Happy Holidays - Explore Big Sky

Big Sky’s Locally Owned & Published Newspaper 

Big Sky 

December 24, 2010 

Volume 1 // Issue #5 

Happy Holidays 

The Outlaw Partners 

provide marketing grants 

Profile: Lee Poole and 

the future of Moonlight 

Commercial Trucking 

back on Highway 191 

Big Sky welcomes 

Wounded Warriors 

Rider // Mark Davidson 

Photographer // John Marshall 

Location // Big Sky 

media@theoutlawpartners.com



Volume 1, Issue 5 

CEO, PUBLISHER & 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Eric Ladd 

COO & SENIOR EDITOR 

Megan Paulson 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Mike Martins 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Emily Stifler 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Kelsey Dzintars 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Abigail Digel 

SALES DIRECTOR 

Hunter Rothwell 

DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR 

Danielle Chamberlain 

VIDEOGRAPHER 

Brian Niles 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Pat Branting, Dick Dorworth, Pam Flach, 

Ryan Hamilton, Sara Hoovler, Kim Ibes, 

Linda Kelly, Chris Kronebusch, Katie 

Lee, JohnE Milich, John Marshall, Matty 

McCain, Brandon Niles, Eric Paulsen, 

Luke Rice 

eDItorIal PolIcy 

Outlaw Partners LLC is the sole owner of 

The Big Sky Weekly. No part of this publication 

may be reprinted without written 

permission from the publisher. The Big 

Sky Weekly reserves the right to edit all 

submitted material for content, corrections 

or length. Printed material reflects 

the opinion of the author and is not necessarily 

the opinion of Outlaw Partners or 

the editors of this publication. No advertisements, 

columns, letters to the editor or 

other information will be published that 

contain discrimination based on sex, age, 

race, religion, creed, nationality, sexual 

preference, or are in bad taste. 

PaPer DIstrIbutIon 

Distributed every other Friday in 

towns across Southwest Montana, 

including Big Sky, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, 

Three Forks and Livingston. 

correctIons 

The Big Sky Weekly runs corrections 

to errors we’ve printed. Please report 

them to 

emily@theoutlawpartners.com 

outlaW Partners & tHe 

bIG sKy WeeKly 

P.O. Box 160250 

Big Sky, MT 59716 

ExploreBigSky.com 

(406) 995-2055 

media@theoutlawpartners.com 

© 2010 The Big Sky Weekly 

Unauthorized reproduction 

prohibited 

2 December 24, 2010 

I went skate skiing on the Lone Mountain 

Ranch trails at lunch recently. I 

wound through meadows and forest, 

and new snow sparkled in the sunlight. 

The South Face at Big Sky was in 

shadow. I’d just talked to a friend who 

was riding up the Triple chair – she 

said the skiing on Marx and Lenin was 

epic. 6” overnight combined with just 

the right wind had turned into over a 

foot of powder up top. I couldn’t help 

but be a little jealous. 

Back at my truck at the North Fork 

pull off on the Big Sky access road, 

I tried to pull out and found I was 

stuck on ice. The four-wheel drive 

on my truck went out a couple days 

ago, so my rear wheels just spun 

and spun. I tried hacking at the ice 

with my snow shovel and shoving 

pieces of a camping pad under my 

rear wheels. My wheels continued to 

spin and my truck only slid back into 

the snow bank. 

I waved down a truck. The driver 

threw on the brakes and pulled up 

next to me. The decal on the side of his 

truck read Houghteling Construction. 

“Stuck?” he asked. I told him about my 

four-wheel drive, and he said he had a 

chain. I introduced myself. 

“I’m Bob,” he said, and we shook 

hands. He hauled me off the ice, unhitched 

his chain, and took off down 

the road, waving good bye. 

We live in a beautiful place with a 

small but growing community. I hope 

that through the Weekly and our new 

website, explorebigsky.com, we can 

help connect neighbors. I also hope Big 

Sky is always the kind of place people 

stop to pull you out of the ditch. 

Thanks, Bob. 

Emily Stifler, Managing Editor 

emily@theoutlawpartners.com 

LeTTer To THe ediTor ParameTerS 

This is a platform for readers to express views and share ways they 

would like to effect change. The Weekly will run letters, positive or 

negative, of 250 words or less that are respectful, ethical, state accurate 

facts and figures, and are proofread for grammar and content. State 

your position clearly on one issue, elaborate with supporting evidence, 

and recommend action for a unique resolution. We reserve the right to 

edit letters. Please include: first and last name, address, phone number 

and title. Send letters to emily@theoutlawpartners.com. 

Big Sky Weekly 

LeTTer from THe ediTor CorreCTionS 

Restaurant Profile: 11/26, pg 20. All 

yarns lining the shelves at La Luna 

are provided by CR.eations yarn 

shop in Ennis. Christine Rodgers, 

the proprietor of CR.eations yarn 

shop, has an arrangement with Valerie 

to display CR.eations yarns at 

La Luna Restaurant. 

Regional: 12/10, pg 7. The road from 

Cooke City, 212 to Highway 296 

to Cody, Red Lodge or Billings, is 

closed to vehicles. This road is not 

plowed, and is for snowmobiles only. 

Explore: 12/10, pg 12. The custom 

boot fitting technology at Grizzly 

outfitters is called GRIZZFIT. 

The following 8th Grade Ophir 

Middle School students received 

high honors: 

Gabrielle Gasser 

Simeon Goode 

Quinn House 

Griffin House 

Trevor House 

Justin McKillop 

Benjamin Michel 

Photo by Matty McCain 

The price for the Little Lobos program 

at Big Sky Resort is $150 for six 

sessions, not $150 a day. The Mad 

Wolf & Club Shred ages for snowboarders 

are 7-14, not 6-14.

Perhaps it’s time to let your body wander along with your mind. 

Let us introduce you to one of our unique properties. 

Live Life Wide Open 

Marilyn Walsh 

Broker 

406.580.4242 

Custom Homes Ski-In Ski-Out Properties Vacant Land 

Big Sky, Montana The Club at Spanish Peaks Yellowstone Club Moonlight Basin Ranch 

Jason Parks 

Broker 

406.580.4758 

Sandy Revisky 

Broker, CRS, GRI 

406.539.6316 

Branif Scott 

Broker 

406.579.9599 

Ania Bulis 

Broker 

406.580.6852 

PureWest Properties.com | info@PureWest Properties.com | 406-995-4009 

Jackie Miller 

Managing Broker 

406.539.5003 


December 24, 2010 3

COMMuniTy 

moonLigHT’S 

Turkey for a 

TiCkeT food 

drive CoLLeCTS 

28,500 LBS, 850 

TurkeyS 

On Friday, December 17, droves of 

enthusiastic skiers came to Moonlight 

for the 4th annual “Turkey for 

a Ticket” food drive benefiting the 

Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Quickly 

becoming a holiday tradition, Moonlight 

Basin gives a free lift ticket to 

anyone who donates a turkey or 20 

cans of food. This year, with 28,500 

pounds of food collected, including 

850 turkeys, the event’s donations far 

exceeded past years. 

In 2009, GVFB reported an average 

of 154 new families per month who 

were turning to the food bank for 

assistance. With this level of need, 

events like Turkey for a Ticket are 

integral in helping the food bank keep 

up with the needs of the community. 

Moonlight Basin and the Gallatin 

Valley Food Bank would like to thank 

those who participated in Turkey for 

a Ticket. 


“We are extremely proud to partner 

with the Gallatin Valley Food Bank 

each December for this event,” says 

Moonlight’s general manager, Greg 

Pack. “It is impressive to see the 

overwhelming response from the community, 

and hopefully events like this 

will continue to raise awareness and 

generate support for the hunger issues 

and needs in our local region.” 

moonlightbasin.com 

gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org 

aCBS PreSenTS 

muir STring 

QuarTeT 

The Arts Council of Big Sky will 

present its first winter concert, the 

Muir String Quartet, on January 12 

at the Talus Room in the Summit 

Hotel at Big Sky. Tickets are $40, and 

includes a three-course dinner from 

Peaks restaurant. The evening starts 

at 5:30 with a social hour/cash bar, 

followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m., and 

the concert beginning at 8 p.m. In its 

32nd season, the Muir String Quartet 

has long been acknowledged as one 

of the world’s most powerful and 

insightful ensembles, and has been 

in residence at Boston University’s 

College of Fine Arts since 1983. This 

event is part of the annual Peggy 

Dicken Schwer Memorial Fund 

Concert Series. Reservations are now 

being accepted. (406) 995-2742 

bigskyarts.org 

BSSef 

2010-2011 yCCF 

SCHOLaRSHiPS 

aWaRDeD 

The BSSEF extends its thanks to the 

Yellowstone Club Community Foundation 

for its generous support of the 

BSSEF scholarship program. Each 

athlete that met the age requirements 

was awarded a scholarship. 

Ambros Locker 

Alexa Coyle 

Ben Littman Roeder 

Weston Littman Roeder 

Joe Olson 

Caitlyn Messick 

Charlie Lerch 

Maci St Cyr 

Nahalem Manka 

There will be an informal BSSEF 

meeting for all parents on Sunday, 

December 26 at 9:30 a.m. in the 

Mammoth Room and then a meet and 

greet Apres Ski at Andiamo’s for all 

families on the 26th from 3:30 to 

5 p.m. bssef.com 

ARE YOU A BIG SKY 

OWNERS ASSOCIATION 

HOMEOWNER? 

Lone Mountain Ranch 

BIG SKY MONTANA 



CommuniTy 

LiBrary HoLiday 

HourS 

The library will be open during 

the holiday break. It will be 

closed Sunday, December 26 and 

resume regular hours on Monday, 

Dec. 27 from 10-6. 

PoST offiCe 

HoLiday HourS 

Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

December 24: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Last 

hour is for package pick up only 

Closed December 25 and January 1 

Bridge reSuLTS 

December 8 bridge results: 

1st: Ruby Delzer 

Sacajewea: Lynne Malpeli 

December 15 bridge results: 

1st: Marion Hathaway 

2nd: Dorrie Williams 

Sacajewea: Wayne Hill 

DON’T FORGET TO 

PURCHASE YOUR 

$50 

LONE MOUNTAIN 

RANCH SEASON 

PASS 

(RETAIL $275) 

Makes a great 

Christmas gift! 

Stop at BSOA office to 

purchase - located next 

to Willow Boutique and 

La Luna, look for green 

awning 

Call us 995-4166

LOCaL neWS 

BiggeST Skiing 

in ameriCa 

forum 

By Abbie Digel 

At the BSIA public meeting on 

December 15, close to 25 community 

members attended to hear updates 

on the second year of the successful 

campaign. The campaign is upping 

its efforts with collaboration from 

community members, the resorts, 

lodging members, resort tax dollars 

and private funding. Marne Hayes, 

Executive Director of the Big Sky 

Chamber of Commerce, emphasized 

the importance of community 

involvement, regional aspects, and 

creating a focus on both winter and 

summer seasons. 

Big Sky Resort has a 30% increase in 

skier days compared to this time last 

year, and Moonlight Basin is up 1500 

skier visits over last year. Highlights 

of increased booking rates include 320 

Ranch at 10%, Lone Mountain Ranch 

at 25%, and the Lodge at Big Sky is 

already half way to total bookings. 

In 2010, the campaign appeared in 

nine national magazines including inflight 

publications. Two-page spreads 

in the publications led consumers 

directly to the BSIA website. This 

year, the campaign will appear on 

new websites including Pandora and 

Skiing Interactive. The campaign also 

stretched to Vertical Media travel 

websites and ski show attendance. 

