Explore Big Sky - June 12th to June 25th

June 12 - June 25, 2025 Volume 16 // Issue 12

BSFD BREAKS GROUND ON NEW FIRE STATION FORMER LONE PEAK ATHLETE JOINS MSU FOOTBALL

LMLC UNVEILS NEW HOTEL FOR BIG SKY TOWN CENTER MDT PURSUES PUBLIC COMMENT ON U.S. 191 PLANS DISCOVERY ACADEMY ANNOUNCES SKI-FOCUSED PROGRAM

OPENING SHOT

June 12 - June 25, 2025 Volume 16 // Issue 12 Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL VP MEDIA Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com SENIOR EDITOR Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com

The 25th season of the Big Sky Softball League began May 27, with matchups between teams old and new at Big Sky Community Park. Pictured here, BYWOM shortstop Steve Prisco tosses to first base. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STAFF WRITER Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com LOCAL JOURNALIST Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD Fischer Genau | fischer@theoutlawpartners.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Carli Johnson | carli@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Megan Sierra | msierra@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com MARKETING MANAGER Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com CONTENT MARKETING LEAD Taylor Owens | taylor.owens@theoutlawpartners.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

4 BRIEFS 8 6 OP NEWS 8 LOCAL 25 SPORTS 10 26 ARTS 33 OPINION 36 ENVIRONMENT 12 40 DINING 43 BUSINESS 45 HEALTH 51 FUN 18

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com ACCOUNT COORDINATOR Ellie Boeschenstein | ellie@theoutlawpartners.com

25

CONTRIBUTORS

ON THE COVER:

Jason Bacaj, Abby Butler, Rachel Hergett, Kris Inman, David O’Connor, Benjamin Alva Polley, Shannon Steele, Kaycie Timm, Finley Timon

On June 5, Big Sky Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault gave a speech to celebrate the groundbreaking of Big Sky’s soonto-be third fire station, located in the Spanish Peaks club but serving the entire community. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

LMLC UNVEILS NEW HOTEL FOR BIG SKY TOWN CENTER

Lone Mountain Land Company has announced a new hotel for Big Sky’s Town Center, the “independent boutique” Hotel Free West. The 81-room hotel will feature “modern mountain design with a polished rustic charm.”

MDT PURSUES PUBLIC COMMENT ON U.S. 191 PLANS

The Montana Department of Transportation introduced its Big Sky North plan to improve U.S. Highway 191 in a May 14 meeting in Big Sky, and officials are now encouraging the public to voice their comments, concerns and ideas.

Construction is scheduled for summer 2026.

BSFD BREAKS GROUND ON THIRD FIRE STATION

Big Sky will soon benefit from an additional fire station for the first time in more than 25 years as a 10,000-squarefoot, $19 million facility “represents the most significant investment in Big Sky Fire Department’s fire infrastructure history,” according to Big Sky Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault.

DISCOVERY ACADEMY ANNOUNCES SKIFOCUSED PROGRAM

Starting this fall, students at Big Sky Discovery Academy can sign up for a program that includes fitness and ski training to complement their academics. EBS spoke with Head of Schools Scott Poloff and representatives from Moving Mountains gym and Big Sky Resort about the new program.

FORMER LONE PEAK ATHLETE JOINS MSU FOOTBALL

On April 18, former Lone Peak High School student-athlete George Helms received a phone call from Montana State University head coach Brent Vigen, extending the official offer to join the Bobcats as a running back. He’d entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 16 after a redshirt freshman season at Elon University, and said it's been a lifelong dream to be a Bobcat.

EDITORIAL POLICIES EDITORIAL POLICY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Outlaw Partners, LLC is the sole owner of Explore Big Sky. EBS reserves the right to edit all submitted material. Printed material reflects the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the opinion of Outlaw Partners or its editors.

EBS will not publish anything discriminatory or in bad taste.

Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes.

Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.

EBS welcomes obituaries written by family members or from funeral homes. To place an obituary, please submit 500 words or less to media@theoutlawpartners.com.

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Explore Big Sky

4 June 12 - June 25, 2025

BRIEFS

NEWS IN BRIEF

SMOKEJUMPER INJURED DURING YELLOWSTONE TRAINING EXERCISE

NEW PAVED PATHWAY OPENS IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

EBS STAFF

EBS STAFF

A smokejumper with the Custer Gallatin National Forest was rescued June 10 after sustaining a leg injury during a parachute training exercise in Yellowstone National Park.

The Town of West Yellowstone and the Custer Gallatin National Forest invited the public to a ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of the Yellowstone Shortline Trail on Wednesday, June 11.

The injury occurred after the jumper was pushed off course by winds from an approaching thunderstorm and landed in dense forest about a mile inside the park boundary, roughly 7 miles north of West Yellowstone, according to a press release from the Gallatin County Sheriff ’s Office.

The nine mile non-motorized trail follows the historic route of the Oregon Short Line Railroad from the Montana-Idaho state line into West Yellowstone. It begins on the corner of Iris and Obsidian Streets, then heads west into the Custer Gallatin National Forest and meanders along the South Fork of the Madison River. The paved pathway is open to all non-motorized users including hikers, bikers, runners, roller skaters, roller skiers, skateboarders, birdwatchers and photographers.

Rescue crews from Gallatin County Search and Rescue and the Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District responded on foot. The jumper was treated at the scene and carried out using a one-wheeled litter, according to the release.

An Idaho-based medical helicopter was able to land nearby and transported the patient to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer thanked the agencies involved and extended well wishes to the injured smokejumper.

NEW PAVED PATHWAY OPENS IN WEST YELLOWSTONE EBS STAFF The Town of West Yellowstone and the Custer Gallatin National Forest invited the public to a ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of the Yellowstone Shortline Trail on Wednesday, June 11.

The nine mile non-motorized trail follows the historic route of the Oregon Short Line Railroad from the Montana-Idaho state line into West Yellowstone. It begins on the corner of Iris and Obsidian Streets, then heads west into the Custer Gallatin National Forest and meanders along the South Fork of the Madison River. The paved pathway is open to all non-motorized users including hikers, bikers, runners, roller skaters, roller skiers, skateboarders, birdwatchers and photographers.

The project was led by a group of local individuals who joined together “for the interest and purpose of providing West Yellowstone’s residents and visitors with a sustainable, healthy and authentic way to experience the region’s unique environment,” the release stated.

The trail includes signage along the route highlighting the history, flora and fauna of the area and is one of the final pieces of the larger Greater Yellowstone Trail that connects West Yellowstone to Jackson Hole via Island Park.

The project was led by a group of local individuals who joined together “for the interest and purpose of providing West Yellowstone’s residents and visitors with a sustainable, healthy and authentic way to experience the region’s unique environment,” the release stated.

The trail includes signage along the route highlighting the history, flora and fauna of the area and is one of the final pieces of the larger Greater Yellowstone Trail that connects West Yellowstone to Jackson Hole via Island Park.

GVLT BEGINS ANNUAL SUMMER TRAILS CHALLENGE WITH $100K FUNDRAISING GOAL EBS STAFF Each June, Gallatin Valley Land Trust asks local runners, bikers and hikers to log their miles for their annual Summer Trails Challenge, with each mile logged equating to $1 raised for the land trust’s trail expansion projects.

In the fundraiser’s 10th year, the nonprofit is aiming to hit their largest goal yet: 100,000 miles for $100,000 raised. Participants can log their miles now through June 30.

The Summer Trails Challenge is made possible by generous donors, according to a June 3 press release from GVLT, with support from 53 local business partners including lead sponsors Bozeman Health, Ekam Yoga, Evergoods, Oboz Footwear and Toyota of Bozeman.

To begin the fundraiser, GVLT invites the community to their National Trails Day volunteer trail work event on June 7 at 8:30 a.m. on Peets Hill/Burke Park in Bozeman. Participants can log their miles walked during the event, and afterwards there will be a Summer Trails Challenge barbecue lunch at their office, 212 S Wallace Ave.

CELEBRATE DAD WITH LUCCHESE BOZEMAN JUNE 14 10AM - 6PM Join us at Lucchese Bozeman on June 14th to honor Dad with a special Father’s day experience! Enjoy signature sips crafted by Meili Vodka and take advantage of exclusive Father’s Day offers on our premium boots and accessories.

Don’t miss out-visit us and make Father’s Day unforgettable!

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Explore Big Sky

6 June 12 - June 25, 2025

OP NEWS

THE WESTERN SPIRIT SHINES AT PBR WORLD FINALS GOLF TOURNAMENT, RAISING $31,500 FOR ATHLETES IN NEED

PHOTO BY KAYCIE TIMM

OUTLAW PARTNERS The Western sports community joined in full force at Waterchase Golf Course on May 13 in Fort Worth, Texas, during the Professional Bull Riders World Finals. A spirited golf tournament raised $31,500 for the Western Sports Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of rodeo athletes.

Hosted by Outlaw Partners and supported by Professional Bull Riders, the event hosted 12 teams and seven professional cowboys on the greens, including representatives from iconic Western brands such as Wrangler, Pendleton Whiskey and Big Sky PBR. Among the competitors was Keyshawn Whitehorse, a familiar face on the PBR circuit and part of the winning team.

The funds raised at the tournament will directly benefit WSF’s growing list of support programs, which include financial aid for athletes recovering from injuries, career development resources and increasingly critical mental health services, thanks to a new partnership with BetterHelp.

“We’ve seen a real spike in the need for this kind of help,” Harvey said. “We’re honored to be one of the organizations stepping up to meet athletes exactly where they are at. The idea that you have to just ‘tough it out’ is outdated, and we’re proud to be part of breaking that stigma.”

Outlaw Partners’ Chief Operating Officer Josh Timon also took a moment to thank the PBR cowboys for naming Big Sky PBR “Event of the Year” for the 11th time, a title that reflects the

“It’s an incredible honor,” Timon said. “What makes the Big Sky PBR so special isn’t just the bulls or the backdrop, it’s the community, the energy and the feeling that something unforgettable happens here every single year.”

He extended heartfelt gratitude to key members of the PBR team, including Andy and Jacey Watson, Cord McCoy, Chad Berger, Flint Rasmussen, Matt West and the entire crew, praising them for their passion, commitment and hard work behind the scenes.

WSF emphasized how meaningful it was to see the same Big Sky generosity represented in Texas.

“Seeing fans, donors, and some of the biggest names in the sport come together on the golf course, playing side by side, sharing stories and rallying behind the mission was powerful.” Harvey said. “It’s a reminder of what makes the Western world so special.”

The tournament also drew Hollywood talent.

Actor Neal McDonough, known for his work in productions such as “Yellowstone,” “Band of Brothers,” “Boomtown” and “American Horror Story,” joined the event and promoted his upcoming Western film, “The Last Rodeo.”

WSF expressed their appreciation for the support, highlighting how events like this do more than just raise funds.

“When generosity meets shared experience, it creates something transformative,” said Mai-Brit Harvey, director of fund development for WSF. “Events like this not only raise funds—they spark connection, fuel purpose and remind every athlete that they’re not in this alone. That’s the kind of impact that can change lives.”

unmatched atmosphere and community that surrounds the Big Sky PBR stop each summer.

As the countdown begins for this summer’s Big Sky PBR, Outlaw Partners and WSF are both looking ahead with excitement, ready to continue the tradition of blending sport, community and purpose.

