. Founded on the intention of building community and expanding mountain bike trails and events in southwest Montana, the Biggie asserted itself this year as a tradition now deeply embedded in both the culture of Big Sky and mountain biking itself.

Part of expanding the race to different riders, Osborne said, was adding the 15-mile race this year in response to community requests for a short course. The 112 riders in this race ranged from seasoned athletes to beginners and off-the-couchers, and a number of junior riders took home hardware. All of the women on the podium for the 15-mile race were juniors.

Clara said one of the highlights from her race was reaching the top of the road climb, the peak elevation for the 15-mile course. “You could just feel a sense of conqueringness … or something like that!” she said.

“Thatface.last hour was like a jungle out there,” said Shulz, a 31-year-old from Los Alamos, Texas.

While the race continues to have an impact on the Big Sky community, the growing event brings in racers from all over the country, a ballooning family joined by a network of trails, a love for the sport and in the name of the Biggie.

Syd Shulz sports a muddy look after crossing the finish line of the 60-mile race. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER

BY MICAH ROBIN

The oldest racer to finish the 60-mile course was 60-year-old John Shull from Chicago. Shull crossed the finish line coated in mud, just shy of eight and half hours after starting. Shull said he did the race at the request of his daughter, Liz Shull, who lives in Montana. Liz did the 30-mile race. The Biggie was somewhat of a reunion for the father-daughter duo. Liz said she grew up racing with her dad but hadn’t raced with him since 2012.

Notadded.justa

BIG SKY – Finishing a 60-mile mountain bike race in the mountains of southwest Montana is cause for celebration under any circumstance, but there’s something particularly triumphant about the way cyclist Syd Schulz rides through the Big Sky Biggie finish line on Aug. 27.

It’s about 3:30 p.m., or seven and a half hours since Schulz started pedaling. Both Schulz and her bike are coated in mud, her toothy smile vibrant against a dirty

“There was so much hail the trail was just covered like snow,” John said, describing the Yellow Mule section, one of the more remote legs of the course. “It was pummeling my arm so hard at one point that I was like ‘Can I take this?’ And I was like ‘I can take this,’” he said with grit. “After the race, I felt fine, like I could go do it again,” he

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10SEP. 16 AWAY HOME 2:00/4:00 4:00/7:00 OCT. 1 OCT. 21 AWAY AWAY 12:00/2:00 7:00 DateDate Home/AwayHome/Away TIME B/GTIME MS/HS @ PARK HIGH (LIVINGSTON) @ CHOTEAU VS. BILLINGS CENTRAL @ SHERIDAN (JUNION HIGH ONLY) VS. PARK HIGH (LIVINGSTON) @ DRUMMOND / FLINT CREEK VS. LAUREL VS. SHERIDAN VS. LOCKWOOD VS. SIMMS @ LAUREL @ SEELEY SWAN (VARSITY ONLY) @ LOCKWOOD @. POLSON VS. CASCADE @ BILLINGS CENTRAL @ DEER LODGE (VARSITY ONLY) Game & LocationGame & Location First round playoffs Oct.10-15 | Semi-Final Round Playoffs Oct.17-22 | State Championship Oct.27-29 First round playoffs Oct.28-29 | Semi-Final Round Playoffs Nov.4-5 State Championship Nov.19 SEP. OCT.SEP.SEP.OCT.SEP.OCT.SEP.OCT.SEP.SEP.OCT.SEP.SEP.OCT.178133020823152014161102418 Date 3:00TBD HOME5:004:004:00 +20+20+20 HOMEHOME4:004:005:00 +20+20+20 HOME4:004:00 +20+20 HOME 4:00 TBD+204:001:00TBD +20+205:30 HOMEHOME JV Varsity Home/Away @ SHERIDAN TOURNAMENT (V) VS. LIMA (HOMECOMING) @ @@VS.@@VS.@VS.VS.WHITEHALLGARDINERSHIELDSVALLEYGARDINERENNISWHITESULPHURSPRINGSWESTYELLOWSTONETWINBRIDGESMANHATTANCHRISTIANMANHATTANCHRISTIANTOURNAMENTVS.SHERIDAN@TWINBRIDGESVS.WESTYELLOWSTONE Game & Location VOLLEYBALL SOCCERFOOTBALL District Tournament: Manhattan Christian Oct.26-29 | Divisional Tournament: Manhattan Christian Nov.2-5 | State Tournament: Bozeman (MSU) Nov.10-12

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Explore Big Sky17 September 8 - 21, 20222 SPORTS LPHS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE bigskybuild.com BIGSKYBUILD.COM | 406.995.3670 | BIG SKY, MT USA

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Marley’s mom, Carrie Chapin, said that Marley is a versatile player since she plays two positions, goalie and striker.

Marley Chapin plays against Great Falls last September. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARRIE CHAPIN

“I look forward to another season with the state team and attending even more showcase and tournament events in Arizona, California, and Nevada,” Wilcynski wrote to EBS. “Adding competitiveness to my game and getting touches year-round is one of my favorite things about ODP as is playing with 2007 girls from around the state!”

“I think her spirit and her energy that she brings to the field really shines,” she said. “She’s a gogetter, a positive player, and really gives it about 120 percent Wilcynski,always.”who is on the 2007 girls team, said this is her third year participating in the ODP program. Last March, she had the opportunity to travel to Milan, Italy and play soccer overseas with the 20062008 team.

BIG SKY – Six Big Sky soccer players were chosen this summer to be a part of the Montana Olympic Development Program state team pool, which seeks to identify the highest caliber players in the state as part of the Montana Youth Soccer Association.

Explore Big Sky18 September 8 - 21, 2022 SPORTS

“Here are young ladies who have pretty much been on Big Sky teams since the beginning and they are competing with the best in the state and making it,” he said. “So it’s a kudos to the coaching at the Big Sky Futbol Club, as well as the benefits for those girls that they get to go play at the highest level.”

“I am looking forward to playing at a higher level with girls my age,” Marley wrote in an email to EBS, adding that she’s excited for this opportunity.

This season, McGuire, Wilcynski and Leydig are playing on the Lone Peak High School soccer team and Chapin, Morris and McRae play for BSFC. Twelve-year-old Marley Chapin, who is on the 2010 girls team—ODP organizes teams by birth year—will travel to Mesa, Arizona to participate in

LOCAL SOCCER ATHLETES SELECTED FOR MONTANA OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

The director of Big Sky Futbol Club, Jed Hogan, said the ODP program has been a big help in developing soccer in Big Sky.

Maddy Wilcynski kicks a corner kick during a 2021 ODP team game in Milan, Italy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY WILCYNSKI

Following tryouts in Butte in July, six young women found out in August that they had been chosen: Astrid McGuire, Cate Leydig, Maddie Wilcynski, Marley Chapin, Lola Morris and Maeve McRae. Now, they will have the chance to train once a month with other players in the state and compete at different out-of-state events during the 2022-23 season.

The Montana ODP Senior Academy for players born 2004 through 2007 will start after the conclusion of the high school soccer season in early November. The Montana ODP Junior Academy for players born 2008 through 2011 will also begin in November and all age groups will train once a month and attend events between November and March. Eventually, players in the ODP program could be offered the opportunity to advance from the state level to the regional and even the national level of youth soccer.

the training camp and Veterans Day Showcase on Nov. 10-13.

Kent Sullivan goes up to bat against the Cab Lizards on Aug. 10.

time a team swept both regular season and tournament championships was in 2018 when LPC took both of those titles. Prior to that, the last time the Huckers, one of the league’s four original teams, swept both titles was seven years ago in 2016.

“It really was truly amazing for the women to come out and show that they can do just as much as the men can because normally it’s a sport that the men have control,” McKenzie said. “But for the first time in a long time, the women got to show their true colors and show that they can make as many decisions as the men can.”

“We’re going to schedule a ladies game every year now,” she said. “I think it’ll just morph into something even bigger and better.”

The 22nd season of softball league play was rich with close competition and a fair share of surprise upsets. This year, 15 teams competed in 12 weeks of play culminating in the regular-season championship on Aug. 24 followed by the tournament on Aug. 27 and 28. This rowdy Big Sky tradition has long been a source of community gathering, giving locals the chance to unwind with friends and get competitive out on the field.

The players shake hands after the Aug. 17 Ladies of the League games. PHOTO BY JOSEPH T. O’CONNOR

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

BIG SKY CO-ED SOFTBALL LEAGUE WRAPS 2022 PLAY

BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Yeti Dogs scores a run against The Cave in one of the final regularseason softball games on Aug. 23.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

The18-17.last

Next to the championships, other highlights of the season, according to McKenzie and Queen Jean, were the Ladies of the League games. On Aug. 17, the league organized four teams of women to play three games, a first for the league.

Part of the league’s culture, Griggs-Ryan said, is the heckling and rivalries that develop.

Queen Jean said the games were fun to watch and well received by everyone.

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

“The biggest thing about [the games], I think, is seeing the camaraderie and the community that comes through with this,” said Griggs-Ryan, who came “out of retirement” as an umpire for this year’s tournament play.

“A lot of the new teams just meshed together this year,” she said. “They played as team members instead of as individuals and that was really neat to see.”

Not only did the teams mesh well this year, but longtime player Seth Griggs-Ryan said he’s witnessed what the league has done for the broader community.

This dynamic was on full display during the end-ofseason tournament with the unruly crowd pulling for the Bears, even occasionally booing the Huckers. The Bears drew the crowd’s support as the underdog from the loser’s bracket, something McKenzie said the league hasn’t seen much of before.

BIG SKY – Softball fans and players gathered at the Big Sky Community Park on the afternoon of Aug. 28 for a heated day two of the Big Sky Co-ed Softball League end-of-season tournament. By the end of the weekend, competitive tournament play had ended all but two teams’ seasons: the Hillbilly Huckers and the Herbaceous Smokey Bears.