Also new this year is a revamped 

website that now includes mountain 

stats, area facts, links for the Chamber 

and transportation links. There 

are 11,900 total visits as of December 

15, and 90% of visitors are new. The 

biggest change for the website is the 

ability to search for lodging by date 

instead of booking through a third 

party site. 

Meg O’Leary, Director of Sales and 

Marketing at Big Sky Resort, said the 

campaign is also working on branding 

not only Big Sky but the state of 

Montana as a ski destination. “It’s 

important to say we’ve got snow, and 

you’ve got to come ski here.” 

biggestskiinginamerica.com 

bigskychamber.com 

WinTer and 

Co. announCe 

neW ParTner 

Shawna Winter, of Winter & 

Company Real Estate, is pleased to 

announce Aimee Andren Gerharter 

as the newest edition of her team. 

Gerharter is originally from Bozeman 

and has enjoyed visiting and playing 

in Big Sky for over 20 years. Before 

joining Winter & Co in December, 

Gerhart started and operated Wild 

Joe’s Organic Coffee & Tea House in 

Bozeman. Prior to that, Gerhart and 

her husband owned Hart’s Furniture 

and Slumberland in Bozeman. After 

receiving her real estate license, 

Gerhart was an agent at Prudential 

Montana in Big Sky. She is pleased 

about her new position as a broker. 

“I’m passionate about this place, and 

can’t wait to help other people realize 

their Montana dream.” 

madiSon 

vaLLey Park 

diSTriCT SLaTed 

for SPring 

voTe 

A group of Madison Valley park and 

recreation managers and enthusiasts 

have proposed creating a new parks 

and recreation district following the 

Ennis School District boundary in the 

Madison County. The Ennis School 

District includes Ennis, Virginia City 

and the Big Sky section of Madison 

County (properties in the Yellowstone 

Club, Big Sky Resort, Moonlight 

Basin, portions of Spanish Peaks). The 

proposed taxing district would help 

finance the district’s operation, maintenance, 

capital improvement projects 

and programs. 

The maximum tax is proposed at 3 

mills, which would result in a $10 annual 

tax for a home valued at $200,000 

or a $20 annual tax for a home valued 

at $400,000. Big Sky properties in 

Madison County would contribute approximately 

$145,000 of the $183,000 

total annual district revenue. 

This group is comprised of representatives 

from Madison Byways, Madison 

Valley Aquatic Center, Madison Meadows 

Golf Course, and the towns of Ennis 

and Virginia City. Additionally, the 

Lions Club, 4H and the Tennis Club 

(all from the Madison Valley), have 

submitted estimates of possible future 

funding needs from the new district. 

No Big Sky groups are included. 

The Madison County Commission 

held a series of public meetings this 

fall. At a December 14 meeting the 

Commission took comments, and then 

voted 2-1 in favor of adopting a resolution 

of intent to create the proposed 

district. It is now scheduled to go to a 

vote this spring. 

Several Big Sky residents and managers 

presented information and asked 

the Commission to consider alternatives 

to the proposed resolution. 

They requested the Big Sky portion 

be removed from the district, or the 

resolution be modified to allow some 

percentage of park district funds to 

be spent in the Big Sky area. A letter 

submitted from the Big Sky Owners 

Association echoed this theme. There 

was also a legal question as to whether 

park district funds could be spent on 

programs or improvements outside of 

the district boundary. 

Bill Olson, tireless park and trail 

advocate from the Madison County 

section of Big Sky, said while he 

would support a Madison Valley 

park and recreation district, the Big 

Sky area should be removed from 

the boundary because it’s a very 

different community with different 

needs and issues. 

Katie Morrison, Director of the 

Big Sky Community Corporation 

(BSCC), said the proposed park 

district could lead to confusion with 

the homeowners associations that 

yoga in Big Sky 


participate in the BSCC’s voluntary 

park- and trail-funding program. 

Additionally, the commission 

received letters from the Big Sky 

Chamber, Big Sky Resort and the Big 

Sky Town Center – two requested a 

30-day postponement to do more research 

before passing the resolution. 

A coalition of Big Sky owners, 

entities and resorts is forming to 

research the issues and work with 

the Commission as necessary so any 

future parks and recreation district 

works for both communities. 

Take an hour to stretch sore skiing muscles and escape into the calming and 

strengthening world of yoga. There are three locations in Big Sky currently offering 

classes open to the public. Please contact the teachers for more information. 

Anna (406) 600-7565 ~ Debby (406)539-6488 ~ Jill (480) 773-0496 ~ Dani (678) 

6402-252. Private and group lessons available upon request. 

yeLLOWSTOne MOunTain CenTeR FOR THe aRTS 

467 Spruce Cone Drive, Big Sky 

Monday Anusara Style Yoga with Anna 6:15 - 7:45 p.m. $12 

Tuesday Anusara Style Yoga with Anna 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. $12 

Wednesday Pilates with Jolene 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. $10 

Anusara Style Yoga with Jill 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. $10 

Thursday 50/50 Pilates with Jolene 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. $10 

Friday Anusara Style Yoga with Anna 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. $12 

THe STuDiO 

32 Market Place, Meadow Village (next to Big Sky Health and Fitness) 

Wednesday Anusara Style Yoga with 

Debby 

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. $10 

Big Sky WeLLneSS CenTeR 

Big Sky Resort (406) 995-5806/8006 

Call for updated schedule and instructor contacts. 

Monday Pilates with Jolene 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10 

Anusara Style Yoga with Anna 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10 

Tuesday Yoga with Lianne 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10 

Wednesday Yoga with Dani 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10 

Thursday Pilates with Jolene 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10 

Anusara Style Yoga with Anna 4:30- 5:30 p.m. $10 

Saturday Yoga with Lianne 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10 

Yoga with Dani 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10 

December 24, 2010 5

RegiOnaL 

foreST JoBS and reCreaTion aCT SHeLved unTiL SPring SeSSion 

By Emily Stifler 

On December 16 at midnight, the 

U.S. Congress essentially killed 

the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. 

Montana Senator Jon Tester’s Forest 

Jobs and Recreation Act was part of 

this bill. Tester spokesman Aaron 

Murphy says, “Partisan politics shot 

down this measure, but it won’t 

keep Jon from creating Montana 

jobs—through middle-class tax 

relief, strengthening family agriculture 

and small businesses, and 

working together with Montanans 

on bipartisan plans like his forest 

jobs bill.” 

Murphy says a debate over earmarks 

stopped the Omnibus bill, which 

would have funded the government 

gardiner and 

THe ParadiSe 

vaLLey 

A Marine stationed in Afghanistan is 

requesting school supplies to donate 

to three schools in his district. Drop 

supplies off at the Food Farm or the 

Gardiner School. 


for the upcoming year. Going forward, 

the federal government will 

rely on temporary funding. 

Tester first introduced this controversial 

bill in July of 2009 and 

adjusted the bill after 11 public 

listening sessions with Montanans. 

The new version is renamed the 

Montana Forest Jobs and Restoration 

Pilot Initiative and would affect 

communities and wild lands in 

Southwest Montana. Its programs 

would preserve key wildlife habitat 

adjacent to the Lee Metcalf and 

Snowcrest wilderness areas. The bill 

would also maintain recreational 

use in certain areas requested by 

snowmobilers and mountain bikers, 

such as Mcatee Basin south of Big 

Sky and 5,000 acres in the Tobacco 

The Gardiner/Mammoth crosscountry 

ski team will begin practices 

the first week of January. The team 

is open to 4th-12th grade students in 

the area. $50 for the season includes 

wax and instructions. Call Doug 

Madsen (307) 344-6511 for more 

information. HAVE FUN/ GO FAST! 

The Mammoth Community Center 

will be hosting Winter Wednesday 

Potlucks through March 30, 

ORGANIC COFFEE, ESPRESSO AND TEA 

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 6:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. 

LOCATION - IN FRONT OF EXXON ON HWY 191, 

1/4 MI. SOUTH OF BIG SKY TURNOFF 

Roots. In addition, it would mandate 

the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National 

Forest to conduct annual landscape 

restoration projects to reduce forest 

fuels near communities, provide 

jobs and restore damaged streams 

and trout fisheries. 

If implemented, these laws would 

leave most of this land on the Madison 

Ranger District under the same 

management as it is now, says John 

Gatchell, Conservation Director for 

the Montana Wilderness Association. 

Certain historic use would also 

remain the same: trail access in the 

Lee Metcalf at Cowboys’ Heaven and 

in the East Pioneers, sheep trailing 

across the Snowcrest Range, access 

to water infrastructure for irrigators 

in wilderness areas designated 

2011. Join each Wednesday (Except 

12/15) from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

Bring a dish to share and your own 

place settings. 

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is 

competing for $250,000 in the Pepsi 

Refresh contest. Support a Gardiner 

Baby by voting at refresheverything.com. 

You can vote daily on the 

website, on Facebook, and by texting 

102534 to Pepsi (73774) through 

December 31. 

mSu Bozeman 

This past July, Chad Diehl, an MSU 

history major (’03), published Raft 

of Corpses, a book of translated 

poems written by a survivor of the 

atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima 

and Nagasaki, Japan. During his 

undergrad, Diehl won a Fulbright 

Fellowship to spend a year studying 

in Japan. He was later awarded funding 

for graduate studies at Columbia 

University in New York and is now 

completing his doctoral work. 

Diehl grew up in a working class 

family in Gardiner, Montana, where 

he played high school football. He 

told Evelyn Boswell with the MSU 

news service that he remembers 

“shooing elk away from the football 

field and the coach calling a game 

warden to deal with the more dangerous 

bison.” 

Cooke CiTy and 

yeLLoWSTone 

Park 

There is over 60 inches of snow on the 

ground at 9,000 feet outside of Cooke 

City. The avalanche center has reported 

a few nasty persistent weak layers in 

the snowpack, so be cautious if you’re 

out skiing, snowmobiling or traveling 

anywhere in the backcountry. 


by the bill, and loop roads in the 

West Big Hole. The bill would also 

authorize use of federal funds for 

biomass facilities. 

Opponents of Tester’s bill lie on 

both ends of the political spectrum. 

Environmentalists say it doesn’t 

include enough wilderness designation. 

Conservatives say it would 

restrict motorized use. The bill’s 

supporters are largely moderate 

environmental groups and their odd 

bedfellows: logging companies that 

would profit from the mandates. 

With the Omnibus Act shelved, 

the path forward for the forest bill is 

unclear. Stay tuned. 

tester.senate.gov/forest 

As of December 15, Yellowstone 

opened most interior park roads to 

commercially guided snowmobile 

and snowcoach travel. Limited, managed 

motorized oversnow travel over 

groomed, snow-packed park roads will 

be permitted again this season under 

the same temporary plan as last year. 

The plan allows up to 318 commercially 

guided, Best Available Technology 

(BAT) snowmobiles, and up to 78 commercially 

guided snowcoaches a day 

into the park. The Old Faithful Visitor 

Education Center also reopened. 

u of m WeSTern 

in diLLon 

The Carnegie Foundation for the 

Advancement of Teaching and the 

Council for Advancement and Support 

of Education recently named 

University of Montana Western Professor 

of Education Delena Norris- 

Tull as 2010 Montana Professor of 

the Year. This honor was made official 

at the annual U.S.. Professors of the 

Year awards ceremonies in Washington, 

D.C. in November. 

“This university has been producing 

remarkable teachers since 1893,” 

Norris-Tull says. She says Montana 

Western’s block-scheduling system, 

Experience One, prepares students by 

giving them the benefit of studying 

in an immersion-learning environment. 

Through this program, students 

take one class at a time for three 

hours per day, and are able to focus 

intensely on a particular subject. 