PBR CEO Sean Gleason (right) and Outlaw Partners COO Josh Timon speak at the golf tournament. PHOTO

BY KAYCIE TIMM

“The men and women of Western sports do it for the love of the ride and the values that come with it,” Harvey added. “They represent everything we admire. Grit, resilience, humility and an unwavering work ethic. That’s exactly why they’re worth supporting.”

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CRETACEOUS CROSSROADS NEW EXHIBIT!

Opens July 2, 2025 For the first time in over ten years, Museum of the Rockies will unveil a major new primary paleontology exhibition.

Cretaceous Crossroads will explore a time of transition in the Northern Rockies, when a vast seaway covered North America and new dinosaur species dominated the land. The exhibit is comprised of real fossil material, 3D prints, casts, reproductions, new paleoart, murals, AV interactives, an augmented reality piece, microscope stations, discovery drawers and more.

Visitors will see a mounted Maiasaura (Montana’s State Fossil) tending its nest, a 30-foot-long Daspletosaurus (a T. rex cousin), dinosaur egg clutches, Troodon (raptor-like dinosaur), a 23-foot long Mosasaurus, and many other specimens, some of which are only known from Montana.

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Explore Big Sky

8 June 12 - June 25, 2025

LOCAL

LMLC ANNOUNCES NEW TOWN CENTER HOTEL

HOTEL FREE WEST EXPECTED TO OPEN SUMMER 2027 IN BIG SKY

Rendering of the hotel being constructed in Big Sky's Town Center. COURTESY OF LMLC

EBS STAFF BIG SKY—Lone Mountain Land Company has announced a new hotel for Big Sky’s Town Center, the “independent boutique” Hotel Free West. The 81-room hotel will feature “modern mountain design with a polished rustic charm,” according to a May 30 press release from LMLC. The project aims “to capture the essence of Montana’s spirit and [enhance] Big Sky’s mountain town hospitality.” The release emphasized the hotel as exciting progress for Big Sky’s hospitality scene bringing year-round energy, experience and economic drive to Town Center. Construction is currently underway with a projected opening date of summer 2027.

LMLC believes the hotel will be a catalyst for continued vibrancy in Town Center, according to LMLC President Matt Kidd.

“Hotel Free West is the culmination of three years of visioning, planning and passion,” Kidd stated in the release. “It’s more than just rooms and amenities—it’s a catalyst for the future of Big Sky, a welcoming hang-out for locals, and a destination for visitors to experience the magic of this place.”

In addition to 81 guest rooms, the hotel will feature a signature restaurant, bar and lounge, a “relaxed café,” retail shops including local artistry and culture, a fitness room, and an outdoor deck with a hot tub, cold plunge and saunas.

Beside the hotel, Plaza Avenue will be constructed

Renderings show the north lobby fireplace, planned restaurant and south lobby. COURTESY OF LMLC

as a new street to connect Aspen Leaf Drive and Town Center Avenue.

Hotel Free West will be operated by Columbia Hospitality, a Seattle-based hospitality solutions provider and management company with locations across North America, including Sage Lodge in Montana’s Paradise Valley.

“We are beyond excited to bring the vision of Hotel Free West to life—an independent boutique hotel that reflects the natural beauty and adventure of Big Sky,” stated Matt Hagerman, president of hotels and resorts at Columbia Hospitality. “With a legacy of operating unique hospitality projects, Columbia is honored to bring our expertise to Big Sky by partnering with LMLC and providing exceptional guest experiences.”

Explore Big Sky

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L O CA L

10 June 12 - June 25, 2025

Explore Big Sky

MDT SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED U.S. 191 REHABILITATION PLAN ‘BIG SKY NORTH’ PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR 2026

The release encourages citizens to provide ideas and comments on the proposed work, either through MDT’s online portal or in writing to the following address: Montana Department of Transportation, Butte office, PO Box 3068, Butte, MT 59702.

MDT asks the public to reference the project ID as “UPN 10558000.”

If the public wishes to speak directly with a project representative, MDT encourages citizens to contact Brandon Jones, MDT Butte District preconstruction engineer, at 406-494-9622.

MDT crews worked on road surface repairs in early April 2025. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

EBS STAFF The Montana Department of Transportation introduced its Big Sky North plan to improve U.S. Highway 191 in a May 14 meeting in Big Sky, and officials are now encouraging the public to voice their comments, concerns and ideas.

Proposed work on the busy two-lane highway between Big Sky and Bozeman includes guardrail embankment repair, subgrade dig outs, milling the existing surface, applying a new overlay and finishing with a chip seal, upgraded pavement markings, signage and guardrail. The project

intends “to repair the existing surface, enhance roadway safety features, and prolong the service life of the roadway,” according to a May 30 MDT press release.

Assuming funds are available, the project is tentatively scheduled for summer 2026.

The project site would cover roughly 14 miles between Big Sky and the Lava Lake area. In a separate long-term project, MDT has shared updated plans for a bridge replacement and pedestrian improvements at the Lava Lake recreation area.

“Partnering with the community is an important part of properly planning for future projects,” the release stated.

Jones outlined plans to construct four passing lanes in his May 14 presentation, and clarified in a May 30 email to EBS that those passing lanes are not part of the Big Sky North project—instead, they’re included in three separate projects, and two of those projects currently await funding with no definitive timeline.

The third project, Spanish Creek bridge replacement, is scheduled for 2029 and plans include passing lane construction.

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12 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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Explore Big Sky

‘A HISTORIC MOMENT’: BSFD BREAKS GROUND ON THIRD BIG SKY FIRE STATION NEW $19M STATION LOCATED IN SPANISH PEAKS CLUB BECOMES MONTANA’S FIRST-EVER RID-FUNDED FIRE STATION

PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

BY JACK REANEY BIG SKY—Big Sky will soon benefit from an additional fire station for the first time in more than 25 years as a 10,000-square-foot, $19 million facility “represents the most significant investment in Big Sky Fire Department’s fire infrastructure history,” according to Big Sky Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault.

On Thursday, June 5, Tetrault and his BSFD comrades celebrated the groundbreaking of their third station, located at the primary entrance to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club. The station will “greatly strengthen” BSFD’s ability to serve Spanish Peaks, and the surrounding community by reducing response times and expanding overall coverage, while and enhancing mutual-aid support to the Yellowstone Club and the independent YC fire department, Tetrault explained. He emphasized that non-club residents in nearby areas will see the same benefits of improved service.

It’s expected to take 18 months to construct the new facility.

“This station is more than a building. It’s a symbol of community commitment, public safety and planning for the future of Big Sky,” Tetrault said in a speech. He noted that the station is designed for firefighters’ safety, performance, health and resilience.

Big Sky will now be the first-ever Montana community to construct a new fire station using an RID, making Thursday’s ceremony “a historic moment,” Tetrault said.

partners including LMLC and the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club for donating three acres of land, plus $1.25 million in cash, to make the project possible. “This has been a long, long project.”

“This achievement is a direct result of the taxpayers within the rural improvement district here in Spanish Peaks, who stepped forward and said ‘yes’ to enhanced public safety, faster emergency response, and meeting the needs of a rapidly growing community,” Tetrault said.

Montage Big Sky will pay for their portion of the RID assessments, and LMLC will cover the fees on not-yet-developed lots until those properties are eventually sold.

Matt Kidd, president of Lone Mountain Land Company, agreed the project has been a long time coming. He noted that unlike many infrastructure facilities, the fire station will be highly visible along South Fork Road—which connects Big Sky to the Yellowstone and Spanish Peaks clubs—and in view of the Spanish Peaks entrance.

The fire station may bring significant return on those taxpayers’ investment. Tetrault explained it will help close existing gaps in Big Sky’s ISO insurance coverage by increasing proximity to the nearest fire station and improving protection.

It may also result in lower insurance costs for property owners.

Tetrault thanked BSFD board members, former fire chiefs Greg Megaard and Bill Farhat, and local

“This is an amenity building to be celebrated by the entire community,” Kidd said in a speech. “This is a really big deal.”

Kidd thanked the members and owners of the Spanish Peaks community for their f inancial commitment to improve community firefighting infrastructure. He also thanked Big Sky’s firefighters.

“You guys keep us safe, every day, and we really appreciate all that you do. So, from Lone Mountain Land Company, from Spanish Peaks, to the Big Sky Fire District, thank you guys.”

BSFD has been looking to construct a third station in the Spanish Peaks area for nearly a decade, including a point when negotiations “completely stalled” until BSFD and Lone Mountain Land Company settled on a new, unprecedented funding scheme: a rural improvement district, or “RID.” A Montana first RIDs are county-operated special districts that allow a specific rural area to fund and manage local infrastructure improvements. Property owners within that specific area—in this case, the boundary of the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club—pay assessments to fund those infrastructure improvements.

The station will be located near the entrances to Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and Yellowstone Club.

PHOTO BY JACK REANEY

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16 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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LMLC OPEN HOUSE DISCUSSES WINS AND CHALLENGES FOR BIG SKY

LONE MOUNTAIN LAND COMPANY PRESIDENT MATT KIDD ADDRESSES CONCERNS, UPDATES AND QUESTIONS FROM COMMUNITY

BY JEN CLANCEY BIG SKY—On Tuesday, June 3, the president of Lone Mountain Land Company, Matt Kidd, gave a presentation on development plans across Big Sky. The open house event at The Wilson Hotel addressed results of the May election, concerns about education and child care, and updates on the reopening of Buck’s T-4 restaurant.

Kidd first celebrated the wins from the recent county election, when Big Sky voters approved housing project financing, resort tax renewal and school levies across the board in May, opening opportunities for affordable workforce housing and stability in resort tax collections.

Big Sky Resort Area District Executive Director Daniel Bierschwale thanked those who voted to support ballot measures, mentioning the many times Big Sky stakeholders and community members traveled to Helena in the 2025 Montana legislative session. “ It was a pretty spectacular show of support from the community to have to call off two busloads of people that are coming up to testify in Helena as we reached the compromise that morning for a decision around SB 260,” Bierschwale said.

Senate Bill 172 marked another victory for Big Sky, allowing the extra 1% resort tax for infrastructure to include the ability to support workforce housing. “ We can always find a community that probably is doing things bigger and better than Big Sky,” Bierschwale said, reflecting on what the community can do when it comes together for a common cause. “But I can guarantee you in the state of Montana, there is not a community that has as many people, talented people that are mobilized around major efforts.”

David O’Connor, executive director of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust took the podium, noting that the Cold Smoke housing development will allow Big Sky to guarantee a space set aside for community members that work hard to contribute to the area.

Attendees listen to the LMLC open house presentation. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY “There’s quite a bit that needs to happen in the bond process to make that financial instrument ready to go,” O’Connor said of the project’s next steps.

“There’s quite a bit that needs to happen on the land itself … to get the land prepared and ready for the community to be able to purchase it via the housing trust. All those things need to be finished first.”

Kidd explained that the purchase price set for the parcel by LMLC won’t result in profit for LMLC. “ There’s a lot of complexity to all to it, but I want you to understand, the investment that we’ve already made in Cold Smoke is significantly more than the purchase price that … is under agreement to sell to the housing trust,” Kidd said.