HUCKERS SWEEP SOFTBALL LEAGUE, TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS

“Everybody gets angry at each other for like two days but as soon as it’s over, everybody comes together,” he said, laughing.

Explore Big Sky19 September 8 - 21, 20222 SPORTS

After claiming victory, one Huckers player, Kristina DeVries, said she had a lot of fun returning this year to play in the league.

“I just think it’s a great community outreach,” said Whitney McKenzie, longtime player and coordinator of the league run by the Big Sky Community Organization. “It’s really wonderful to have so many people come down and have something to separate themselves from work and get out and enjoy our great “Queen”community.”JeanPalmer, a member of the BSCO Softball Advisory Committee, said this season was one of the best the league has had and that everyone presented a “united front.”

A player on The Cave runs during their Aug. 10 game against the Cab Lizards.

After clawing their way to the championship game from the loser’s bracket, the Bears trailed for most of the game but made an exciting bid to catch up with the Huckers in the seventh and final inning. Two home runs from the Bears had the crowd on its feet, cheering and banging on the chain link fence in support of the underdog. Though the Bears fought hard to come back from a large deficit, they ultimately fell 15-8 to the Huckers.

The Huckers also claimed victory over the LPC Golden Goats in the regular season championship on Aug. 24, narrowly winning 14-13. The one-point win was reminiscent of last year when these same rivals competed for the top spot — the Huckers triumphed

Bella Butler contributed reporting to this story.

“It’s fun, I love it and I love the community,” she said. “I would not play anywhere else.”

Through this work students learn research methods and improve their writing skills, tools that will serve them well if they choose to go on to college.

Within the range, the highest and most prominent summit is Hilgard Peak measuring over 11,321 feet. Hilgard is also the loftiest pinnacle in Montana outside of the Beartooth Range. However, multiple other prominent peaks such as Koch Peak (11,293 feet), Echo Peak (11,260 feet), Imp Peak (11,202 feet), and Lone Mountain (11,166 feet) also scrape the sky.

Snowflake Springs near the Taylor Fork merge into the Gallatin River, creating swells and a full river body. PHOTO BY JESSIE BOUGH

LPHS FIELD NOTES: PART II LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LAUNCH EXPLORATION OF GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM ENVIRONMENT

Additionally, the range is also home to Big Sky Resort, one of the biggest resorts in the country with around 5,800 acres of skiable land.

PHOTO BY JESSIE BOUGH

range is part of basin and range topography: lofty mountains separated by wide sage brush filled valleys, typical of the topography found in this part of the state.

PHOTO BY JESSIE BOUGH

Madison Limestone more resistant to weathering and erosion than many softer rocks composes many of the cliffs and ridges found throughout the range. Most of the other rocks are also of sedimentary origin, although some of the peaks have igneous cores.

Spring runoff from the Madison Range brings down trees and debris. This process is important for the ecology of streams and rivers. In the forefront, a year-old beaver dam has created a mini waterfall on the Middle Fork of the Gallatin.

In honor of the late U.S. Sen. Lee Metcalf of Montana, Congress established the 259,000-acre Lee Metcalf Wilderness in November of 1983 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Rather than one contiguous area, four units were created, two in the Spanish Peaks and two in the Madison Range. Other non-wilderness segments were assigned Wildlife Management zones.

A still-active fault is found on the west side of the uplift. Fifty million years ago the Madison Range rose on this fracture. These mountains then can be considered a block fault structure. Almost its entire western face is marked by alluvial fans sprawling outward from each canyon.

BY KATE EISELE AND RICK GRAETZ LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

It holds some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Gallatin national Geologicallyforests.the

Lone Peak High School teacher Dr. Kate Eisele, advises the students in conjunction with Professor Rick Graetz of the University of Montana Honors College faculty and UM’s Office of Research and Creative Scholarship.

Fan Mountain in the Madison Range shows off her spring coat.

These mountains were included in the Louisiana Purchase that in 1803 ceded an enormous swath of land west of the Mississippi River to the new nation, doubling its size. In July of 1805 upon reaching the Three Forks of today and the formation of the Missouri River, Cpts. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark named one of the forks Madison River in honor of James Madison. Madison was Secretary of State under President Thomas Jefferson, and Jefferson secured the sale. It can be assumed that later in time the range took on the same name as the area was explored further.

This year, seven students are involved. Six of them are part of three two-person teams covering the Madison and Gravelly ranges and Spanish Peaks. They are Avery Dickerson, Colter Marino, Kate King, Gus Hammond, Haley Houghteling and Chloe Nogaret. The seventh student, Jessica Bough, is creating a photography portfolio to accompany the research.

Lone Peak High School is one of only a few Montana schools to offer an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a rigorous program of study. The IB program requires students to participate in a segment called CAS, standing for creativity, activity and service.

MADISON RANGE BY HALEY HOUGHTELING AND CHLOE NOGARET

Located in the Northern Rocky Mountains of southwest Montana, the Madison Range extends over 80 miles north to south and 25 miles east to west. The Gallatin Canyon and Gallatin River form its eastern boundary and the Madison Valley and Madison River the west. Jack Creek drainage in the Big Sky Resort area separates the range from the Spanish Peaks, often called a subrange of the Madison. Abruptly ending on the south,

Willows in full bloom thanks to the runoff from the Madison Range.

What follows is the second essay from the first report in their research. Stay tuned to EBS and visit explorebigsky. com for the rest.

In terms of recreation, the Madison Range is just one out of the 100 mountain ranges in Montana, however the vast land of the Madison Range offers some of Montana’s finest hiking, with an extensive network of trails looping through lakes, streams, canyons and open valleys. Bear Trap Canyon Trail, for example, hugs the eastern shore of the Madison River and winds through the 6,000-acre canyon amidst plummeting rock cliffs.

the slopes touch Madison Canyon and Hebgen and Quake lakes.

Explore Big Sky20 September 8 - 21, 2022

Periodically, the students complete other segments of the study, and then the results are published in the local newspaper, thus fulfilling the service part of CAS. The final presentation will have a complete essay on all aspects of the three mountain ranges of focus.

Over the past several years, students have had the option of fulfilling this requirement with the University of Montana. It involves researching various regions of the northwestern sector of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem including the Big Sky area.

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Explore Big Sky22 September 8 - 21, 2022

ITA programs have taken Martin and her furry partners across the Gallatin Valley. Although READ comes to the Bozeman Public Library every Wednesday from 4-5 p.m., ITA also works with local elementary schools and has brought therapy animals to Montana State University to help students de-stress during exam weeks.

Parents and teachers in the Bozeman area are encouraged to reach out to ITA if they think a READ program would be beneficial to their students.

“It was a passion project that we kind of grew in and figured it out along the way together,” Martin said about her journey with Ellie. “And that was lovely.”

Martin and Luca are one of seven active therapy dog teams that volunteer their time in the Bozeman area to the READ program. Through the program’s success in Bozeman and elsewhere, ITA has been able to grow READ with trained teams providing the program in all 50 U.S. states and more than 20 other countries around the world, explained Dodd.

Martin moved to Bozeman in 1976 and worked for years as a teacher at the Gallatin Gateway School. When she retired in the early 2000s, she wanted to find a way to volunteer her time and continue to help children. The READ program seemed to fit that bill, and in 2006 she began training with her golden retriever, Ellie, to become a service animal team. Ellie and Martin worked together for 13 years with ITA, both in elderly care and in the READ program.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND, KID’S BEST READING PARTNER THERAPY DOGS HELP LOCAL CHILDREN GAIN READING CONFIDENCE REGIONAL

A child sits with her mother at the Bozeman Public Library, reading to Luca the golden retriever and his handler, Mary Martin. PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

A version of this vignette occurs each Wednesday at the library. Although the dog changes each week, the outcome of children enjoying the judgmentfree reading environment provided by the dog stays largely consistent.

PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

Dogs need to have a certain temperament to be a productive READ dog, Martin explained. Golden retrievers are popular therapy animals because of their calm nature, she said, while working breeds often have too much energy to work around the children, despite their obedience. Aside from manners, a significant part of the certification process judges whether the pups seem to enjoy the work. Although Luca is new to the program, his excitement was easily discernible as he calmly wagged his tail at each approaching child.

Nancy Dodd, Bozeman’s interim Intermountain Therapy Animals program coordinator, believes that the program is of growing importance given how many children approach reading in today’s “[Children]culture.don’t want to read to their classmates, their parents or their teachers if they’re not a good reader,” said Dodd. “The research has shown that they will read to a dog because the dog is nonjudgmental and doesn’t correct them, and that improves their reading skills.”

According to Dodd, local teachers have provided powerful testimonials regarding the results of consistent student participation with READ, saying that students became far more willing and even enthusiastic about reading aloud after multiple sessions reading to therapy dogs.

Orange paw prints create a path leading to the corner of the children’s section where Luca patiently waits for children to read to him.

A 2017 study on the impact of therapy dogs and their handlers on a child’s reading capacity concluded that “the dogs initially provided extrinsic motivation to read, leading to more reading as well as more pleasurable experiences reading, which eventually developed into intrinsic motivation. Coupled with the dogs as attentive listeners and ‘hooks’ for personally relating to story details, the students’ desire to read expanded further, and they read more—more text and for longer periods.”

BOZEMAN – A small girl curled up next to Luca the golden retriever on a Wednesday evening in the Bozeman Public Library. She quietly read a story to the dog as he licked her kneecaps. Her voice grew steady and more confident as she flicked through the pages. When she was finished, she smiled, thanked Luca, and headed off with her mother to return the book to its shelf as another child eagerly took her place.