WeST 

yeLLoWSTone 

The cross-country ski trails are in great 

shape with a firm base and both classic 

tracks and skate lanes. The Rendezvous 

Ski Trails are open seven days a 

week and are ideal for a holiday ski. 

The Gallatin National Forest Ava-

lanche Center is offering a two-day 

avalanche course in West Yellowstone 

January 1-2. An avalanche rescue 

beacon and shovel is required. Call 

587-6984 or mtavalanche@gmail. 

com or info@rendezvousskitrails.com 

for questions or to sign up. A $30 donation 

to the Friends of the Gallatin 

National Forest Avalanche Center is 

recommended. 

Now that Yellowstone Park and its 

trails are open for the winter, West is 

hoppin’ with snowmobile trails and 

fun activities. Come on down! 

THe Big HoLe 

Get your booty to Lost Trail – it’s 

been dumping. Total snowfall this 

year is over 100 inches, and because 

the hill is closed Monday-Wednesday, 

powder Thursdays are the real 

goods. All lifts are open. 

Nearby, the tiny town of Wisdom 

(population 115) traces its name back 

to Lewis and Clark. As they travelled 

back across the country in July 1806, 

William Clark and his men crossed 

Gibbons Pass into the Big Hole Basin. 

The party camped alongside a river 

Lewis had named “Wisdom” after 

BURGERS & 

BREWS 

• 100 beers 

• 100 wines 

• 12 HDTVs 

• Full Bar & Menu 

Open daily 

at 11:30 a.m. 

Open mic night every 

Wednesday at 9:30pm 

BIG SKY TOWN CENTER 

big sky, montana 

(406)995-3830 

one of Thomas Jefferson’s character 

traits. Today, skiers and ranchers live 

alongside each other here. At 6,000 

feet, this remote, wind-blown valley 

is spectacular in winter. Southwest 

of town, Homer Young’s Peak climbs 

to 10,621 feet. 

karen LoveLeSS iS 

neW LivingSTonarea 

WiLdLife 

BioLogiST 

Biologist Karen Loveless has worked 

in Katmai National Park in Alaska. 

There, she worked as a bear management 

specialist “keeping brown bears 

and people separate” on the Brooks 

River and tributaries. She also conducted 

an assessment of the harvest 

level’s effects on the brown bear 

population. 

Loveless started her career in Yellowstone 

National Park working on 

research projects looking at elk calf 

mortality and the effects of wolves on 

elk and willows, ungulate monitoring, 

and bear management. She has 

also worked for FWP in the Missoula 

area, tracking and trapping wolves and 

assisting with livestock-wolf conflicts. 

Loveless completed her masters thesis 

on wolf-prey interactions in Algonquin 

Provincial Park in Ontario. 

This position replaces Tom Lemke, 

who retired in December 2009. Loveless 

plans to establish an office in 

Livingston by early 2011. 

yeLLoWSTone 

area reSidenTS 

and emPLoyeeS 

aSked To 

SHare HoLiday 

memorieS for 

SToryCorPS 

The Oral History Collection at Yellowstone 

National Park contains 

recordings made by people from all 

walks of life who have visited the 

park, or worked or grown up in the 

area. However, there is very little 

material in the collection about the 

holiday season. 

As in past years, the project is reaching 

out to current and former area 


residents and employees, inviting 

them to share special memories by 

participating in the “Holidays in Yellowstone” 

oral history project. People 

of all ages are welcome to share special 

holiday memories involving Yellowstone 

whether it is about a special 

wildlife sighting, Santa on a snowmobile, 

or another holiday tradition that 

involves the Park. 

Those interested in the project are 

encouraged to interview friends 

and family members regarding 

their favorite Yellowstone holiday 

memories, and then submit copies of 

the recordings for consideration to 

become part of the park’s permanent 

Oral History Collection. 

Technical information about recording 

interviews, and even some sample 

questions to help you get started, is 

available on the web through StoryCorps, 

a non-profit organization 

working to preserve oral histories on 

a wide variety of subjects, some of 

which have aired on National Public 

Radio. (307) 244-2260 

Charissa_Reid@nps.gov 

storycorps.org 

Lunch, Apres Ski 

& Fine Dining 

TIMBERS - MOONLIGHT LODGE 

big sky, montana 

(406)995-7777 

Reservations Recommended For Dinner 

December 24, 2010 7


MOnTana 

HigHWay 191 OPen TO 

CommerCiaL TruCking 

By kiM THieLMan-iBeS 

After a two-year hiatus, commercial 

truck traffic is again permitted 

on Highway 191. The Montana 

Department of Transportation 

elected to prohibit semi trucks 

during a highway improvement 

project, which began on June 2008 

and ended July 2010. Lori Ryan, 

Montana DOT public information 

officer, explains that because Highway 

191 is a federal aid highway, it 

would violate both state and federal 

laws to indefinitely restrict truck 

traffic. Today, commercial truckers 

account for approximately 9.42% 

of Highway 191 traffic, roughly 

the same percentage as they were 

before the 2008-2010 construction 

restriction. 

The highway construction project 

was funded in part by the Federal 

Highway Administration and 

cost about 12 million dollars. The 

construction aimed to improve 

public safety for drivers in Gallatin 

Canyon and included such projects 

as adding turn lanes for Highway 

64 going to Big Sky, replacing two 

bridges (the Jack Smith and West 

Fork), widening shoulders, flattening 

slopes and installing new 

guard rails. 

Initially, commercial trucks delivering 

to Big Sky were rerouted to 

Highway 287 through Ennis. This 

created a hardship for Montana 

companies like Bozeman’s Coun- 

try Classic Dairies. “I had trucks 

making deliveries to West Yellowstone 

and Big Sky,” says Burt 

Smith, Transportation Manager of 

Country Classic Dairies. “It took 

my drivers 80 miles out of their 

way. In the milk business, where 

we’re operating on pennies and 

our delivery cost is $1.90/mile, it 

really adds up.” 

Highway 191 is one of three 

major north-south commercial 

truck routes through Southwest 

Montana, including Highway 287 

through Ennis and Interstate 15 

south of Butte. Commercial truckers 

in Southeastern Montana with 

southern routes prefer Highway 

191 for two reasons: economics and 

safety. Agricultural Express Trucking 

out of Billings uses Highway 

191 for their southbound deliveries 

to Idaho, California and Utah 

because the road is maintained, 

remains open during the winter 

months and saves them miles 

and time. High winds plague 287 

and Interstate 15 resulting in the 

closure of Monida Pass, and drivers 

there also contend with significant 

animal traffic. 

“We use the most efficient and 

practical route,” says Barry Stang, 

Executive Vice President of Motor 

Carriers Montana. “Closing one of 

these three routes would put more 

pressure on other communities 

as it did when 

Highway 191 was closed and carriers 

were routed through Ennis. 

It’s a matter of shifting responsibility 

from one community to 

another, and it’s why we advocate 

keeping all roads open that we pay 

taxes on to build and move goods 

across Montana and the country.” 

The latest numbers from the 

Montana Transportation Research 

Institute show that in 2008 

the Montana trucking industry 

employed one in 16 residents and 

paid more than $301 million in 

federal and state roadway taxes and 

fees, equivalent to 55% of all taxes 

and fees owed by Montana motorists, 

who represent about 12% of 

vehicle miles traveled in the state. 

Highway 191 is the gateway to 

skiing, hiking, fishing and resort 

living. Local businesses also felt 

severe economic hardship with the 

closing of Highway 191 to commercial 

trucking. 

“During construction it wasn’t 

just commercial traffic that was 

diverted,” says Marne Hayes, 

Executive Director of the Big Sky 

Chamber of Commerce. 


Devon White, co-owner and operator 

of the Corral Bar and Saloon is 

very happy to see the construction 

project completed and commercial 

traffic back on Highway 191. “Road 

construction ruined us for three summers,” 

says White, “I was glad to see 

the trucks back because they brought 

all the traffic with them and we do a 

bit of business with the truckers.” 

Hayes notes there is some concern 

about truck traffic on 191 from a 

safety perspective, but she’s heard 

more from businesses about dropping 

the speed limit to less than 

50 miles per hour through Big Sky. 

Thanks to the efforts of a local Big 

Sky group in the mid-1980s, DOT 

placarded hazardous materials are 

restricted on Highway 191 unless 

permitted for local deliveries. 

“No matter how you stack it, 

nobody enjoys living close to a 

two-lane highway, but the safety 

improvements that have been made 

are a benefit to all,” says Michael 

More, who lives a third of a mile 

off Highway 191 and serves as the 

House District 70 representative. 

“The common sense reality is that 

it’s essential for interstate commerce, 

and it’s part of life in the 

rural countryside.”

By LinDa keLLy 

exPLORe 

Big Sky offerS LifeTime oPPorTuniTieS for Wounded WarriorS 

upcoming program needs support as more veterans sign up for Operation SaS 

Wounded veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan 

are coming to town. Mark your calendars for a banquet 

in Big Sky that you will not want to miss. Country 

music artist Lee Greenwood will emcee the event, 

and special guests will include Senator Jon Tester and 

Montana Lt. Governor John Bohlinger. 

January 7-11, Operation SAS will offer “Sports, 

Afield and Stream” opportunities to warriors from 

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 

Freedom with physical and/or invisible wounds. 

Through outdoor recreation in Montana, veterans 

from around the country will be introduced to new 

passions, skills, thrills, comforts and even new 

purpose. Operation Never Forgotten (ONF) hosts 

this five-day rebound program. ONF is a 100 percent 

volunteer-supported creates national awareness campaigns 

for deployed troops, wounded warriors, fallen 

heroes, military families and organizations supporting 

them. 

As this popular event for wounded warriors rapidly 

approaches, an overwhelming number of Purple 

Heart recipients have inquired about attending. 

However, there have only been enough sponsors to 

pay for 20 percent of these attendees. Interested veterans 

include amputees, visually impaired, partially 

paralyzed, severely burned, brain injured or those 

with post-traumatic stress syndrome. All proceeds go 

directly to these wounded warriors. 

So many disabled veterans are still athletes. For many, 

this exposure to new ways of doing things can help 

them enjoy better lives. The explosions or bullets 

that changed their lives may have created limitations, 

but so many of these wounded warriors still want to 

hunt, fish, do outdoor sports, learn new skills and 

take on new challenges. Operation SAS can help 

them do those things. 

These well-trained men and women have been our 

defenders, laying their lives on the line to protect our 

freedom and privileges. Even after traumatic injuries, 

they’re still brave and honorable. We can never repay 

them for their sacrifices, but we can help by bringing 

them to Big Sky where they can redefine their perceptions 

of what is possible. 

The banquet Friday, January 7 at Big Sky Resort 

is open to the public. The evening includes an elk 

and trout buffet, presentations from world-class 

mountaineers and athletes, a great auction, stand-up 

comedians, prizes and special guests. Banquet tickets 

AUTHENTIC THAI 

& ASIAN CUISINE 

Open for the Winter Season 

Come try our NEW Halibut 

and Banana Curry! 

Takeout available 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. nightly 

Please call early to place your takeout order so we may best accomodate 


are sold online or at local participating outlets for $58 

($45 for Veterans). Sponsor’s tables are $500 and seat 

eight. The social starts at 5 p.m. 

For four days following the banquet, warrior guests 

and assistants/companions will participate in hunting 

and fishing workshops, ice climbing, skiing, dog sledding, 

snowmobiling, archery, mountain yurt dinners, 

sleigh rides and winter Yellowstone tours. Come 

to the banquet for fun, excitement and to support 

wounded warriors. 

For more information 

about volunteering 

or contributing, visit 

operationsas.org or 

contact Linda Kelly at mailto:linda@operationnf.org 

or (406) 581-8358. 