Buck’s T-4: 'We’re trying to figure it out' Later in the evening, Kidd displayed photos of a familiar, but refreshed version of Buck’s T-4, revealing a fully completed bar, restaurant and game area ready for diners. The restaurant and bar, built in 1950, was purchased by LMLC in 2020 and had plans to reopen for the 2023 winter season.

The original plan to reopen, Kidd said, didn’t work.

“We thought we had a plan to operate. Those plans fell apart,” Kidd said. “We actually now don’t know exactly how we’re going to run the restaurant of [Buck’s T-4].”

He jokingly asked if anyone in the room wanted to help open the restaurant, to which former Buck's co-owner David O’Connor responded, “I already have a job” to laughs. “ We promise we’ll continue to communicate,” Kidd concluded.

Expanded child care in Town Center Kidd explained that access to child care in Big Sky is key to keeping families in the area. As LMLC helps expand child care operations in Big Sky, he said the company will continue supporting the efforts of Morningstar Learning Center and Big Sky Discovery Academy.

This support, alongside future developments, have the potential to boost enrollment in Big Sky’s schools, long-term. “We need capacity for more kids,” Kidd said. “I hope in the future, there’s 40 kids a class at Ophir.”

A new Gallatin River Child Care facility is expected to open in Town Center in September, Kidd confirmed. Opened in 2024, Gallatin River Child Care was initially designed to serve children of LMLC and Yellowstone Club employees, but has expanded to service the public. The additional Town Center facility is projected to support 24 children and will also be available to the public. Part of a larger vision, Kidd explained, is to partner all local providers to accommodate around 150 kids.

Attendees listen to the LMLC open house presentation. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

To close, Kidd challenged the audience to consider how they can further engage in the future of Big Sky, posing the question: “ Where else is there a place that’s as exciting and interesting and fun as Big Sky, at least right now?”

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18 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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DISCOVERY ACADEMY LAUNCHES SKI ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

BY FISCHER GENAU BIG SKY—Next school year, Big Sky Discovery Academy is launching a ski program for students ages six through 11. Through the private school’s new Ski Enrichment Program, parents can pay an additional program fee to enroll their child two days a week, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., to train with Moving Mountains’ personal trainers and eventually ski with instructors at Big Sky Resort.

“We want our kids to thrive in all areas,” Scott Poloff, the head of schools at Big Sky Discovery Academy, told EBS. “This is a great opportunity for kids to be able to pair skiing with education and show them how the two can work together to be successful.”

Poloff said it’s important to teach students at an early age how to balance their schoolwork with other responsibilities.

“When these kids get to 10 or 12 and they're ready to really make a commitment to [the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation], they'll have had years of not only foundational ski training and athletic training, but also educational training and how to manage time and still continue to uphold a high level of academic excellence while also succeeding on the mountain,” Poloff said.

Training better skiers The program will start with up to 12 students divided into two groups, one beginner and one more advanced. For now, the program is only open to skiers comfortable skiing parallel on blue terrain—snowboarders will not be included in the program. In the fall, Discovery will bus students

PHOTO BY FINLEY TIMON

to the Moving Mountains gym two days a week to work on mobility, strength and agility training, focusing on movements and muscles they will use on the mountain.

“I think it’s a really cool opportunity to teach young people about movement and strength in the gym, and how they feel and how they can then perform because they’re strong,” Amy Herran, a co-owner of Moving Mountains, told EBS. Herran said that Moving Mountains rarely gets to work with anyone this young, and she hopes they will bring their foundational fitness training and skills with them into their adult life.

After 10 weeks of training, Discovery students will then take what they’ve learned to the mountain.

Four coaches from Big Sky Resort will work with the Discovery group each week on skiing fundamentals, as well as reinforcing etiquette and respectful behavior. Each student will be equipped with a GPS chip so instructors can monitor their progress, and parents will be able to view a video summary of their child’s activities each day.

“I've spent my whole career promoting skiing, so I see this is a great opportunity to not just promote the sport, but these kids are going to come out of this and be lifelong skiers,” Matt Ruuhela, the assistant director of mountain sports at Big Sky Resort, told EBS. One of a kind Discovery’s intensive Ski Enrichment Program will be the first of its kind in Big Sky, organizers explained, although the Big Sky School District has a long history of bringing students to the resort for ski days.

“I think it's important to recognize how unique this is,” Ruuhela said.

One reason Discovery can offer such a unique program is their flexible curriculum, Poloff said.

The school will ensure that classes students miss during skiing or training will be offered on other days of the week, and Poloff said he’s confident that students who opt into the program won’t suffer academically.

“If they're going to make the dedication to be on the mountain that much, odds are they're making the same dedication in the classroom,” Poloff said.

During the program’s pilot year, Discovery, Moving Mountains, and the resort intend to adapt as necessary to best serve the students. Poloff said Discovery might decide to expand the number of kids, open it to more beginner skiers, or fine-tune the schedule as the season progresses to make it sustainable long-term.

“We’re super excited to work with these guys, get this up and get it moving, and get these kids on the mountain,” Poloff said. “When you get people that are pro-kid, pro-education, and proopening-up-opportunities-for-kids, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.”

Herran and Ruuela are also excited for the program to begin, and said they are looking forward to watching its participants grow throughout the years.

“If you're passionate about athletics, if you're passionate about art, if you're passionate about working on cars, any opportunity you have to be exposed to that is a great opportunity,” Poloff said.

19 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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SCHOOL BOARD INTRODUCES POSSIBILITY FOR A CELL-PHONE-FREE SCHOOL YEAR POTENTIAL BAN WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING JULY 8 MEETING, VOTE TO FOLLOW

BY JEN CLANCEY

shared questions and concerns.

BIG SKY—On Tuesday June 10, the Big Sky School District board introduced a cell-phonefree policy for Big Sky’s K-12 public schools. In the meeting, the board approved a first reading of Policy 3630, which if adopted would appear in the 2025-26 Big Sky School District student handbook. A second reading of the policy at the board’s July 8 meeting will decide if cell phones will be prohibited in district schools next school year.

A majority of concerns suggested ways to teach responsibility with technology, as an alternative to or alongside banning cell phone use. Other parents shared worries about parent-child communication and potential emergency situations at schools.

“I was talking to some kids and they were saying, if they're not gonna have phones, that's fine. They can deal with that,” Dodd said. He described recess times as moments where kids expressed a want for more activities or options. “But they need something to do rather than just sit there with their thumbs, you know … in the hallways.”

A survey sent to students assessed how many ninth to 11th graders use phones in the classroom, among other questions. About 55% of students who received the survey by email responded about the use of cell phones in the school day.

Shipman agreed and said that more options are being discussed for kids in their recess and free time during the day. The board will work on creating specific guidelines for enforcement and exceptions to the cell phone free policy over the summer.

“Sixty-five percent of them said they never use it. And then some of them … very small sliver, said they do use it and then the other rest said they use it depending on the teacher and the class,” Rowley said.

In a final comment, Ashley Jenks, BSSD librarian and media educator, shared her gratitude for taking the cell phone discussion seriously.

Superintendent Dr. Dustin Shipman first brought up the topic in a September meeting following Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Aug. 22 letter calling for cell phone free schools. Since then, the board has revisited the topic, discussing research and distributing surveys for community members and students to evaluate the impact of cell phone use in academic environments.

Policy 3630 would prohibit the use of wearable and handheld devices including cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smart-watches, wireless earbuds, headsets and gaming devices during the school day.

The school district board sent out two surveys to parents and students, and also received a petition from several teachers asking for a bell-to-bell ban.

Recently elected school board member Barbara Rowley shared results of the survey: 175 parent participants completed the survey in full, and just over 75% of participants fully supported a cell phone ban in schools, though 73 respondents

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

As for enforcement of the rules, board member Danielle McClain reminded the group that the policy needs to avoid extra pressure on teachers enforcing the rule.

“The only thing that I … think we need to do next is really think through all the other times and all the situations so that teachers don't have to deal with enforcing this policy,” McClain said.

Board member Matt Dodd also noted concerns he’s heard from students, who recommend more activities or opportunities to be outside if phones are banned bell-to-bell.

“There's just... too much research behind it as far as the student learning environment. For me as a teacher, I see this as a tremendous opportunity,” Jenks said.

In Gov. Gianforte’s 2024 letter, he cited a Common Sense Media report, showing that 97% of the U.S. 11-to-17-year-olds participants admitted to using their cell phone during school. Jenks believes that a cell phone ban could result in positive change in academics and social life.

“I think these kids are gonna enjoy coming to school more,” Jenks said. “ They might not feel that way in the beginning, but I think we're gonna come out, you know, three to six months on the other side, and we're gonna see a huge social and cultural change.”

20 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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Explore Big Sky

‘VIETNAM THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE’: LETTERS BETWEEN MARRIED VETERANS REVIVED IN DAUGHTER’S PODCAST

ALISA ALLGOOD IS READING VIETNAM WAR LETTERS BETWEEN HER PARENTS DICK AND SARAH AFTER THEY WERE LAID TO REST IN NEW BOZEMAN COLUMBARIUM each day. Many of them little things, but they all add up into the best thing that has ever happened in my life,” Dick wrote.

Bozeman columbarium provides final resting place for Allgoods, veterans For years, a table in Alisa’s living room held the urns of her mother and father. Her father wished to be buried in the Sunset Hills Cemetery, in spaces reserved for veterans and military service members.

Dick was a proponent of a columbarium project that the Bozeman American Legion Post #14 completed in November 2024.

Alisa Allgood shares photos of her parents Sarah and Dick. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY

BY JEN CLANCEY BIG SKY—On April 27, 1971, Richard “Dick” Allgood sent his first letter from across the Pacific Ocean to his wife, Sarah Allgood. Dick, who had entered the Vietnam War as a helicopter rescue pilot, continued exchanging letters with his wife, also a member of the U.S. Air Force in Texas, for the next year. Both kept as many letters as possible, chronicling daily routines, evenings by the grill and the birth of their daughter Alisa.

In this unit, Dick and a tight-knit group of pilots would suppress fires from downed aircrafts and rescue aircraft crews. Sarah worked as a U.S. Air Force nurse, assisting in open heart surgeries at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

Just one month into service in Vietnam, Dick learned that Sarah was pregnant. In the letters, the couple discussed names and decided on “Alisa,” who was later born in January 1972.

The result: hundreds of letters stored in a cardboard box in Big Sky telling the story of a young couple staying in touch during the war. Alisa Allgood, a resident of Bozeman, discovered the box while clearing out her dad’s storage unit in 2021, one year after her parents died. Dick and Sarah moved to Big Sky in 1992 after years of visiting for vacations.

Alisa said she was struck seeing her name decided in handwriting, and also what the letters revealed about her parents’ personalities.

Grieving the loss of her parents, Alisa struggled to get through reading all of the letters. Finally, this spring she opened that first letter, from April 1971, and began reading them in chronological order on her podcast, “The Allgoods: Vietnam Through the Eyes of Love.”

“Love is such a short and simple word to name …

I think of a thousand different ways that I love you

“The people who knew my dad would never believe he could write like this,” Alisa said. She then read a paragraph from one of Dick’s letters to Sarah.

The legion organized a memorial on April 21, which honored Dick, who was also awarded a U.S. Air Medal in 1971 and a 2017 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation award, and Sarah as the first service members laid to rest in the top left corner. With two columbariums holding more than 400 spaces each, the cemetery can finally start to take names off waiting lists and onto plaques below their remains.

