Explore Big Sky

02/08/2025

Big Sky Ski Education Foundation, Big Sky Resort and Big Sky Community Organization are hosting a full moon Nordic ski at the Big Sky Golf Course on Monday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The organizations agreed to make the event free as to avoid the pressure of being a fundraiser like so many Big Sky events. Registration is not required.

BSSEF, Big Sky Resort, BSCO join forces to host free cross-country skiing event Feb. 10 at Big Sky Nordic Center 

02/07/2025

The Madison Valley Hospital District filed a lawsuit against Resort Tax, alleging that the BSRAD board violated open meeting laws by holding closed sessions to discuss their August 2024 lawsuit related to Big Sky residents' potential withdrawal from MVHD.

‘A lot going on’ as Resort Tax board also finalizes ballot language for potential bonds  By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR 

02/07/2025

Dr. Allen Sills, the first chief medical officer for the National Football League, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive health and safety measures in place for Super Bowl Sunday. With over two decades of experience as a Big Sky resident, he’s uniquely positioned to balance both his passion for the game and his critical role in protecting players on the world’s biggest stage.

By Allen Sills GUEST COLUMNIST  Across the Big Sky area and around the world, friends and families will gather on

02/06/2025

The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation's mission is to protect wildlife in wild country by supporting healthy habits, hunting and conservation. One of their annual winter events, offered to kids ages 12-16, is the Winter Outdoor Skills Camp happening Feb. 21-23. The three-day, two-night program is held at the Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center and focuses on backcountry safety, snow science and avalanche awareness.

Youth ages 12-16 gain backcountry and avalanche awareness at this annual event By Leslie Kilgore EBS CONTRIBUTOR The Jack Creek

02/05/2025

EBS is working to understand the impact of wildlife-vehicle collisions in our area and encourage you to fill out this quick questionnaire.

From requests, feedback to data collection and more. Turn your insights into action with customizable WorkForms.

02/05/2025

A sizable avalanche was triggered this morning by Big Sky Resort Ski Patrol above the Swift Current 6 chairlift.

The avalanche occurred in the Bone Crusher hiking area before the mountain opened to the public, and the resort reported no injuries. The Swift Current lift will remain closed as crews clean up debris and inspect the chairlift for safety.

No injuries reported; Swift Current 6 temporarily closed as crews remove snow from Bone Crusher slide  By Jack Reaney SENIOR

02/05/2025

Officials addressed Gallatin County’s wildfire risk and mitigation on Monday, Feb. 3, in response to recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Gallatin County Emergency Management, a county entity that coordinates with public safety agencies for emergency management and response, discussed how homeowners and communities can plan for wildfires in the future.

Gallatin County Emergency Management addresses fire risk, management on the heels of Los Angeles disaster  By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER 

02/05/2025

A new bill might address hospital and school district boundary quarrels between Big Sky and Ennis, as Senate Bill 260 aims to make it easier for willing communities to withdraw from hospital and school districts. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson, and co-sponsored by Sen. Cora Neumann (D-Bozeman).

The bill’s purpose aligns closely with recent undertakings in Big Sky. Twice in the past year, some portion of Big Sky’s Madison County residents have attempted to withdraw from the Madison Valley Hospital District, which collects more than $3 million in annual property taxes from Big Sky. Both attempts have been unsuccessful, with the more recent attempt being struck down by 2-1 vote of the Madison County Commission.

In each instance, petitioners have argued that MVHD health care services are not reasonably accessible to Big Sky residents. If passed, SB 260 would take decision-making authority away from county commissions, instead requiring a popular vote by residents within the area proposed to be transferred.

By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR A new bill slated to enter Montana Senate committee this week might address hospital and

02/04/2025

Morningstar Learning Center will host the third annual Black Tie Trivia on March 1 at Montage Big Sky. The fundraiser supports the center’s efforts to provide affordable, high quality early childhood education to Big Sky families.