Banquet tickets are available online or at: 

American Legion (Downtown Main, Bozeman); 

Residence Inn by Marriott (6195 E. Valley Center, 

Bozeman); GranTree Inn (1325 North 7th, 

Bozeman); Montana Travel (1102 West Babcock, 

Bozeman); Montana Troutfitters (1716 W. 

Main, Bozeman); Yellowstone Gateway Sports 

(21 Forkhorn, Four Corners); Prolite Gear (421 

West Griffin #1, Bozeman); Hungry Moose 

Market & Deli (209 Aspen Leaf Drive, Big 

Sky); or Big Sky Resort 

3090 Pine Drive #2, Big Sky 

406-995-2728 

December 24, 2010 9

PROFiLe 

Lee Poole is still looking 

toward the future 

with moonlight 

By eMiLy STiFLeR 

Photos courtesy of Moonlight Basin 

Lee Poole’s face lights up when he talks about this 

winter’s early snow. “I skied with my family last 

weekend, and we had such a great time.” His voice 

is soft but gravelly, and he moves his hands as he 

speaks. “For this time of year, this quality snow, you 

gotta be kidding. It’s really neat.” 

The owner of Moonlight Basin has had a tough few 

years. Swept up in the inflated real estate boom of 

the early 2000s, he and his partners began developing 

the 25,000-acre property in and around Jack 

Creek – a major drainage that runs west from Big 

Sky toward Ennis. Laying the groundwork for a 

dream resort, they built the spectacular Moonlight 

Lodge, a major new ski area, the infamous stone 

entryway, and what is now a half built clubhouse 

and golf course. 

But Moonlight was hit fast and hard by the recession. 

An upcoming trial with Lehman Brothers 

looms in April 2011, and with Lehman’s attempt 

to foreclose on the resort and Moonlight in Chapter 

11, this litigation could potentially change the 

economy of the resort entirely—affecting Big Sky 

and Ennis, as well. Poole, though, is optimistic, and 

is moving forward with operations and plans for 

growth. With over 70 percent of employees returning, 

ticket sales up from last year, and a December 

snowpack that is over 100 percent of average, why 

shouldn’t he? 

When Poole and his partners bought the land, “the 

goal from day one was to protect the property for 

10 December 24, 2010 

wildlife habitat as much as possible. Number two 

was to create as many jobs as we could out of Ennis 

and the Big Sky area, which we’ve done,” he says. 

“We also wanted create a one-of-a kind experience 

for our owners, guests and clients coming to Moonlight.” 

He says the company is on track: “We’ve 

got better than half of the property in conservation 

easements through conservation buyers. We have a 

golf course that will be, by several experts’ opinions, 

probably the finest mountain course in North 

America. Coupled with Big Sky, we have the Biggest 

Skiing in America campaign. Moonlight has the 

best in-bounds extreme skiing in the United States, 

and with Big Sky we have the most skiable acreage. 

Because we own the summit of Lone Mountain, we 

could, in the future, be number one in vertical.” 

Moonlight’s history sheds light on how they got 

to this major tipping point. In 1973, Lee Poole and 

his wife Lathie moved to Montana from Cleveland, 

Ohio. They’d married right out of high school and 

had two kids. Cleveland, he says, had the highest 

murder rate in the United States, and was terribly 

polluted. He remembers when the Cuyahoga River 

caught on fire and burned for three days. 

In search of a better place to raise a family, they 

picked up and moved to Ennis, Montana. “We had 

$7,500 in our pocket,” Poole says. They spent seven 

years living and working at the Valley Garden 

Ranch in Ennis. In the 80s and early 90s, the Pooles 

started a series of successful businesses in the 

Madison Valley – an art gallery, a custom airplane 

business, and a real estate conservation company. He 

says the relationships they built with clients helped 

create new investors and investments. 


“The goal from day one was to protect 

the property for wildlife habitat as 

much as possible. number two was to 

create as many jobs as we could out 

of ennis and the Big Sky area, which 

we’ve done.” 

When Plum Creek put the Jack Creek parcel up for 

sale in the early 90s, big names vied for the land: 

Ted Turner, the Nature Conservancy, Tim Blixeth, 

Ronald Reagan and Ross Perot. Poole, Joe Vujovich 

and Keith Brown purchased the 25,000-acre property 

in 1992. They hired John Cada, a wildlife biologist 

and timber expert who’d worked for Fish and Game, 

to study the ecosystem in the Jack Creek drainage. 

After a yearlong study, they made a goal to protect 

22,000 - 23,000 acres and to keep the road “as private 

as possible.” Cada suggested building a ski area and 

said it would increase wildlife habitats on the north 

side of Lone Mountain. 

“When we purchased it, the property was clear 

cut, devastated,” Poole says. “It took years to clean 

it up. Joe and I went out there with borrowed and 

leased equipment, and we hired other contractors. 

Now, after almost 20 years, the trees have grown 

back and are 12-25 feet tall. We’ve got one of the 

largest elk calving grounds in the Madison, and 

our moose population has almost tripled. We’ve 

got whitetail and mule deer, mountain lions, 

wolves and bobcats. We’ve created a mini Yellowstone, 

and an ecosystem that we believe will be 

able to blend with humans.” 

Poole bought out Joe Vujovich in 2005. Then in 

early 2007, Poole and Brown decided to refinance 

the company and brought on Lehman Brothers as 

another partner. Lehman went Chapter 11 in 2008, 

and consequently, Moonlight laid off employees just 

before the ski area opened that fall. “It was really bad 

timing,” Poole says. They retrieved capital reserves 

from Lehman and rehired. 

After that, Moonlight attempted to find an investor 

to help buy back their loan from Lehman. But when 

Lehman Brothers reorganized, they tried to foreclose 

on the resort. Moonlight entered Chapter 11 and the 

subsequent lawsuit with Lehman. Poole declines to 

discuss the lawsuit because of the upcoming litigation. 

“In the meantime,” he says, “we’re still working 

with capital and developing partnerships.” Moonlight 

is also continuing negotiation with Lehman. 

“We have our plan and our vision, and we’re going 

to keep moving forward,” Poole says. The resort currently 

has funding through September 2011.

Poole says the business plan coming 

out of Chapter 11 is conservative. 

“This was really a horrible experience 

in the very beginning. But this just 

makes us better all the way around.” 

He is still a businessman selling a 

product he believes in: “We have this 

winter, and we’re working on our 

budgets for this coming summer. That 

includes amenity development and 

new real estate products.” 

He believes future markets will 

be in smaller, green products with 

reduced carrying cost. “Our goal is 

to make our company as efficient 

as possible—not just for ourselves, 

but also for our clients, our guests 

and our customers.” He adds that 

Moonlight is accessible to everyone: 

“You don’t have to own property to 

become a member at the golf course. 

The fees are the most competitive 

prices in the nation. We have nine 

holes and are working to potentially 

finish the front nine this summer.” 

They currently have 114 members. 

Remaining conservation-minded, he 

aims to create a self-contained energy 

system and is looking at biomass boilers 

and geothermal sources. Opening 

the Jack Creek Road might seem an 

obvious economic solution for the 

company. Poole maintains, “If that 

opens up, it would destroy the habitats, 

migration routes and everything 

else as we know it. If somebody asks 

and they want to go across, we have a 

program that allows them to do that. 

I’m proud to show everybody what’s 

happened back there.” His mission 

remains “to protect the land we love, 

and to create a habitat that is forever,” 

he says. “I will fight until I’m dead to 

protect that.” 

As for combining Moonlight and 

Big Sky into a mega-resort? While 

joining the skiing is positive, he says 

competing resorts create higher quality 

service and value. 

“Our plan is to make [skiing at 

Moonlight] as simple as possible. 

This has got to be a family-oriented, 

homegrown, Montana experience. If 

you want the glitz, go down to Aspen 

or Telluride. This is where you come 

and relax.” 

After 37 years in Montana and 19 owning 

the property, Poole wants thank the 

owners and employees at Moonlight 

for their support. “We’ve really had to 

cut back and everybody’s multi-tasking, 

including me,” he says. “Our community 

and the Ennis and Big Sky communities 

have been fantastic to us. Our 

suppliers and our contractors have been 

so faithful. 98 percent have understood 

our situation.” 

He philosophizes: “It’ll be interesting 

to see how this comes together, 

because you never know. We feel very 

good about it.” 

REGISTER 

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December 24, 2010 11

Celebrate 

Winter 

For all of our 

wonderful blessings 

WINTER 

& 

COMPANY 

REAL ESTATE 

406-581-2033 

12 December 24, 2010 

Shawna Winter 

www.MTwinter.com Shawna@MTwinter.com 

On December 14th, Outlaw Partners 

announced a plan to extend marketing 

grants to Southwest Montana 

businesses that have suffered during 

the economic downturn. 

“In the last three months we’ve 

realized there is tremendous need 

for great businesses that are hurting 

and just hanging on,” says Eric Ladd, 

CEO of Outlaw Partners. “They 

would love to market but can’t afford 

to do it. The community supports us 

[Outlaw], so this is our way to give 

back. It is going to be an active part of 

our business.” 

A business is eligible to apply for a 

grant if they meet one or more of the 

following criteria: 

• Suffered from hardships and loss 

• Start-up company that lacks 

money for marketing 

• Charitable organizations in need 

of support 

The grants will be issued monthly 

based on need. There will be no cap 

on how many grants Outlaw allows. 

Once chosen, the business will sit 

down with the Outlaw team, and 

together they will decide a marketing 

strategy that will best support them. 

“There is no one size fits all for marketing,” 

says Ladd. “Every business 

depends on who your client is and 

the best way to reach them. It could 

be print, video, online, or editorial. 

We do it all.” 


outlaw Partners 

announce allocation 

of marketing grants 

By aBBie DigeL 

BuSineSS 

The grants will allocate a marketing 

budget toward each business’ 

marketing needs, and help them 

create a platform from which they 

can grow. Outlaw’s inspiration 

grew from the idea of microfinancing, 

where small loans are given to 

poverty-stricken small businesses 

in order to get them on their feet. 

In Southwest Montana, there are 

plenty of businesses that have potential 

to grow, but need that extra push. 

“The most important time to market 

a business is during a recession. 

It’s the hardest time to come up 

with money, but this is the time 

when businesses need to buckle 

down and share the news about 

what their cause is,” says Ladd. 

Outlaw will develop the proper 

solution to market the grant recipient’s 

business, suggest ways the 

grant will be best utilized, and 

provide enough resources to ensure 

they will have the tools to succeed. 

“At the end of the day if businesses 

are able to prosper, they’ll have 

room to grow. If providing the 

grants gives businesses a leg up and 

a chance to succeed, it will pay off 

for everyone.” 

To apply, visit theoutlawpartners. 

com and click on the ‘business 

grants’ link - share business name, 

contact information and insight 

into eligibility for a grant. (406) 

995-2055 

“The most important time to market a business is 

during a recession. it’s the hardest time to come 

up with money, but this is the time when businesses 

need to buckle down and share the news about 

what their cause is.”

CENTRE SKY 

A R C H I T E C T U R E L T D 

We create excitement in architecture 

• Residential 

• Educational Facilities 

• Commercial 

• Resort Communities 

Owner, Jamie Daugaard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP 

406-995-7572 • Jamie@CentreSky.com • CentreSky.com 

• Ranches 

• Sustainable Design 

Denver, Colorado • Big Sky, Montana • Park City, Utah 



14 December 24, 2010 

Big Sky Weekly

HeaLTH & SaFeTy 

Tips for Safe driving 

By CHRiS kROneBuSCH 

191 is one of the most deadly roads 

in Montana, but not because of the 

curves or the conditions that dominate 

its surface. Other roads are just as 

windy and snow-covered and have 70 

mph speed limits, but lower fatality 

rates. 191 is dangerous because of the 

volume of traffic and the uneducated, 

unfamiliar or inconsiderate drivers. 