“It took 12 years total to get it open. But when I saw that space there … I thought about all those other families on those lists, how proud I was of my dad,” Alisa said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this if the columbarium wasn’t open. I’ve been working hard on getting that going and the money in the right place so it could get built—so I could get them outta’ my living room. So I could have a place to go,” Alisa said. “I feel, as hard as it’s been, grateful for the unfolding of things now.”

Alisa is only a couple months into documenting the letters on the podcast. When she’s done, she hopes the letters can add to the varied history of the Vietnam War, and also inform herself and her family, including her 10-year-old son, about the love between her parents in their younger years.

“When I thought about it … I thought it was the easiest way for me to share the story,” Alisa told EBS, discussing the podcast. Her father, an avid reader who sometimes would finish a book in a day’s time, began losing his eyesight late in life due to cancer. Reading the letters aloud, Alisa found a deeper meaning to the podcast.

“It became a little bit more profound because … for the people that can’t read anymore, they can still listen,” Alisa said.

Many knew Dick as a staple in the Big Sky community and the owner of Allgood’s Bar and Grill for 18 years, after Sarah and Dick moved to Big Sky in 1992. Some might not know the details of Sarah and Dick’s military service, in which both were U.S. Air Force captains. Dick served in the aerospace rescue and recovery squadron under the call sign “PEDRO.”

Alisa (far right) and her dad, Dick wearing the Big Sky Legion Post #99 cap. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISA ALLGOOD

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22 June 12 - June 25, 2025

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BIG SKY FIRE DEPARTMENT HOLDS INAUGURAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION CEREMONY

BSFD SHOWS 10-MINUTE FILM DETAILING ITS 54-YEAR HISTORY

BY JACK REANEY BIG SKY—On Friday, May 23, the Big Sky Fire Department recognized its staff during the department’s inaugural employee recognition ceremony, including awards for “Best of 2024,” milestones of service time, and new hires and promotions.

Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault told EBS it was great to get everyone together for the event, the first of its kind since COVID put a hold on in-person gatherings.

“We really wanted to get back in the swing of really doing a good job recognizing all the work our employees do in the community … Really appreciate not only our employees, but our families, their spouses,” Tetrault said.

The ceremony, open to staff and families and held at The Waypoint, began by honoring military veterans on staff and bestowing a special veteran uniform commendation bar. The following firefighters received military recognition: Matt George, Boone Helm, Greg Clark, Brett Skalsky, Noah Thomas, Dennis Rush, Jay VanVoast and Vince Romero. Caption Cory Phillips and Division Chief Jon Trapp also received the military award.

The department then celebrated the pinning and oath of office of four promotions and new hires: Division Chief of Operations Jeff Bolton; Division Chief of Wildland Jon Trapp; Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Chris Vigness; and Fire Inspector Alex Phillips.

Two community members received special awards.

BSFD recognized Mel Crichton as Citizen of the Year. Crichton volunteers with Big Sky Rotary and Fire Adapted Big Sky as a neighborhood

ambassador coordinator, in addition to various outreach initiatives including his “Wildfire Wire” columns in Explore Big Sky. Fire district trustee Renae Schumacher earned the Service Award to recognize her service on the fire board from 2013 to 2025.

BSFD also announced the “Best of 2024” awards, including a new tradition in which honorees received custom wrestling-style championship belts and a chain that will be passed on to the following year’s winners.

Zach Carney earned Firefighter of the Year, Chris Laukant earned EMS Provider of the Year and Shane Farmer earned Supervisor of the Year.

The department also recognized employees for their years of service to BSFD, some of which were overdue, Tetrault said.

Five-, 10-, 15-, 20-year awards The following staff members were recognized for at least five years of service: Travis Dubois; Jeff Bolton; Seth Nowlin; Dave Parker; Cory Phillips; Dustin Tetrault; Shane Farmer; Taylor Lee; Mara Mitchell; Adam Ducomb; Matt Migel; Chris Mohr; and Matt Kendziorski.

Ten-year awards honored the following: Mike Ketschek; Dennis Rush; John Foster; Mitch Hamel; Alecia Fischer; and Stephen Pruiett.

Three staff members earned 15-year recognition: Matt Mohr; Greg Clark; and Mark Loomis.

Finally, Battalion Chief Dan Sheil was honored for his 20 years with the department.

BSFD also honored seven firefighters from its A-shift, and seven from its C-shift with Unit Commendation Awards.

Seven members of BSFD's C-shift earned commendation at a May 23 ceremony. COURTESY OF BSFD

Tetrault said the department is planning to continue this tradition every May. “It’s always a good time, obviously our calls are way down in May… So it’s a good time for us to kind of pump the brakes, and rehab a little bit and get caught up on stuff,” he said.

New film shows BSFD history The Big Sky Fire Department was established by volunteers in 1971, much more recently than most departments across the country. With many of the former fire chiefs still alive, Tetrault initiated a storytelling project.

The 10-minute documentary, available on Vimeo, captures BSFD’s history and early stories including old footage of early fire engines and donated equipment, and interviews with those who got the fire department started on “a pancake breakfast budget,” as former Fire Chief Bob Naert recalled.

Tetrault summed up the story in his conclusive quote in the film: “We are proud to serve Big Sky and carry on the legacy that was started by the members who served the community before us.”

He told EBS it’s rare to be able to trace most of the history of an organization in an industry where many of the stories are legend.

He gave a special shoutout to Gary Scheidecker, the second-ever BSFD chief who served the department from 1971 to 1978, for getting the oldtimers together to share their memories in the film.

The documentary premiered at the May 23 event.

“You could see a lot of people kind of getting emotional,” Tetrault said. “That was one of the coolest things I was able to do in my entire career.”

23 June 12 - June 25, 2025

L O CA L

Explore Big Sky

FIRST PHASE OF HUNTLEY-KERN POND RESTORATION PROJECT COMPLETE

OPENING DATE FOR SWIMMING EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED AFTER ‘ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS’ ARE COMPLETED BY BSOA

PHOTO COURTESY OF BSOA

BY JEN CLANCEY BIG SKY—This summer, the Big Sky Owners Association will welcome the Big Sky community to the Huntley-Kern pond near the Meadow Village area, formerly referred to as Little Coyote Pond.

With the first phase of their project complete, the pond has been separated from the West Fork of the Gallatin River, a main portion of the project to restore the environment in the area. In the summer, the community can also visit the north-facing beach area and walk the perimeter trail.

Amy Gitchell, communications manager for BSOA, described the project’s progress.

“Phase one successfully separated the pond from the West Fork of the Gallatin River, returning to its natural flow. Fish populations are recovering thanks to improved spawning opportunities, and water temperatures have decreased, which optimizes aquatic health,” Gitchell wrote in an email to EBS. “Now, our focus shifts to creating community amenities that will make this space truly special.”

Other projects that are expected to be completed over the summer include temporary signage to recognize donors, an improved access trail, parking area upgrades and donor-supported bench installations in August. The second phase will also include recreation amenities in and around the pond like Adirondack chairs on the north-facing beach area supported by donors, picnic tables and a dock supported by the Big Sky Rotary Club.

In an email statement, BSOA projected the timeline for swimming in the pond.

“The pond will be open for swimming as soon as we complete a few essential preparations. We’ll announce the date as soon as we are ready to ensure a great experience for everyone,” BSOA stated.

“We’re grateful for both the community’s support and our generous donors throughout this process,” Gitchell stated. “Working on this project has been incredibly exciting for all involved, and we know the final result will be worth the wait.”

The Huntley-Kern project fulfills Hungry Moose Market & Deli owner and longtime community member Kristin Kern’s vision to add another recreation element to Big Sky. In preparation, eight feet of sediment has been pumped out of the pond, and BSOA has been working with the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District to create a system of managing flow with a tunnel system at the pond’s west end.

“The Huntley-Kern Pond is an essential component of our river ecosystem and a valuable asset for the entire Big Sky community,” Michelle Horning, chairperson of the BSOA-founded nonprofit Benefit Big Sky, stated in an email .

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from the Kern family, which helped make this project possible.”

Fundraising continues for the project. Any community member who would like to contribute can donate on the Benefit Big Sky website.

Explore Big Sky

Explore Big Sky

25 June 12 - June 25, 2025

SPORTS

FORMER LONE PEAK FOOTBALL STAR TRANSFERS TO MONTANA STATE: ‘MY DREAM COME TRUE’ BIG SKY STANDOUT GEORGE HELMS WILL BE LONE PEAK’S FIRST-EVER VARSITY BOBCAT ATHLETE

BY JACK REANEY BIG SKY—It’s been close to three years since George Helms danced between tacklers for dozens of touchdowns with Lone Peak High School in Big Sky. From a small school and its often lopsided eight-man football matchups to a specialty high school in Florida and a NCAA Division I program at Elon University in North Carolina, Helms is now preparing to compete on Montana’s biggest football stage.

On April 18, he received a phone call from Montana State University head coach Brent Vigen, extending the official offer to join the Bobcats as a running back. He’d entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 16 after a redshirt freshman season at Elon.

Helms said it’s been a dream his whole life.

“It’s just crazy for it to finally come full circle like this, and make my dream come true,” Helms told EBS in a June 3 phone call. “It just feels crazy. It feels like I earned it, but it feels undescribable— almost surreal.”

Helms had a good feeling about his chances with MSU after speaking with coaches, and when Vigen said he’s excited to welcome him “back home,” Helms knew it was the right choice after two-anda-half years on the East Coast showed him how much he wanted to be home in Montana.

Helms last played high school football in Montana in November 2022, his junior year at Lone Peak High School. He was all-conference and all-state that junior season, scoring 24 touchdowns with six interceptions on defense, and a half-dozen punt and kick returns. He had 35 total touchdowns and nine interceptions in his three-season LPHS career.

“As a lifelong bobcat fan, I am thrilled for George to be able to come back to MSU and become a member of Bobcat Nation,” Lone Peak head coach Dustin Shipman wrote in an email to EBS. “I think his hard work has paid off and MSU is where he has always wanted to land.”

Athletic Director John Hannahs added, “I am very proud of George and excited for his future at MSU. It is a great example of what can happen when you pour your blood, sweat and tears into something the way George has. Go ‘Cats!”

Forging a path In the nearly three years since Helms wore Big Horn blue, he’s gained 37 pounds of muscle, now pushing 207 pounds.

“I think my body has changed a ton,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger, a lot faster, just developed a lot as an athlete in every way.”

George Helms returns a kickoff for a touchdown in a 2022 Lone Peak High School game in Big Sky. PHOTO

BY JASON BACAJ He transferred for the second half of his high school junior year, and his senior year, at the athletics-focused IMG Academy in Florida. While he cherished his time at Lone Peak, the transfer helped him gain the exposure needed to play Division I football.

Elon also provided new opportunities to learn and grow, shaping him as a young man and exposing him to the world beyond the Treasure State.

“I loved Elon. Elon was a great experience,” Helms said, reflecting on mentorship from his running backs coach, and his teammate Rushawn Baker who recently signed with the New York Giants. “[They] helped me build from the ground up…

How to play running back in college, just shaping me as a man and a football player.”

While Helms only played in one Elon game— logging two carries for 10 yards—his redshirt season means he’ll have four seasons of eligibility in Bozeman.

