Daniel Bierschwale, A. Bruckmeier, Kaley Burns, Bella Butler, Kathleen Glockner, Rachel Hergett, Cora Neumann, Holly Pippel, Allie Epstein Poalino, Benjamin Alva Polley, Barbara Rowley, Dave Zinn
The LPC Boggle Dragons completed an undefeated season in the Big Sky Curling League, defeating the 12-ounce curls in the endof-season tournament on Saturday, March 8. The two-season league had 96 players across 23 teams in the first season, and 74 players across 20 teams in the second, according to the Big Sky Community Organization. COURTESY OF BSCO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A CLOSE LOOK AT BIG SKY SCHOOLS
BRIEFS OP NEWS
8 14 16 13 10 13
Big Sky student Wylie Brunner exemplified the “fearless” theme of the Ophir Middle School and Lone Peak High School talent show on March 12, dancing in front of a large crowd for the first time.
BY
EDITORIAL POLICY
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.
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.
Explore Big Sky published a three-part series about the challenges and opportunities facing the Big Sky School District.
BSCO PIVOTS TO NATURAL GRASS
The Big Sky Community Organization is pushing for voter approval on a $6.8 million bond that would allow Resort Tax to fund renovations of the Big Sky Community Park through public debt. Hearing strong feedback from the community, BSCO has pivoted away from artificial turf playing fields, opting to reconstruct its fields using natural grass with modernized construction and improved drainage.
LONE MOOSE OWNERS SHARE BREAKFAST WITH LIFT OPS
At Big Sky Resort, the residents of Lone Moose Meadows show their appreciation for local lift operators with a daily breakfast spread, creating a warm, communal tradition. What began as a simple gesture of gratitude has blossomed into lasting friendships with neighbors and lifties calling each other family.
PREVIEW: BIG SKY WINTER PRIDE WEEK
From March 24 through March 30, Big Sky OUT will present Big Sky’s inaugural Winter Pride Week. The free weeklong event includes art activities, group ski lessons at Big Sky Resort and a brunch drag show at Tips Up.
MAY ELECTION: BSRAD URGES RESIDENTS TO REGISTER
The Livable Big Sky voter education campaign focuses on three BSRAD-related ballot initiatives for the May 6 mail-in election. Leaders believe it’s a pivotal moment for Big Sky.
THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE CROSSINGS ON U.S. 191
In September, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and Montana Department of Transportation applied for federal funding of a wildlife overpass near the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon. The application was not approved, leaving the future of wildlife crossing infrastructure in question.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the April 2nd issue: March 28th, 2025
CORRECTIONS
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OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@theoutlawpartners.com
Bozeman’s Mayor, Terry Cunningham, will present two “State of the City” presentations open to the public in late March, according to a press release from the City of Bozeman. The annual event is an opportunity for the mayor to provide information about the current status of the city. “This year’s address will focus on two key aspects: interesting news and facts about the city and a look at the future,” the press release stated.
“Over the course of my seven years on the City Commission, I’ve learned interesting and compelling things about how our city operates, about projects we’ve undertaken and capabilities available to Bozeman residents,” Mayor Cunningham stated in the release. “Every day, Bozeman residents walk or drive past, over or under really cool pieces of city infrastructure that are often un-noticed. I want to share that information with my fellow Bozemanites.”
The presentations will take place Monday, March 24 at noon at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture, 111 Grand Ave, and on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at Chief Joseph Middle School, 4255 Kimberwicke St. The latter will also be live streamed on the city’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The event is open to all members of the public and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions for Mayor Cunningham to answer.
MSU ALUMNI WINS LA MARATHON
EBS STAFF
Matt Richman, a former Montana State University student, became the first U.S. citizen to win the Los Angeles Marathon since Paul Pilkington won it in 1994. The Elburn, Illinois, native won with a time of 2:07:56, tying for the seventh fastest time by an American in any marathon in U.S. history.
The class of 2024 MSU alumni is no stranger to speed—he took silver and bronze in the 10,000 and 5,000 meters in the 2024 Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bozeman.
“When I finished up with school last May, I still had some fitness from college left over, and the Missoula Marathon was happening right after that,” Richtman told NBC Montana about signing up for post-graduation marathons. “It was good timing, and I signed up for that with a couple of my old teammates and friends, so I raced that and really enjoyed it.”
BOZEMAN POLICE TO DEFEND HOCKEY TITLE AGAINST FIRE IN SECOND ANNUAL HOCKEY GAME
EBS STAFF
On Friday, March 28 at 6 p.m., the Bozeman Police Department and Bozeman Fire Department will square off in a hockey game with the goal of raising $15,000 for three local nonprofits supporting first responders and the community.
The “Frozen Frontline” game debuted last year, and the police won the inaugural showdown, 7-3. The event was founded by EverGreen Adventures, a Bozeman nonprofit dedicated to fostering outdoor experiences and connections for individuals with chronic illnesses and their caregivers, according to a press release from the City of Bozeman. The upcoming game will take place at the Haynes Pavilion, with suggested minimum donations of $5 for entry.
“First responders have been there for me during some of the hardest moments of my life,” Jonathan Steward, co-founder of EverGreen, stated in the release. “I wanted to find a meaningful way to say thank you. Frozen Frontline brings the community together—not just to watch a great game, but to support those who dedicate their lives to protecting us.”
This year’s event is presented by title sponsor Bozeman Health, with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. All proceeds will benefit EverGreen Adventures, the Bozeman Police Foundation, and the Bozeman Firefighters IAFF L613 Benevolent Fund.
“We are honored to support our local first responders in this way,” stated Dr. Kathryn Bertany, Bozeman Health CEO. “… Bozeman Health’s partnership with both Bozeman Fire and Bozeman Police is integral to coordinating time-sensitive, life-saving care for patients in our community.”
Brian Foreman, president of the Bozeman Police Foundation, said last year’s game was a huge success and he looks forward to a new Bozeman tradition.
“Events like Frozen Frontline not only raise funds for important programs but also strengthen the bond between the community and our first responders,” Foreman stated.
Dillon Smith, Bozeman Fire captain and president of the L613 union, highlighted the way police officers and firefighters work together.
“We may be competitive on the ice, but at the end of the day, this game is about unity, service, and giving back,” Smith stated. “That said, last year we were just warming up—this time, we’re bringing the heat.”
BIG SKY’S BIGGEST WEEK ADDS INAUGURAL RUNNING OF THE BULLS TRAIL RACE OP NEWS
OUTLAW PARTNERS
Lace up your running shoes – Outlaw Partners is excited to present a new trail race that explores the incredible single-track in the Big Sky Community Organization’s local trail system. Running of the Bulls will feature a 5K Relay, 11K and 21K distances, and is a part of many weeklong events leading up to Big Sky PBR, known as Big Sky’s Biggest Week. Running of the Bulls, in partnership with BSCO, will take place on Sunday, July 13 and registration fees will benefit BSCO and the yearround public trails the organization maintains.
“BSCO is so excited to partner up with Outlaw and welcome our community onto our trails for the inaugural Running of the Bulls race this summer,” said Liv Grubaugh, BSCO’s Director of Development and Communications. “This event
not only celebrates our incredible trail system, it also supports our mission of a connected and thriving community. We’re honored to have been selected as the beneficiary and cannot wait to see everyone at the start line in July.”
The race will take place on the single-track BSCO trails that extend throughout the heart of Big Sky. Runners can register for a 5K Relay team of three people, a 11K race, or a 21K race that will begin and end at the Big Sky Events Arena. Prizes will be awarded to women and men in each category at the post-event sponsor expo, which will also include brand activations, food and beverages.
“Outlaw is very excited to partner with BSCO for such a fun and beneficial event during Big Sky’s Biggest Week,” said Ennion Williams, VP of
Events at Outlaw Partners. “It’s going to be a great way to raise money for such an important aspect of the Big Sky community during one of the best and busiest weeks of the summer. I think we will have a great turnout.”
Big Sky’s Biggest Week takes place from July 11-19 ending with Professional Bull Riding’s 10x Event of the Year, Big Sky PBR, from July 17-19 in the Big Sky Events Arena. In addition to the three nights of action-packed bull riding, the week is filled with activities for the entire community.
For more information and to register for Big Sky’s Running of the Bulls race, visit /runsignup.com/Race/ MT/BigSky/RunningOfTheBullsBigSky. To learn more about Big Sky’s Biggest Week and the full schedule of events, visit bigskypbr.com/event-schedule
LOCAL
STATE OF THE SCHOOL
A THREE-PART SERIES ON CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING THE BIG SKY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
BY JACK REANEY
Editor’s note: the full three-part series can be found by scanning the QR codes below, or by visiting explorebigsky.com.
PART I: CULTIVATE, ENGAGE, EMPOWER
Big Sky’s public schools are unique, much like the community whose children fill their halls.
Although the school district is small and somewhat rural, Big Sky students benefit from unusual educational opportunities like multi-day backpacking trips and ski days, and impressive facilities like the new hands-on STEAM wing and an artificial turf multi-sport field. Big Sky is one of just four Montana school districts offering International Baccalaureate curriculum. Theater productions are popular and performed in an impressive facility. Students participate in study abroad programs and advocate for electric buses. Facing a statewide crisis in teacher retention,
PART II: FAMILIES URGE BSSD TO ADDRESS BULLYING
Bullying is a nationwide challenge. Some families believe it’s a problem in Big Sky, and that the Big Sky School District needs to take action.
A student from Ophir Middle School reflected on a classmate who has been reportedly struck by slurs and harassment, and only occasionally supported by peers. They say teacher's don't intervene.
Montana’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that 24.9% of Montana high school students were bullied on school grounds in the 12 months leading up to the survey, and 19.4%
PART III: A PATH FORWARD
As the Big Sky community continues to develop, so too will the student body, staff and educational offerings at the Big Sky School District. Growing pains may require remedy from a solutionoriented community.
Thinking of the next three to five years, administrators challenge students and families to continue supporting the school. Elementary Principal Brittany Shirley encourages parents and community members to spend time in the building to become familiar with the day-to-day operations.
“Volunteer, ask your teacher what support they need, ask administration what support they need, ask the front office staff what support they need,” Shirley suggested, adding it’s important to verbally
local nonprofits aim to offset the cost of living for teachers in an expensive region.