Some of the following items are Montana 

law, some are common sense: 

Following too closely. All motor 

vehicles on a roadway outside of a 

business or residence district, must 

be operated in a manner that allows 

sufficient space between each 

vehicle or combination of vehicles to 

enable any other vehicle to enter and 

occupy the space without danger. To 

quantify this, the distance between 

you and the vehicle in front of you 

should be around three seconds 

when the road is dry and visibility is 

not compromised. When it is slick 

or snowing, separation should be 

doubled. It is your right not to pass, 

but not allowing enough room for 

someone else to pass is dangerous for 

you and other drivers. This goes for 

SELLERS 

Wanted RYAN 

BUYERS 304 & 305 LOOKING 

FOR GLACIER / YELLOWSTONE / 

SILVERBOW CONDO. 2 couples, one 

from Wisconsin now have a kids in the 

area and another from SD looking to 

relocate to Big Sky. 

ONE BUYER UNDER CONTRACT 

BUYER 102 LOOKING FOR 

DIAMOND HITCH HOME. Older 

couple from Florida. They’re ready for a 

family vacation home at a great price. 

BUYER 100 LOOKING FOR 2 

BEDROOM CONDO UNDER $200K. 

Newlyweds relocating to Big Sky need 

immediate occupancy. Quick closing. 

city driving as well. If someone is 

riding your bumper, put your hazard 

lights on until they back off. 

use turnouts. If cars are behind 

you, and there is no one ahead of 

you, you may be impeding traffic. In 

this situation, pull over and let faster 

traffic through. If slower drivers 

used turnouts more often, passing 

would not be necessary. Plus, it is 

more economical to travel at a consistent 

speed and not have the yoyo 

of accelerating and braking every 

time the road curves. If a vehicle 

doesn’t have all-wheel, four-wheel 

drive or snow tires, it is physically 

impossible to safely travel as fast 

as one with a proper winter set-up. 

Please be courteous to those who 

have spent extra money to safely 

drive in our Montana weather. 

common sense defensive driving 

techniques can solve most issues in 

any situation, on any road. National 

Safety Council’s defensive driving 

course defines this as “driving 

to save lives, time, and money, in 

spite of the conditions around you 

BUYER 003 LOOKING FOR 3 TO 

4 BEDROOM HOME IN MEADOW, 

CANYON, GATEWAY. Couple from 

Bozeman looking to be closer to Big 

Sky, pre-qualified and ready to buy. 

NEGOTIATIONS PENDING 

BUYER 198 INVESTOR SEEKING 

HIGHLY MOTIVATED SKI-IN SKI- 

OUT BUILT PRODUCT. Cash buyer 

looking for Powder Ridge, Moonlight 

Mountain Home or Chalet. Quick closing. 

NEW BUYER 210 LOOKING FOR 

1,000+ SQ.FT. UNDER $300K W/ 

GARAGE. Young, working family ready 

to step on the real estate ladder. 

WANNA BUY IN BIG SKY? 

WE’LL MARKET YOU. 

IT’S NEW AND IT WORKS. 

REGISTER TO DAY. 

and the actions of others.” Anticipate 

dangerous situations, despite 

adverse conditions or the mistakes 

of others. If you plan ahead and give 

yourself enough room, your brakes 

can be reserved for emergencies. 

Brake before entering a corner and 

then accelerate out of it. Using the 

engine to slow down gives more control 

to move through and complete a 

turn. If it is slick, braking hard while 

you are making a corner gives you 

less control. 

use headlights during the day. 

This keeps you safer by letting other 

drivers see you from a distance. Your 

headlight effectiveness is greatly 

diminished unless you brush, scrape 

or clean your headlights off when 

they are snow-covered or dirty. 

Do a regular “walk-around” 

your vehicle. Check tire pressure, 

headlights and taillights. You may be 

saving your own life. 

leave yourself enough time for 

any trip or commute. 191 drive 

times vary from 45 minutes to two 

KULESZA | BROKER 

406.539.4666 CELL 

Ryan@RiversToPeaks.com 


hours. It is your responsibility to 

check the weather conditions and 

plan accordingly. Furthermore, it’s 

always better to arrive a little late 

than not at all. Those who drive 

Gallatin Canyon frequently know it 

can make a 15-20 minute difference 

in arrival time to pass slower drivers 

in marked passing zones, when it is 

safe. However, there are occasions 

where there are too many vehicles 

backed up and passing is pointless. 

Inexpensive public transportation 

departs and arrives at various times 

via the Skyline Bus. skylinebus.com 

report traffic offenders to the 

Montana Highway Patrol at (406) 

388-3190 or (800) 525-5555. This 

means people driving excessively 

slow, as well as speeding and improper 

passing. 

Native Montanan Chris Kronebusch 

is Snowboard Program Manager 

at Big Sky Resort. (406) 995-5737 

TALLIE JAMISON | ASSOCIATE 

406.600.8081 CELL 

Tallie@RiversToPeaks.com 


HiSTORy 

a 

“We have not even to risk the adventure alone; 

for the heroes of all time have gone before us; the 

labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to 

follow the thread of the hero-path. And where we 

had thought to find an abomination, we shall find 

a god; where we had thought to slay another, we 

shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel 

outward, we shall come to the center of our own 

existence; where we had thought to be alone, we 

shall be with all the world.” - Joseph Campbell, The 

Hero with a Thousand Faces. 

Skiing is as crucial to the vitality of many mountain 

towns of the modern West as, say, mining, 

logging and ranching once were and, in some 

places, still are. It is arguable whether the cattle, 

mining and logging barons (some of them robbers, 

some not), and the gunmen who did their 

bidding of the West’s 19th and early 20th centuries 

are heroes, but they certainly were powerful 

icons of undisputed influence who have, for 

the most part, left environmental and therefore 

social devastation in their clear-cut, open-pit, 

over-grazed, violent wake. Skiing, however, has 

some genuine heroes who, as Joseph Campbell 

points out, have left a thread to guide us to the 

center of our own existence where it is possible 

to see more clearly what we do and why and 

what it might mean. 

Each year there are more and more skiers venturing 

into the backcountry. They seek different 

rewards—nature, solitude, untracked powder, 

exercise, relief from the congestion and pretension 

of modern ski resorts, and adventure with 

consequences for lapses in judgment, knowledge 

or respect. 

Western America’s first great hero of backcountry 

skiing must surely be the Norwegian immigrant 

known as Snowshoe Thompson. Born 

Jon Torsteinson-Rue (later changed to John A. 

Thompson) on April 30, 1827 in a small town 

in the Telemark region of Norway, he came to 

America at age 10, and lived in Illinois, Missouri, 

Iowa and Wisconsin before moving to Placerville, 

California in 1851 during the gold rush. 

In 1855, he saw an ad in the Sacramento Union 

newspaper for a mail carrier from Placerville, east 

across the snow of winter in the Sierra Nevada, 

to Mormon Station, Utah (which later became 

Genoa, Nevada). The ad read: “People lost to the 

16 December 24, 2010 

By DiCk DORWORTH 

world; Uncle Sam needs a mail carrier.” 

Like most Norwegians of Telemark, Thompson 

learned to ski as a child and brought those 

skills to the New World. He was the only 

applicant for the mail job, and in January 1856, 

a crowd in Placerville watched him leave on 

his first 90-mile journey across the Sierra. His 

homemade skis (called ‘snowshoes’, thus the 

nickname) were 10 feet long, made of oak and 

weighed 25 pounds, though in later years he 

got them down to about 9’4” and a bit lighter. 

Few in the crowd thought he would make it, 

but five days later he returned, having delivered 

the mail going 

east and bringing back 

the mail going west. 

Thus began the career 

of a true hero of the 

old west, the father of 

California skiing, and a 

legendary postman. 

Two to four times a 

month for the next 20 

winters Thompson made 

the trip, three days east, 

two days coming back 

west, covering between 25 and 40 miles a day. 

Because his sack of mail weighed between 60 

and 100 pounds, he carried minimal personal 

equipment: a few crackers, some bread and 

dried meat to eat, a heavy Mackinaw and a wide 

rimmed hat for shelter and sleep. He didn’t use 

a compass and once said, “There is no danger 

of getting lost in a narrow range of mountains 

like the Sierra if a man has his wits about him.” 

Every modern day backcountry skier—with 

equipment weighing less that one of Thompson’s 

skis—can appreciate the simplicity and 

austerity of Snowshoe’s tours across the Sierra. 

The Sacramento Union wrote of Thompson, 

“His reliability, kindness and physical prowess 

quickly earned the admiration and respect 

of the Sierra residents.” 

He was never paid for his efforts and service. 

Ron Watters wrote of Thompson, paraphrasing 

Dan DeQuille: “The mountains were his 

sanctuary, and storms were just another part 

of its raw beauty. On his skis, he could freely 

move across the snow covered landscape. The 

feeling of freedom must have been never more 

Most remarkable man i ever knew, that 

Snowshoe Thompson. He must be made of 

iron. Besides, he never thinks of himself, but 

he’d give his last breath for anyone else— 

even a total stranger. 

real to Thompson than 

when gliding down 

hill, holding his balance 

pole out in front of him, dipping it one direction 

and then the other, his wide-brimmed hat 

flapping in the wind and the Sierras spread out 

in front of him. At times like that, he must have 

felt like a soaring eagle.” 

S.A. Kinsey, the postmaster of Genoa, where 

Thompson is buried, said, “Most remarkable 

man I ever knew, that Snowshoe Thompson. 

He must be made of iron. Besides, he 

never thinks of himself, but he’d give his last 

breath for anyone else—even a total stranger.” 

Thompson was true hero of the old West at the 

center of our own existence. 

Dick Dorworth is the author of Night Driving: 

Invention of the Wheel and Other Blues and The 

Perfect Turn and Other Tales of Skiing and Skiers. 

He divides his time between Ketchum, Idaho and 

Bozeman, Montana and is a reporter and regular 

columnist for the Idaho Mountain Express.

gaLLeRy 

“Bison Head in Snow” by Pat Branting 

meeT arTiSTS 

PaT BranTing, kaTie 

Lee, and Terry and 

WHiTney HaLL 

December 27 and 28, 

4 - 8 p.m. at Big Sky Furniture 

Meadow Village, Big Sky 

aLSO FeaTuRing: 

Stone tables from Black Mountain Forge 

Wine offerings from natalie’s estate Winery 

PaT BranTing 

Originally from Nebraska, painter Pat Branting has lived in the Gallatin Valley 

since 1976. She taught elementary school for 34 years and now teaches adult art 

classes out of her home in Belgrade. Branting is excited for the Western Masters 

Show in Great Falls this coming March, which is in conjunction with the annual 

C.M. Russell art show. 

I mostly paint in oils, but I do watercolors also. I love to paint Montana landscapes 

and wildlife. I use colors and go for mood and light in a painting. 

I’m working on a big painting of Lone Peak right now that’s four by six feet. 

I do plein air watercolor sketches of landscapes. That’s been part of my learning to 

paint. I also paint from photographs. I’m an avid hiker and outdoor person. I hike in 

Yellowstone Park, in Glacier and around Gallatin County. 

I love the washes and the beautiful freedom that comes in painting in watercolor. In 

oils, I love the textures you can build up and the thickness. 

I think animals have their own personalities. I am just finishing painting a bear. I 

like the massiveness of bison—they have such a history with the Native Americans 

and their connection to the land. I love placing the animals in their habitat. I’ve got 

a moose walking in the water along the Madison River in Yellowstone Park. 

How the animals survive in winter amazes me. I love all the different moods snow 

can give. 