It’s an opportunity he’s been thinking about his whole life.

“I think that as a Montana kid—there’s no pro sports… everybody either focuses on University of Montana or MSU. And as a kid, you’re always looking at those guys,” Helms said. He idolized Montana natives-turned-Bobcat-greats like Tommy Mellott, who ascended from Butte to Bobcat stardom and was recently drafted to the Las Vegas Raiders; and Troy Andersen, the Dillon native who turned his versatile Bobcat career into four years running with the Atlanta Falcons.

“Seeing them around Bozeman was such an inspiration, because I always wanted to play there, and I always wanted to be like them,” he said.

Helms emphasized his gratitude to coach Vigen and the MSU football program for believing in him. “It’s crazy, and I’m so thankful for Coach Vigen and those guys for giving me an opportunity to come back home and play at Montana State.”

He also thanked his family for always believing in him—his mom, dad, and brother Will who pushed him hard.

George’s father, Jeff Helms, told EBS he developed “tremendously” at Elon to help create this opportunity.

“Obviously we’re proud of him, he’s worked really, really hard to get to where he is,” Jeff told EBS in a phone call. “I would say he’s worked extremely hard… He’s that kid that shows up early and leaves late, he’s been like that his whole career.”

George is grateful to everyone at LPHS for supporting his pursuit when he transferred away, and to Big Horn coaches Dustin Shipman and James Miranda, who understood his playing style as a Big Horn.

George said he’ll definitely attend some Lone Peak football games this fall to see his brother Will in his senior season. For the rest of the summer, he’ll be training at MSU with the goal of developing and learning the Bobcat offense as fast as possible so he can fit in with a strong running back room.

“We’re training hard, getting ready for next season.”

The Bobcats will look to build on last year’s record-breaking season and trip to the FCS Championship in Texas. Helms will look to carve out a role in the backfield.

Explore Big Sky

26 June 12 - June 25, 2025

A&E

A SNAPSHOT OF BIG SKY’S SEASONAL WORKFORCE: Q&A WITH FILMMAKER FISCHER GENAU

‘STAY FOR THE SEASON’ LOOKS AT BIG SKY’S WINTER WORKFORCE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP

A new film by Explore Big Sky follows a handful of seasonal workers as they experience Big Sky in winter 2025. PHOTO BY FISCHER GENAU

BY JACK REANEY Editor’s note: Fischer Genau works as a multimedia journalist for Explore Big Sky and its publisher, Outlaw Partners. ‘Stay for the Season’ was produced

by EBS. BIG SKY—This past winter, filmmaker Fischer Genau set out to shoot a documentary about Big Sky’s seasonal workforce, capturing the challenges, opportunities and support systems that a typical nonresident might experience when they move to Big Sky for a new winter gig.

The film, “Stay for the Season,” was produced by Explore Big Sky and premiered on YouTube and Vimeo on June 4.

Fischer Genau: I think it’s just a story of four people coming to a brand new place and finding connection, dealing with isolation, and just finding a really unique and valuable experience that not many people get to have. And I think, really getting to talk to them like they’re just normal people living their lives, and they’re like, “I want to work somewhere. I want to travel. I’m going to try going to this random place”… just a story of them having this new experience.

And I think from our perspective… there’s also the Community Support Group angle… what it looks like to welcome a group of outsiders who are only here for a short period of time, and what their experience is like.

The film runs 23 minutes and follows four main characters: Natalie Hernandez of Bogotá, Colombia; David Villalba of Bogotá, Colombia; Burak Güten of Izmir, Turkey; and Gaby Fuentes of Patulul, Guatemala.

The film also covers a relatively new, independent Big Sky organization, the Community Support Group, which aims to welcome seasonal workers and introduce them to community members, resources and activities to enhance their time in Big Sky. EBS spoke with Genau to learn more about his winter project, and his process telling a story that can be overlooked in a fast-paced community.

Explore Big Sky: Just in your words as the filmmaker, what would you say is the story that you’re telling here in this film?

Filmmaker Fischer Genau. COURTESY OF FISCHER GENAU

EBS: What did you learn about the Community Support Group?

FG: Yeah, the Community Support Group is awesome. I think it’s really the only thing in Big Sky—outside of these companies that people are coming to work for—that’s here to welcome them and help them meet people, other than the people they’re working with and living with… Not only will they meet people working at the Montage, if they work at the Yellowstone Club or at Rainbow Ranch, they also get to meet people that live in Big Sky. And one of the coolest things that they do, in my opinion, is community-hosted dinners. And so a group of people working at Yellowstone Club who are from, you know, Ecuador and Turkey and Mexico, get to go have dinner with a local family and just talk about their lives… Without the Community Support Group, a lot of these people might never have the opportunity to do something like that. They might just kind of exist in their niche and not really get to see another side of Big Sky. EBS: Tell me what was fun about working on this film.

FG: Yeah, two things come to mind. The first thing that I really filmed was the welcome party at Tips Up. And that was awesome, because you walk in the door and you were met by a group of people from, you know, 30 different countries, speaking 10 different languages, all in the same place in Big Sky, Montana. It’s not something I would have ever expected. And I got to meet a bunch of cool people, and everybody was so welcoming and kind… that was that was a lot of fun, just to see them having fun.

27 June 12 - June 25, 2025

A&E

And the other one that comes to mind is having coffee with Natalie. So Natalie, as you know, is one of the main subjects of the documentary. And we were filming one day, and I followed her to her English class with one of her friends in Bozeman.

And then on the way back, she said, “Hey, I’d love to make you coffee,” because she’s been telling me all about how important coffee is to her—she’s a barista back in Colombia.

know any of these people, and I need to find the story here and introduce myself to these complete strangers and see if they’re okay letting me into their life for a little bit.

So, Laura Seyfang [of Community Support Group] did help me a lot, connecting me to some people, but there are also people I just met in person. And I was like, “Hey, can we do an interview sometime?

I want to hear more about your story.” And so that was really interesting and a little bit intimidating…

I’m just gonna jump into this world and see who will let me in and tell me about themselves.

So went back to Rainbow Ranch, where she works, and she made me a cup of coffee in the kitchen with beans roasted in Colombia, and it was delicious. But it was just cool to step outside of my role as the filmmaker, and even though I was filming that… we just get to have a human connection between the two of us, and she gets to share a part of her life and her culture that she really loves. So that was awesome.

EBS: What was one thing that you wanted to have in the film, but you just couldn’t make it fit, or it just didn’t fit with the story?

FG: I really wanted to film people arriving in Big Sky for the very first time. And stepping off the plane and getting in a shuttle, and driving up the canyon and just seeing everything for the first time. Because some of these people are in countries where it never snows. You know, other people are more familiar with mountains and snow, but I just think it’s such a unique location, and I really wanted to see it through their eyes for the first time.

But just due to scheduling—all that happens in a pretty short period of time—I wasn’t able to ride along with anybody on their first initial arrival.

EBS: Tell me just a bit about your background with filmmaking—what similar types of documentary projects have you worked on? And how does this [film] build off prior experience? And also, how is this project different?

FG: I’ve done one other project at this scale, which was when I was going to college at Northern Michigan University. I was working for a small nonprofit farm, educational farm, and I filmed a

Explore Big Sky

EBS: Last question is, what do you hope viewers will take away from this? Like, what are you hoping that the impact of this is for viewers, maybe in Big Sky and maybe beyond?

FG: Yeah, I hope it opens up people’s eyes to a different side of Big Sky that they might not have seen before or might not have noticed as frequently.

Poster for “Stay for the Season.” COURTESY OF FISCHER GENAU short documentary about the construction of a new farm and teaching area in Ishpeming, Michigan. So I think that was the first one where I was following characters for weeks or even months at a time and creating a story. So I definitely learned a lot from that. Got to apply it here. … Everything contributes, you know, like, some of the video work that I do for Explore Big Sky, just interviewing people on the street … you end up using those chops. And even outside of filmmaking, like being a journalist and writing stories, you use a lot of the same skills.

This film was different because … I wasn’t as plugged in to the group of people that I wanted to tell the story about… When I went to that welcome party the first time, I was like, all right, I don’t

Now when I walk around town… you see people waiting at a bus stop, or you see people behind the counter somewhere, or you see all of these people who I now know are seasonal workers, and it just makes me notice and be like, “Hey, I wonder what their life is like,” and maybe you strike up a conversation or something like that. But I just hope it helps people be more aware of all of these people that come to Big Sky every year to make it run.

And also, I mean, I would love if more people got more involved in Community Support Group… I just think it’s a really positive exchange both ways, and really benefits the people living here year round or and also the people that are just here for a few months.

EBS: Anything else you want to add about the project?

FG: I think I would just reiterate that this project couldn’t have happened without the support from Laura and the Community Support Group. They’re really awesome. They’re just really doing a lot in the community to welcome these people, and they helped out a lot.

2025

B I G SKY JULY 8 - 12 July 8

Root to Rise: Morning Yoga

July 8

Big Sky Blooms: Floral Arranging Workshop

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How to Restore a Stream: A Guided Hike

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Crail Gardens Open House & Native Plant Sale Pick Up

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Wildflowers & Weeds on the Pollinator Pathway

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Forestry at Home: A Guide to Urban Tree Care

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Capturing Big Sky's Wildflowers: A Photography Workshop

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Life On the Edge: Big Sky's Bighorn Sheep

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29 June 12 - June 25, 2025

Explore Big Sky

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR Read the full events calendar, or submit your own community event by scanning the QR code.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE IN THE PARK WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 11 AND JUNE 18 BIG SKY COMMUNITY PARK | 6 P.M. The Big Sky Community Organization is hosting adult coed ultimate frisbee at the Big Sky Community Park weekly on Wednesdays until late summer. Interested players can reach out to Steven Reid at sreid@bsco.org to get updates on the pickup events.

All skill levels are welcome.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

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Explore Big Sky

WMPAC ANNOUNCES BEN FOLDS, BÉLA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES FOR SUMMER SHOWS TICKETS ON SALE FOR ‘LEGENDARY’ ACTS INCLUDING ‘THE BEST BANJO PLAYER IN THE WORLD’

Bela Fleck and The Flecktones. COURTESY OF WMPAC

EBS STAFF The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center will host a pair of “powerhouse performances” in August, welcoming musicians Ben Folds, and Béla Fleck and The Flecktones to the Big Sky stage.

The first show, “Ben Folds and a Piano” with special guest Lindsey Kraft, is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13. The second show, Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, will be on Sunday, Aug. 31. Ticket sales opened June 1 on the WMPAC website.

“These are two legendary artists, and the fact that we’ll have them on our stage in Big Sky, in such an intimate setting, is extraordinary,” John Zirkle, WMPAC executive director, stated in a WMPAC press release. “The quality of their artistry couldn’t be higher, and our venue is designed for an upclose, profound experience with that level of talent.”

Folds is an Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter with an “enormous” body of genre-bending music, including pop albums with Ben Folds Five, solo albums, a holiday album and numerous collaborative records, according to the release. Folds currently tours as a pop artist and performs with world-class symphony orchestras.

Folds also authored a New York Times bestselling memoir, and composes original music for film, TV and theater productions. His philanthropic work includes launching a music education charitable initiative in his home state of North Carolina, “Keys for Kids,” to provide keyboards and funds to existing nonprofits that provide piano lessons to disadvantaged children, and he supports Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund to advocate

for public policies that improve arts and arts education on a national level.

and Frankie” and “Obliterated,” and HBO’s “Getting On.”