Opportunities abound, but it’s not perfect for every student. Some families find the schools too small and athletics-focused to fit in, and others don’t feel served by IB programs. Still, administrative leaders are overwhelmingly confident in the education they provide to local families.
This article dives into the district’s strengths and challenges, including state funding and IB programs.
through electronic communication and social media.
According to Superintendent Dr. Dustin Shipman, the district’s bullying policy is based on state law. It states, “bullying, harassment, intimidation, or hazing, by students, staff, or third parties, is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated.”
This article shines a light on concerns from those who have experienced bullying, and asks the district how it plans to make school a safe place for all.
thank teachers and staff for the time they spend and the influence they have on kids’ lives—roughly half of a child’s waking hours, during the school year.
“It’s a really big responsibility,” she said.
This article highlights the ways that district administrators and local nonprofits are planning for the future of education in Big Sky.
BSFD COMMENTS ON U.S. FOREST SERVICE FIRINGS, WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
BY CARLI JOHNSON
BIG SKY—A month into President Trump’s administration, thousands of federal employees across the country lost their jobs as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s initiative for large-scale reduction and grant freezing.
In Montana, hundreds of U.S. Forest Service employees were affected by this cut, leaving the tens of millions of acres of forest service land under sparse management. Layoffs included essential employees whose responsibilities were to respond to wildfires, provide wildland fire safety education and conduct research to better understand wildfires.
Dustin Tetrault, Big Sky Fire Department’s fire chief, spoke with EBS to discuss the potential impacts of the recent layoffs on the surrounding region.
No matter what happens—some employees were reinstated in mid-March—Tetrault emphasized that major changes will be made this year. But to ease people’s fears of this upcoming fire season, Tetrault noted that the state is well-equipped at the local government level and BSFD has been gradually filling more roles to have large-scale incident response.
“There are going to be firefighters,” Tetrault emphasized.
The Big Sky Fire Department responds to two forest areas: the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Madison Ranger District. Tetrault emphasized that the BSFD is “staffed and ready to handle summer. It’s more of a matter of dealing with the changes to come.”
Tetrault’s main concern with the federal firings is the change in management. Many tenured forest service employees are being fired or accepting a leave with promised pay because the state of the forest service remains so uncertain. This takes away
years of knowledge of the land and relationships built with local services like BSFD, making future collaboration more difficult.
Previously, local fire departments in Montana have worked in partnership with the forest service, often providing additional support in emergency situations or vice versa. Now, with dramatic changes in staffing at the forest service, BSFD is left with unanswered questions.
“It’s been hard for a while because there's a lot of turnover anyway, but it's definitely accelerated that process,” Tetrault said, noting the frequent turnover in seasonal employees with the forest service.
Despite uncertainty, there are two potential bills in the Montana legislature that, if passed, could have a major effect on the reorganization of how the U.S. deals with emergency fire services, Tetrault explained.
Senate Bill 441 pushes to consolidate the forest service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service and other firefighter services into one agency. Tetrault noted that in theory, this could have positive effects across the nation by
consolidating services, resources and people to all respond on one protocol.
House Bill 130 opens up 5 miles outside the local firefighter's district. Currently, if BSFD responds to a fire on federal grounds, they are required to wait until the forest service arrives. Under HB 130, BSFD would make the decision on how to respond, which Tetrault noted would put a big strain on their district and resources because of the added responsibility.
Overall, the Big Sky Fire Department isn’t sounding the alarm quite yet.
“We are staffed and can handle summer, it’s more of a matter of dealing with the changes to come,” Tetrault said. He is cautiously optimistic about these bills, noting that the current wildfire response system has not changed in over 100 years, so reform might be overdue.
“We’ve seen the large-scale destruction, and we need to be able to update and modernize how we respond. We see this as an opportunity to do something like that.”
The Big Sky Fire Department is staffed and ready for wildfire season, but with federal changes in the U.S. Forest Service come future challenges. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
The Boat Mountain Fire was identified on July 12, 2025 and managed by Custer Gallatin National Forest wildland firefighters.
HOME TURF: BSCO TRANSITIONS TO NATURAL GRASS FOR PLANNED PARK RENOVATION
‘PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED CLEARLY, THEY WANT GRASS… WE ARE LISTENING TO THAT’
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—As the Big Sky Community Organization pushes for voter approval on a $6.8 million bond allowing Resort Tax to fund renovations of the Big Sky Community Park through public debt, board chair John McGuire announced a significant change to the plan during the March 13 Resort Tax board meeting.
According to strong feedback from the community, McGuire explained, BSCO has pivoted away from artificial turf playing fields, opting instead to reconstruct its fields using natural grass with modernized construction and improved drainage.
“We look at this community park as the crown jewel of our town,” McGuire told the board, discussing its importance as a host for youth and adult sports. He added that community members have expressed “pretty uniform” and “valid” concerns regarding safety, environmental impacts and aesthetics of artificial turf.
“And at BSCO we want to be responsive to the community,” McGuire said.
He added confidence that BSCO can still closely address their goals including improved grading
and drainage, field expansion to allow for adultsized baseball among other sports, and lengthened playing seasons, without endangering the environment and Gallatin River.
“People have expressed clearly, they want grass,” McGuire said. “We would have had to fence off that soccer field to protect the investment of that turf… that’s a big change, and people reacted to that. We are listening to that, and here in front of the board, agree that we will move forward with natural grass on those fields.”
Marco DelGuidice, director of parks and trails for BSCO, explained that the natural grass will feature improved drainage profiles including sand— currently fields aren’t constructed with sand and often hold standing water.
The renovation will promote early-season turf growth and allow the maintenance crew to hold Big Sky’s fields to a higher standard.
“Now that they are going to be properly constructed, we are going to be able to have fewer cancellations due to weather with the natural grass, because the fields will be able to accommodate storm water and spring runoff,” DelGuidice explained.
“It will be nicer to be maintaining, instead of repairing.”
A BSCO press release noted that the nonprofit spent months researching the best course of action, and that BSCO recognizes the environmental benefits of natural grass.
“This approach aligns with our promise to preserve Big Sky’s natural beauty continuing to offer worldclass recreational opportunities,” the release stated.
However, the future of the park depends on voters.
The May 6 mail-in election will allow residents to decide on public debt for Big Sky Community Park among other projects. Bonding for projects including BSCO’s park renovation will not increase taxes, but they will authorize Resort Tax to use a long-term financing mechanism to pay for costly local infrastructure.
BSCO believes that as Big Sky works to improve its “livability” for anyone from year-round community members to visitors, the Community Park Bond will ensure Big Sky’s “crown jewel” remains a valuable community asset into the future.
Athletic fields at the Big Sky Community Park could undergo significant renovation if voters approve a $6.8 million bond. COURTESY OF BSCO
BSOA MEMBERS WEIGH IN: NEW SURVEY GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO TRAFFIC, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
BY BARBARA ROWLEY
EBS CONTRIBUTOR
BIG SKY—The results are in. The highest priority issues for the members of Big Sky’s largest and oldest homeowners’ association are traffic and pedestrian safety, according to a recent Big Sky Owners Association membership survey.
The survey identified four categories of current BSOA operations for members to prioritize: infrastructure, compliance and rules, environmental sustainability, and broader community involvement.
Members clearly chose infrastructure as their highest and most urgent priority, with pedestrian safety, traffic management, and pedestrian or bike paths identified as their most important projects, according to BSOA Chairperson Maggie Good.
“Next, members advised us to focus on architectural compliance and neighborhood rules, the foundational duties of most owners’ associations,” Good said. “Their answers indicated a strong desire for us to continue this work as we’ve been doing, although many also want us to be more proactive in fairly and quickly addressing compliance, especially those involving construction oversight issues, light pollution and architectural standards.”
Environmental concerns were equally important to members, with 75% of them ranking water quality and availability as a top issue, 63% advocating for fire-resistant landscaping, and 62% prioritizing wildlife corridors.
Finally, the organization’s historic and long-held place representing member interests in the broader Big Sky community remains important to its members—more than half of whom indicated they were satisfied with current levels of BSOA involvement and 27% requesting more. However, this area was ranked last as an urgent priority, with only 38% rating it as “very” or “extremely” important.
Morgan Brooke, chair of the BSOA’s strategic planning committee, said the survey results will be immediately used to create a more refined strategic plan for the 51-year old organization’s future, especially important at this point, as current Executive Director Suzan Scott is set to retire and a search for a new ED is underway, with a job description posted online.
“The BSOA mission directs us to ‘preserve, protect and enhance property values,’” Brooke said. “That’s pretty broad guidance; almost any action can fall under these categories.” Brooke speculated that this breadth might be why 77% of respondents to the survey said they did not understand what the BSOA does.
This deficit of understanding was especially obvious in the open comment sections of the survey, Brooke said. “We received hundreds of write-in comments from people worried about rapid and uncontained development, crowds, increasing high cost of
living, limited restaurant choices, issues related to employee housing, and sweeping environmental initiatives they’d like to see implemented, all of which are way beyond our purview,” he said. These priorities largely exceed the BSOA’s Articles of Incorporation mandate, also highlighting a disconnect between member expectations and the BSOA’s legal authority.
Over 425 members answered the survey—a statistically significant response. “We will be directly responding to what our members have indicated they want from us,” Good said. “It is notable and helpful that member answers show so much consensus.”
The BSOA includes over 8,000 acres with more than 2,400 properties. This includes 13 subdivisions and 38 residential and commercial condominium associations within the Big Sky area of Madison and Gallatin Counties.
More than 425 BSOA members answered a recent survey. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Traffic and pedestrian safety has been a hot topic in the Little Coyote Road area, including successful efforts to construct speed tables or “speed humps” to reduce speed. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
LOCAL
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: LIFTING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD
BY SARA SIPE EBS CONTRIBUTOR
BIG SKY—Breakfast sandwiches, elk-sausage sandwiches, veggie frittatas, breakfast burritos, omelets, hashbrowns, waffles, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, or cinnamon rolls. If this sounds like the menu at a great breakfast spot, that’s because it is. These are just some of the “daily specials” being served up at the bottom terminal of Big Sky Resort’s Lone Moose triple chair by a group of neighbors wanting to show appreciation for their local lifties.
But this morning breakfast spot, nestled at the foot of Andesite and Flat Iron mountains, isn’t open to the public. These morning munchies are reserved for the lift operators that call this place home seven days a week.
