Explore Big Sky

12/20/2024

On the second-shortest day of 2024, the world’s longest eight-seat chairlift carried its first public riders up Lone Mountain.

Big Sky Resort’s Madison 8 chairlift opened just after 10 a.m. today, less than one year after Big Sky Resort announced its plan to replace Six Shooter on Dec. 28, 2023.

📷: Jack Reaney

Moonlight Basin uncorks public-access gondola to One&Only ski lodge  By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR  On the second-shortest day of 2024,

12/19/2024

In a May meeting, the Big Sky Transportation District voted to increase Skyline’s bus pass fares. Time and inflation resulted in the decision to raise costs, according to Big Sky Transportation District Executive Director Darren Brugmann. This is the first fare increase since 2016.

Local routes within Big Sky will remain fare-free By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER  On September 27, Skyline Bus entered a

12/18/2024

The Gallatin County Planning Department will hold a public work session on Jan. 6 to discuss a proposed zone text amendment aimed at clarifying language and addressing potential loopholes in Big Sky’s zoning regulations. The session will take place following the Big Sky Zoning Advisory Committee meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m.

Work session scheduled Jan. 6 to solicit public input By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR  A zone text amendment could clarify

12/17/2024

Community members and visitors alike strolled Big Sky spreading holiday cheer this weekend for the 27th annual Big Sky Christmas Stroll. This year's event showcased a mix of local and guest talent, from student a ca****la singers, to ballet performances and Santa Claus.

The event’s 27th year showcased a mix of local and guest talent from student a capella singers, to ballet performances

12/14/2024

Freshman running back Adam Jones (pictured No. 23) powered the Bobcats to the FCS national semifinal, with 161 total yards and four touchdowns tonight. Senior Tommy Mellott tossed two touchdowns and ran for a third, as No. 1 Montana State trounced No. 8 Idaho, 52-19.

Next week in Bozeman, Montana State will host the winner of tomorrow’s matchup between No. 4 South Dakota and No. 5 UC Davis.

📷: Jack Reaney

12/13/2024

Violinist Angella Ahn now brings world-class chamber music to Big Sky, transforming intimate performances into emotional connections for local audiences. As the artistic director of the Montana Chamber Music Society, Ahn is on a mission to share the magic of live music with small communities, fostering unity and inspiration across the state.

Montana Chamber Music Society continues to grow its unique program to communities across the state By Leslie Kilgore EBS CONTRIBUTOR Angella Ahn began her musical career as a concert violinist at a young age with her twin sisters. As part of the Ahn Trio, which consisted of violin, piano and cello,....

12/13/2024

On Wednesday night, Big Sky Resort held a special Enchanted Forest lighting ceremony atop Andesite Mountain. The Enchanted Forest is a family-friendly, self-guided evening experience where guests follow a one-kilometer path through trees lit by more than 10,000 colored lights, with immersive light displays and an outdoor fire pit, according to the resort’s website.

The Enchanted Forest is accessed by riding the Ramcharger 8 chairlift. With moonlight shining on Big Sky Resort’s base area and the surrounding peaks, local photographer and resort employee Andrew Belli captured this image while descending from the event.

📷: Andrew Belli

12/12/2024

Jeremy Harder has worked for the Big Sky School District for the last 25 years, first as a fourth-grade teacher and then as the lead in design technology at Ophir Middle School and Lone Peak High School. In June 2025, Harder will close out a career that’s overseen the construction of the district’s STEAM building, planning of annual Yellowstone trips and hundreds of students who’ve learned in his classrooms.

Beloved teacher, soccer coach, announces retirement in June By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER The night before Jeremy Harder’s interview at the Big Sky School District in August 2000, the then 27-year-old bathed in the Gallatin River and camped at Red Cliff. After his interview, the BSSD team encouraged...

12/12/2024

Public comment is open until Jan. 10 through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, regarding the second phase of the Quarry subdivision in Big Sky. The first phase—90 single-family homes—is already approved and permitted by DEQ. The current environmental assessment is focused on the second phase, containing the remaining 45 homes.

By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR On Nov. 25, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality released a draft of an environmental assessment of the Quarry, a planned unit development in the Gallatin Canyon portion of Big Sky. Plans for the Quarry are outlined in phases, amounting to 135 single-family ho...

12/12/2024

On Dec. 10, the 2024 Best of Big Sky awards ceremony gathered community members and distinguished leaders from businesses and nonprofits to celebrate another year of achievement and community building across 38 categories.