BY JULIA BARTON

“I think students these days don’t get enough practice with reading, especially with how they’ve become more used to screen time,” Dodd said. “READ is great because it brings the dogs as a nice distraction and it encourages the students to read.”

The program is called Reading Education Assistance Dogs, READ for short, and was created in 1999 by ITA, a nonprofit out of Salt Lake City. READ is based on research suggesting that reading to a therapy dog can improve factors that contribute to positive associations with reading and improved reading performance in children.

On the day I visited the library, it was 3-yearold Luca’s second day as a READ dog. Martin, however, is a seasoned professional.

A READ team consists of a trained therapy dog like Luca and their handler, who serves to help control the dog and offer children reading assistance where needed.

“My job is to manage [the dog] and make it a positive experience for the child,” said Luca’s handler, Mary Martin. “I kind of fade into the background and just simply help him showcase what he can do by helping the child relax.”

Explore Big Sky23 September 8 - 21, 20222

“It’s important for a historical piece of Bozeman to capture the name of the building,” Scully said. “Tenants will come and go, but we want buildings to last, and this one will last for a long, long time, and we want to have that name stay with the building.”

“I’m restoring an iconic building in downtown. This is one of the gems of downtown Bozeman,” he said. “I just don’t have it in me to see this building be anything other than renovated. It’s a gem. You can’t get rid of a gem like this.”

The once and future home to US Bank at the corner of Main and Black streets is currently covered in scaffolding as a cadre of carpenters, masons and other tradespeople work to eliminate any evidence of a 1972 renovation that obscured brick and limestone walls, arch windows and a cornice around the top of the five-story structure.

Scully declined to discuss details of how much he paid for the building or what the renovation is costing, other than to concede that “These projects are by no means inexpensive.”

Scully, 53, said he has been swinging a hammer since he was 16, and the project is a pinnacle of his career. He said he and his partners have been discussing for several years a renovation of the building purchased from US Bank in 2020. Work began last February after the last remaining tenants were relocated.

BOZEMAN — Builder Randy Scully has embarked on a new project to make something on Main Street old Theagain.owner

‘A GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY’

The building started as the Commercial National Bank, later became First National Bank and is currently a US Bank facility. US Bank is currently occupying space to the east of the structure that’s now under renovation and will return when the work is completed. Scully says he is hoping to finish the project by early 2024.

BY FRANK ELTMAN MONTANA FREE PRESS

Bozeman City Commissioner Terry Cunningham said the renovation is “like watching linoleum being peeled back to reveal beautifully aged hardwoods. Randy Scully’s painstaking restoration is a gift to the Cunninghamcommunity.”added that such projects “illustrate the value of preservation from a historic and aesthetic standpoint.”

“We get a lot of people complimenting our contractors on what they’re doing here, and it’s great to see. I knew going in that we were going to bring back a great piece of history, and I felt very confident that the people of Bozeman would be really excited aboutDesignedthis.”by

Scaffolding covers the work underway to restore the building to its condition from the 1920s. PHOTO BY FRANK ELTMAN / MTFP

The building will be named “The National,” to reflect its history as a national bank.

Jacobs gushed with praise for the efforts of Scully and his “Toteam.seesomething on Main Street that is being put back to its original historic beauty is kind of amazing,” she said. “We as historians are so thankful for that. You know the wild West Main Streets are kind of unique, and to not have them gone totally is very, very valuable.”

“It’s too precious of a building not to do what we can to bring it back,” Scully said on a recent sunny summer morning as the sounds of power tools filled the air. “I know a lot of people are very excited.”

ONCE OBSCURED BY A 1970S REMODEL, THE BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF MAIN AND BLACK STREETS IN DOWNTOWN BOZEMAN IS BEING RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF NOTED ARCHITECT FRED WILLSON

REGIONAL

of historic Main Street. “That renovation basically ruined any chance for it to be on the National Register” of historic sites. “I really don’t know where these people were coming from.”

He is replacing the staircases and putting in a new elevator that will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

He noted that when Willson designed the building the floor structure was unique to Bozeman and was similar to the way the Empire State Building and other skyscrapers were built. “They designed these buildings to withstand fires,” he said, adding that there is no evidence of any fire damage in the century-old structure.

When it opened, the building was the tallest structure in “ThisBozeman.oneisall steel with a brick skeleton,” Scully said. “Our masons keep commenting on what great shape it is in.”

“We are very proud of our history in Bozeman and look forward to continuing to serve the community,” said US Bank spokesperson Jeff Shelman. “We look forward to the possibilities that this redevelopment will provide for the community.”

Willson spoke of his architecture philosophy in an address at Montana State University in 1954: “There is a fundamental reason for every feature embodied in a structure. It must have refinement, simplicity, beauty and good taste. Thus an architect’s business is to make the things of daily life beautiful.”

Willson, renowned throughout Bozeman and Montana for projects like the Ellen Theater, the Gallatin County Courthouse and others, the bank was built in a Classical Revival style when it opened in 1920, featuring a grand entrance and large windows. But it was remodeled in a contemporary style a half-century later, obscuring many of the charming features of the original building and reflecting a more modern style at the time.

The renovation will also include an expansion in the rear of the building, bringing the 33,000-square-feet structure to 42,000 square feet.

He said people stop on Main Street and take photographs of the work. Some sit on a bench on Black Street and look up and marvel.

“The ’70s came and they ruined the whole thing,” said Julia Strehlau Jacobs, program assistant with the Extreme History Project, who gives walking tours

His plans include a grand two-story atrium entrance, which will be occupied by US Bank. Offices and other facilities will fill the remaining part of the structure. He shot down rumors that any part of the building would include apartments.

of ScullyWest Properties is renovating an iconic downtown bank building to its former glory, keeping faith with the way noted Bozeman architect Fred Willson designed the structure when it opened a century ago.

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Pinky has changed and evolved since its early years. Flansburg, Tucker and Kirchner are the sole founding members that remain in the band, but the trio is now joined by six other talented local musicians including Drew Fleming and John Sanders, both of whom played in The Doors Legacy Band when the Pink Roids were an opener. The nine members of the band boast involvement in over 20 local and regional music groups.

According to Hurlbut, even those who haven’t listened to Pink Floyd music before tend to love Pinky’s shows. It’s not rare for a child’s first exposure to Pink Floyd music to be at a Pinky show, Flansburg said, and free shows like Music in

“We get to watch the sunset behind Lone Peak,” Flansburg said, gushing about how special it is to play in Len Hill Park. “It’s just incredible. The crowd is always there, it’s a win for the home team.”

Although they are by nature a Pink Floyd cover band, Pinky’s tunes certainly aren’t a dupe for the original—and they’re not meant to be.

“Even though we are replicating somebody else’s material and making a living off of somebody else’s work as artists, we still do it with our own flair and character, our own vibe that is appealing to audiences in our community,” Flansburg said.

The crowd at a Pinky show is equally unique, bringing lifelong fans of Pink Floyd shoulder-toshoulder with teenagers just out for a good time. Between the classic tunes, the band’s style and the amalgamation of seemingly unrelated audiences, the experience is hard to describe as anything other than

Big Sky has continued to support Pinky as they’ve grown, and their shows wrapping Music in the Mountains each year have become a staple for locals. Listening to local rock tunes under the silhouette of Lone Mountain as the sun sets, it’s hard not to understand why.

BIG SKY – In the summer of 2008, the Doors Legacy Band—a tribute to the 1960s and 1970s rock band The Doors—was looking for an opener for a show at the Zebra in Bozeman. After playing around with the idea of a Led Zeppelin tribute set, local sound engineer, guitarist and vocalist Luke Flansburg thought Pink Floyd would be the “coolest” opener for The Doors, so he gathered some friends and tested his theory. This opening show would become the precursor to the nowregionally acclaimed band Pinky and the Floyd.

PHOTO BY DAVE PECUNIES

The Arts Council of Big Sky began hosting free concerts for Music in the Mountains in 2008, and Pinky made its first debut at the increasingly popular event four years later.

hit the

“We had a really good set and when we got done, we looked at each other like ‘Well, we should do this again,’” Flansburg recalled in a recent interview with EBS.

the

The band has played the final show of the summer series since 2018. The upcoming show is set to be their fifth appearance.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Now known across the region for covers of 80 songs spanning seven full Pink Floyd albums, Pinky and the Floyd has been a staple of local venues for more than a decade. As has become tradition, the band will conclude Big Sky’s Music in the Mountains series on Sept. 8 in Len Hill Park.

the fifth time on Sept. 8.

Flansburgspecial.continues to return to the tenet of community, explaining how each band member’s individual involvement in southwest Montana communities is integral to the band’s success.

“It’s not so much that we have fans,” he said. “We have these people who are in our community who love to come out and support us.”

Explore Big Sky25 September 8 - 21, 20222

Flansburg was joined for that first show by Dustin Tucker on guitar and vocals, Joe Kirchner on the keyboard, Aaron Rasmussen on drums, Sean Lehmann on bass guitar and Ben Johns on saxophone. They called themselves The Pink Roids.

“It has been a great way to end the summer,” said Brian Hurlbut, executive director for the Arts Council. “We always get a huge crowd for them and they just put on such an amazing show.”

PINKY AND THE FLOYD RETURN FOR FINAL MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS REGIONAL FAVORITE CARRIES ON TRADITION OF PUNCTUATING SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

A&E

Pinky and the Floyd will Music in Mountains stage for

Part of the Pinky flair includes a tall, pink wig donned by Kirchner during each show as he rails on a keyboard or “keytar.” Nine members is hefty for live music, and although they typically fill the entire stage, the group moves harmoniously around one another as they play.

the Mountains are vital in exposing people to new, high-quality music.

BY JULIA BARTON

Pinky and the Floyd consists of nine members, providing a powerful stage presence for their live shows. PHOTO COURTESY OF PINKY AND THE FLOYD

The Pink Roids eventually renamed themselves Pinky and the Floyd in homage to the 1990s animated show “Pinky and the Brain,” and never looked back.