EBS STAFF For the third year, Morningstar Learning Center will host Black Tie Trivia, a fundraiser that supports the center’s

02/04/2025

https://www.explorebigsky.com/community-spotlight-songs-of-sorrow-2/66362For over three decades, Carmen Wooldridge has used her powerful soprano voice to comfort the Big Sky community at countless funerals, turning sorrow into healing through song. Now, as the office manager for mountain operations at the Yellowstone Club, she continues to embrace the slower, family-focused life that brought her to Big Sky, balancing work, faith and time spent with her grandchildren.

By  Sara Sipe  EBS CONTRIBUTOR Leaving Minnesota in search of a slower lifestyle and a more quality family life, Carmen

02/03/2025

Five Big Sky Fire Department personnel recently returned from battling the Palisades Fire in California, an experience that highlighted the growing threat of wildfires fueled by human activity and infrastructure expansion. As Montana faces similar challenges, experts urge smarter building practices and better wildfire preparedness to protect both lives and homes in fire-prone areas.

As wildfires intensify across the West, Montana experts highlight the growing risks of the wildland-urban interface and the need for

02/01/2025

A group of passionate telemark skiers at Big Sky are redefining what it means to ski with a free heel, embracing both the challenge and the community that comes with the sport. With every turn, they prove that telemark isn’t just about the ride—it’s about the lifestyle.

Why Big Sky’s small telemark community seems to grow every year  By Mario Carr EBS CONTRIBUTOR Telemark skiers are a

01/31/2025

On Thursday evening, local Nordic skiers participated in the first 2025 Viking Race, hosted by the Big Sky Ski Eduction Foundation.

Sixty-nine participants from Big Sky and West Yellowstone, including adults, competed in the skate-style race on favorable snow conditions and under a warm sunset. The race theme was denim.

Anna Fake, BSSEF Nordic director, said the program continues to thrive. “Our numbers are pretty similar, but I think the stoke is a lot higher,” Fake said, adding that having a lot more snow this season has helped.

“We’ve had a lot of fun days on skis, we have an awesome group of coaches this year,” she said. “… Watching personal growth of each skier is a lot easier to do this year because we have a strong program that we’ve kind of figured out.”

On Feb. 13, the next Viking Race will be a classic-style individual start race with a Valentine’s Day theme. On Feb. 25, the four-person, co-ed skate-style Viking Relays will wrap up the Viking series with a wild animal theme for the relay.

Register for upcoming Viking Races at the link below:
https://my.raceresult.com/325525/

📷: Jack Reaney

01/31/2025

A long week of bluebird days are coming to a close. The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory starting Today, Jan. 31, through the weekend. The Gallatin, Madison and the Centennial mountains, including Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Raynolds Pass and Targhee Pass, are expecting 3-7 inches of snow, and 5-9 inches in higher elevations.

📸 By Fischer Genau at on Jan. 29

01/31/2025

Winter in Big Sky depends on one thing: snow. And this winter, there's been a lot of it. 🌨❄️

EBS reporter Leslie Kilgore goes out on the street to talk with locals about how their season has gone so far, chatting about their most epic days, how business has been, and why snow makes everyone "happy, happy, happy."

🎙: Leslie Kilgore
🎥: Fischer Genau

01/30/2025

In Tuesday evening's public meeting, the Big Sky Governance Study team presented their updating findings about Big Sky's current governance conditions, and some of the potential impacts of governance changes. Various community members spoke up with ideas about the way Big Sky should prioritize its ongoing exploration.

As ongoing study clears fog on local governance options, community may prioritize specific goals By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR  As

01/30/2025

Wilson Peak Properties is a vacation rental and property management company serving the Big Sky area with owner Amanda Doty at the helm. She is a true Big Sky local with a long history in the community.

By Ellie Boeschenstein EBS CONTRIBUTOR Wilson Peak Properties is a vacation rental and property management company serving the Big Sky