Béla Fleck and The Flecktones draw from classical, jazz, bluegrass, African music, electric blues and Eastern European folk traditions, forging “a genrebending musical language all their own—a sound that only emerges when these four extraordinary artists come together,” the release stated.

“We’ve been dreaming about these shows for years; it’s hard to believe that we’ll actually get to see these artists up close and personal in our local theater,” Zirkle stated. “We feel wildly lucky just to be a part of it.”

Fleck is widely considered the best banjo player in the world, with 19 Grammy Awards to show for his boundary-pushing style across a near-40-year career. Behind Fleck, The Flecktones boast “remarkable” careers and skill with various instruments.

Lindsey Kraft will open for Ben Folds, performing original songs from her one-woman musical, “love, me.” She’s an actress, singer and composer known for her honesty and wit, and her roles in Netflix’s “Grace

Aside from the two shows in August, WMPAC supporters can look forward to summer programming including Big Sky Broadway Jr.’s production of Annie on June 13 at 6:30 p.m., and Shrek on June 27 and 28 at 6:30 p.m., featuring local elementary-aged children.

In addition, WMPAC’s Tiny Theater will return to the Big Sky Farmers Market each Wednesday.

Regional actors and performers will put on sevento-10-minute performances out of a stage on wheels. The Tiny Theater performances are free and recurring during the weekly markets.

Musician Ben Folds will perform in Big Sky on Aug. 13. COURTESY OF WMPACC

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Explore Big Sky

33 June 12 - June 25, 2025

OPINION

THANKING HRDC FOR BIG SKY HOUSING SUPPORT AS HDRC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

BY DAVID O’CONNOR GUEST COLUMNIST

Big Sky, like most Montana communities, has been experiencing a housing crisis for many years. As property values skyrocket and available rentals dwindle, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust has been working to address the problem since its inception in 2019.

As far back as 2011, the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce had identified a community housing trust as a powerful tool for communities to ensure there’s always a place for residents across the whole income spectrum. Problem was, we had no idea how to create such an organization, what it could do, and where to get started. Then we called HRDC. HRDC came to Big Sky and worked with the community to identify an opportunity for a first project, worked with our locally-elected Resort Tax board to secure funding for the land, commenced construction, and while they were at it, laid the groundwork for the formation of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust. HRDC hired the first executive director for the Trust, and provided training and guidance for the first few years until we were ready to stand on our own.

In the meantime, HRDC executed the Meadowview Condo project in partnership with

HRDC helped the housing trust complete its first Big Sky construction project: the MeadowView Condominiums.

COURTESY OF BSCHT the new Housing Trust. These 52 homes were completed in 2020, are reserved for working locals, and the community land trust structure ensures they will remain affordable forever. By the time Meadowview was complete, the Housing Trust was fully formed with its own board of directors and staff, and we’ve been hard at work ever since.

Today, what HRDC started has resulted in the housing trust building 52 homes reserved for local ownership and 25 apartments for our lowest income residents, permanently securing 18 existing homes for local ownership, and securing over 140 homes for long-term lease to over 350 locals. We are now preparing to embark on the Cold Smoke project, which will bring almost 400 new deed restricted apartments and single-family

homes reserved for locals, and affordable to local paychecks.

None of this work would have been possible without HRDC. They didn’t just plant a seed, t hey planted a forest.

HRDC’s patient leadership and expertise has been a game-changer for our community. The housing crisis is extremely complex, expensive and difficult to solve. HRDC’s willingness to come to our community and help us learn to help ourselves will have lasting impacts for many decades to come.

David O’Connor is the Executive Director of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust.

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CLASS OF 2025 COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOBSE thanks the businesses, individuals and community organizations who contributed to these scholarships and congratulates all LPHS graduates.

Addy Malinowski

Anna Masonic

Arlo Hurlbut

Aubrey Farr

Claire Hoadley

The McGuire Family Scholarship - $3,500 The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation Scholarship - $3,000* The Big Sky Thrift Scholarship - $1,000

The Loren Bough Legacy Scholarship for Community Service - $10,000

The First Security Bank Scholarship - $3,000 The Stewart Family Scholarship - $1,000

The Melanie and Charlie Callander Scholarship - $1,500 The Ace Hardware - Big Sky Scholarship - $2,500

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Cyrus Coleman

Eva Mitchel

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The Huntley Family Scholarship For Environmental Study - $3,000 The Big Sky Thrift Scholarship - $500

The Lee Poole Memorial Scholarship by the Moonlight Community Foundation - $7,000

The Hungry Moose Scholarship - $2,000 The Lone Mountain Land Company Scholarship - $2,400

The Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club Scholarship - $5,000 The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center Scholarship - $1,000

The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Scholarship - $1,200 The Yellowstone Club Realty Scholarship - $1,200

Grady Towle

Haley Hodge

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Jillian Blakeley

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The Spanish Peaks Community Foundation Scholarship - $4,000*

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The Mike and Kirsten King Scholarship - $1,000 The Hammond Property Management Scholarship - $1,000

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The Bechtle Architects Scholarship - $1,000 The Haas Builders Scholarship - $2,000 The Lancey Family Scholarship - $1,500

The Bough Family Scholarship - $3,000 The Roxy’s Market Scholarship - $1,000 The Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty Scholarship - $1,000

The Gallatin Alpine Sports Scholarship - $600 The Milike’s Pizza and Pub Scholarship - $500 The Big Sky Thrift Scholarship - $500

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Explore Big Sky

36 June 12 - June 25, 2025

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HIGHLIGHTING CONSERVATION HEROES

Bighorn rams on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park. PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK / NPS

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the largest and most intact temperate-zone ecosystems on the planet, spanning approximately 22 million acres. This vast area encompasses public lands and private ranches, spanning parts of three states: Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, and is larger than West Virginia, yet only partially protected.

At its heart lies Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, which together comprise about 2.5 million acres, slightly more than 10% of the GYE. That means nearly 90% of this breathtaking expanse lies outside the parks' boundaries, interspersed within a complex mosaic of private and public lands—largely untouched, but not for long. As the region’s resplendent natural charm draws an ever-growing flock of visitors, the GYE faces imminent threats from unchecked development around Big Sky, and Jackson, Wyoming. Iconic species, such as bison and elk, grizzlies and wolves, as well as native trout and a diverse array of wildlife, rely on expansive, interconnected habitats for their seasonal migrations and survival. Yet, the rapid influx of new construction is disrupting some of North America’s longest-standing migration routes, disrupting the delicate balance of this pristine ecosystem.

Furthermore, the harsh realities of climate change, ushering in hotter and drier conditions, intensify the pressure on wildlife habitats, making it increasingly urgent to protect one of the world's most pristine and interconnected ecosystems. With

proper protection, the GYE can become a highelevation refuge for fish, wildlife, and diverse native plant species.

“The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a mosaic of public and private lands that provides critical habitat and migration pathways for iconic wildlife, such as pronghorn and elk, and supports cold water habitat for a resilient native fishery,” said Jim Berkey, High Divide Headwaters director for TNC Montana. “For decades, The Nature Conservancy has relied on collaboration, science and partnership to advance conservation efforts and ensure this vast landscape remains intact for generations to come.”

Leaders in conservation The Nature Conservancy and other land trusts strive to safeguard the future of the Greater Yellowstone’s renowned wildlife, expansive forests, sagebrush habitats and crystal-clear, trout-infested rivers.

acres of land and restored 1,500 miles of rivers, which helps safeguard migration routes, open space, key wildlife habitats, and the source of seven major rivers.

The Nature Conservancy operates beyond borders by navigating local, state, federal and Tribal policies. They develop cohesive conservation strategies that work across governments. Through scientific research and tools, they identify the most crucial areas for conservation efforts. They rely on conservation scientists, land protection specialists, and policy experts globally to apply their knowledge to the GYE. This forward-thinking organization works to protect the lands and waters of Greater Yellowstone, spanning Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. They strive to preserve the summer and winter habitats of bison, elk, moose, pronghorn, and mule deer, and collaborate with private landowners to create wildlife-friendly fencing.

The Nature Conservancy stands as the preeminent leader in large-landscape conservation, collaborating seamlessly with private landowners, government agencies and other stakeholders to effect meaningful change. With over 70 years of experience protecting the planet's most cherished natural landscapes, they also bring a wealth of local knowledge, having worked collaboratively with ranchers, agency partners, and the numerous communities that call the GYE home. Their initiatives yield benefits for both people and the environment.

They also support Indigenous Peoples on reservation lands and ancestral territories by helping tribes purchase land to facilitate the reintroduction of bison.

The Nature Conservancy has protected over 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide. They also manage over 100 marine conservation projects globally. In the GYE, with their partners, they have protected over one million

Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His words have been published in Rolling Stone, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Men’s Journal, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications, and can be seen on his website.

The Nature Conservancy strives to be a good steward by partnering with numerous organizations and the public across diverse boundaries and governments. With all of the dark and gloomy news surrounding the environment and politics right now, I decided to highlight an organization that deserves recognition.

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38 June 12 - June 25, 2025

ENVIRONMENT

Explore Big Sky

THRIVING LANDSCAPES: COLLECTIVE ACTION SPARKS CHANGE

BY ABBY BUTLER EBS COLUMNIST

It’s undeniable that invasive species are tough to manage. They disperse from home to home on the wind and through extensive root systems, they travel from trailhead to trailhead on dirty boots, tires, and equipment, and they enter rivers and lakes on dirty boats and fishing gear.

Preventing and treating invasive species can feel like running up Lone Peak on a sweltering day while you’re fighting a head cold—it’s an uphill battle. In past articles we’ve shared individual resources like your local county weed district, both Madison and Gallatin, and Alpenscapes’ website on promoting biodiversity at home. But for this column, we’re pivoting to take a look at the power of an informed and engaged community acting together for the betterment of their shared home and resources.

Where better to begin than at a community weed pull? Whether or not you particularly enjoy pulling weeds, ask anyone who has attended a Grow Wild weed pull in the past and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who didn’t feel deep satisfaction showing off the biggest houndstongue they’ve ever pulled or surveying the countless trash bags now filled with noxious weeds. The Gallatin River Weed Pull is entering its 17th year and to date, 509 volunteers have pulled over 10,000 pounds of noxious weeds from public land along the Gallatin River. That’s a lot of weeds. But it’s not always about the numbers. It’s about a collective force united around a shared love of protecting the Gallatin River. Cultivating that collective force is the root of genuine progress.

Pulling weeds gives native plants a chance to establish. The Gallatin River Task Force recently completed a restoration project at Greek Creek Campground with 697 feet of bioengineered streambank and 197 native trees and shrubs planted. This wasn’t a single volunteer day effort

Weed pulls and recycling events are just a couple ways to get involved. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO however. It began with volunteers harvesting willows for the bioengineered streambank, building and installing beaver dam analog structures, and finally planting natives on the new streambank.

Not only was a streambank and riparian habitat restored, but community members connected over their effort to protect a resource essential to Big Sky and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Digging out houndstongue or pounding posts into the ground to protect baby willows from hungry moose isn’t the only way collective action shows up. Collective action can also happen when people stay informed about their community’s challenges.