I’m from North Platte Nebraska, where the North Platte and the South Platte rivers 

meet. During my childhood, we spent a lot of time on the rivers and lakes. We 



“Hungry Grizz” by Katie Lee 

“Fresh Powder” by Katie Lee 


vacationed to the mountains, and found it so beautiful, so we packed up and moved 

here. We skied every weekend, and hiked and backpacked in the summer. We 

canoed the rivers and rafted. 

I raised two boys and they are avid skiers and mountain bikers. I’m the only artist 

in my family. 

My art is my passion. I retired from teaching and feel like working on my art is 

what I need to be doing. It feeds my soul and completes me. patbranting.com 

kaTie Lee 

Katie Lee was born in Montana and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The 

26-year-old is self-taught as an artist. At 14, she started painting with acrylic and 

now primarily works with oil on canvas. She completed her college degree at Concordia 

College in Moorhead, Minnesota, did a stint in Seattle, and recently moved 

back to Grand Forks. 

I paint animals because people enjoy them, but sometimes wildlife is just a 

bunch of browns. I use color to make things more interesting and colorful than 

they really are. I love mixing and making new colors. 

Montana has always been an inspiration. I love skiing, and I have family in Big 

Sky and visit every year. I’ve also painted subjects from North Dakota. 

I’ve sold paintings all over the U.S. and Mexico. 

I’ve turned my paintings into greeting cards and custom-made greeting card 

gift boxes. 

I haven’t been to this show before, and I’m excited. gallerybykatielee.com 


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By Luke RiCe 

OuTDOORS 

“OK, Ray, my shot has a clean, dry 

fuse end and is properly assembled,” 

I said, and then looked up at veteran 

Bridger patroller Ray Dombroski. 

The sun lit his face as he listened. 

He nodded. “I have a safe, makeable 

placement, a dry igniter, our position 

is safe from shrapnel and hazard 

above, and our run out is clear. Our 

contingency plan is to take our established 

escape route to a safe location 

on that knoll.” 

Dombroski nodded again. 

“Fire in the hole, upper Colter’s,” I 

called in to dispatch on my radio. 

On route at the Ridge, Peter Carse throws 

an explosive into a newly loaded avalanche 

starting zone. Photo by Luke Rice. 

avaLanCHe ConTroL 

aT Bridger BoWL 

I cut an inch of fuse off, attached 

and held a pull-wire igniter to the 

fuse, then yanked the cap off the 

igniter. The fuse smoked. I tossed 

the shot just below a notorious, 

avalanche-prone rollover. 

Ray had already forged a path to our 

safety zone through dense, kneedeep 

powder, so my escape was quick 

and safe. We hunkered down and 

plugged our ears. 90 seconds after 

I’d ignited the fuse, a deep boom 

echoed along the narrow range of 

mountains. Snow burst from the 

blast, and the sonic clap shook a 

blanket of new powder from the surrounding 

trees and cliffs. The resulting 

avalanche created a thick, white 

cloud that plummeted through a 

tight gully and over a cliff band. 


Weekly Mail SubScriptionS available 

1 year (36 issues) for $72 

ContaCt 

media@theoutlawpartners.Com 

or 406-995-2055 

As Ray and I continued working the 

C-south region of the Ridge on that 

first day of avalanche control for the 

2010-2011 season, we recited Patrol 

Director Doug Richmond’s rules 

for before lighting each shot. Later 

in the season these rules become 

ingrained in our routine, but for 

now, we recited them to refresh our 

memories on each critical point of 

the process. 

With no control work conducted 

thus far on the Ridge, the snowpack 

was backcountry. Because of this, we 

travelled with our senses heightened. 

Over the course of a season, and over 

50 years of avalanche control history, 

Bridger’s patrol has developed 

an idea of how the snowpack is going 

to behave before we’re even up doing 

control work for the morning. 

However, this early in the season our 

information base was limited, so our 

approach was one of caution. 

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Since my life, my partner’s, and the 

skiing public’s safety depended on the 

decisions we make during avalanche 

control work, we take this aspect of 

the job very seriously. On the Ridge 

even small avalanches can produce a 

lot of harm to a person by knocking 

someone over a cliff or into trees, 

thus it is imperative that every hazardous 

pocket of snow gets covered. 

Ray and I chiseled large cornices 

off the ridge-top, ski cut fields of 

powder, and placed shots, all in an 

attempt to find and flush out weaknesses 

in the snowpack. 

We finished and called ourselves in 

clear to dispatch. The results from our 

route were limited to small isolated 

pocket avalanches, and new snow 

sluffing, which indicated a relatively 

well-bonded snowpack with limited 

weaknesses. This will change over the 

course of the winter, weaknesses will 

develop, and it will be our job to stay 

on top of the changes that take place 

within the snow. 

“Looks like we could be in for a good 

season,” I said to Ray. Given that the 

base was already over 40 inches and it 

was only November, I couldn’t help 

but be pleased. 

“Yeah, I can’t remember the last 

time we had this much snow before 

Thanksgiving,” he replied with a grin 

that showed almost 30 years of history 

with the mountain. 

We pointed our skis downhill and enjoyed 

a few powder turns on our way 

to help get the rest of the mountain 

ready for an enthusiastic skiing community 

waiting for the lifts to start 

turning once again. 

Luke Rice was born and raised in the 

Shields Valley and graduated from 

Park High School in Livingston. After 

graduating from Colorado College with 

a degree in environmental science, Luke 

moved back to Southwest Montana. He 

now resides in Bozeman and is a professional 

ski patroller at Bridger Bowl. 

explorebigsky.com Coming Soon 

advertising inquiries, call (406)995-2055 or media@theoutlawpartners.com 


20 December 24, 2010 


Bozeman ice 

Climbing festival 

By eMiLy STiFLeR 

The 13th annual Bozeman Ice Climbing 

Festival December 7-12 in Hyalite 

Canyon was a great success. With 

participants and visiting pros from 

across the state and continent, the 

festival kicked off the ice season with 

a bang. 60 people per day participated 

in on-ice clinics, as per forest service 

regulations. With dozens of other 

visiting climbers also in the canyon 

climbing, Hyalite had a festive atmosphere 

for those four days. 

The evening events were also a big 

hit, with 200-400 people attending 

slide shows and films from local 

climbers and international superstars 

like Adam Knoff, Will Gadd 

and Jim Shimburg. 

With support form Arc’teryx, Northern 

Lights Trading Company and 

Montana Alpine Guides, the festival 

still has a homegrown feel. Participants 

mingled with professional 

athletes from one-on-one instruction 

to hot chocolate and schnapps 

afterward. This followed a somber 

event last year, when Canadian 

climber Guy Lacelle was killed in an 

avalanche in Hyalite. 

“The turnout was amazing. People 

are showing so much support for the 

festival, for plowing the Hyalite road, 

and for Guy’s family,” said festival 

organizer, Joe Josephson. 

bozemanicefestival.com 

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something rad but can’t 

get the rope up? Montana 

alpine guides, the state’s 

oldest guide service is a great 

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IN LIFE’S GREAT ADVENTURE 

EVERYONE COULD USE A HAND. 

WE’RE COMMITTED TO HELPING 

YOU MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. 

At First Security Bank, we know that you have individual goals, and 

our products and services are designed to help you reach them – faster. 

And, with a friendly staff of experts always willing to lend a hand, 

you’ll never feel like you’re alone in the wilderness. Stop by the branch 

in Meadow Village or call us for more information. 

www.ourbank.com (406) 993-3350 

Member FDIC 

5TH ANNUAL 

FREE CHRISTMAS TREE PICK-UP 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 

from our crew! 

Please leave your tree at the end of your driveway or in a convenient 

pick-up location visible from the street. Please remove any non-organic materials, 

string, wire of tinsel, as this may clog our equipment. 

January 3-7, 2011 

Mountain Village • Moonlight 

BasinCanyon (North to Karst and 

South to the Corral Bar) 

Beaver Creek 

January 10-14, 2011 

Meadow Village • West Fork • South 

Fork • Fire Light • Hidden Village 

Aspen Grove • Sweet Grass HIlls 

Spanish Peaks 

If we missed your location or if you need more 

information, call us at 406.581.9675

SPORTS 

Brett favre’s 

Streak ends, 

but will the drama 

ever be over? 

By BRanDOn niLeS 

1992. The first Bush was president, 

Miley Cyrus was born, Marissa 

Tomei won an Oscar, and Brett Favre 

made his first career NFL start. Since 

then, Favre has started every game 

until mid-December 2010. That’s 297 

consecutive starts; an NFL record by 

a long shot. Second and third place on 

that list are at 205 and 116, though 

Peyton Manning is still adding to 

his current run at 205. This streak is 

amazing due to the physical nature of 

football, and it’s unlikely it will ever 

be broken. 

Assuming Favre retires, it will be the 

end of an era. His record is impressive, 

and at times he’s been a thrill to 

watch. But watching him play this 

year was like watching your grandfather 

ice skate. It’s clear he knew what 

he was doing at some point, but now 

he needs to get off the ice and let the 

kids have a turn. Favre deserves to go 

into the Hall of Fame, but to become 

eligible he has to retire. All indications 

point toward Favre hanging up 

his cleats (and his Dr. Scholl’s foot 

inserts) at the end of this season. 

If he does retire, maybe announcers 

will stop injecting him into every 

discussion. For years, Favre has been 

a media darling. Maybe it’s the way 

he smiles or his exciting style of play 

that makes the media go nuts over 

him. Perhaps it’s the Wranglers commercials. 

Even this season, amidst 

allegations of misconduct regarding 

a certain phallic photo, Favre remained 

popular. 

I propose a solution to the Favre 

mania that swept the sport of football 

each year. 

Now that the streak is over, and his 

body has paid a terrible toll for his incredible 

longevity, we can simply nod 

our heads, acknowledge the effort 

and move on. This year, let’s assume 

Favre isn’t playing and stop worrying 

about it. There will be other things 

in football to talk about, and fans will 

helping owners of rental properties 

enjoy a pleasant, hassle-free and rewarding 

second home ownership since 1999. 

east westbigsky.com | 877.512.9794 


“...watching him play this year was like 

watching your grandfather ice skate. it’s 

clear he knew what he was doing at some 

point, but now he needs to get off the ice 

and let the kids have a turn.” 

love those things because football 

fans love football. There are after all, 

1,695 other NFL players. Everyone 

will be okay if we don’t hear Favre’s 

name this off-season. Besides, Peyton 

Manning is feeling very ignored. 

Brandon Niles 

has done online 

freelance writing 

about the NFL 

since 2007. His 

articles range 

from NFL news 

to team-specific 

commentary. 

A Communication Studies graduate 

student at the University of North 

Carolina Greensboro, Niles is also an 

avid Miami Dolphins fan, which has 

led to his becoming an avid Scotch 

whisky fan over the past decade. 

East West considers the relationship with our Big Sky and 

Moonlight Basin homeowners a partnership. We’ll work together 

to maintain and improve the condition of your Big Sky/ 

Moonlight property and its rental performance. 


Big Sky Resort’s Black Eagle Lodge 

Yellowstone Club Sunrise Ridge Condo 

24 December 24, 2010 

P 


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BOOk ReVieW 

outlaw Library 

By HunTeR ROTHWeLL 

“We must handle the 

water, the wood, the 

grasses, so that we will 

hand them on to our 

children and children’s 

children in better and 

not worse shape than 

we got them.” 

-Theodore Roosevelt 

This call to action was Roosevelt’s 

most consistent message during his 

extraordinary presidency [1901- 

1909]. So many books have been written 

about this man that you could fill 

a library. The majority of Roosevelt 

biographies concentrate on his successes 

as a soldier, a trustbuster, infrastructure 

projects initiated during 

his administration, his imperialism 

and the building of the Panama Canal. 