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This is free for BASE members, and those without a membership will have access to a discounted

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR TO SCREEN IN

BIG SKY – Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. The tour will visit Big Sky at The Independent on Saturday, Sept. 10, with films that explore themes connected to Mountainfilm’s mission of using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival that showcases stories about environmental, cultural, climbing, political and social justice issues. Mountainfilm is held every Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of indomitable spirit. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY

Explore Big Sky26 September 8 - 21, 2022 A&E

The first screening of the Saturday Night Shorts kicks off on Sept. 10 at 4:30 p.m. and the second screening will start at 7 p.m. Tickets for Mountainfilm on Tour in Big Sky are on sale now. The cost for each show is $15 per person. After the screenings, stick around The Independent for some giveaways and free live music starting at 9:30 p.m.

day pass to participate in the clinic that will provide top rope instruction, a scavenger hunt and climbing demos.

Mountainfilm on Tour in Big Sky is hosted by the Arts Council of Big Sky, along with sponsors Grizzly Outfitters, Black Tie Ski Rentals, East Slope Outdoors and Gallatin Alpine Sports. The Arts Council has been organizing Mountainfilm on Tour for six years and provides cultural experiences to residents and visitors of Big Sky throughout the “Mountainfilmyear.

“This is Beth” is a short film included in the Mountainfilm lineup that follows the journeys of professional climber Beth Rodde, one of the most accomplished athletes in climbing history. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY

Prior to the Saturday Night Shorts at The Independent, a family-friendly Mountainfilm Kid’s Kino screening will show in the multipurpose room in BASE. The tickets are $5 per person for the screening at 2 p.m. There will be an option to join the Belay & Play Climbing Clinic prior to the Kid’s Kino at the climbing wall inside BASE from 12 to 1:45 p.m.

is one of our favorite events to showcase to the Big Sky community,” said Brian Hurlbut, the Arts Council’s executive director. “It’s the perfect combination of culture, adrenaline and thought-provoking storytelling. We look forward to it every year.”

BIG SKY SEPT. 10

To learn more about Mountainfilm, visit www. mountainfilm.org. For more information on the Big Sky event and to buy tickets for both screenings, visit bigskyarts.org.

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Trivia

Live Music: Amanda Stewart Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Big Sky County Water & Sewer Board Meeting Big Sky County Water & Sewer, 8 a.m.

Live Music: DJ Moe Jazz Tips Up, 10 p.m.

Live Music: Marcedes Carroll Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Live Music: Kylie Spence Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

All Saints in Big Sky Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 Big Sky Farmers Market Town Center, 5 p.m.

Live Music: Dan Dubuque Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 Gallatin River Cleanup Gallatin Canyon, 8 a.m.

All Saints in Big Sky Big Sky Chapel, 10 a.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 12

Sixth Annual Spirits in the Sky The Wilson Hotel, 4 p.m.

Fifth Annual BZN International Film Festival Emerson Center, 9 a.m.

Music in the Mountains: Pinky and the Floyd Len Hill Park, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9

TUESDAY, SEPT. 13

Live Music: Tom Murphy and Kevin Fabozzi Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Gallatin River Cleanup Gallatin Canyon, 8 a.m.

Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, 8:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 11

Trivia The Independent, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14

MONDAY, SEPT. 19 Watercolor Workshop BASE, 10 a.m.

Live Music: Tom Murphy and Kevin Fabozzi Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Fifth Annual BZN International Film Festival Emerson Center, 9 a.m.

Mountainfilm on Tour: Indomitable Spirit screening The Independent, 4:30 p.m.

Live Music: Benn & Abel Duo Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

Live Music: Fish Camp Boys Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

Live Music: Kylie Spence Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 15

Gallatin River Cleanup BBQ and Kick-off Big Sky Community Park, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 17

The Independent, 7 p.m.

Live Music: Annie Clements Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Mountainfilm on Tour: Climbing clinic BASE, 12 p.m.

Live Music: Chandler Huntley Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Downtown Art Walk Downtown Bozeman, 6 p.m.

Gallatin River Cleanup Gallatin Canyon, 8 a.m.

FEATURED EVENT: GALLATIN RIVER CLEANUP The Gallatin River Task Force is partnering with the Gallatin Watershed Council for an annual cleanup of the Gallatin River. The four-day cleanup efforts will span from the Spanish Creek confluence to the boundary of Yellowstone National Park, as well as sections of Big Sky tributaries. The cleanup is from Sept. 8-11 and signups for volunteering can be found at bit.ly/gr_volunteer. BIG SKY EVENTS CALENDAR Thursday, Sept. 8 - Wednesday, Sept. 21 If your event falls between Sept. 22 - Oct. 5, please submit it to media@theoutlapartners.com by Sept. 14. 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

WIA’s Wine, Wickets & More Moonlight Lodge, 4 p.m.

MSU Bobcats vs. Morehead State MSU Bobcat Stadium, 1:30 p.m.

Bozeman Out of the Darkness Walk Lindley Park, 9 a.m.

St. Joseph’s Mass Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

Fifth Annual BZN International Film Festival Emerson Center, 9 a.m.

Live Music: Max Hay Tips Up, 9:30 p.m.

Live Music: Amanda Stewart Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Trivia Tips Up, 9 p.m.

Bozeman Farmers’ Market Lindley Park, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 18

Explore Big Sky28 September 8 - 21, 2022 A&E

Live Music: Amanda Stewart Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Trivia Tips Up, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20

Dance party with DJs Take-A-Chance and Jenn N Juice

Big Sky Resort Area District Board Meeting Big Sky Resort Area District, 9 a.m.

Mountainfilm on Tour: Kids film screening BASE, 2 p.m.

Fifth Annual BZN International Film Festival Emerson Center, 9 a.m.

Mountainfilm on Tour: Indomitable Spirit screening The Independent, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 16

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8

St. Joseph’s Mass Big Sky Chapel, 8 a.m.

Live Music: Chandler Huntley Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Live Music: Zander Chovanez Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Big Sky Resort and Bike Park Closing Day Big Sky Resort, 10 a.m.

Big Sky Farmers Market Town Center, 5 p.m.

The Independent, 10 p.m.

Live Music: Lost Ox Tips Up, 9:45 p.m.

Live Music: Amanda Stewart Montage Big Sky’s Alpenglow Lounge, 7 p.m.

Big Sky Christian Fellowship Big Sky Chapel, 4:30 p.m.

TRES TOROS OPENS DOORS IN TOWN CENTER

BY BELLA BUTLER

‘TULUM MEETS SAYULITA MEETS BIG SKY’ IN NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT BUSINESS

for: an alchemy of cultural theatrics and eclectic pieces of the owner himself.

labels like 406 Agave and Willie’s Distillery, or for those subscribing to more to the Sayulita vibe, perhaps a Modelo or Pacifico.

The bar at Tres Toros is watched over by a beautiful mural and will offer a variety of house cocktails made with local liquors. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

Thompson’s Big Sky restaurants are local capsules for cultures that he loves. He characterizes the “looseness” of Mexican culture with descriptions of overloaded tacos and the “structured” nature of Japanese culture with the precise cuts of sashimi and tightly bound sushi rolls.

As for the drinks, customers can wash down dinner with an array of craft cocktails featuring liquors with local

PHOTO BY GABRIELLE GASSER

After nursing a dream of opening a Mexican restaurant since around the time Buddha opened three years ago, the Toros partners took advantage of an open space in The Wilson when former gift shop Relic merged with Montana Supply.

Thompson said with Tres Toros, that he and his partners—the three for which the restaurant was named—were shooting for a “Tulum meets Sayulita meets Big Sky vibe,” or in other words, according to Thompson: “Kind of ultra loungy, kind of beachy, kind of laid-back and easygoing, but still kind of hip and upbeat and

The three owners of Tres Toros, Twist Thompson (left), Josh Sauers (middle) and Brandon Blanchard (right) pose in front of the patio door of their new restaurant.

“You light a piece of charcoal and put this crystallized Copal on it and it just smokes and just makes this just stunning, beautiful kind of piney, light smell. So we’ll probably try to burn some of that out here,” he says, scanning the vacant patio. “It’s just another level of Forimmersion.”Thompson, who owns four restaurants in Page, Arizona, as well as the vibrant Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge in Big Sky just a few steps away from Tres Toros, restaurants are about the details— details that inform culture.

Thefuture-forward.”menu,crafted by head chef Mark Christian Mcmann, is laden with a fusion of authenticity and contemporary swank. Take, for example, the stuffed pickled jalapenos, or the jackfruit pibil taco. Similar to the sushi roll list at Blue Buddha, Thompson said, the menu features a flashy lineup of $6-9 tacos that can be ordered in whatever quantity. Rounding out the offerings are a host of appetizers, quesadillas, burritos and nachos with a price point all between $12 and $16.

BIG SKY – Just days ahead of opening his new Mexican joint, Tres Toros, local restauranteur Twist Thompson sits on the restaurant’s patio of the ground floor of The Wilson Hotel surrounded by construction materials. He’s talking about Copal, a fragrant tree resin used as an incense by indigenous people in what’s now Mexico.

Thompson and his two business partners, Brandon Blanchard and Josh Sauers, opened the doors to Tres Toros on Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. Though it’s new—with kinks yet to be ironed out, Thompson says—the restaurant promises to deliver the same unique experience that Thompson’s other local business has come to be known

Thompson said it proved challenging to convert a retail location into a restaurant—colorful murals and eclectic décor will spare customers the space’s recent history of adding grease traps, water lines and floor drainage—but the outpouring of support he’s received from the community make the toil worth it.

“[These restaurants] aren’t even just a want, it’s almost a need in this blooming town to give it a few shiny more petals,” he said.