“We started several years ago,” a Lone Moose Meadows owner (representing the collaborative efforts of the neighborhood) wrote in an email to EBS. Adding, “One day, we saw someone who must have been having a bad day take their frustration out on a lift operator who was not at fault. The operator handled the situation with maturity and grace. We just wanted to show the lift operator that he was appreciated.”
What began as a way to recognize one lift operator developed into a neighborhood meet-and-greet.
“It’s a great way to get to know the folks who work on the mountain. We benefit from their hard work. Seeing their smiling faces is a great way to start the day,” the neighborhood representative added.
Joe Breckenridge has lived and worked on the mountain for three seasons and he’s been enjoying
breakfast from the neighbors in Lone Moose Meadows from the first day he started as a lift operator at Big Sky Resort.
“They never skip a day!” he said.
According to the appreciative owners in Lone Moose Meadows, it’s that upbeat attitude that makes them eager to show their gratitude to their lift operator neighbors.
“They are all pretty special, and they are kind, friendly, funny and always appreciative,” the neighbor said. “We›ve been charmed by so many
over the years. They each have very different personalities, but they all have a kind, thoughtful and caring dispositions.”
“We›d like to give Big Sky Resort kudos for hiring such great people and training them well for this public-facing job,” they continued. “This year, we owe a great deal of thanks to the ‘Four J’s:’ Joe, Joel, Jackson and Jonny, as well as Alyssa, Dallas and Drew, who has moved to a different area of the mountain.
The neighbor added that the lifties, “just feel like family.”
And the feeling is mutual.
“We call them our Montana parents because they have always treated us so well throughout the years,” said Breckenridge.
According to Breckenridge, one of the things he likes best about working at Big Sky Resort is the close friendships he has made. When asked what the impact has been of the relationship with his neighbors at Lone Moose Meadow, he replied, “They have left an impression on us that we will never forget. We feel blessed to have people who truly care about us.”
Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!
BIG SKY OUT PRESENTS FIRST WINTER PRIDE WEEK
BY CARLI JOHNSON
BIG SKY—From March 24 through March 30, Big Sky OUT will present Big Sky’s inaugural Winter Pride Week. The free weeklong event includes art activities, group ski lessons at Big Sky Resort and a brunch drag show at Tips Up.
The event was inspired in part from the nonprofit organization’s success with previous pride celebrations, according to board member Taylor McCaslin. “We had such success with our summer festival,” McCaslin said in an interview with EBS. “It felt like the right time to bridge into the winter season.”
McCaslin noted how pride events create opportunities for community bonding, and dialogue for community members to better understand and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. “I think that it’s never been more important,” McCaslin said, referring to Montana’s new legislative session where there are a handful of active anti-LGBTQ bills in the state.
“That’s why we felt like it was important to show up in all seasons here in Big Sky,” McCaslin said.
Due to the changing political landscape, BSO recently faced a $5,000 deficit for winter pride and an additional $4,500 in event costs that were expected to be donated.
In response, McCaslin approached the Big Sky Resort Area District board on March 13 with a one-time ask for $9,500 to help support BSO’s winter pride week.
The board voted unanimously to support the onetime request for $9,500, after hearing McCaslin’s pitch. He explained that three past attempts to create a pride ski week in Big Sky have been unsuccessful.
“We’re changing that this year. It is happening,” McCaslin said.
Beginning on March 24, BSO will host a community blood drive, followed by a guided art class. The rest of the week will be filled with wellness and learning activities that bring local
businesses together to support BSO’s mission of fostering a vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ community in Big Sky.
The week will close with a pride parade at Big Sky Resort, with participants skiing a 30-by-25-foot pride flag down Mr. K on March 29 and a brunch drag show at Tips Up on March 30. This is the first time BSO is doing an event on the mountain, and they have organized scholarship opportunities for those who can’t afford lift tickets.
Officials from Big Sky Resort did not provide a comment for this story. McCaslin noted that the resort originally agreed to provide sponsorship and donate lessons, but pulled back in the weeks leading up to the event.
"For me, this year is about proving that this event works, and next year is about going big with Big Sky Resort, and establishing this as an annual event that showcases that Big Sky not only welcomes, but celebrates everyone.”
The full schedule can be found on the organization’s website, bigskyout.org
Joe (left) and Dallas (right) of the Lone Moose lifties enjoying a morning breakfast.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA SIPE
LOCAL
RESORT TAX BOARD PROMOTES VOTING AHEAD OF MAY ELECTION
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—Ahead of an upcoming election with serious implications for Big Sky’s future, Big Sky leaders are pushing hard to educate the community and encourage voter participation.
Kevin Germain, board chair of the Big Sky Resort Area District, praised his fellow Resort Tax trustees for their work distributing information about the Livable Big Sky voter education campaign. It focuses on three BSRAD-related ballot initiatives: renewal of Big Sky’s 3% resort tax through 2065; long-term BSRAD debt to fund the Cold Smoke workforce housing neighborhood; and long-term BSRAD debt to fund renovations of the Big Sky Community Park.
“If you do not know about this election, you do not live in Big Sky,” Germain said during the March 13 BSRAD board meeting.
Board member Sarah Blechta said voting gives a voice to residents, many of whom often express a desire to have a say in local affairs.
“There’s fundamentally nothing more democratic than this process,” said Daniel Bierschwale, BSRAD executive director.
Voting deadlines
The May 6 election is a mail-in election, and voters must be registered and active—voters who missed a recent election may not be active, in which case they will not receive a ballot. Voters can check registration status online at votemt.gov.
April 7 is the deadline for voter registration.
County elections offices will mail ballots on April 18, and voters must return ballots to county elections office by 8 p.m. on May 6. Bierschwale recommends returning ballots via mail no later than April 28—after that time, he recommends dropping ballots off in person.
Bierschwale hopes all organizations on the receiving end of Resort Tax grants will understand the importance of renewing the 3% resort tax through 2065. In addition to extending the regular impact of resort tax on local government services and infrastructure, the 3% renewal would enable secure, long-term public financing mechanisms for BSRAD, including improved bond terms for the Cold Smoke and Community Park projects, if voters approve.
He said Big Sky has a very engaged community and he expects voters to do their research, and make their voices heard as they typically do with a very turnout high rate for local elections.
“And I know… there was not a bond that passed in Gallatin County in the last election cycle. But I’m confident that this community is very, very sophisticated in how it’s choosing to move forward into the future. And if it’s going to pass, it’s going to pass somewhere here in Big Sky,”
Bierschwale said.
Germain pointed out one key difference between those county-wide bonds and the Livable Big Sky projects up for vote: “This does not increase taxes. We should just say that five times over.”
The two Livable Big Sky bonds—Cold Smoke and the Big Sky Community Park—will be repaid using resort tax collections, and Big Sky’s resort tax will not increase if bonds are approved. The bonds are entirely separate from a property tax bond.
Livable Big Sky—a partnership between BSRAD, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust and Big Sky Community Organization—has planned a series of public engagement events through mid-April.
VOTER EDUCATION EVENTS
Learn more and ask questions about the three initiatives that will be on your mail-in ballot due May 6.
March
Childcare provided Tuesday, March 4
Tuesday, March 11
Thursday, March 20
Family Forum WHERE: BASE WHEN: 5:30 - 7:00 PM
April
Tuesday, April 1
Ballots & Brews with Explore Big Sky WHERE: Waypoint WHEN: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Friday, April 18
Project Open House: Cold Smoke WHERE: RiverView Community Room WHEN: 12:00 - 5:30 PM
May
Tuesday, May 6
Election Day
Mail your ballot by April 28 to ensure it arrives on time. Ballots may also be dropped o at Big Sky Water & Sewer or the Gallatin County Elections O ce on or before May 6.
Pizza with a Purpose WHERE: Big Sky Chapel WHEN: 11:45 - 2:15 PM
Wednesday, April 16
Ballots & Breakfast WHERE: Waypoint WHEN: 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Dirtbag Après WHERE: Talus Room, Summit Hotel, Big Sky Resort WHEN: 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Thursday, April 17
Project Open House: Community Park WHERE: BASE WHEN: 12:00 - 5:30 PM
REGIONAL
EXPERTS CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WILDLIFE CROSSING SOLUTIONS ALONG 191
BY JEN CLANCEY
GALLATIN GATEWAY—U.S. Highway 191 is the only public road that connects the populous communities of Gallatin Valley to Big Sky and West Yellowstone. Semis, pickup trucks and cars blur by on the strip of pavement at 55-70 miles per hour, bisecting the agricultural fields of Gallatin Gateway, as well as the foothills of the Gallatin and Madison ranges where deer and elk exit higher elevations and forage in colder months.
It’s a route that hosts two hotspots for wildlifevehicle collisions in Gallatin County, identified by researchers in 2024. Between 2008 and 2022, 2,625 white-tailed deer, 625 mule deer and 312 elk were struck and killed by vehicles in Gallatin County. The mouth of the Gallatin Canyon and the junction of U.S. 191 and Montana Highway 64 are priority sites for conservationists and road experts due to their high number of wildlife vehicle collisions.
Drivers familiar with the route know there’s a problem too—of the forty-six who responded to a reader survey published by Explore Big Sky about U.S. 191, 14 noted that they had personally been in a wildlife-vehicle collision. Most respondents believe there is more that can be done to prevent these accidents.
One of those respondents is Holly Pippel, a wildlife photographer and advocate who lives in Gallatin Gateway. Pippel has lived in Gateway since 1995 and has grown fond of the diverse wildlife in the area.
“Mountain lions, bobcats, ermine, mink, bears … an occasional wolf in Gateway down at this end will
come through,” Pippel said. “Everything’s trying to make a living.”
In one recent year, Pippel alone counted 18 dead elk on the roadside, which she reported to the Bozeman-based nonprofit Center for Large Landscape Conservation for their Wildlife and Transportation Assessment. On Feb. 28, 2025, she photographed a struck elk that had been moved off the road, and lit on fire some hours later. She remembered a time when one driver, unfamiliar with the area, struck three elk in Gallatin Gateway at night.
It’s a corridor CLLC, an organization that studies ecological connectivity in landscapes globally, has been focused on for the last few years— in September 2024, they teamed up with the Montana Department of Transportation to apply for funding of a wildlife crossing bridge over U.S. 191. In December, CLLC learned that their project proposal, valued at about $22.8 million, was rejected. In total, states across the U.S. asked for $600 million in funds for projects, five times the amount the grants could pay for.