Douglas Brinkley’s The Wilderness 

Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and 

the Crusade for America, provides due 

compensation for Roosevelt’s lifelong 

mission to preserve America’s natural 

resources. During his tenure, Roosevelt 

created the U.S. Forest Service, 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

and the National Park Service, and 

he oversaw the passage of the Antiquities 

Act of 1906. On his watch, 

Roosevelt’s administration created 

five National Parks, 18 National 

Monuments, 150 National Forests 

and placed 230 million acres of U.S. 

land under public protection [half the 

size of the Louisiana Purchase]. 

Brinkley explains that from a very 

early age, the bright young Roosevelt 

consumed books on nature. His 

heroes were storied men such as John 

James Audubon and Charles Darwin. 

His own father, Theodore Roosevelt 

Sr., founded the Museum of Natural 

History in New York City. Before 

the age of 10, Teddy started his own 

natural museum in his family’s home, 

where he performed all the taxidermy 

himself. Roosevelt’s boyhood dream 

was to become a great naturalist. 

Rich in detail, Brinkley’s writing 

rewards the reader with often overlooked 

historical accounts of Roosevelt’s 

bird watching in the Adirondacks, 

hiking trips in the Blue Ridge 

Mountains, ranching in the Dakotas, 

hunting in the Big Horns and his 

escape to the outdoors of Wyoming, 

Montana, Idaho and the Sierra Nevada. 

From Roosevelt’s teenage years 

until his death in 1919, he published 

26 books, over 1000 articles and 

thousands of speeches and letters on 

his observations of the natural world. 

Brinkley used these to offer insight 

into Roosevelt’s mind. 

When he stepped into the presidency 

in 1901 after the assassination 

of William McKinley, Roosevelt 

utilized his “bully pulpit” to slow the 

hectic pace of lumber, mining, fur 

and plumage interests. By this time, 

half of America’s original stand of 

timber had been cut and billions of 

tons of precious topsoil had eroded. 

The American bison and many native 

bird species had been harvested to 

near extinction. 

To his critics, Roosevelt was a man 

of contradictions. He was a preservationist 

and a big game hunter. He 

was a leader who encouraged war 

and conflict as being healthy for the 

national spirit, but then won the 

Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating 

a halt to war between Russia and 

Japan. He championed “the strenuous 

life.” He boxed, wrestled, lifted 

weights, hiked, rowed, rode horses, 

played polo and tennis. Often called 

the most intellectual president since 

John Quincy Adams, he could read 

two books a night and recite passages 

from those books five years later. The 

First Volunteer Calvary Regiment, 

nicknamed the Rough Riders by the 

press, was the embodiment of Col. 

Roosevelt’s diverse interests. The 

Rough Riders consisted of every type 

of successful American man from 

cowboys and Indians of the Wild 

West to Ivy League friends from New 

York. Brinkley masterfully highlights 

Roosevelt’s most interesting characteristic—his 

adventurous side. 

Brinkley’s accounts of Roosevelt’s 

friendships with the most recognizable 

names in American history are 

wonderful: racing through the woods 

alongside John Burroughs to see who 

could identify the most birds; camping 

with John Muir in Yellowstone, 

where Muir set fire to a dead pine tree 

and the two men danced around it in 

celebration; the retelling of Roosevelt’s 

friendships with his Rough 

Riders and Seth Bullock, the sheriff 

of Deadwood. These relationships, in 

combination with Roosevelt’s unwavering 

passion, helped the 26th president 

achieve so much for America’s 

wild areas. 

The Wilderness 

Warrior is a 

treasure of a 

biography and 

should be a 

priority read 

for anyone 

who loves 

nature. With 

no uncertainty, 

Brinkley 

helps readers 

understand 

how much 

we owe 

Theodore Roosevelt. The 

beautiful state of Montana would 

look very different if not for his unwavering 

crusade for conservation. 

Rough Rider Teddy believed in hard 

work and wild places: 


“When life gets to be too easy and the 

elements of danger, risk and hardship 

are removed, we have to expose 

ourselves to these again, and we need 

to preserve the places where we can 

do that.” 

wishing you 

HOLIDAY 

CHEERS 

(406)995-3350 

Open 7 Days a Week 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

We are 100 yards north of the Big Sky turn off 

in the Bighorn Shopping Center 


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“Any day you can remember 

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To view videos and learn more about Lone View Ridge properties, visit LoneViewRidge.com or 

YellowstoneClub.com. For direct questions or sales inquiries, email sales@loneviewridge.com 


Exclusively 

Yellowstone Club, 

Uniquely Big Sky

T h e w e s T m a y b e w i l d , 

N e w m e N u ! F e a t u r i n g 

but it’s not uncivilized 


• Roasted Locally Grown Organic Beets, Arugula, Amalthea Dairy Chevre, Orange Supremes, Fine Herb Vinaigrette 

• Asian Barbecue Glazed grilled Quail, Braised Greens, Fingerling Potato, Blood Orange Gastrique 

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Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

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Ski BuM 101 

Big Sky is a secluded ski town in a corner of reality. This column is for those who 

are here or in other Montana ski towns to live, party (optional), ski, snowboard or 

telemark every possible day, and for those who want to bike, fish, camp, hike, or 

climb all summer. I’d like this to be a guide for surviving issues like broken skis 

or broken cars, and a guide to feeding yourself properly so you don’t expire in 

the middle of the Big Couloir. This column is for those who desire a better life, 

and for those of us who don’t want to go back to where we came from. In this 

column, I will do my absolute best to help the Big Sky ski bum succeed in living 

the dream. 

Lesson 2: 

The epic Day 

By eRiC PauLSOn 

There are great days of skiing, and 

then there are epic days. Epic days 

should never be confused with epic 

conditions. While epic conditions 

happen all the time, for you to truly 

have an epic day you’ll want to take 

care of a few things first. 

1. Wake uP! Getting out of bed 

can be a chore. Between working, 

riding, and partying, the average ski 

bum usually lacks sleep. For many, 

waking up early isn’t an option. For 

these individuals I suggest learning 

‘The Fireman’. This is a pretty easy 

skill once mastered. First, have all 

your gear ready to go. Socks, clothes, 

goggles, skis... everything. Lay it all 

out so you can wake up, sit up, and 

start putting your gear on. The goal is 

to be out the door in three minutes. 

Once you’ve mastered the fireman, 

you can sleep longer and still make it 

to the mountain on time. 

2. Make SuRe yOuR STiCkS 

aRe TuneD. You can go all season 

long without tuning your skis or 

board, but that doesn’t mean you 

should. Sure, you probably won’t 

notice your tune (or lack thereof) 

cruising down the Dictators in chest 

deep powder. But slow sticks equal 

longer cat tracks, wasted energy and a 

slower, less epic you. 

3. giVe yOuRSeLF THe eneRgy 

TO Ski aLL Day LOng. Your day 

won’t be epic if you’re bonking at 

noon. Everyone is different, but the 

most common sources for energy 

come from things like food, water and 

caffeine. My personal routine is feasting 

the night before, drinking a pot of 

coffee the morning of and snacking 

between runs. I fill my backpack with 

things like water, hard-boiled eggs, 

dried fruit and trail mix. All of these 

are affordable and filling. 

4. PLan yOuR aTTaCk. This 

skill is mastered with time and 

consequently, it makes each epic day 

better than the last. Things like snow, 

wind, chairlift openings/closures 

and crowds need consideration. I’ve 

had epic days skiing all over Big Sky 

and Moonlight Basin, but the most 

important thing for me is finding 

the chunk of the mountain with 

the deepest snow and the smallest 

crowds. 

5. FaCe SHOTS. Ahhhh, the 

most important part of the equation. 

While the act of choking is not 

something I usually enjoy, I make 

an exception when it gets deep out 

there. When it gets really deep, 

you have to time each turn to inhale 

between face shots. Some days it is so 

deep you wished man was born with 

the ability to breathe snow. Those are 

the days you remember for the rest 

of your life: when you’re firing on all 

cylinders, floating through ridiculously 

deep powder, and you feel like 

the mountain has disappeared and left 

you hanging in the clouds. This is it... 

this is EPIC. 

Eric Paulson, owner of LonePeak Auto 

Detailing, moved to Big Sky in 1999. 

He grew up skiing Spirit Mountain in 

Duluth, Minnesota. Besides enjoying 

the outdoors, Eric spends the rest of the 

year focused on work, fishing, hunting 

and fixing up old cars. 

Delivery 

Take Out 

Take-N-Bake 

BIG SKY’S 

406-995-7175 

$ 

$ 


BEST PIZZA 

&CALZONES 

1 OFF 

COOKIE 

DOUGH 

Offer not valid with any 

other coupon or discount 

$ 

5OFF ANY ORDER 

$15 OR MORE 



2 OFF 

ANY 

SALAD 



West Fork Meadow Plaza 

facebook.com/trailheadpizza 

SHUFFLEBOARD NIGHT 

Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. 

• 8 Teams of 2 

• Double elimination 

• Players get $3 

pints and a special 

tournament menu 

HOURS 

Everyday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. OR LATER... 

We stay open if people are having fun! 

365 Days a Year! 

(406) 995-3939 Big Sky Meadow Village Center 


This is how Big Sky gets 

into hot water. 

30 December 24, 2010 

Nordic Hot Tub 

We service what we sell! 

Spa sales to fit your budget 

Pool and spa care after the sale 

Custom maintenance plans 

Spa covers and custom lifts 

Lots of accessories for your spa 

Special orders available 

www.BigSkyHotTubs.com 

(406) 995-4892 • NordicHotTub@aol.com 

47520 Gallatin Rd. • Big Sky, MT 59716 

Big Sky, Montana 

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 

Drink • Dine • Den 

5 miles South of Big Sky - HWY 191, Mile Marker 43 

menu online - www.corralbar.com - 406-995-4249 


Big Sky Skating 

and Hockey 

association 

BSSHa 

uPDaTeS 

On New Year’s day at 3 p.m., the Alpine 

Ice Rink at Town Center will host 

the 1st Annual Pavelich Invitational. 

This first-ever hockey game at the new 

rink will feature players from Big Sky 

and Bozeman. Marty Pavelich, 83year 

old Big Sky resident and 4-time 

Stanley Cup champion from the 50’s, 

will drop the puck. Open skate begins 

at 4:30 p.m., along with live music on 

Center Stage. Food and beverages will 

be available on-site, and rental skates 

available from Grizzly Outfitters. 

Additionally, the BSSHA received 

confirmation that their grant application 

to the Yellowstone Club 

Community Foundation (YCCF) was 

approved. This funding will be used 

to purchase equipment, supplies and 

services necessary to build and maintain 

the new ice rinks. 

Sign up for hockey during the adult 

or youth hockey slots. Cost is $34 and 

USAHockey.com membership. The 

Alpine Rink at Town Center will be 

open to the public on December 24. 

There will be a suggested donation of 

$5 for skating. 



32 December 24, 2010 

Assuring the value of your investment 

The newest strategy to 

go from For Sale to Sold 


In today’s uncertain real estate market, HomeBuyer’s Price Protection is the new way 

to assure value for potential buyers and give your home a competitive edge against a 

sea of other unsold homes. 

For Buyers: 

Buyers need to have confidence that the home they just purchased will not lose 

value after the closing. HomeBuyer’s Price Protection assures buyers the purchase 

value of their home will not decline and offers sellers a clear-cut competitive 

advantage. 

® 

For Sellers: 

Now more than ever, sellers need a tool to help them stand out in a 

market saturated with homes for sale. HomeBuyer’s Price Protection 

is a unique and compelling way to sell your home without games 

or gimmicks and without lowering your price – all while giving 

buyers the confidence to purchase a home without the fear of it 

losing value after closing. 