Attending a wildfire preparedness talk at BASE not only protects you and your family, but gives you an opportunity to share that information with your neighbors who might not grasp the threat of wildfire season. Showing up to Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization’s recycling event with your old electronics that have been sitting abandoned in a drawer for 10 years

means more than just decluttering—it’s a physical representation of support for an organization’s work in creating a more sustainable community.

Life is busy, and no one can do it all. But let this serve as a gentle reminder of how impactful an hour or two of your time can be in protecting and restoring natural resources, and fostering a culture of informed, engaged, and caring community members. Even small actions like convincing your friends to pull weeds at your campsite while dinner cooks, picking up an extra dog poop baggie on your way back to the trailhead, or telling your neighbor about an article you just read about homehardening sparks more and more people to do the same.

Abby Butler is the conservation program manager for Grow Wild, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to conserve native species in the Upper Gallatin Watershed through education, habitat restoration, and collaborative land stewardship.

Volunteers help install a riparian buffer at Greek Creek Campground, where, in partnership with the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, the Gallatin River Task Force recently completed a restoration project as part of their Gallatin River Restoration Strategy. PHOTO COURTESY OF GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE

ENVIRONMENT

39 June 12 - June 25, 2025

Explore Big Sky

BEAR NECESSITIES: THE SEQUENCE OF CONFLICT

BY KRIS INMAN EBS COLUMNIST

To some, it seems surprising to see bears walking down the neighborhood streets of Big Sky. But, when you consider that Big Sky sits within our wildland ecosystem, surrounded by national forest and designated wilderness, it shouldn’t be a surprise.

As rapid neighborhood development continues in places where bears live, bears will continue to move through.

Bears are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn and remain active throughout the night. Often, a bear will discover trash in non-bear-resistant trash cans that are brought out the night before pickup, or very early in the morning. Bears then become accustomed to walking through neighborhoods to access a consistent food source.

“We get calls when people have to clean up trash strewn across their streets or driveways, or they see a bear in their trash. That is when they see bears as a problem,” said Kevin Frey, bear conflict specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “We set a trap to capture and relocate these bears to wilder areas, where hopefully, only natural food sources

are available and the cycle of equating people with food can be broken and bears have a chance to be wild again.”

But bears have an amazing homing ability. In Revelstoke, British Columbia, biologists found that moved grizzly bears covered an area eight times greater than wild bears, which results in about 22% of bears returning to their original capture site and getting into conflict a second time because the attractant, trash, is still there. Some bears that have been captured and translocated more than 60 miles away from Big Sky have found their way back.

After enough food rewards from unsecured trash, bears become food-conditioned and see developed areas or homes as a food source and not a place to be fearful. Once this happens, conflict specialists call the bears “habituated bears” and they can become brazened obtaining unnatural foods.

These bold, habituated bears start moving through neighborhoods in the daytime and look beyond trash. An open window, garage door or an automatic door at a business or hotel beckons them in. They may find a bear-resistant trash can and attempt to break into it because they’ve learned its contents is food. This bold behavior also puts people at risk.

When a bear reaches this point, officials with Montana FWP must make the difficult decision to euthanize the bear.

“The decision to lethally remove a bear is not an easy one,” Frey said. “We make this decision when a bear poses a risk to human safety, or we have moved a bear multiple times and it is becoming clear that the bear cannot change its behavior.”

The good news, however, is that the Big Sky community is changing its behavior: according to patterns in 2019, 70% of people use bear-resistant trash cans and negative interactions were no longer on the rise.

That said, unsecured garbage is still causing numerous conflicts. By mid-summer 2019, there were over 41 conflicts requiring management actions. Six bears had been captured, five more had been stuck in dumpsters not closed properly, and one bear had to be lethally removed.

To ensure that we see bears in their natural environment rather than roaming developed areas, make the switch to bear-resistant trash containers.

It will take everyone using a bear-resistant trash can to break the cycle.

When this column was originally written in 2019, Kris Inman was the community partnerships coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society and oversaw the Bear Smart Big Sky campaign. Inman is now the manager for strategic partnerships and engagement for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

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40 June 12 - June 25, 2025

DINING

A LA CARTE: PROOF IS IN THE CHIA PUDDING

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

At the beginning of June, I stopped to stock up at one of the last Trader Joe’s stores as I made my way back to Montana where there are none. I had three things left on my list as I circled the aisles: chia, flax and hemp seeds. An employee saw my wanderings and offered assistance, leading me to the cereal section as she told me, “That sounds like a really good pudding.”

I grabbed what I needed from the shelf and aimed my overflowing cart toward the registers with a mumbled “it is” to my kind guide, my mind already back on the road.

With the wisdom of hindsight, I find myself wishing I had taken that moment to slow down and connect, to tell her how I do make pudding with those seeds. Instead, I’ll tell all of you.

I love to make chia-based puddings, experimenting with the creamy, crunchy, gooey textural elements and flavor additions. A chia pudding is something I can throw together quickly in the morning, fueling my day deliciously. I know most recipes say that chia pudding should be left in the fridge for a minimum of eight hours. I disagree. Well, partly.

The pudding does get a bit creamier overnight as the seeds work their slimy magic. The seeds soften and the ingredients and textures in the pudding meld. This can be a very good thing.

But I’m also the person that adds a little bit of cereal at a time into a bowl of milk in order to

maintain optimal crisp. I like the crunch of the chia seeds as they are. Sometimes I will let the chia pudding sit overnight, but more often I don’t plan that far ahead.

And chia seeds don’t need that much time to begin working their magic. The beauty of the chia seed— aside from nutritional value of the fiber, protein and omega-3s—is in its goo. Chia seeds contain mucilage, a water-soluble substance that plants use to store water and food. It is this mucilage that becomes sticky and gel-like when the dry seeds are soaked in water.

The goo-ification of the chia seeds happens fast. They will start to thicken a liquid almost immediately, enough so that when you add milk and stir, the consistency is much more like pudding than it is like soup after only five or 10 minutes.

And that, my friends, is really the basis of chia pudding. Add two tablespoons of whole chia seeds into a half cup of your milk of choice and stir. Let it sit for a minute and stir again. Repeat until the seeds are distributed through the liquid and not falling to the bottom.

My basic recipe is 2 tablespoons chia seeds, onehalf cup unsweetened coconut milk or whole milk, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup, one-half teaspoon of vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Then I mix it up. If I want the richness, maybe I add a little cream. If I’m in the mood for a new flavor, I will stir cocoa or matcha powder into the milk. In addition to the chia seeds, I will often add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal and/or a tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds to vary the nutrients and texture.

Once I have a chia pudding of some sort setting up, I think about toppings. Channel your inner froyo shop and get into all sorts of candy and cookie madness or dive into more granola breakfast staples like coconut chips or shavings, nuts and fruit.

Fruit is a natural pair, with its balance of sweet and tart complementing the rich creaminess of the pudding. I gravitate toward seasonality, using whatever fruit is calling my name from the produce aisle. I especially like adding citrus pops with blood orange segments, kumquat slices and finger lime pearls when available.

But there is no shame in freeze dried when fruit is out of season—or when you haven’t been to the store in a while. I tend to keep freeze-dried strawberries on hand, reaching for them for a quick snack or to add a gut punch of strawberry flavor to dishes. Turn a handful to dust in a blender or food processor—or a coffee grinder in a pinch—and mix it into your pudding to make it strawberry flavor. Or add slices to the pudding to reconstitute if you plan on letting it sit. This gives the strawberries a soft, slightly chewy texture that reminds me of strawberries and cream instant oatmeal and thus childhood.

Like with all foods, I encourage you to play with the pudding, to make it your own and find a version of the basic recipe that best fits you. And if you do, and someone asks about what you’re making, please take a moment to tell them.

Rachel Hergett is a foodie and cook from Montana. She is arts editor emeritus at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and has written for publications such as Food Network Magazine and Montana Quarterly. Rachel is also the host of the Magic Monday Show on KGLT-FM and teaches at Montana State University.

A five-minute, five-ingredient chia pudding topped with raspberry and kumquat looks extra fancy if you serve it in a martini glass. PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT

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Explore Big Sky

43 June 12 - June 25, 2025

BUSINESS

MAKING IT IN BIG SKY: MONTANA WHITEWATER

BY ELLIE BOESCHENSTEIN Explore Big Sky sat down with Montana Whitewater, one of the must-visit attractions for trips to southwest Montana. We learned about the history of Montana Whitewater and how it has always been and will always be one of evolution and change. Just like the rivers we run, life will always have obstacles and different levels of danger that we face and must be approached with respect and adaptable strategy, explains owner Melanie West.

This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity, and the full Q&A is available online.

Explore Big Sky: How did Montana Whitewater get started, and what inspired its founding?

Melanie West: The birth of Montana Whitewater began when Bill Zell abandoned his studies and drove out West to find a seasonal job at a ski resort. After bopping around the West and coming up empty handed—and pocketed—he thought Canada was going to be his end game, so he started driving north. On U.S. Highway 191, he saw a sign for Big Sky Resort, and made the turn. Getting up to the mountain, he got the last open job at the daycare. After that, he worked at the Huntley Lodge, volunteer ski patroller on and off and worked as a server for a bit. In 1991, Bill got a job at Yellowstone Raft Company in Big Sky. After that first summer at YRC, Bill and his buddy Pete Mommson started Montana Whitewater with the headquarters at the Funny Farm in Gallatin Gateway. That first year, they took 11 people rafting. In a matter of 15 years, Montana Whitewater went from taking 11 people rafting that first year, to operating on three rivers, with two locations and a fly fishing operation.

EBS: What makes your location and offerings unique compared to other outdoor adventure companies in Montana?

MW: Our facilities, rivers and staff make Montana Whitewater unique to other outdoor recreation companies in that we run our operation with high standards but maintain our family founded and operated feel. We provide a great product day in and day out, love what we do and strive to operate within the industry standard in terms of training, risk management, service and fun. We love our funky vibe and the wild characters we have hired and have stayed with us over the years. It truly creates an environment like no other that our staff and clients can feel. Our location on the Gallatin

River is unique. A large number of our raft trips enter and exit the river on our private accesses.

This helps congestion at the public river put ins and take outs and gives our guests a better experience. Our location also allows our guests to be back in their dry clothes within minutes from any of our takeouts.

EBS: What safety measures and training do you have in place for your guides and guests?

MW: We maintain an extensive training and risk management protocol across our operations. We approach almost every decision for our operation with a risk management approach. At a company level we require our guides to have more advanced medical training than we are required to have, we provide rescue equipment at all offices and in some of our vehicles, and we blend in house and third party training to maintain strong responses in realistic scenarios. We implement and enforce clear and strong policies and procedures for our staff to abide by. At a staffing level, we maintain and require detailed documentation for all staff, the training that we do, and any incident that may occur. We take care of and inspect our equipment and make sure our guests are comfortable and capable for trips we offer. We also have implemented multiple physical requirements for our trips that guests must formally agree to. We provide detailed information on the expectation, responsibility, and liability of our trips to each and every guest. We believe that transparency is the best way for guests to feel prepared for our activities.

EBS: How do you cater to different skill levels, from beginners to more experienced adventurers?