The problem of wildlife-vehicle collisions remains, and grows. For conservationists, drivers and state agencies, the issue poses a safety threat and concerns about herd health.
“We’re certainly not giving up on this project,” Elizabeth Fairbank, road ecologist with CLLC, told EBS. “It’s not getting better on its own.”
Community contributors pledged $3 million in donations to help match federal funding if the application proved successful. Fairbank hopes pledges will remain as CLLC looks into alternatives outside of the federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot
Program, a program included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022. Fairbank said it’s hard to predict funding sources in the future, especially amid funding freezes enacted by a new administration. There are also structure changes as Sean Duffy steps into his role as U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Amid the uncertainty, researchers continue to collect data about the significance of ungulate species’ movement around U.S. 191.
Julie Cunningham, a biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, began research on elk movement in the Gallatin Gateway area in 2023. She said the project is different from typical FWP research because it concerns not only hunters but conservationists, county officials and drivers as well.
“It’s a little outside the box,” Cunningham said. “But it’s been really fun and rewarding because of the amount of community interest.”
She said that results indicate elk use the area as habitat, not just a stop along the way on a longer seasonal migratory journey. Though a work in progress, the results can inform county planners in future land use in the area.
According to Envision Gallatin, a project by the Gallatin County’s Department of Planning and Community Development, 74% of private land in Gallatin County is free of zoning. Unzoned spaces without neighborhood plans tend to be used for agriculture, like acres in Gallatin Gateway. As a result, “few local review mechanisms” are in place to ensure development happens with the community and environment in mind. The county is holding public meetings to discuss zoning reform, which could result in solutions, such as creating a
CLLC with the Montana Department of Transportation applied for funding of an overpass near the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon on U.S. Highway 191. PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
framework for all unzoned areas. The next meeting is on March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Gallatin County Courthouse.
According to Cunningham, FWP spends about $20,000 to $30,000 responding to wildlife conflicts in the Bozeman area annually. As the area grows, conflicts caused by animals making “small movements” through yards, in subdivisions and properties aren’t going away and while wellintentioned property owners appreciate wildlife, they sometimes wish the animals could go somewhere else, Cunningham said. “But we’re running out of ‘somewhere elses,’” she said.
Cunningham said she sees overpasses as just one part of a broader mitigation plan.
“One of the things I think about is, are there other tools too? You know, what about animal detection systems?” Cunningham asked. “The overpasses may be the right tool in some areas. And I think … they’re one tool, but they’re not the only tool.”
She highlighted the effectiveness of animal detection systems, signs that would detect animal crossings and alert drivers. A 2019 assessment by Marcel Huijser, a road ecologist with the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, found that costs of detection systems on U.S. Highway 89 in Paradise Valley were similar or lower than the financial burden of allowing crashes to continue. In 2024, Huijser found that the benefits exceed costs of constructing wildlife crossing options at several sections of U.S. 191: between Four Corners and the mouth of the canyon, north and south of Big Sky and between U.S. 191’s junction with U.S. Highway 287 and West Yellowstone.
“You could argue that … along many road sections, we’re losing more money by doing nothing,” Huijser said.
In the 2024 study, Huijser found two significant hotspots for wildlife-vehicle collisions in Gallatin County: the mouth of the canyon in Gallatin Gateway and the junction of U.S. 191 and Montana Highway 64. But even beyond those two hotspots, there are many sites in need of mitigation along the route as a whole.
“To say that improving the two sites would then improve everything, is false,” Huijser said.
An area ‘worth saving’
The first step in a conservation hierarchy is to avoid areas worthy of conservation and protection. If that step isn’t feasible, the next-best step would be mitigation, which Big Sky and Gallatin Gateway community members hope to accomplish with wildlife-friendly infrastructure, and the third would be compensation—making up for risks by providing benefits and refuge elsewhere.
“We typically go immediately to mitigating impact, meaning acceptance of impacts and trying to reduce the severity of those impacts,” Huijser said. “In mountainous regions adjacent to the river, that is the easiest place for people to build a road. It is probably also one of the most damaging places ecologically to build the road.”
An example of avoiding impact would be infrastructure like an elevated monorail through the Gallatin Canyon, Huijser said.
The Gallatin Valley, especially around more undeveloped agriculture like the ones in Gateway, is popular range for ungulate species. Put simply, the
habitat is irresistible.
“There’s fantastic food for ungulates on the agricultural fields. We basically created something that deer especially love in that area,” Huijser said. “We have an increasingly busy highway cutting through it.”
To continue the effort to implement wildlife crossing infrastructure, CLLC recommends remaining careful behind the wheel and reaching out to representatives at the state and federal levels to encourage wildlife crossing and mitigation efforts.
Pippel believes a structure like an overhead wildlife crossing with enough accessible land on both sides would be an ideal solution. After a winding 40-mile drive through the canyon, the brief expansion to a second, northbound lane for passing and gaining speed is a welcome change for drivers heading away from Big Sky. It’s here that drivers on their journey exit the most of the canyon, and enter Gallatin Valley, with a spectacular view of the Bridger Range on the horizon. It’s also a spot where people regain cell service after 45 minutes or more of radio silence.
“There’s a lot of things that are distractions for drivers when you come out of the canyon,” Pippel said, behind the wheel of her Chevrolet pickup truck, checking both sides of the road carefully while she navigates the corridor in question.
She emphasized her hope that nearby private lands can be placed under conservation easements to aid the elk populations. It’s not just elk, deer and large mammals that face the impacts of furthering development and fast-moving traffic. Other endangered species also reside in the area.
“It is important to pay attention to these other species that are rare and not necessarily large enough to pose a threat to human safety and not part of that safety analysis,” Huijser said of smaller, scarcer creatures like wolverine and lynx.
As the sun set over the foothills that embrace U.S. 191, Pippel describes the movement of an elk herd across the street. It’s a trek of about 30 feet, but can be life or death for animals and drivers. She recalled one elk holding up traffic until each member of the herd had crossed to the other side.
“We’re part of the greater Yellowstone,” Pippel said. “You know, we’re on the gateway to Yellowstone, historically. And I think it’s worth saving.”
Elk graze on a hillside next to U.S. 191.
PHOTO BY JEN CLANCEY
PHOTO BY HOLLY PIPPEL
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SCAN ME!
PRIDE IS A SHADE OF GREEN BUTTE CELEBRATES ANOTHER ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN A MANNER WORTHY OF ITS
REPUTATION
BY BELLA BUTLER EBS CONTRIBUTOR
BUTTE—At 10 ‘til midnight on March 16, a white-haired gentleman in a black tweed flat cap aimed a blaring leaf blower toward the wet asphalt at the intersection of Broadway and Main streets in Butte, Montana. A combination of rain and snow had made the ground an imperfect canvas for the annual painting of the giant shamrock, a decadesold tradition that serves as the unofficial kick-off to St. Patrick’s Day in the historic mining town. The leaf blower did little to dry the street, but the painters remained armed with green-stained roller brushes, waiting for their cue.
Then, at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, a pipe and drum band donning green plaid kilts stepped into the intersection and began playing Irish Set, and the roller brushes hit the ground, one drawing the outline of the clover leaves while the others hurriedly filled it in. A crowd of spectators began to cheer, some raising cans of Guinness in the snowspeckled air. On the flanks of the dark city, old mining headframes, usually lit red, glowed green. St. Patrick’s Day had begun in Butte, America.
The Midnight Shamrock is just one of many traditions that celebrate the famous holiday in Butte, a town that proudly claims the highest Irishdescendant population per capita in the country (a fact that has become more anecdotal than statistical in recent years, but with nearly a quarter of the city’s residents claiming Irish descent, the sentiment remains). Butte has a reputation for gathering crowds in the tens of thousands on March 17, many traveling from around the state (or further—some internet blogs tell tales of Emerald Isle natives making the trip overseas for the occasion), for a raucous celebration that includes a legendary parade and bleeds into uptown’s many Irish-themed bars until the wee hours of tomorrow. But for many of the town’s residents, it’s a day to stoke the fire of their heritage. It’s an unrivaled celebration, but above all, it’s an expression of pride.
On the morning of the 16th, a handful of members from Butte’s Ancient Order of the Hibernians share coffee and a shot of Irish whiskey at the east end of Broadway Street after painting the road for tomorrow’s parade. Smoke from their cigars is indistinguishable from their frozen breath as they take turns recalling their personal histories—they’re all Irish Catholic and all from Butte. They don’t say how old they are, instead joking that they’re sometimes called “the order of ancient Hibernians.” More seriously referred to as the AOH, the Irish Catholic fraternal organization was established in New York in 1836 and initially helped Irish immigrants relocate to the U.S.
Today, Butte’s chapter is less focused on establishing Irish-American culture and instead driven to keep it alive. Their signature effort is restoring the city’s St. Patrick’s Cemetery, but they also play a supportive role in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, even marching as the procession’s leaders behind the Butte Composite Squadron, which presents the flags.
“I think every year, St Patrick’s Day revives the presence that the Irish had in Butte—and still have—and I think it reminds people of their history here,” said Con Sullivan, president of the Butte AOH. “[The Irish] literally built Butte back in the day.” Indeed, during the copper boom of the
1860s that put Butte on the map, Irish immigrants flooded to what was becoming known as the Richest Hill on Earth. And many of them stayed.
Butte’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was in 1882, when 800 members of the AOH marched in -30 F temps from Walkerville south to Butte, according to the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. From the beginning, the event was a stage for a cause: In the late 19th century, it was tied to Ireland’s fight for independence from England, and after the turn of the century, Butte’s chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick added a banquet to the parade that raised funds that were sent to Ireland for civil war relief.
While war was waged in Europe, Butte used the parade to respond. According to the Archives: “In 1915, the Butte Daily Post reported that ‘one thousand Irishmen and their invited guests, the German and Austro-Hungarian societies’ marched ‘under skies tinged with a summer brightness.’” In 1918, when the mayor of Butte denied the parade’s then-sponsor the Pearse-Connolly club a permit to march amid wartime and a pandemic, a riot broke out, and 56 men were jailed. Celebrations in the years following continued but in a quieter fashion until pride prevailed, and the annual jubilations swelled into the storied events of today.