EBS STAFF On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the 2024 Best of Big Sky awards ceremony gathered community members and distinguished leaders from businesses and nonprofits to celebrate another year of achievement and community building across 38 categories. In November, the public engaged by nominating worthy leade...

12/09/2024

Big Sky's annual Her Gift, Her Creation performance took place at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center on Friday. Local women of all ages gathered and took the stage to share their creative talents to a sold-out audience, with proceeds supporting local nonprofits.

Founder and director Klaudia Kosiak came up with the idea several years ago to organize, celebrate and empower the many talented women of Big Sky through artistic expression, according to WMPAC’s event description. Kosiak’s friends Jill Bough and Liz McRae have helped grow the event.

📷: Leslie Kilgore

12/08/2024

The Big Sky Christmas Stroll is set for Dec. 13-14, in both Meadow Village and Town Center, followed by "The Nutcracker" performances on Dec. 15. The annual holiday event, a blend of old traditions and new collaborations, features tree lighting, photos with Santa and local festivities, uniting Big Sky’s two commercial centers in holiday cheer.⁠
⁠⁠
📷️: Courtesy of Erik Morrison

By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR The Big Sky Christmas Stroll is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13 in Meadow Village Center and Saturday, Dec. 14 in Town Center, followed by two performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Montana Ballet Company on Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center....

12/08/2024

The undefeated Bobcats are moving on.

Montana State hosted University of Tennessee Martin in a second-round FCS playoff game this afternoon, and the Bobcats handed the Skyhawks a season-ending defeat.

Senior quarterback Tommy Mellott threw for 300 yards including four touchdown passes in the 49-17 win. Sophomore receiver Taco Dowler (pictured No. 14) hauled in two scores, and fellow receiver Ty McCullouch scored twice—including one rushing score. The undefeated Big Sky Conference champions scored seven touchdowns in their first glimpse of the 2024 FCS playoffs.

Montana State will host the winner of Lehigh vs. No. 8 Idaho, currently taking place as of 8 p.m. Saturday.

Stay tuned to EBS for a full recap of the Bobcat win and the road ahead.

📷: Jack Reaney

12/07/2024

At just 13 years old, Owen Edgar has turned his passion for fly-tying into a successful business, The Fly Box.

He recently donated $1,232 to Warriors & Quiet Waters, a nonprofit that supports post-9/11 combat veterans in reconnecting with community through experiences in nature, like fly-fishing trips.

📷️: Courtesy of Mark Edgar

By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER Mimicking waterbugs, caddisflies and other delicious creatures, Owen Edgar has helped people catch fish with his handmade fishing flies for the past three years. In the summer, Edgar can complete custom 150-piece kits for customers in a month, but that timeline extends to...

12/07/2024

On Saturday, Dec. 7 downtown Bozeman will be filled with festive activities for the 44th annual Christmas Stroll. Activities include the Christmas Stroll parade, photos with Santa, Christmas carols and more.

EBS STAFF Downtown Bozeman businesses and nonprofit organizations will participate in the 44th annual Christmas stroll on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Activities include the Christmas Stroll parade, photos with Santa, Christmas carols, a chance to vote in the annual gingerbread house cont...

12/06/2024

A new nonprofit in Big Sky, Mountain Safety Group, is working to make CPR and first aid training more accessible to locals. Founded by Connor Goodwin, the organization offers low-cost or free courses to residents and workers, with plans to expand into wilderness first aid and avalanche safety.

By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER As Big Sky gears up for another season of winter recreation, a new organization hopes to make life-saving training more accessible to residents and workers. Connor Goodwin began Mountain Safety Group, a nonprofit organization that aims to address accessibility of CPR and....

12/06/2024

In a special BSRAD board meeting this morning, discussion of potential voter-approved debt between $75 million and $125 million prompted the board to schedule an additional public meeting in early January.

The working session will allow time for the board to ask detailed questions and learn more details about the projects shaping Big Sky's future.

📷: Jack Reaney

Additional meeting scheduled Jan. 2; annual deadline looms in February By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR The Big Sky Resort Area District board held a special meeting today, Thursday, Dec. 5, to hear a proposal for potential voter-approved debt that would fund infrastructure projects outlined in BSRAD’...

12/04/2024

In this Letter to the Editor, Lone Mountain Land Company celebrates 10 years and looks forward to projects planned for 2025. "Accommodating the needs and enhancing the quality of life for our workforce and the greater community has been one of our top priorities," wrote LMLC.

Dear Big Sky Community, The winter season is nearly upon us and with the early snowfall the excitement and energy building in our community is palpable. Soon visitors will be filling businesses and we’ll all be working hard and getting out when we can to enjoy the powder, winter sports, and holida...