Explore Big Sky29 September 8 - 21, 20222

EBS: What was it like to meet Jack Nicklaus when he came out to help celebrate the opening of the full 18?

When teaching golf, there is nothing better than when a student has that “aha!” moment with something you are teaching them. Luckily, I’ve been able to get a few students to that moment and it’s always rewarding.

EBS: What is the biggest difficulty of operating a golf course in Big Sky?

Explore Big Sky sat down with Greg Wagner, Assistant General Manager for Moonlight Basin, to discuss running a golf course on the side of a mountain, meeting Jack Nicklaus and what keeps him in the Treasure State.

Explore Big Sky: How did you decide to take a job as a golf pro at The Reserve?

EBS: What is one of the most memorable moments you have had as a golf educator?

EBS: Who is your favorite professional golfer?

G.W.: When I was playing in a tournament in Arizona I met a 90-year-old woman that told me, “I just swing hard in case I hit it.” To this day that has been the funniest and most memorable piece of golf advice I’ve ever received.

G.W.: One of our Moonlight members was kind enough to host myself and another pro at Riviera Country Club in [Los Angeles] a few years ago. There is a lot of tradition there and it was my first time playing a course that I have seen the pros play on TV. To this day it is one of the most memorable rounds of golf I’ve played.

EBS: How do your work responsibilities change when the course is covered in snow?

MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: PGA PROFESSIONAL GREG WAGNER

Professional Greg Wagner showing off the views from his office. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG WAGNER

Explore Big Sky30 September 8 - 21, 2022

EBS STAFF

EBS: What’s the best piece of golf advice that you’ve received?

EBS: Besides The Reserve, what is your favorite golf course that you’ve had a chance to tee up on?

G.W.: Yes, I would go to the driving range with my dad as a kid and then started playing the course in fourth or fifth grade. It wasn’t until high school that I really developed a passion for the game.

A version of this story was first published in an October 2019 edition of Explore Big Sky. At the time of this interview, Wagner was Director of Golf and Club Operations at Moonlight Basin.

G.W.: Besides the scenery? I’d say it’s the culture we’ve created in the team that works there and the unique golf experience that the course and the staff provide.

– Greg Wagner, Assistant General Manager for Moonlight Basin

EBS: Did you grow up playing golf? How did you fall in love with the game?

G.W.: Hopefully still skiing off Lone Peak during the winter and fishing the rivers around Big Sky in the summer. It’s hard to beat the lifestyle here and I’m lucky to be a part of such a fun community.

EBS: If you weren’t a golf professional, what other career path could you see yourself in?

After growing up in Vancouver, Washington, Wagner earned his bachelor’s in business marketing and PGA golf management from the University of Idaho. In May of 2014, Wagner moved to Big Sky to take on the role as Head PGA Professional at The Reserve, one of the most challenging golf courses in the nation. In his spare time, the recently turned 30-year-old enjoys fishing one of his favorite honey holes and hunting with his black lab Goose.

G.W.: As a little kid I was a big fan of Payne Stewart. Then of course Tiger [Woods] became a spectacle and it was hard not to root for him. Now I enjoy watching all of the young players on tour getting their first victories.

Greg Wagner: The job really found me. I was an Assistant Golf Professional at Sandpiper Golf Club in Santa Barbara, California, and was connected to Moonlight [Basin} through my job there. It was truly a dream opportunity and I owe it all to the people that took a chance on me as a young pro.

G.W.: You will find me at the Moonlight Lodge assisting with the day-to-day operations of the club. I spend quite a bit of time planning for the next summer season during the winter as well.

” BUSINESS

EBS: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

G.W.: Meeting Jack was surreal. You can’t imagine all of the little details he sees and the ideas floating around in his head when he looks down a fairway from the tee box. It would have been amazing to see him play in his prime.

G.W.: When teaching golf, there is nothing better than when a student has that “aha!” moment with

something you are teaching them. Luckily, I’ve been able to get a few students to that moment and it’s always rewarding.

G.W.: I can’t imagine I would be working in such a cool playground like Big Sky had I gone down a different career path. It’s interesting the people you meet and the reasons for where we end up. I do know that if I was doing something different, I’d be trying to make a life work in a place like this.

“PGA

G.W.: At the golf course, the biggest challenge we face is the weather. They say that in Montana if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. This summer in particular that was very true. The weather plays a big role in the maintenance practices we can implement at the course. We have an incredible team that keeps The Reserve in impeccable shape at 7,000 feet of elevation, which is no easy task. Add in rain, snow, and lightning and it takes golf maintenance to a whole new level of difficulty.

EBS: What makes The Reserve unique?

BOZEMAN HEALTH FLU CLINICS FALL 2022 Open to ages 2 years and older. BOZEMAN | Locations and Dates COTTONWOOD CLINIC September 17, 8 a.m. - noon September 29, 3 - 6 p.m. DEACONESS HOSPITAL October 13, 3 - 6 p.m. November 5, 8 a.m. - noon BELGRADE | Location and Dates BELGRADE CLINIC October 15, 8 a.m. - noon October 27, 3 - 6 p.m. BIG SKY | Location and Dates BIG SKY MEDICAL CENTER September 17, 8 a.m. - noon October 8, 8 a.m. - noon October 19, 3 - 6 Pre-registerp.m. by calling 406-414-4400 Available by drive-thru. Available by drive-thru.Available in the upstairs community room.

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In Big Sky, you can truly be a part of the change. Thank you for contributing to the health and wellness of Big Sky’s workforce community!

wellness of Big Sky’s workforce community!

Are you a member of the Big Sky workforce?

BY SHANNON STEELE EBS COLUMNIST

usted,saberQueremossobresitrabajaen Sky durante todo el año por temporada o de remota.forma anonymous survey and be entered into a raffle to win $50! contributing &

LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH RESORT-TOWN LIVING IS TOUGH. LET’S MAKE IT BETTER OPINION

In my first three years working in HR for a small Big Sky business, I was faced with 12 a.m. calls regarding a domestic violence dispute, a wellness check on an employee who attempted to end their life, an ambulance ride for a nonresponsive roommate who drank too much, among countless other substance-related issues. I grasped for supportive and accessible resources to refer employees to only to find a large void and many barriers to accessing care. I did my best, but it never felt like enough. Though HR often gets a bad rap, I viewed my role as crucial to building a positive culture and advocating and supporting employees,

Gracias por contribuir a la salud ¡y bienestar de la comunidad de la fuerza laboral de Big Sky!

– Grace Lee Boggs

like many other HR professionals in Big Sky. Mental health and substance use issues do not exist in a vacuum. The human experience is complex, which further complicates figuring out how to create conditions that support mental health and well-being. For communities to effect positive and long-lasting change in addressing mental and behavioral health challenges, collective effort and community involvement is imperative.

improve mental health and well-being for the workforce community.

Complete this

“You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.”

Behind the picturesque scenery of flowing rivers, rugged mountains, wildflower meadows and a vibrant town are the individuals who make the Big Sky community hum with arts, culture, entertainment and opportunities to connect. Our workforce community including folks working in food and beverage service, construction, grocery, retail, property management, nonprofit, education, health care, recreation, safety, real estate, administration, marketing, IT, hospitality, and more are key to the success of Big Sky. Though job postings hold promise for work/life balance and finding solace in the mountains, unfortunately many people quickly realize the inherent challenges of resort-town living.

to the health

To help understand your unique realities, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Montana State University have partnered to create a survey to help inform how the Behavioral Health Coalition works to address the complex issues that affect your mental health and well-being. Whether you live in Big Sky, commute to Big Sky for work or live in Big Sky and work remotely, the coalition wants to hear from you in this survey. Information from the survey is necessary to remove social, cultural and logistical barriers that confound the otherwise well-intentioned efforts of many topdown mental health programs.

wantWe to hear from you if you work in Big Skyseasonallyyear-round , or remotely !

Thank you for

Explore Big Sky33 September 8 - 21, 20222

Big Sky community organizations are coming together, and we need community member voices at the table too. The Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition is working closely with Montana State University to conduct a workforce mental and behavioral health needs assessment. Previous reports including the Behavioral Health Initiative and the Community Health Needs Assessment confirm that Big Sky residents and workforce struggle with mental health and substance use issues and face many barriers to care, but we need to better understand the nuances of these challenges, especially as it relates to the compounded impacts of COVID-19. If we can better understand the “why” behind the “what,” we can come together as a community and determine the best programs, services and solutions to indeed foster work/life balance, find solace in the mountains and

Shannon Steele is the behavioral health program officer at the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, and values a collaborative and community-centered approach to mental/behavioral health and wellness. She has a background in mind-body wellness and community health, and is also a certified yoga instructor and active volunteer. Community, wellness and the outdoors have always been pillars in Shannon’s life.

Anyone who is a small business owner or works in human resources in a resort town will tell you that you get to know employees more than you probably wanted to. This is often because having a business in Big Sky means managing employee housing, where boundaries between work and home cease to exist. Overall, this is not a bad thing. I would like to think it forces people to show up as their full, human selves, and let’s be real—life is messy and so is being human. However, the lack of mental and behavioral health resources in Big Sky creates a sense of powerlessness when attempting to navigate support for an employee in need.

Eres miembro de la fuerza laboral de Big Sky?

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Two photographs of the Gallatin River 15 minutes apart show the change in color. PHOTOS BY PAUL SWENSON

The popcorn texture as seen on the bentonite bed in the Albino Formation. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

The bentonite layer seen in the Albino Formation. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

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.

The view from Albino Formation into the nearby creek bottom. Notice the light-colored mud in the basin due to the outwash from the hillside. PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

Bentonite is usually formed from volcanic ash that has been deposited in water. The ash, which is a silica and sodium, or calcium based glassy material, is devitrified, which means the silica is slowly removed in a leaching process, leaving a sodium or calcium rich clay behind.