Minutes before this year’s parade started its crawl down Granite Street, 11-year-old Colie Mulcahy practiced her Irish jig in front of the An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival float and Tiernan Irish Dancers, which would soon prove to be a crowdpleaser. Colie, who lives in Butte, joked that her favorite part of the holiday was watching the more spirited and imbibing attendees. Her mom, Lindsay Mulcahy, teasingly scolded her. “What about your favorite part of St. Patrick’s Day is dancing and handing down the heritage?” she offered instead, to which Colie replied: “Yeah, that, too.”
Across the street, the Butte Central High School Pep Band rehearsed “I’m Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys on top of a trailer. Guitar player Perry Curry, 16, said this was his fifth year in a row playing with the band in the parade.
“Honestly, seeing the look on people’s faces [is my favorite part],” he said. “It’s usually pretty surprised, because you don't really expect a rolling rock band to roll through, especially not in this weather, but we're committed.”
Curry motioned to the snow flurries swirling around them and the 99 other groups and floats that made up this year’s parade. Despite the holiday falling on a weekday—and a blustering one, at that—participation and attendance were not lacking. Parade director Alysia Guzman, 26 and from Butte, was thrilled with the turnout. “I love how much the entries decorate more for St. Paddy’s than they do for the Fourth of July,” she said, laughing. Guzman works for the Butte, America Foundation, which has run the parade since 2017. As of EBS press time, crowd numbers had not been reported, but the packed streets uptown were proof enough of a successful showing.
Among the crowd were first-time parade goers Lynn and Lynn Benfield from Dillon. Since moving to Montana a year ago, they’ve been told it was a must. They especially liked the pipe and drum troupes, which this year included the Anaconda AOH as well as the Edmonton Police Service Pipe and Drums, the latter of which has been traveling from Canada to play in the parade since the 1980s.
“I just think the sounds of them are so neat,” one Lynn said. “The sound—that is my heritage,” said the other Lynn, adding that his Scottish family fled to Ireland before landing in the U.S. in 1756.
Benfield’s reflection on his family heritage is no mere musing—it’s by design. For the people of Butte understand that an elemental part of pride is respect, and each of the city’s many St. Patrick’s Day traditions are an act of it. Take the Midnight Shamrock, for example: the painters are simply a group of friends who started painting the intersection more than 40 years ago when they were kids (“The police used to chase us away because we were young and vandals, and then eventually they started blocking it off for us,” one painter said). Now, they honor the painters amongst them who have passed by painting their initials on the edges of the clover.
Each tradition—the midday hurling match that brings Ireland’s national sport to the Montana Tech pitch, the AOH’s group march to morning mass, the sparkling Irish garb adorned by horseback parade participants—is a call and an echo of heritage.
At noon on St. Patrick’s Day, 12 hours after green paint and bagpipes called in the holiday, the March sun parted the squalls as a procession of Irish dancers, AOH brothers and sisters, bagpipers, high school bands, military rigs, horses, a bishop driving a vintage car, a congressman and many, many other proud celebrators in green began their parade through uptown Butte, backdropped by the mine many of their ancestors immigrated for more than a century and a half ago. Today, pride is a shade of green.
Bella Butler is a part-Irish writer based in Bozeman. She is also the managing editor of Mountain Outlaw magazine, another publication of Outlaw Partners.
Proud members of Butte’s chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians lead the parade.
PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER
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ENVIRONMENT
GNFAC: LOOKING AT TIME SCALES IN AVALANCHE DECISION-MAKING
DAVE ZINN EBS CONTRIBUTOR
Editor’s note: The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center forecasts for the mountains in Southwest Montana from the Bridger Range through Big Sky, West Yellowstone and Cooke City, as well as the Mountains in Island Park, Idaho. Visit avalanche.org for regional conditions across the rest of the U.S.
I know… I know… The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center forecasters are always telling you why what you want to do (skiing and riding steep backcountry terrain in deep powder) might not be the safest choice. We go into the field, seek out snowpack structures and terrain features that could result in avalanches, and report our findings. Across the Rocky Mountains, the snowpack often holds critical flaws—weak layers in the “layer cake” structure that can fail, sending avalanches tumbling down mountainsides, into trees, off cliffs and burying backcountry enthusiasts beneath snow. Our mission is to communicate these risks and offer guidance on how to enjoy the mountains safely.
A crucial concept to understand is the importance of time scale–from hours to years. Avalanche safety often relies on assessing recent conditions—weather changes, snowfall and avalanche activity within the past 24 hours. While this short-term focus is vital, we must consider the broader time scale, encompassing the entire season›s conditions.
The 2023-24 season is burned into my mind. Last season’s unstable and unpredictable snowpack surprised all of us at various times throughout the winter. We saw slopes avalanche that we had not seen slide before, sometimes multiple times during the season. While collecting field data and assessing conditions, each of us triggered avalanches, some quite large, many from long distances away. I triggered a slope near Big Sky from nearly a thousand feet away when the weak layer in the flat meadow I where I was snowmobiling collapsed and
propagated like a string of dominos until it reached a pitch steep enough to avalanche. As a forecast team, we pulled out all the stops to communicate the persistent danger. With outreach, good decision-making from backcountry travelers and a bit of luck, there were no avalanche fatalities within the GNFAC forecast area (there was one fatality in Montana, and sixteen nationally during the 202324 season).
In contrast, this season has brought stronger, more consistent snowpack conditions. While not riskfree, it’s been more predictable, allowing for greater confidence in slope-scale assessments, such as snow pits and stability tests. Don’t take this too far and become complacent. Changing weather—such as snow and wind—can quickly elevate danger levels and the likelihood of triggering avalanches. Decision-making must balance both the big-picture trends and immediate conditions to ensure safety.
Unfortunately, not all the zones within the forecast area boundaries are equally predictable. A weaker snowpack exists in the Lionhead area
near West Yellowstone and the Southern Madison and Southern Gallatin Ranges South of Big Sky. Insidious layers of sugary facets and feathery surface hoar buried within the snowpack result in persistent instability and large avalanches breaking several feet deep widely across slopes days after the last snowfall. Outside these areas, the danger is more directly tied to snowfall and wind.
Future years will inevitably bring greater risks, but this season’s stability offers an opportunity to make informed, confident choices based on careful observations. The only surefire way to avoid avalanches is to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees, but by understanding and adjusting to varying time scales, recreational users and professionals can more safely navigate the complexities of avalanche terrain. Stay informed by following our daily avalanche forecasts at mtavalanche.com.
Dave Zinn is an avalanche forecaster for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
Avalanche in First Yellowmule on Buck Ridge triggered by the author from 1000 feet away in February 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF GNFAC
Dave Zinn slides into steeper terrain in the Northern Gallatin Range. PHOTO BY A. BRUCKMEIER
THRIVING LANDSCAPES: WINTER LANDSCAPE CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM ENVIRONMENT
BY KATHLEEN GLOCKNER EBS COLUMNIST
As winter covers everything from the mountain peaks to our front porches in a blanket of snow, Big Sky becomes the winter wonderland it’s famous for. Yet beneath the frosted trees and world-class powder is a rich landscape vulnerable to the harsh conditions of our beautiful winter and short summers. To withstand the region’s heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures and prepare for the warmer months, our landscapes require proactive strategic planning. But first, you need to understand what challenges to address.
Understanding winter challenges
Recognizing Big Sky’s challenges can help develop a plan that supports a healthy landscape all year long.
Cold temperatures and heavy snow: Big Sky’s cold temperatures, heavy snow, and harsh winds can damage vulnerable vegetation and often result in broken branches, which can prevent spring growth. Young plants and perennials are especially susceptible to root damage.
Harsh winds: Our region’s cold winds can worsen dry conditions by stripping moisture from plants, a process known as desiccation. With frozen grounds preventing plant roots from absorbing water to replenish this loss, vegetation is vulnerable to stress and damage.
Snow removal and storage: Careful snow removal and storage planning will prevent snow and ice damage. Use gentle snow removal techniques to avoid harming the underlying vegetation, and store snow on hardscapes along your driveway in a location that doesn’t impede your entrance.
Wildlife grazing: The sparse winter foliage may cause nearby wildlife to graze on your vegetation in search of food. This can damage young trees and shrubs. To prevent this, install physical barriers around sensitive areas in need of protection.
Designing for winter viability
Here are some things you can do to design a resilient landscape.
Plant native: One of the best ways to preserve your landscape is to opt for native, fire-resistant, drought-tolerant plants that can withstand the cold, snow, and wind. Native plants have adaptations that allow them to weather Big Sky’s extreme temperatures and are less maintenance-intensive. Many native plants are also more fire resistant and can be incorporated into a fire-wise landscape, including stones, walkways – separation, and noncombustible ground cover (stone).
Protective structures: Employ protective structures such as windbreaks, mulch and fabric plant covers to protect and shelter vulnerable plants from frost and snow. For example, inorganic mulch can keep roots from freezing and preserve moisture.
Irrigation systems: Winterize your irrigation system by shutting off the water supply, draining the pipes, and insulating the main valve, backflow preventers, and piping above ground. If you have an automatic sprinkler, turn off the timer or turn on rain mode.
Plant placement: Avoid planting in areas where snow accumulates, such as below roof edges, driveways, and where snow piles are stored after plowing. Instead, plants should be placed in shielded areas to maximize southern exposure (for sunlight) and minimize wind exposure from the north.
Hardscape: Durable hardscapes, such as paths, stepping stones, or concrete structures, not only add aesthetic value to your property but also effectively
manage snow, drainage, and erosion. To prevent waterlogging, ensure that water drains away from plant roots and buildings by grading the soil.
Winter care plan
Maintaining a healthy outdoor space requires seasonal upkeep and maintenance.
It’s best to prune your trees and shrubs early winter before the snow sets in to avoid breakage and in late winter before spring growth starts.
Keep a close eye on accumulated snow on plant branches that can cause them to bend or break. Gently shake off snow accumulation on branches or shrubs, especially if they’re not flexible.
Lastly, it’s critical that you establish designated snow storage areas to protect the structural integrity of your landscape, minimize damage to sensitive ecological areas, maintain clear paths to your property, and minimize soil compaction.