MW: We offer various trips that can cater to beginners to experienced adventurers. Different rafting trips that vary in difficulty and size of raft, tubing for a lazy river float that caters to younger kids, affordable learn to fly fish lessons and guided zipline tours. And of course, Lake Levinsky and Madison River rentals which allows folks to grab a tube, canoe or stand up paddle board and experience the outdoors on their own terms. But most importantly Our staff truly bring all our trips to another level providing the instruction and guidance to be able to tailor the experience for our clients.

EBS: Do you partner with local businesses or contribute to the community in any specific ways?

MW: In the past few years, we have started and completed a number of rental units in Gardiner that provide long term affordable housing to the year round residents of Gardiner.

MAKING IT IN BIG SKY BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE

OUR COMMUNITY. OUR BUSINESS.

With more and more properties transitioning to short term rentals, in an already low inventory small mountain town, we wanted to provide great housing for the community.

We partner, donate, and try to contribute in any way we can in our local communities. In the past five years, we have donated over $50,000 worth of trips to local auctions, benefits, events and fundraisers. We work with multiple local nonprofits, schools, and youth programs every year offering discounted trips to provide more access to those who might not have it. Some groups we work with are Big Sky Youth Empowerment, Gallatin Valley YMCA, Rockhaven Camp, Sacajawea Middle School, Belgrade Middle School, Gallatin Gateway School Foundation, Eagle Mount, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Morningstar Learning Center, Ecology Project, Hopa Mountain, Montana Outdoor Science School, Montana Wilderness School, AlpenGirl, Smokey Waters, Castle Rock Baptist, Camp Thunderbird, and more!

EBS: How does Montana Whitewater promote environmental stewardship on and off the river?

MW: It is important and imperative for us to develop new and innovative ways to save energy and be conscious about what we consume as a business. We are well aware that our stewardship of the natural environment is directly related to the success of our business and the health of our community. We work with and maintain relationships with various local nonprofits that are putting in serious science based work and fighting for our beautiful environment at the local, state and federal government levels. Groups like the Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Gallatin River Task Force and Cottonwood Law. Even though we do not have curbside recycling services in the communities we operate in, we have implemented an internal recycling program for our facilities. From the paper we use in the office to printing our brochures on recycled paper to separating and hauling out recyclables. We follow a Leave No Trace mindset everywhere we operate.

Our biggest concern and problem is the gas we use for our business. We have been looking into alternatives and affordable options to alleviate our reliance on gasoline and are really excited for the technology to get even better and more accessible to us. It is an ever-changing process that we work our hardest to keep up with and evolve our business to be more environmentally friendly.

Read the full Q&A at explorebigsky.com.

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Explore Big Sky

45 June 12 - June 25, 2025

HEALTH

LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH: YOU CAN LOVE YOUR OWN WAY HOW BIG SKY OUT DEMONSTRATES LOVE FOR ONESELF AND OTHERS

BY SHANNON STEELE GUEST COLUMNIST

Editor's note: This article includes references to mental health challenges and mentions of suicide.

There are moments—quiet and shattering—when we realize the love we were taught isn't the love we need. For me, that realization unfolded slowly, and in unexpected waves—through loving fully and feeling heartbreak, clinging and letting go, questioning and feeling lost. As I began to shed rigid ideas of love and connection, I longed to rebuild something more honest—more mine.

It’s a tender, disorienting process—throwing out the old map without having one to replace it. But in the messy middle, I found something hopeful: a sense of expansiveness. A sense that love and connection can be chosen, shaped and lived in ways that feel more authentic, more nourishing and more me. And this is not just about romantic love or partnership, but how I love myself, my friends, family and others in my life.

During this season of my life—and this month, as we celebrate Pride in Big Sky—I’m reflecting on what it means to love your own way. To belong without shrinking. To live in your authenticity even when the world tells you not to. I sat down with Brit Diersch, founder of Big Sky OUT, a nonprofit making space for that very thing.

Supporters cross the street during a Big Sky Pride march. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY found that 33% of LGBTQIA+ adults feel lonely “often or always”—more than double the rate of non-LGBTQIA+ adults. Among LGBTQIA+ youth, 41% have seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to The Trevor Project.

That’s why "third spaces"—gathering spots outside work and home—matter. Research shows they reduce stress and foster belonging. Big Sky OUT creates these kinds of spaces. Some events are vibrant; others are quiet and grounding.

“A big way I find connection with people is through parallel play,” Diersch said. “Just working on projects next to each other, without the pressure to speak.” Sometimes just being around others is enough to feel a little more human.

Big Sky OUT: a movement rooted in belonging

This year’s Summer Pride Week from June 11 to 15 includes a dog meet-up, waterfall hike, drag story hour, circus performers, roller derby, an outdoor movie and a festival. These events are joyful—and radical acts of visibility. “The reason we promote inclusivity is because not everyone feels included or safe,” Diersch explained. “We want people to feel welcomed. We want kids to see themselves.”

What began as a small Pride march in 2023— planned in five days and attended by over 100 people—has grown into a vital nonprofit.

Pride Week is a celebration—and a reminder that queer joy is powerful, necessary, and still, in many places, revolutionary.

“People don’t stay in places where they don’t have community,” Diersch said. When the nonprofit’s first co-organizers moved away, they stayed, committed to creating a reason for others to stay, too.

Love as discovery

Big Sky OUT became a nonprofit just months later, and today it offers everything from art nights and hikes to drag shows and dance parties. More than events, it offers a place where people can show up exactly as they are. “I wouldn’t stay here if I didn’t have queer community,” Diersch said. “We’re filling a gap. We’re tending to a need that benefits more than just LGBTQIA+ folks. We’re building community, and our town needs that.”

“I wasn’t shown necessarily how to love,” Diersch said, “but how not to love. And in that, I learned what I want from love.”

When we spoke about mental health, Diersch shared a simple truth: humans need connection. “If you’re not experiencing connection,” they said, “it’s really hard to maintain a well state of mind.”

This is backed by Bozeman Health’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment, where nearly half (45.9%) of Big Sky respondents identified mental health as the most serious health concern. Nationally, LGBTQIA+ individuals report significantly higher rates of loneliness. One study

Toward the end of our conversation, we turned to love: what it means, how it evolves, and what it can become.

Same. I don’t have a perfect definition of what love is anymore, but I know it must be rooted in honesty, discovery and becoming. Love is an unfolding practice—learning how others want to be loved and asking for what you need in return. “There’s no right or wrong way,” they said. “It’s about being curious.”

Letting go of inherited beliefs—about identity, love, or worth—can feel like being cracked open.

Diersch offered a beautiful perspective: “It’s a sign of change. It means you’re evolving.”

They continued, “Every time you come back to yourself, you’re building a bond that no one else can build for you.”

I’ve come to believe that returning to yourself, again and again, is one of the deepest forms of love there is. Even when it’s confusing and you don’t know the way. Pride is more than just the month of June.

“Queer people are queer all year round,” Diersch said with a smile. For them, queerness is more than sexuality—it’s about identity, lifestyle, and belonging. “Being queer is being different. When so much feels against you, it’s important to have these connection points.”

Diersch shared what helps them through moments of uncertainty: “Surrounding myself with people, content, books and exposure to things on TV or the internet—things or people that I admire or look up to. When you’re struggling, there’s not always a quick word that is going to define or fix it.”

They also highlighted local and regional resources like Oh Hi Collective, Trans Closet, Bridgercare, Queer Bozeman, and Pride House—a queer youth after-school program in Bozeman, with plans to expand to Big Sky next year.

These spaces are more than programs. They are reminders that healing begins when we are allowed to be fully ourselves, and when we see others doing the same.

Love doesn’t have to follow the script we were handed. It can be messy. Brave. It can be something we’re still figuring out.

As I continue to unlearn and rebuild what love means to me, I find comfort in knowing I’m not alone—that others, like Brit Diersch and the community at Big Sky OUT, are doing that same courageous work. Making space. Asking questions.

Choosing to show up. Returning to themselves again and again.

You can love your own way. And in doing so, you might just help create a world where others can too.

Shannon Steele has called Big Sky home for the past seven years. She runs her own collaborative social experiment of a business, focused on community organizing, innovative problem-solving, and doing things a little differently. She’s also the contracted director (and one of many co-creators) of Be Well Big Sky, a grassroots effort embedding care in-community. Shannon finds grounding and play in the outdoors—usually with her griffon, Greta, and endless inspiration in nature’s lessons on regeneration, joy and resilience. She is also part of Big Sky’s search and rescue community.

46 June 12 - June 25, 2025

Explore Big Sky

IT’S TIME TO PROTECT THE ELK AND DEER HERDS OF GALLATIN GATEWAY AND BIG SKY

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WWW.OUTLAW.REALTY | 406.995.2404 L E G ACY, T H RO U G H L I F EST Y LE A N D C ON N EC T I ON

BOZEMAN ACTIVE LISTINGS UNDER CONTRACT

3226 RO S E ST RE E T 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,032 sqft Listed at $750,000 Listed with Graham Miles & Meredith Johnson PRICE REDUCTION

53 0 W H UL B E RT 5 Bed | 3.25 Bath | 2,378 Sqft | 3.01± Acres Listed at $1,495,000 Listed with Darren Streets

620 E C OT TO N WO O D # 20 1 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,777 sqft Now listed at $1,395,000 Listed with Ashley Keller

1 92 AU D U B O N WAY 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,643 sqft Listed at $2,199,000 Listed with Ethan Stokes

20 5 N B OZ E M A N Downtown Bozeman Mixed-Use | 4 Total Units Listed at $2,850,000 Listed with Graham Miles

S AN D H I L L - O N LY A F E W R E M A I N !

34 Homesites | 2-3± Acres Inquire For Lot Pricing Listed with EJ Daws & Teresa Williams of E&V

PRICE REDUCTION

TA I L FE ATHE R L A N E UN I T B 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,559 sqft Now listed at $495,000 Listed with Eli Kretzmann & EJ Daws

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BOZEMAN COMMERCIAL LISTINGS

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PHASE 2 - YUKON LANE INDUSTRIAL 25,000 - 100,000 sqft Industrial Distribution Build-To-Suit & Leasing Opportunities Listed with Darren Streets

U R BA N + FA R M - P H A SE 1 Development Opportunity | 64 Total Units Land Blocks For Sale | Inquire For Pricing Listed with Darren Streets & Graham Miles

All information given is considered reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. These offerings are subject to errors, omissions, and changes including price or withdrawal without notice. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you currently have a listing agreement or buyer broker agreement with another agent, this is not a solicitation to change. ©2024 Outlaw Realty www.outlaw.realty

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51 June 12 - June 25, 2025

DON PILOTTE, BROKER | 406.580.0155 | BHHSMT.COM

TBD TIMBERLOFT DRIVE Big Sky

$2,600,000 | #388104

40± acre alpine meadow overlooking the Gallatin Canyon, outstanding views of the Spanish Peaks and Lone Mountain. Two adjacent 40± acre properties, designated building sites, end of the road privacy easy all season access. Close to Ophir School and the West Gallatin River.

21 SITTING BULL RD Big Sky

$495,000 | #392462

Complete interior rebuild, unlike any other Hill Condo. Quiet Rock drywall and solid wood doors. Quartz countertops throughout condo. All new Kohler fixtures throughout. Partially furnished with designer window treatments. Views of Spanish Peaks and Lake Levinsky.

©2025 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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