During the formation of the Rockies a large chain of volcanoes like today’s Andes mountains of South America, were active to the west of us. These volcanoes sent large ash clouds drifting to the east over the sea. Ash settled to the bottom of the water column and became incorporated into the sediment on the floor. These ash layers set us up for our present situation.

The surface geology of the Taylor Fork basin from Wapiti Creek to Cache Creek, Pika Point to Cinnamon Mountain is dominated by late Cretaceous (about 110 million years old) shales that were part of a sea that extended from the present Gulf of Mexico north into Canada. This sea was bordered to the west by the ancestral Rocky Mountains whose erosional remnants we now call home.

Looking down from the hillside, one can see where the clays are being washed out into the valley and then the creek. Since this is happening 4 to 10 miles up the drainage, it takes the muddy water somewhere between three to six hours to make its way down the creek, then another three or four hours to make it down the Gallatin to Big Sky, where we get to watch a “mud plug” change the color of the river for a few hours.

The swelling action of bentonite clays is used commercially for pond liners, drilling muds, and even clarifying agents in wine making, mainly white wine, to attract and remove unwanted proteins that would otherwise cause sedimentation in the wine.

So back to our muddy Gallatin. As a large thunderstorm moves through the Taylor Fork basin and unleashes its torrential rain, the bentonite and other clay minerals in the Albino formation absorb water and swell, leaving no other place for the water to go but to erode the hill and runoff into the creek. Since these clays also seal the hillside from groundwater, plants cannot grow there, so more erosion occurs and the cycle continues.

The Albino Formation, which is a small member of a much larger group of rocks, has outcroppings throughout the Big Sky region, but none as apparent as the ones exposed along Taylor Fork. It has many layers of clay, shale, and volcanic ash and tuff, a light, porous rock. The colors of these rocks are white, light tan, pastel pinks and reds, and some dark grays. As seen in the photographs, most of the lighter layers are free of vegetation due to their composition, bentonite. Bentonite is a swelling clay, which means it absorbs water, and in the process increases its volume up to a factor of eight. Once saturated, the clay will not let any more water be absorbed, so it must run off.

The Albino Formation is exposed north of Wapiti trailhead.

During the summer months thunderstorms are usual events in the late afternoons and evenings. Driven by warming from the sun, humid air is lifted into the atmosphere where it condenses to form cumulus and cumulonimbus (thunderhead) clouds. As the clouds mature, the updrafts from the heated air cannot support the weight of the growing ice particles and water droplets, so they begin to fall and deliver afternoon showers. When storms are large enough, they can deliver inches of precipitation in a very short amount of time. And when this happens on bare hillsides, muddy runoff results.

Explore Big Sky35 September 8 - 21, 2022 OPINION

PHOTO BY PAUL SWENSON

WHAT THE…MUD?

BY PAUL SWENSON EBS COLUMNIST

Have you ever been fishing on the Gallatin River in the middle of a beautiful summer day, taken a break to change flies, or have a snack, only to stand back up and realize the river is changing color? As you stare at the river you realize it’s not just cloudy, but the water turns milky, then chocolatey. What’s going on? You ask locals, and they reply, “Taylor Fork.”

So, the next time you see a mud plug, just remember it’s 110-million-year-old ash from volcanoes that helped build the landscape that we now enjoy.

As the swollen clay dries out, its volume must be reduced, leading to a texture called “popcorn clay.”

It is true that Taylor Fork of the Gallatin River is the tributary that contributes the sediment to the river, but what is the cause?

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

It has become fashionable of late for people to claim that all old, gray-haired conservationists are over the hill, senescent, racist and on their way to dementia in the nursing home—expired beyond their useable shelf life.

These positions, whether you agree with them or not, take guts; and, even if you don’t agree, they are advanced foremost to protect wildlife over the usual prevailing focus on doing things only to benefit humans, which applies to most lands in the Lower 48.

Such ageist claims are at best naïve.

Last year, I had the honor of standing before the Gallatin Wildlife Association whose members were marking the 45th year of their organization’s existence.

need to know that the world does not spin around you, no more than it spun around we gray hairs when we were the same age as you are now.

BY TODD WILKINSON EBS COLUMNIST

I also noted how, in the current social environment, many conservation groups today seem to have lost their backbone. Many shy away from anything perceived to be “controversial” or “contentious” and they approach conservation as if they are trying to win a popularity contest, not considering that being foresighted and ahead of one’s time often is an unpopular and uncomfortable place to be.

In indigenous communities, those in the autumn years of life are venerated for their accumulated wisdom that can only come through longevity, of having covered miles of terrain, of trying to make sense of struggle, pain and sorrow—of having perspective.

and cents, not what the intrinsic, innate worth of nondegraded landscapes are.

This kind of thinking serves as a counterpoint to those who superficially base almost every decision on dollars

Explore Big Sky36 September 8 - 21, 2022 OPINION

I riffed on “radical thinking,” the true meaning of courage, gray hairs and knowledge based on real life experience in trying—and sometimes failing—to save natural places from despoilation.

When the fate of rare, wild country is on the line and in danger of despoilation, conflict cannot be avoided because it requires that citizens rise and stand up for wildlife and landscapes that have no voice, defying a status quo mentality that knows no limit to natural resource consumption.

No great conservation achievement in America has ever happened without defying the unimaginative and the status quo. Were the idea of setting aside Yellowstone and her neighbor, Grand Teton National Park, proposed today, amid the cultural division, the ridiculous antiscience positions of lawmakers, and the sometimes weakkneed, conflict-averse mavens of “collaboration,” those parks and the public lands surrounding them might not exist or, at best, they’d be half-hearted vestiges of what they are.

The Gallatin Wildlife Association has staked out unpopular positions, to be sure. For example, its members have had the audacity to say that Montana ought to have its own wild bison herd located in the Missouri Breaks and the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the latter named after the famous Western painter who depicted bison there in his end-of-the-frontier scenes.

GWA members have questioned the wisdom of allowing domestic sheep to graze public lands in close proximity to wild mountain (bighorn) sheep that are vulnerable to catching diseases from domestic livestock and being wiped out.

Yellowstone itself was a notion borne by radicals. Had local white settlers around Gardiner, Montana, been in charge and had those people serving in the Montana Territorial legislature had their way, the national park might never have been created. In fact, it was the foresighted vision of a few brave members of Congress who were thinking ahead of their own time.

Not long ago, a famous Bozeman writer friend and I had a chat. We agreed that the level of ecological awareness in Greater Yellowstone was actually higher a quarter century ago; that the inundation of newcomers from urban areas has diluted environmental consciousness and weakened the willingness of citizens to embrace selfrestraint for a common good, which includes protecting our wildlife.

We have one opportunity, given human population trends and climate change, to get land protection right and one test is right in our backyard.

The organization has advocated for development setbacks from river corridors to keep them attractive and useable for wildlife, and to prevent failing septic systems from leaking into waterways. And GWA has questioned the dubious and disproved assertion that more than 11,000 Yellowstone bison had to be slaughtered in Montana based on fear over brucellosis.

If you took the Gallatin Range and dropped it into California, it would be the wildest mountain range in the state due to the full diversity of wildlife that still lives there. If you dropped those mountains into Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, it would be the same. The Gallatin Range, with its full mammalian diversity, accentuated by avians and fish, would be wilder than any national park in the West outside of Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier national parks.

The bold pro-conservation positions that we stake out today will not be perceived as radical in the future. Generations whom we will never know will gaze backward with gratitude, the same as we do now to our Theancestors. youngsters

Conservation, like politics and visionary land stewardship, often doesn’t involve telling your friends what they want to hear regarding the consumption of wildlands for human fun and profit. Sometimes, it requires us telling our friends that we really ought to consider the needs of beings other than ourselves. Is that radical?

A version of this column originally ran in the July 30, 2021, edition of EBS.

NEW WEST WHAT IS RADICAL? WE BENEFIT TODAY FROM THOSE WHO BUCKED STATUS QUO

The Gallatin Range is nothing short of being the Yellowstone of our time and the question before us is: Are we going to be future-minded and set aside maximum space for wildness or are we going to capitulate to the status quo, the establishment, that has the same kind of narrowminded thinking as the Montana Territorial legislature?

Summer in Hayden Valley and Yellowstone River. PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK / NPS

Every good thing we love about public lands today, including healthy wildlife populations and beautiful landscapes have come as a result of conflict.

The whole thing reminds me—a skier—of the controversy that erupted after snowboards appeared at ski resorts. They were new and fast, and their rhythm on the slope was different than the rhythm of people on skis.

That was probably five years ago, and since then ebike use has exploded. In 2020, ebike sales in the United States for just the month of June totaled roughly $90 million, up 190 percent from the previous June.

In 2015, the International Mountain Bike Association studied the environmental impacts of mountain bikes, both electric and self-propelled, and found no appreciable differences between the two in terms of soil displacement on trails. Overall, bike impacts were similar to the impacts of

As for problems caused by speed, traffic studies show that accidents and their severity escalate as differences in speed increase. But do electrified bikes go that much faster than traditional bikes?

BY MOLLY ABSOLON WRITERS ON THE RANGE

It’s hard to remember, but regular mountain bikes didn’t become commercially available until the 1980s, and when the early adopters hit trails previously used only by hikers and horseback riders, conflicts happened fast.

People claimed the bikes increased erosion. They worried about collisions and scaring horses. They theorized that mountain bikes would frighten wildlife. Today, those same arguments are being used against electric mountain bikes.

We didn’t like them, and I doubt they liked us. But we’ve worked it out. Now, public land managers face the knotty problem of how much access to allow ebikes, and where, or whether to segregate them to their own trails. Welcome to the crowded West.