By planning your landscape around Big Sky’s climate, alpine-appropriate plants, and protective features, you can create a beautiful, resilient landscape that thrives all year long. For more guidance on landscaping in Big Sky, visit Alpenscapes.org
Alpenscapes is Big Sky’s go-to resource for creating appealing, alpine-appropriate landscapes that are fire-safe, water-wise, and ecosystemfriendly. Smarter landscapes. Thriving landscapes. Picturesque spaces.
Kathleen Glockner was born in Chicago but has always had a passion for the mountains. After relocating to Bozeman to attend Montana State University, she fell in love with the area and chose to stay. She now works with brands to elevate their marketing and content strategies.
The Historic Crail Ranch cabin illustrates Big Sky’s harsh winters, resilient landscape, and the structural endurance needed to thrive here. PHOTO COURTESY OF GROW WILD
ENVIRONMENT
DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: THE ONGOING VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE
BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST
President Trump’s aggressive dismantling of federal agencies in the early days of his second term represents a serious threat to our nation. His reckless attempts to eliminate vital federal agencies and dismiss dedicated civil servants jeopardize our ability to combat pollution, protect vulnerable communities from environmental degradation, and effectively address climate change. True patriotism means caring for one’s country, and his actions contradict that belief.
On Jan. 28, nearly two million federal government employees from essential agencies—including the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency—were shockingly given the option to resign, with promised pay and benefits through September but haven’t received anything, demonstrating a profound disregard for the invaluable contributions of our public servants, the backbone of our nation.
Elon Musk and DOGE’s executive orders directly target 280,000 civilian workers, many of whom are still on probation after being hired less than two years ago. This move is not merely an attack on jobs; it is an assault on the very fabric of our government and public service. The impact on Montanans employed by federal agencies is significant, and I can speak to this directly because I was once part of that workforce.
The health and well-being of our country are at stake. These reckless decisions threaten not only the environment but also the stability of our economy. Did we, the American people, endorse these destructive policies? Absolutely not—this is a clear violation of our collective will.
Elon and DOGE are poised to dismantle our disaster preparedness for climate-related natural disasters at a critical time as we approach hurricane, tornado and wildfire seasons. Their misguided actions will sabotage vital preventive measures, such as road maintenance, timber thinning and watershed protection. Proposing to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency is an outright abandonment of our citizens during crises like Hurricane Helene, which inflicted $80 billion in damages, or the LA wildfires, potentially costing between $35-75 billion. Instead of dismantling FEMA, we should strengthen this critical disaster relief program.
Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cut 600 employees—this agency is crucial for monitoring weather data, predicting natural disasters, and issuing essential alerts to keep Americans safe.
Furthermore, the US Forest Service irresponsibly laid off 3,400 employees, 10% of its workforce. These public servants are essential for maintaining infrastructure, battling wildfires and restoring our vital natural resources. Then, on March 2, Trump handed over our national forests to industry to do what they want with the lungs of the planet.
Eliminating staff from agencies responsible for environmental protection, such as the EPA, is not just reckless; it is a direct attack on our planet’s health. Terminating over 1,000 EPA employees poses a significant threat to the wellbeing of the American populace, exacerbating the climate crisis and degrading the quality of our air and water.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s layoffs, which affected around 420 employees, severely hindered the agency’s ability to manage critical fish and wildlife habitats. This is unacceptable.
Dismissing professionals from the Department of Justice, especially within the Environment and Natural Resources Division, fundamentally undermines our ability to enforce vital environmental laws. Such actions set a dangerous precedent that prioritizes wealthy industrialists’ interests over most Americans’ health and welfare. If this dismantling continues, we risk sidelining essential environmental protections entirely.
Moreover, these abrupt firings disrupt crucial energy research that advances clean energy initiatives and diminishes oversight of nuclear energy. The misleading claims of “America First” will instead increase our dependence on foreign energy sources, risking both economic and environmental stability. The Department of Energy has already laid off significant portions of its workforce and restricted funding for the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure programs. With $100 billion allocated for grants and loans in the 2022 IRA and bipartisan infrastructure law now at risk, we face severe degradation of our American infrastructure.
Furthermore, the National Science Foundation is suffering from layoffs of up to half its staff, drastically reducing grant opportunities essential for critical science and research—totaling around $10 billion annually—that support U.S. communities and address global needs, including cancer research. The National Institutes of Health is also facing undemocratic dismantling under the directives of the current administration. Many universities rely on the NIH for nearly 30% of their direct research
funding, which is crucial for protecting Americans’ health against diseases and outbreaks. As Carl Bergstrom, a biology professor at the University of Washington, aptly noted on BlueSky, “It is difficult to overstate what a catastrophe this will be for the US research and education systems, particularly in biomedical fields.”
Insufficient staffing means our agencies cannot effectively manage invasive species, wildfires, or essential maintenance. The Department of the Interior laid off 2,000 employees. The Bureau of Land Management has laid off 800 staffers, and the National Park Service—America’s best idea—has cut 1,000 employees. Biden’s American Climate Corps initiative was intended to create 20,000 jobs focused on combating climate change and addressing natural disasters, but now this program is being halted, showcasing a blatant disregard for our citizens and the health of our planet.
To add insult to injury, this purge of the federal workforce has affected over 500,000 veterans, who make up 30% of the federal workforce. Many government agencies rely heavily on veterans to fulfill their critical roles.
These agencies were established to safeguard the well-being and health of all Americans and the planet. We deserve leadership that genuinely represents the entire nation’s interests, not just a privileged few or those who align with a single political agenda. The president is elected to serve the whole country. It’s time to stand firm for our values, assert our rights as citizens, and aggressively oppose these destructive actions. These vengeful actions toward science, veterans and wildlife are purely out of greed.
Benjamin Alva Polley is a place-based storyteller. His stories have been published in Audubon, Esquire, Field & Stream, The Guardian, Outside, Popular Science, Sierra, and other publications on his website. He holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana. Follow him on Instagram.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
SPORTS
BASKETBALL: OPPOSING COACHES RECOGNIZE BIG HORN BOYS
BY JACK REANEY
BIG SKY—Three Lone Peak High School basketball players made the district 5B allconference team in Montana Class B, of just 12 players in total.
Senior Isaac Bedway and junior Ebe Grabow made first team all-conference and sophomore Ryan Malinowski made second team. All three were nominated by head coach Al Malinowski but voted in by opposing coaches.
Bedway landed among the top three vote recipients, earning him a spot on the Class B all-state roster. Bedway is just the third player to earn all-state honors in LPHS program history, after Eddie Starz in 2017 and Max Romney in 2023. He is the first to make all-state in Montana Class B.
Coach Malinowski said that individual recognition is often connected to team success, as the Big Horns’ strong season made an impression on opposing coaches.
“It should be something that the team overall
embraces when guys get some individual recognition because it’s a reflection of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team,” Malinowski told EBS in a phone call.
He’s excited that Grabow and Ryan Malinowski will be returning next season to help lead their teammates and set an example after being recognized among the top 12 players in district 5B.
Isaac Bedway
Bedway led District 5B in scoring with 403 points this season—the fourth most in Lone Peak history—averaging 18.3 per game. He was Lone Peak’s leading rebounder, leading shot blocker, and finished his career with the most 3-pointers in program history.
“So all three of those things certainly made him worthy.... Certainly, one heck of a resume, and heck of a senior season, including the last day of his career, hitting the 1,000-point mark,” coach Malinowski said.
Bedway reached 1,000 points in just three seasons, beginning his Lone Peak basketball career as a sophomore.
Ebe Grabow
Grabow was known as one of the top defensive players in the league, while still averaging nearly 15 points per game.
“He routinely held some of the top scorers on other teams far below their average, which helped give us an opportunity to win games,” Malinowski said. “... I think having him also voted first team all-conference is a recognition of how hard he plays, and the effort he gives on both ends of the floor.”
Grabow’s 327 points put him at No. 6 on Lone Peak’s single-season scoring tally.
Both Grabow and Bedway improved from second team all-conference selections last year.
Ryan Malinowski led the conference in 3-pointers this season, with 51. Coach Malinowski said his improvement from his freshman season played a key role in helping the team achieve success.
“Just seeing how hard he worked at improving his game from last year to this year,” coach Malinowski said. “In the summer, going to camps, and really focusing on putting in that extra time, it was great to see that pay off for him.”
In addition to Ryan’s 3-point shooting ability, he developed his ball handling skills and began attacking the basket more. The dual threat approach opened up scoring opportunities for his teammates as defenders couldn’t sell out on preventing the 3-ball.
“He capitalized on his outside shooting, but became more than just a distance shooter this year,” coach Malinowski said.
Ryan scored 251 points, averaging 11.4 per game while leading the team in assists with 76, and in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Ryan Malinowski
Sophomore Ryan Malinowski. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Junior Ebe Grabow. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
Senior Isaac Bedway. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
BREAKFAST IN BIG SKY
THE STATE OF YOUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
April 1st | 8:30 - 10:00am | The Wilson
Join us for a morning of insight with Dr. Bertany, CEO of Bozeman Health. Get key updates on our healthcare system’s challenges, developments, and opportunities. Enjoy a light breakfast while networking with healthcare professionals and community leaders.
Secure your spot here!
VOTER EDUCATION EVENTS
Ballots & Brews with Explore Big Sky | April 1st
Join us for light appetizers and drinks at The Waypoint from 5:00 - 6:30pm. Ballots & Breakfast | April 16th
Join us for breakfast at the Waypoint from 8:00 - 9:00am.
On a mail-in ballot due May 6, voters will be asked to decide on key initiatives, including renewing the Resort Tax as a vital funding source and investing in the places and spaces where we live, play, and connect as neighbors.
Hosted by Big Sky Resort Area District and the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.
UPCOMING PROSPERA EVENTS
Business Hours in Big Sky | March 27th
Attend in-person office hours in Big Sky for personalized support tailored to your business needs.
Maximize Your Google Business Profile Roundtable | March 27th
Join us for an informative lunch and learn designed to help business owners harness the power of Google Business Profile (GBP) to attract more customers, enhance visibility, and grow their business online.
Register for all Prospera events here!
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR
If your next event falls between April 3 - April 16 please submit it to explorebigsky.com/calendar-event-form by March 31st
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE AWARENESS
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 | 4:30 PM WARREN MILLER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
On Saturday, March 29 at 4:30 p.m., Fire Adapted Big Sky will hold a community wildfire awareness session at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
The event is free and will teach the public about wildfire behavior, flammability evaluations, home insurance and firewise planning. Local firefighters and fire-wise contractors will be present.
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DINING
A LA CARTE: SPAGHETTI NIGHT
BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST
These days, I feel like I am constantly busy. There are never enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks plus take care of myself and put food on the table.
Maybe you’re luckier than I, or you have found some secret to slowing down in this fast-paced world. Or maybe you’re in the exact same boat and the world is making you dizzy, swirling around you like dollars in one of those air chambers that you’re frantically trying to snatch out of the air.
For times like these—all times, really—there is one dish that reigns supreme. Tonight, I am making spaghetti.
To be clear, I am 0% Italian. I do not claim to be able to cook Italian food with any sort of authority, though those who can forever have my heart. Mmmmm, carbs.
Spaghetti in this case is a very Americanized version of an Italian pasta. Top some noodles with a red sauce and you’re good to go. This is the spaghetti of church lunches and team dinners. It does require a base of spaghetti noodles, so it gets to keep its name.
Everyone seems to make spaghetti differently and some are much better than others, but most seem to have a place. I have no problems with spaghettitype frozen dinners or cafeteria spaghetti. But there are exceptions. Once upon a time, my grandma Dora had planned spaghetti as a meal, and I watched as she went to the cupboard in search of spices, pulling out a packet of taco seasoning. Hard pass. From then on, I offered to make the sauce every time I visited.
Spaghetti was a thing in our house. When I was a kid, the very first meal I cooked on my own was a spaghetti pie. I used my mom’s sauce recipe—which we’ll get to in a bit—and then somehow crafted a “crust” from noodles baked with an egg mixture to hold them in place. Spaghetti is a comfort meal for both me and my mom. She found a way to make it her own. And did I mention it’s delicious?
So how do I make spaghetti? While there are many recipes that are best from scratch, here, I cheat. By the time all is said and done, no one would ever know how it begins. But here’s the secret: My spaghetti starts with a jar of sauce. Really, any jar will work. Growing up, Prego was the jarred sauce of choice. It’s still pretty dang good. Now, I tend to go for sauces with less sodium and as few ingredients as possible. The beauty of a red sauce is in the melding of these ingredients. You want the tomatoes cooked down to give maximum flavor, and you want that flavor infused with garlic and herbs and maybe some olive oil. Choosing a readymade sauce gives you that flavor as a base.
First things first, put a pot of water on to boil for your noodles. Then to the sauce. My sauce is a meat sauce, so I start there, browning about a pound of
hamburger in a pan with garlic and onion, salt and pepper. Once that’s mostly cooked, add in your jar of sauce. If you’re a mushroom person, uncooked sliced mushrooms can be thrown in, or other vegetables if you prefer. My mom, for example, now adds canned mushrooms instead of raw mushrooms.
Next, amp up the spices. Add more garlic, dried thyme, oregano, basil and/or rosemary than you think you need. It’s very hard to go overboard here. Finally, pour in a cup of red wine of choice. This is the key. Red wine adds a richness that is unmatched in any other red sauce. Add more if you want. Treat yourself.
It should take less than 10 minutes to throw all this in a pot, enough time for your noodle water to boil. Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the
package and simmer the sauce until the alcohol is cooked out of the wine and it’s ready for a bed of noodles.
Even if I make garlic bread and a salad to round out the meal, the whole thing takes less than a half hour and has the ability to feed a crew. I make spaghetti for comfort, for ease and simply because I love it. I can’t think of any meal better for our busy world.
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.
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT
3
220 WATERSHED RD
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LOT 26A UPPER PROMONTORY
Buck Ridge Ranch | 39.87± Acres
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FRANKLIN RESIDENCE 3G
3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 1,717 sqft
Listed at $3,450,000 Listed with Michael Pitcairn
GALLATIN FOOTHILLS - PHASE 2
17 Homesites | 1-2± Acres Inquire For Lot Pricing
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201 SILVER RUN RD
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,109 sqft
Listed at $1,749,000
Listed with Carrie Bryan
LAZY J WAREHOUSES
Heated Warehouse & Storage
7 Total Units | Inquire For Pricing Listed with Michael Pitcairn
27 COWBOY HEAVEN
Moonlight Basin | Ski-in / Out
4 Bed | 4 Bath | 2 Half Bath | 4,940 sqft
Listed at $15,000,000
Listed with Michael Pitcairn
63 S OUTLOOK LOOP
Spanish Peaks Mountain Club
6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 4,856 sqft
Listed at $8,200,000
Listed with Eric Ladd
224 PALE MORNING SPUR #1B Spanish Peaks Mountain Club
5 Bed | 6 Bath | 4,275 sqft Listed at $6,350,000
Listed with Eric Ladd & Michael Pitcairn
OPINION
MONTANA’S FUTURE IS OURS TO BUILD
SEN. CORA NEUMANN TALKS INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, HEALTH AND ECONOMY
CORA NEUMANN GUEST COLUMNIST
Montana has always been a state of independence and resilience. We take care of our own, solve problems head-on, and believe in policies that make a real difference in people’s lives. But as we look at the challenges facing our communities—from skyrocketing housing costs to a mental health crisis—it’s clear that we need bold, pragmatic leadership that prioritizes Montanans over partisan gridlock. That ’s exactly what I’ve been fighting for in the State Senate.
I was raised in Bozeman, in a hardworking family that taught me the value of community and perseverance. My mom was a homemaker, and my stepdad was a union carpenter—two people who worked tirelessly to build a future for us. Like many Montanans, I worked my way through school, taking on jobs as a waitress, nanny and construction worker. I know what it ’s like to juggle bills, work long hours and worry about access to health care. Those experiences shaped my commitment to public service and my deep belief that government should work for the people, not against them.
I am proud to represent Big Sky and southern Gallatin County in the State Senate. This is a region that works hard, gives back and takes care of its own. That ’s why I’ve made it a priority to fight for policies that ensure our communities get the resources they deserve.
This session, I took a trip to West Yellowstone to hear directly from law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers and dispatchers about the challenges they face every day. Their stories made it clear: we need real solutions to support our first responders, not political talking points. That ’s why I fought to ensure Senate Bill 394, my PTSD coverage bill, was crafted with their needs in mind. First responders across Montana put their lives on the line for us every day. We owe them more than just gratitude— we owe them action.
Keeping Montana’s economy local
Montana’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our economy, but they face rising costs and stiff competition from out-of-state producers. That ’ s why I sponsored Senate Bill 246, which strengthens local food procurement by requiring state agencies to track how much Montana-grown food they purchase. By making this information transparent, we can push for smarter policies that prioritize Montana farmers and shorten supply chains, ensuring fresher, healthier food in our schools and public institutions.
Similarly, House Bill 649, currently in committee, would invest $3 million in connecting Montana farmers with food banks, making sure locally grown food reaches families in need while supporting our agricultural economy. These are commonsense investments that boost local businesses and strengthen our communities.
Another critical bill for Big Sky is Senate Bill 260, which I co-sponsor. SB 260 ensures that
PHOTO COURTESY OF CORA NEUMANN
communities like Big Sky, which work hard to generate revenue, have access to the very resources they fund. The bill allows property owners to petition for changes to service district boundaries, particularly when geographic barriers limit access to public services. It also outlines procedures for public hearings, elections, and notifications—ensuring that local voices are heard. This legislation is about fairness and making sure that the people of Big Sky receive the services they contribute to funding.
Strengthening health care and saving lives
Health care should never be a privilege—it’s a necessity. That ’s why I fought to pass Senate Bill 211, which allows schools to stock epinephrine nasal sprays for children with severe allergies. Anaphylaxis can be fatal in minutes, and this bill ensures that teachers and school nurses have a fast, easy-to-administer option to save lives.
Montana is also facing a devastating opioid crisis. In 2022 alone, we lost 208 Montanans to overdoses, with fentanyl playing a major role. That ’s why I introduced and am proud to have passed Senate Bill 503, which allows the use of expired naloxone, a lifesaving opioid reversal drug that remains over 90% effective even after its expiration date. By expanding access to naloxone, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and give more people a fighting chance at recovery. This bill makes sense, particularly in rural areas where supply chains can be unpredictable, and access to life-saving medication is often limited.
Supporting Montana families and workforce
Mothers and babies deserve the best start possible, but access to maternity care is increasingly out of reach for rural Montanans. My Senate Bill 319, which has also passed its second reading, expands Medicaid coverage for doula services. Doulas have
been proven to reduce C-section rates, preterm births, and postpartum depression while improving maternal and infant health outcomes. By investing in this critical support, we can reduce health disparities and make childbirth safer and more affordable for Montana families.
At the same time, we need to ensure that our nurses and hospital staff aren’t stretched beyond their limits. Senate Bill 372, which would have established safe staffing standards for nurses, was unfortunately tabled in committee. But I’m not giving up. Montana’s health care workers deserve protections that ensure patient safety and prevent burnout. When hospitals run on dangerously low staffing levels, it ’s not just nurses who suffer—it’s every patient they care for.
Addressing Montana’s housing crisis
Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing our state. Rents have increased by nearly 40% since 2019, and homelessness has risen by almost 14%. While my Senate Bill 504, which would have created a permanent supportive housing program, was tabled, we must continue fighting for solutions that make housing affordable for working families, seniors, and veterans.
Investing in permanent supportive housing isn’t just compassionate—it’s cost-effective. States that have adopted similar programs have seen dramatic reductions in ER visits, jail stays, and overall public spending on homelessness-related services. Local initiatives like Bozeman’s Housing First Village have already proven that supportive housing reduces emergency room visits by 50% and helps stabilize people experiencing chronic homelessness. If we want to solve Montana’s housing crisis, we must invest in long-term solutions that work.
The path forward
These aren’t Democratic or Republican issues— they ’re Montana issues. I ran for office because I believe in bringing people together to solve problems, and I’ve worked across the aisle to make real progress on issues that matter. National politics may feel more divided than ever, but here in Montana, we still have the power to work together, find common ground, and build a future that benefits us all.
If we want a future where Montana families can afford to live, work, and thrive, we need to invest in local businesses, protect our most vulnerable, and ensure every Montanan has access to quality healthcare and housing. That ’s the fight I’m in, and I won’t stop until we get it done.