The first time I saw an electric bike—better known as an ebike—I was struggling up a hill. Suddenly, a silver-haired man came whizzing by in regular city clothes. I felt a wave of envy as he left me in the dust.

WRITERS ON THE RANGE

CAN WE LIVE WITH ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKES ON TRAILS?

Once again, the controversy seems to stem from the fear of change, perhaps some arrogance and maybe a little jealousy. After all, since I suffered to get to the top of the climb on my own power, shouldn’t you?

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“The most negative thing I’ve heard is, ‘Oh, you’re cheating,’” she says. “But it’s just another way to be out there. You get an extra boost going up these really hard trails, so it makes a challenging trail fun, rather than demoralizing.”

surfaced trails. Many members canceled their memberships. Some comments were harsh.

and off-road vehicles do much more damage to trails.

The Franklin is an opportunity for urban lifestyle living in the best adventure town in the West.

Molly Absolon is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring discussion about Western issues. She lives in Victor, Idaho, and has worked as a wilderness educator, waiter, farmer and freelance journalist to support her outdoor recreation habit.

In 2017, the International Mountain Bike Association, which had said that ebikes should be considered motorized vehicles, softened its stance. Instead, it proposed that local land managers and user groups should determine—on a case-by-case basis—whether to allow ebikes on naturally

So, what are the impacts of electric mountain bikes. Do they harm trails, or cause more accidents?

Explore Big Sky37 September 8 - 21, 2022 OPINION

Horses,hikers.motorcycles

Rachel Fussell, program manager of the nonprofit PeopleForBikes, says that more than a battery boost, speed on trails reflects rider skill as well as trail design. She believes that all users observing proper trail etiquette would avert most potential conflicts.

Celeste Young has been a biker all her life and now coaches mountain biking. Her fleet of bicycles has recently grown to include an electric mountain bike.

To find out, Tahoe National Forest measured the top speeds reached by intermediate and advanced riders using both kinds of bikes. Differences on the downhills were small. On uphills, traditional bikers averaged 5-8 mph, while electric mountain bikes traveled 8-13 mph. This was a difference, but not enough of a difference to cause more accidents, especially if bikers alert others to their presence and ride in control.

One wrote, “If you’re too old to still ride the trails you love, do as many beforehand, reminisce about the good old days and encourage the young. Don’t throw them and our public land under the bus.” That kind of attitude does not bode well for land managers to find an easy compromise.

It’s a puzzling notion that someone accused her of cheating. It would be one thing if you secretly put a motor in your bike during a race, but when it’s an amateur rider going out for fun and exercise, how is having an electronic boost cheating?

She was 92 years old at the time.

I have no doubt that when the day comes that Johnson is no longer with us, her name will appear on one of the major buildings where she has had so much

Johnsonclass.hasbeen

But there is someone out there who I believe to be the absolute greatest of all time in her realm. Her longevity, variety of categories won and her sheer number of awards makes her, to me, untouchable.

BY SCOTT MECHURA EBS COLUMNIST

We’ve all had the conversations about who is the greatest of all time.

I know many cooks, chefs and enthusiasts who win many awards for their chili, beer or barbeque. But more often than not, it is one single recipe that has brought them their recognition and awards.

Generally this conversation is reserved for sports: Who’s better, LeBron James or Michael Jordan? Individually, LeBron’s stats best Michael’s in almost every category. But you be the judge.

To mention the name Marjorie Johnson in the education, 4-H, arts, food or similar buildings at the fairgrounds is akin to referencing Shakespeare in a theater

Ribbons can vary, but most of Johnson’s are in the style of a round, ruffled label with a straight ribbon hanging down. These measure approximately 4 inches wide by 10 inches long. And in the spirit of how many paper clips would reach to the moon, her ribbons could cover every inch of wall space, floor to ceiling, in a 3,500-square-foot house.

I was reminded of Johnson on a recent visit to the Minnesota State Fair a couple of weeks ago. Her name is synonymous with baking, success, the state fair and living with a positive outlook. After all, how could you not when you are still doing what you love at more than a century old?

Explore Big Sky38 Sept. 8 - 21, 2022 406.995.4848BROKER/OWNERSBecky&JerryPape(OfficenextotheExxon)406.580.5243(Anytime)www.triplecreek.com 12 RUNNING BEAR, BIG HORN #68 - Premier downhill skiing access! - 3 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms - Sold furnished with new exterior finishes of siding, windows & doors $1,995,000 | MLS 373583 GALLATIN RD - NORTH GALLATIN CANYON - 25.22+/- acres in the Gallatin Canyon - No Covenants - Across the road from the Gallatin River & near trailheads $4,995,000 | MLS 356561 2085 OUSEL FALLS RD - BIG SKY - 2 bedroom, 2 bath home on 1.684 acres - Custom, high-end interior finishes -No HOA & endless possibilities! $2,995,000 | MLS 362657 11762 GOOCH HILL - GALLATIN GATEWAY - Lovely 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath custom home - Completely set up for horses on 20 acres - Corrals, cross fenced, large round pen $3,400,000 | MLS 374431 2440 US HWY 287 - CAMERON - Hunter’s paradise on 19 +/- acres - Fenced for horses with automatic waterers - Shop with attached living space $1,265,000 | MLS 371650 1255 FRANK RD - BELGRADE - 6.36 acres with a well & septic in place - NO HOA with light covenants - Bring your animals & build your dream home! $585,000 | MLS 374631

But Johnson is different. Her ribbons cover everything from chocolatedipped pecan cherry cookies, to no-bake strawberry pie; from rocky road fudge bars to candy cane Christmas cookies; from cinnamon rolls to apple pie.

Whensuccess.askedonce what she hoped for in her baking, she replied, “I just want to improve and get better.”

AMUSE BOUCHE SMALL STATURE, BIG WINNER

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Scott Mechura has spent a life in the hospitality industry as well as a former certified beer judge.

on Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Dr. Oz, The View, and too many other national and local networks and programs to mention, as well as thousands of other noteworthy appearances.

Contact Jessie Wiese at jessie@mtlandreliance.org

for more information

As the saying goes, if Marjorie has an entry, everyone else wonders who will place second.

This champ is Marjorie Johnson, a 4-foot-8-inch 103-year-old baker from Robbinsdale, Minnesota who’s won 2,500 ribbons, with over 1,000 of them being blue and purple. And those numbers are not a typo.

You get the idea.

Just imagine this ribbon collection on display. Well, of course, I have.

OPINION

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ENJOYING THE RIDE

3. Find companies with sustainable earnings growth. Graham looked for companies with steady, rising earnings trends. He believed that steadily improving earnings would lead to improved share price performance.

2. Seek out companies that are in strong financial shape. Companies with ample access to cash (liquidity) are generally not as risky as those with low cash balances and heavy debt loads.

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He argued that dividends are a sign that a company is profitable (dividends are paid from profits, after all) and that they also offer investors a return even if the company’s stock does not perform well.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. Shore to Summit Wealth Management is located at 105 E. Oak Street, Unit 1A Bozeman, MT 59715 # 406-219-2900

1. Choose companies that are paying dividends.

that even with the best research, investors will never know all there is to know about a company. They also can’t predict the negative surprises that often send individual stocks sharply lower. Not to oversimplify Graham’s theories, but some of his basic principles included:

As we round the corner from summer to fall, we’re reminded of how much we value this time of year. The air is crisper, the temperature is so inviting for outdoor pursuits, animals are grazing and fattening up for winter, leaves are changing and there are expectations in the air of a better year to come just around the corner.

BY SCOTT BROWN AND BENJAMIN SPIKER SPONSORED CONTENT

THE ART OF VALUE INVESTING

concept of security analysis, fundamental analysis and Grahamvalue-investing.influenced investing superstars such as:

Now that we’ve completed this refresher on value investing, which can be bountiful, it’s time to enjoy all that fall has to offer: the start of football, the World Series, the harvest, a time of thanks and exquisite outdoor opportunities to Enjoy the Ride.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network did not assist in the preparation of this report, and its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network or its affiliates. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and Shore to Summit Wealth Management are not legal or tax advisors. You should consult with your attorney, accountant and/or estate planner before taking any action.

4. Keep an eye on price multiples. He sought companies with price/earnings ratios that were below their historical average.

Warren Buffett, Mario Gabelli, John Bogle, John Templeton and many others. By devising sound principles for analyzing a company’s fundamentals and its future prospects, Graham turned speculating into investing. He enabled many investors to be analysts, not Grahamgamblers.argued

Explore Big Sky40 September 8 - 21, 2022 OPINION

Benjamin Graham is considered by many to be the father of financial analysis and value investing. He revolutionized investment philosophy by introducing the

There is value all around us this time of the year. There is value for our students being back to school in learning, growth and socialization. There is value for parents in time to focus on work and their home. There is even value for our economy in more spending on things like tuition, books, computers and clothes. Since we are thinking about all the value this time of year brings, we thought it would be good to go back to school on the art of value investing.

Talk to us about your construction loan options. Building your dream home takes planning and patience. And it all starts with the right financing. Our experienced, dedicated team can guide you through your construction loan options, providing the highest levels of service at every stage. Our competitive construction loans offer: One closing with one set of fees Low down payment options Financing for renovations and expansion projects usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage, home equity and credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2020 U.S. Bank 448802c 4/22 Gina Marshall Mortgage Loan Officer 406.522.3293 office 406.600.8699 NMLSgina.marshall@usbank.comcell#489006 To learn more, visit my mortage loan officer webpage. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit

Shining a light on the future.

Making smarter decisions about renewable energy requires knowledge. NorthWestern Energy’s solar projects throughout the state of Montana provide clean energy to the power grid – and they’re shaping the future of renewable energy, too. We’re working with local universities to better understand where solar energy belongs alongside a balanced energy mix. And that research is helping us build a brighter future for the next generation of Montanans.