Montana’s future is ours to build—let’s make sure we build it right. By working together, standing firm on policies that matter, and refusing to back down in the face of challenges, we can create a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Montana for generations to come.
Cora Neumann is a Montana State Senetor of district 30, which covers South Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, Big Sky and West Yellowstone.
THE BIG SKY WAY: INVESTING IN PUBLIC SPACES THAT BRING US TOGETHER
BY DANIEL BIERSCHWALE EBS COLUMNIST
Big Sky’s landscape tells a story of adventure, resilience and community. From our winding trails to our open green spaces, these public places define not just where we live but how we live. They are where we gather, where we connect and where we find balance amid the demands of a rapidly growing region.
These spaces don’t exist by accident. Behind every park bench, every maintained trail, every thriving community event in a public space is an investment—one made by and for the people who call Big Sky home.Public parks and open spaces aren’t just nice to have; they are essential infrastructure. They improve public health, boost local economies and build social cohesion. Study after study has shown that well-maintained parks increase property values, attract businesses and enhance tourism—all of which feed directly back into the local economy.
Beyond the financial return, parks and open spaces play a vital role in mental and physical well-being. Access to outdoor recreation reduces stress, encourages active lifestyles and strengthens our collective resilience. In a community like Big Sky, where the outdoors is an integral part of our identity, ensuring that everyone—residents, visitors and future generations—has access to public spaces is an investment in the community’s longterm success.
The reality is that quality parks, trails and gathering spaces don’t fund themselves. While private donations and nonprofit initiatives play an important role, public investment remains the backbone of a sustainable system. Resort tax dollars, state and federal grants, and strategic partnerships all help ensure that Big Sky’s public spaces are not
just preserved but enhanced to meet the needs of a growing population.
Historically, Big Sky’s resort tax has played a crucial role in supporting public space initiatives. From funding new trails to improving park infrastructure, resort tax revenues allow the community to reinvest in itself. The impact is visible across town—in our parks, along our river access points, and in the continued expansion of recreation areas that serve a diverse range of users.
Public spaces are more than just recreation areas; they are the foundation of civic life. When we invest in parks, we invest in places where farmers markets thrive, where concerts bring people together, and where families create lifelong memories. In an era where social connection is more important than ever, these spaces provide neutral ground—places that belong to everyone and bring people from all walks of life together.
This sense of belonging is particularly important in Big Sky, where rapid growth presents both opportunities and challenges. As new residents arrive, parks and public spaces serve as a bridge, reinforcing community identity and providing shared experiences that connect longtime locals with newcomers.
Looking ahead, the demand for high-quality public spaces will only increase. A growing population means more strain on existing infrastructure, making it critical to proactively fund and develop parks that serve both today’s residents and future generations. Strategic public investment allows us to do more than simply maintain what we already have—it enables us to dream bigger.
Cities that have prioritized park investments have seen notable economic and social benefits. According to the Trust for Public Land, in 2023, the 100 most populous U.S. cities collectively invested $11.2 billion in their park systems, marking an increase from $9.7 billion in 2022 and reaching the highest level of investment since
before the 2007 Great Recession, even when adjusted for inflation.
Moreover, cities like Boise, ID; Plano, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Atlanta, GA; and Boston, MA have demonstrated that higher park investment correlates with economic growth. As of 2021, these cities invested between two to seven times more per acre in their parks compared to the national average. This substantial investment has attracted a diverse workforce, spurred job growth, and stimulated real estate development, underscoring the multifaceted returns of funding public spaces.
By committing to long-term planning and leveraging diverse funding sources, we can ensure that our parks, trails, and gathering places continue to enrich our lives and support a high quality of life.
The story of Big Sky has always been one of stewardship—of the land, of our economy, and of our community values. Investing in public spaces is a natural extension of that legacy. By prioritizing public funding for parks and gathering spaces, we are making a choice: to build a community that is not only sustainable but vibrant, welcoming and resilient.
After all, the best investments are the ones that future generations will thank us for. And there’s no better place to make that investment than in the places where we come together, where we play, and where we create the memories that define life in Big Sky.
That’s “The Big Sky Way.”
Daniel Bierschwale is the Executive Director of the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD). As a dedicated public servant, he is committed to increasing civic engagement and voter education. Many ballot issues impact government services and public funding including subsequent property tax impacts. BSRAD is the local government agency that administers Resort Tax, which offsets property taxes while also funding numerous community-wide nonprofit programs.
COURTESY OF BSRAD
DID YOU KNOW?
500 years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the plains. That number is now less than 30,000. The depletion of free range bison has been attributed to:
•Decades of over-exploitation
•Decline in genetic diversity
•Habitat loss
•Human Interaction
Yellowstone National Park boasts the nation's largest free range buffalo herd, but only two others remain - the Henry’s Mountains and Book Cliffs herds, both in southern Utah.
Respect. Protect. Cherish.
American Bison // Bison bison
Outlaw Realty is a boutique brokerage with offices in Bozeman and Big Sky. With over 25 years of experience and sales that exceed $2.5 billion, we have proven to be market experts in the Southwest Montana region.
As you pursue the purchase or sale of a property, you can expect professionalism, dedication, and a trusted partner, offering you the expert representation you need.
HEALTH
INTRODUCING THE 1080 QUANTUM: YOUR ONE-WAY TICKET TO A FULL, SPEEDY RECOVERY
BY ALLIE EPSTEIN POALINO EBS COLUMNIST
Sponsored article
At Lone Peak Physical Therapy & Performance, we understand what it takes to play hard out here in Big Sky country. Our passion is to help you get back to doing what you love in an accelerated rehabilitation environment.
A cornerstone to the care we provide is the cuttingedge 1080 Quantum. With only a handful of these machines in the world, we are proud to house two of them in our clinics. This specialized machine uses revolutionary technology to optimize your recovery by providing real-time feedback and performance data. This means you can eliminate the guesswork, focus on results, and ultimately recover faster!
The 1080 Quantum allows us to measure, evaluate, test, and re-train your strength, power, speed and acceleration—all critical components of our Return to Sport Rehabilitation Program & Plan. By using this data, we can identify and correct imbalances in your body, offering you a fully customized recovery and rehabilitation experience.
Whether you’re recovering from a knee, ankle, hip or shoulder injury, we’re dedicated to getting you back to your favorite sports and activities stronger than ever. ACL injuries are one of the most common injuries that we see here at the clinic. Recovering from an ACL sprain, repair or reconstruction can be one of the toughest challenges someone can face, both mentally
and physically. The 1080 Quantum plays a vital role in the ACL rehabilitation journey by providing a precise, data-driven approach to your recovery. We use the machine to accurately assess your performance throughout the entire healing process, here’s how it works:
Accurate strength testing: The 1080 Quantum can pinpoint any discrepancies between your injured and uninjured leg, ensuring that we target the exact areas that need work.
Customized training plans: Based on your individual data collected, we create a personalized training program that progressively challenges you, helping you regain full function, strength and stability of your knee.
Real-time biofeedback: During each session, the 1080 Quantum delivers instant feedback on
your performance so that we can measure, track improvements and adjust technique as needed, ensuring that you are making forward progress towards your goals.
Enhanced speed and agility: ACL recovery isn’t just about strength—it’s about rebuilding your balance, speed and agility as well. The 1080 Quantum shines in this area, giving us the data and training environment needed to improve your acceleration and agility, so you can return to sport with the same, and even better, explosiveness you had before your injury.
Lowering future injury risk: At Lone Peak, it’s not just about “recovering,” we help cultivate a path for you to both achieve and surpass your goals. By identifying weaknesses and imbalances, the 1080 Quantum helps us to create a comprehensive training plan that prepares your body for the demands of your sport, lowering the risk of future injuries and empowering you to get back to doing what you love!
Want to learn more about how the 1080 Quantum can help you take your recovery journey to the next level? Call or text us any time at our Big Sky + Performance and Bozeman + Performance locations to speak to an expert.
Allie is a passionate and dedicated Physical Therapist at Lone Peak PT and has proudly served the Big Sky community for the past decade. With advanced training and highlevel expertise in biomechanics, movement analysis, and performance testing, she provides an unparalleled physical therapy and sports rehabilitation experience. Allie is passionate about helping her patients recover faster, empowering them to excel in their rehabilitation journey and confidently return to doing what they love.
PHOTO BY KIRBY GRUBAUGH
PHOTO BY KIRBY GRUBAUGH
HEALTH BUZZ: A HOLISTIC COMMUNITY
BY KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST
A holistic approach to a town might involve a balanced approach to economic development, environmental sustainability, community well-being, and quality of life, while also focusing on preserving the unique character of the town.
The practice of medicine is concurrently moving toward a more holistic approach that considers the whole person, combining traditional and integrative care. Big Sky is unique as it boasts a variety of holistic offerings ranging from chiropractic and naturopathic practices to bodywork nutrition and our emergent care. This suits us well for a thriving and resilient community encompassing holistic wellbeing.
Let’s dive into some parallels.
Holistic medicine and holistic communities share a foundational philosophy that emphasizes interconnectedness, balance, and the well-being of the whole. While holistic medicine applies this approach to health and healing, holistic communities extend it to societal structures and
community relationships. Both concepts strive to create harmony and sustainability.
Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, holistic medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes of health issues. This approach integrates various modalities, including conventional medicine, alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes like nutrition, movement and mindfulness practices.
Holistic communities operate under a similar principle but extend their focus beyond the individual to encompass the well-being of entire groups and societies. A holistic community may incorporate eco-friendly living spaces, cooperative economies and communal decision-making structures. Just as holistic medicine seeks to treat the whole person rather than isolated symptoms, holistic communities strive to nurture all aspects of life, from social interactions to environmental sustainability.
Holistic medicine and holistic communities both embody principles of interconnectedness, balance and well-being.
Holistic principles have the power to redefine values surrounding community and wellness. The emphasis on collaboration, compassion, and integration can inspire new models of living and developing. This has the potential to create an environment that is more ethical, equitable, and effective.
Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.
COURTESY OF KALEY BURNS VIA PIXABAY
$2,600,000 | #388104
$495,000 | #392462
TBD TIMBERLOFT DRIVE
Big Sky
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
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.
$10 from each item purchased goes directly to the Center for Large Landscape Conservation and their Hwy 191 Wildlife Crossings Project.