View more of the story at NorthWesternEnergy.com/BrightFuture

If you’re thinking of buying or building in the Gallatin Valley, give me a call to take advantage of my knowledge of the market and experience as a local lender – it makes all the difference.

LOOKINGTOBUY own piece of the 406 ? Let’s talk.

your

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Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add in half of the gnocchi. Cook covered without mixing until golden brown on one side. Place the cooked gnocchi in a bowl and repeat with remaining olive oil and gnocchi.

Explore Big Sky43 September 8 - 21, 2022

1.Instructions

2. Add butter to the pan and stir frequently until it begins to brown, about 1 minute. To this, add garlic and a pinch of both salt and pepper. (My ancestors are Irish so I’m not a fan of spice, but you could add in some heat here if you want with red pepper flakes or chili powder.)

If you’ve read this column before, you may recall that I hate washing dishes while camping, so of course this recipe uses just one pan for maximum clean-up ease. This recipe should make enough for three people and could easily be made on either a two-burner propane stove or a backpacking stove.

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

4. Add the gnocchi back to the pan along with the basil and stir until everything is coated in the sauce. Top with parmesan and cover for a few minutes, allowing the cheese to melt over the top of the dish. Remove the pan from the heat, top with a few more basil leaves and enjoy!

soothe

Gnocchi is an Italian potato dumpling that can often be found at grocery stores next to regular dried pasta. You can pair this with any cheese, but for the sake of this recipe I’ve chosen parmesan because it’s a hard cheese that can go unrefrigerated for up to two weeks, making it ideal for camping.

• Salt and pepper

• ¼ cup fresh basil

FUN CAMP STOVE COOKING ONE-PAN CHEESY GNOCCHI ©2022 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. BHHSMT.COM | 406.995.4060 | 55 LONE PEAK DRIVE, STE. 3 | BIG SKY TOWNForCENTERLifeFrom first homes to forever homes, we’re here. Today. Tomorrow. For You. #1 in MT 60 BIG SKY RESORT ROAD, UNIT #10511 SUMMIT HOTEL CONDO 855± SF | 1 BD + 2 BA | $875,000 KATIE MORRISON 406.570.0096 6 CASCADESIOUXSUBDIVISION 3,559± SF | 5 BD + 4 BA | $3,250,000 DON PIOTTE 406.580.0155 PARCEL TBD HWY S-278 DILLON 350± ACRES | UNDEVELOPED LAND | $2,275,000 JAMIE ROBERTS 406.209.3069 2062 BITTERROOT ROAD BOZEMAN 3,212± SF | 3 BD + 1.5 BA | $2,000,000 DON PILOTTE 406.580.0155 PRICE REDUCED

• 6 oz hard parmesan cheese, shredded or cut into thin slices

• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes

Pasta has always been a camping classic for me. It’s cheap, easy and quick to make. Dried pasta is shelf stable and stays good even after being carried around in the bottom of a backpack or sitting in a hot car. A jar of pasta sauce is virtually effortless to use and dried tomato paste makes for a backpacking-friendly substitute. It’s hard to ask for more, but a few easy alterations can make this classic into quite the gourmet camp dinner.

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

BY JULIA BARTON

• 16 oz package of shelf stable potato gnocchi

3. Carefully add the tomatoes to the pan with a splash of water. The liquid inside the tomatoes will begin to boil and heat the tomato from the inside, so be weary of explosions here. As the tomatoes soften, mash them and continue to stir to create your pasta sauce. Cook until tomatoes are mostly broken down and the consistency has thickened.

Ingredients

Potato gnocchi coated in cheese and garnished with a bit of basil is sure to the stomach on a night at camp. PHOTO BY JULIA BARTON

Explore Big Sky44 September 8 - 21, 2022 FUN

BY JULIA BARTON

Explore Big Sky45 September 8 - 21, 2022 FUN BIG SKY BEATS SUMMER HITS FROM THE 2000S

As summer comes to an end and the days get shorter, hurtling us toward the inevitable chill of another Montana winter, it can be important to find pieces of sunlight to hold onto. For me, that sunlight is music. Music has a profound ability to transport a person to another moment in time, and with this playlist, I hope you are whisked back to summer in the mid 2000s—when gas was cheaper, jeans were lower and Big Sky was just beginning to make it onto the map. 1. “Hey Ya!” by Outkast 2. “Island In The Sun” by Weezer 3. “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga 4. “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado 5. “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” by Nine Days 6. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers 7. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World 8. “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson 9. “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock 10. “Leavin” by Jesse McCartney STACY OSSORIO Broker, Private Office Advisor stacy.ossorio@evrealestate.combigskybozemanrealestate.com406-539-8553 98 Pheasant Tail Lane, Unit #2 | Big Sky, MT 59716 Elevation 6000 Condominium Located in the heart of the highly sought-after Town Center 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | +/- 2,707 Sqft. | Furnished MLS # 373716 | $2,100,000 170 Gray Owl Lane | Big Sky, MT 3 living suites with their own chef’s kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms +/- 3 Acres | +/-4,832 SqFt. | 4 Bedrooms | 5.5 Bathrooms $4,850,000 | Furnished | MLS# 368621 TRUST EXPERIENCE Your trusted Big Sky real estate Advisor. Providing exceptional service to buyers and sellers of Big Sky properties for 30 years. Let me be your community connection. ©2021 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 cur rently 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.E&OE. Published by REAL Marketing (REM) | www.REALMarketing4You.com | 858.254.9619

Big Sky, MT

Listed at $779,950 | 1 Beds | 1 Baths | 821± SQFT

13 Heavy Runner Road , #1702

Listed by MIchael Pitcairn

Big Sky, MT

Listed at $995,000 | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 1,400± SQFT

Listed by Carrie Bryan

Contact L&K Today! 406.995.2404LKRealEstate.com

Welcome to in-town Big Sky living at its finest! This sunny end unit condominium has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms, ready for you to enjoy all Big Sky has to offer. There is no better place for convenience, with quick access to restaurants, shops, farmer's markets, concerts, grocery stores, and hospitals. The Westfork park and playground are also just around the corner. With a short ten-minute drive up to the Big Sky Resort, you will be skiing over 5,800 acres of incredible powder in no time.

70 Spruce Cone , #14

Enjoy incredible Lone Mountain views from this 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo located in the Sky Crest building in Big Sky Mountain Village. Located right along the Big Sky Resort Shuttle stop, you will be skiing in minutes! The robust stone wood burning fireplace is the anchor to the home, providing a warm crackling fire after a brisk day on the mountain.

Listed by EJ Daws

Enjoy Big Sky from this end-unit Firelight condo. Walk to Town Center to enjoy PBR, live music, shopping and dining! This 2 bedroom, 2 bath first floor Firelight Condo is right in the middle of it all. Surrounded by trails for biking and hiking, or enjoy your east-facing patio looking out towards the Gallatin Range and Levinsky Ridge. Make this your Big Sky getaway!

Listed by MIchael Pitcairn

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 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. ©2016 LK REAL ESTATE, llc. lkrealestate.com * Membership upon approval

Listed at $1,795,000 | 2 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,180± SQFT

97 Crail Creek Court

Live Your Montana Dream!

Big Sky, MT

120 Firelight Drive C-10 Big Sky, MT Listed at $820,000 | 2 Beds | 2 Baths | 1,092± SQFT

Make the most of your time in Big Sky! Located in the Big Sky Meadow Village, this spacious 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Crail Creek condominium is being offered fully furnished. This end unit has been recently updated with new flooring, granite countertops, kitchen appliances, and baseboards. With its welcoming entryway, open floor plan, wet bar, and wood-burning fireplace, this home is a great place to entertain! A two-car garage and a 300-plus square foot bonus room on the lower level provide ample storage space within the 2,180 square foot living space.

This masterfully crafted new construction home offers over 3,600 square feet of fine-living space adjacent to the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, providing nearly 40 acres of protected wetland for a variety of wildlife species right out your backdoor! The main floor open floor plan is complete with the kitchen, dining room, office, guest bath as well as a powder room and your primary bedroom suite. Enjoy the natural light and excellent quality finishes built for entertaining. Step outside to your spacious patio and enjoy those unobstructed Bridger mountain views. The upstairs is complete with an open foyer, two comfortably sized bedrooms, an ensuite guest room, additional family room. The unobstructed views of the Bridger Mountains, the ease of access to coffee shops, breweries, downtown shopping, fine dining restaurants, and endless recreational opportunities make this Bozeman single-family lot one of the finest opportunities on the market!

Listed by Ethan Stokes

192 Audubon Way Located in the Parklands at the Village Downtown Listed at $2,199,000 Let Us Work For You Buyers | Sellers | Development Consulting LKREALESTATE.COM

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 REGISTRA TION 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. THE INN RESIDEN CES AT M ON TAGE B IG SK Y 32 R E S I D ENCES | 3 AND 4 BEDROOMS DE E D E D QUARTE R-OWNER S H I P INTERESTS PRICING B EGINS AT $1,500,000 For the first time in Big Sky, The Inn will offer a unique second home ownership opportunity in a luxury Residence, steps from the new Montage Big Sky. Connected by an underground pathway, Montage Residences Big Sky offers owners privileged access to the resort’s amenities and services, plus ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort. All owners will also enjoy the benefit of membership at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, which includes private concierge services, a Tom Weiskopf Championship golf course, clubhouse and a year-round calendar of special, member-only events and experiences. Ownership at The Inn is offered in deeded, quarter-share ownership interests, and includes fully-furnished three and four-bedroom Residences, as well as an exclusive après ski resident’s lounge, ski lockers and lobby bar 406. 995.6333 | MONTAGERESIDENCESBIGSKY.COM