Let HomeBuyer’s Price Protection 

take you from For Sale to Sold. 

Call 1-877-906-8246 

or visit homebuyerspriceprotection.com to learn more about HomeBuyer’s 

Price Protection, and to obtain a directory of professional realtors in the 

Big Sky area that offer this innovative new program.

FOOD & Dining 

The Corral By 

In the fall of 1988, hunters gathered in front of 

the The Corral with their trophies and posed for 

a photo. 

David House, co-owner of Big Sky’s favorite steak 

house, looks at the photo today. “That was the best 

hunting season ever,” he remembers. Wildfires drove 

elk out of woods that year, and proof hangs on the 

walls of this cozy old Montana establishment. 

Only months before that epic season, David House 

and Devon White, both working construction, 

purchased The Corral from two Utah couples. “I 

wish I had a video tape back then,” says David, 

who sits at the bar eating his breakfast of buffalo 

sausage and dripping eggs. “The guys drank cheap 

whiskey and the girls worked all the time, so we 

jumped behind the bar and worked. We had to 

duck things that were getting thrown in the bar.” 

When David and Devon took over, The Corral 

wasn’t known for its cuisine. “We wanted to put out 

a good burger and steak, and on top of that we had 

endless local support. What did we have to lose?” 

Built as a one room log cabin in 1947, The Corral 

was a destination for hunters who brought their 

horses literally right to the bar. The eight-bedroom 

motel was built in 1974. 

David House arrived in Big Sky in 1975. “Me and 

a couple of buddies moved here when there was 

Max Spore, feeding an elk 

outside the restaurant, built 

the Corral in 1947. 



aBBie DigeL 

still a gravel road. I was shoveling snow and skiing 

every day.” Born and raised in Michigan, House 

had never seen so much snow. “It was bottomless,” 

he says. “Those were the days.” 

The Corral has been through hard times, but David 

sees the glass half-full. During 2009, stacks 

of applications were flowing in, and he struggled 

keeping the establishment afloat, but now there 

are signs of hope. David thinks this will be the 

best season in years. 

This winter, expect to see the bar floating with locals, 

Yellowstone Park visitors, and skiers ordering 

up local brews or $2.50 bottles. Week nights are 

known for the $7 burger and beer special, all you 

can eat pasta night, and steak night. The local favorite 

is the Steak Corral, a filet wrapped in bacon 

and topped with crab and béarnaise sauce, but the 

Corral is known for their burgers, all made from 

Montana and Colorado meat. 

“We’ve had the same meat supplier since we took 

over,” explains David. “When you change providers 

you can’t keep the same quality.” 

The Corral will always draw a colorful crowd. 

While the biggest challenge, David says, is maintaining 

their high standard of quality and service, 

they sure do a darn good job. corralbar.com 

(406) 995-4249 


Photos courtesy of the Corral 

PORk TenDeRLOin 

WiTH ROaSTeD gRaPeS 

& BaLSaMiC gLaze 

4 7oz. pieces of pork tenderloin 

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt & 

fresh cracked pepper to taste 

4 Cups red seedless grapes, stems 

removed 

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold, divided 

2 Cups Homemade Chicken Stock 

1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar 

2 Tbsp. Honey 

Preheat oven to 500F. Brush tenderloins 

with some of the extra virgin olive oil, 

season with salt & pepper. in an oven 

proof sauté pan, heat remaining olive 

oil & sear pork on all sides until browned. 

Remove from pan & set aside. Return 

pan to high heat; add 1 Tbsp. butter and 

when hot add grapes. Toss to coat and 

brown slightly. Return pork to pan with 

the grapes and roast in oven approximately 

10 min(for medium) Remove pork 

and grapes to side dish and keep warm, 

leaving juice in pan. 

Return pan to burner on high; add chicken 

stock, vinegar and honey. Cook over 

high heat until reduced to approximately 

1 cup. Cut remaining 3 Tbsp. butter into 

several pieces and whisk into sauce one 

at a time to thicken. adjust seasoning, 

add grapes to sauce. 

Slice pork into medallions and arrange 

on plates, spoon grapes and glaze on 

top. enjoy! 


34 December 24, 2010 

THE EXTRAORDINARY, 

Jeff Helms 

JEFF HELMS 

Big Sky’s Expert in Real Estate 

EXCEPTIONAL 

& 

UNIQUE 

Montana 

YOUR HOME IS IN 

“I know how to best present your property in order to sell this 

ski season. I off er Big Sky’s most comprehensive advertising 


campaign coupled with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand. 

By listing with me, my clients get a foundation of experience, 

professionalism and a proven record of success in Big Sky.” 

JEFF HELMS 

Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty 

123 Lone Peak Drive 

Big Sky, Montana 59716 

tel 406.995.2244 

fax 406.995.2249 

jeff .helms@sothebysrealty.com

gardiner 

1950’S neW year’S 

eve ParTy 


Gardiner Community Center 

gardiner SPeeCH 

and drama meeT 

January 8, 2011 

Gardiner School 

848-7563 

Cooke CiTy 

CHriSTmaS eve 

PoTLuCk and 

CHurCH ServiCe 


Fire Hall 

Church Service at Mt. Republic 

Church, Dinner is 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

Service is at 6 p.m. 


CHriSTmaS 

aCTiviTieS 

eVenTS 



Santa, Fireworks, Torchlight Parade 

and more 995-5806 or 995-8006 

CHriSTmaS BrunCH 

aT Lone mounTain 

ranCH 


9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

(406) 995-2872 

famiLy nigHT WiTH 

moonLigHT 


Madison Village Base Area 

5 - 8 p.m. 

(406) 995-7716 

“Eye of the Buffalo” by Katie Lee 

meeT Big Sky arTiSTS 

December 27 and 28, 2010 

4 - 8 p.m. 

Big Sky Furniture 

Wine and cheese will be served 

When the Sun, moon 

and Seasons align 

On December 21, the winter solstice 

marked the beginning of winter in 

the Northern Hemisphere, as well as 

the shortest day of the year. In 2010, 

there was also a total lunar eclipse. 

The last time these two events coincided 

was in 1638. 

According to The Farmers Almanac, 

“a lunar eclipse occurs when the 

Earth passes between the sun and 

the moon. In this alignment, the 

shadow of the Earth falls upon the 

moon, dimming the moon and giving 

it unusual coloring, ranging from 

muted gray to coppery orange.” The 

red color during an eclipse is created 

because the only light hitting 

the moon is the glow from Earth’s 

sunrises and sunsets. 

In ancient northern cultures, 

the solstice day was often 

a cause for celebration. 

From here on out, 

the days will only 

become longer 

and lighter. The 

Romans called 

it Dies Natalis 

Invicti Solis, 

PLanning an evenT? Let us know! 

email abbie@theoutlawpartners.com and we’ll spread the word. 

‘the birthday of the invincible sun’. 

The December solstice occurs when 

the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees 

away from the sun. This day varies 

year to year from December 20 to 

December 23. 

In 2010, there were two solar and 

two lunar eclipses, according to the 

NASA website. 

Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses 

do not harm the naked human eye. 

The next total lunar eclipse visible in 

Montana will occur on the morning 

of December 10, 2011. 

e.s. 

HaLf moon Sa- 

Loon feaTuring 

Head for THe HiLLS 


9 p.m. (406) 993-9666 

miSSion mounTain 

Wood Band aT 

BuCk’S T-4 Lodge 

December 30-31, 2010 

(406) 995-4111 

genTLeman HaLL aT 

WHiSkey JaCkS 



(406) 995-8077 

firST annuaL 

PaveLiCH inviTa- 

TionaL foLLoWed 

By oPen SkaTe 

January 1, 2011 

Alpine Ice Rink at Town Center 

3 p.m. 


ParadiSe vaLLey 

neW year’S eve 

BaSH! 


Pine Creek Cafe 

featuring Archer’s Mob 

7:30 p.m. 

SaddLe TramPS 

Band 

December, 31 2010 

Chico Hot Springs 

9:30 p.m. 

LivingSTon 

CommuniTy 

CHriSTmaS dinner 


Civic Center 

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

THe doorS LegaCy 

Band 


Mint Bar & Liquor Store of 

Livingston 

9 p.m. 

Big Sky’s 

Full Service 

Grocery Store 

Amazing selection & affordable prices 

here in Big Sky 

Fresh, Hand-Cut Meats • Deli & Snacks 

Gourmet Items • Beer & Wine 

Open Daily from 

6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Located in the Meadow Village 

next to Lone Peak Brewery 

bigskygrocery.com 

T: (406) 995-4636 


BuSineSS DiReCTORy 

Home Life Auto 

36 December 24, 2010 

The Agency Insurance Division 

Protecting Your Assets 

Call us today at 993 9242 or visit us on the web at www.ins-agency.com 

BIG BURRITOS. 

BIG TASTE. 

SMALL PRICES. 

TACOS • WRAPS • BOWLS 

KIDS MENU • BEER • MARGS 

FOR SALE BY OWNER 

2605 Little Coyote Rd. Meadow Village 

Recently built. 2800 sq ft. 3 BD 3BA plus large loft. 2 car heated 

garage, finest fixtures and finishes, custom cabinets, beautiful 

Alder floors, & stacked stone fireplace. Make this a must 

see. Minutes to golf, world class fly fishing & hiking trails in 

summer. Out your door, access to cross country trails in winter. 

Skiing at Lone Mountain’s Big Sky Resort just up the mountain. 

Motivated seller asking $689,000 

Possible owner financing. 

Call Mike’s cell 239-273-4809 for a showing or go to 

www.2605LittleCoyote.com for more information and photos. 

Buyer agents welcome at 4% 

EVERYTHING MADE FRESH EVERY DAY! 

DINE IN • TAKE OUT • WEROLLEMFAT.COM 

WINTER HOURS START DECEMBER 6 

OPEN DAILY 11-8 

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!! 

LOCATED IN THE WESTFORK PLAZA NEXT TO MILKIES. CALL AHEAD 995-3099! 

Providing eco-conscious 

screen printing services for 

custom apparel, posters, 

signs, and other projects. 

406-995-2940 

hello@pahaonline.com 

meadow village, big sky 


Business Profile of the Week: 

Ozssage, Ltd. 

Ozssage, Ltd. has been servicing clients for 10 years under the innovative leadership 

of Jacquie Rager. When clients walk into the studio, nestled in the Meadow Village 

in Big Sky, “they feel like they’re coming home.” 

At Ozssage, whose name is a creative blending of the Australian pronunciation of 

the country itself, and “massage,” you’ll never get a therapist who is tired or overworked. 

All therapists are nationally certified and continue their education through 

clinics and hands-on practice. 

Rager moved to the states in 1999 after a ski instructing career in Australia. Her 

interest in massage therapy began after her own injury on the slopes, which began 

her commitment to massage therapy’s healing properties. When Rager moved to 

Big Sky, she began Ozssage with a focus on treatment specific message, and in 2004 

became affiliated with Big Sky Health and Fitness. “We built this building from 

ground up. I was able to put together what I wanted from a spa,” says Rager. 

Ozssage’s full service menu offers facials, waxing and massage for injury prevention, 

healing, and relaxation. All services are tailored to fit clients’ needs. Put away 

a couple hours for an appointment and take advantage of the comfy chairs and good 

reads in the tranquility room. Enjoy a private steam with a hot or cold rain shower 

and aroma and color therapy, or hit the full service gym. Choose from four treatment 

rooms that change with the seasons: couples, Thai, Asian and Australian. All 

rooms have a view of the pond behind the spa. 

“All spa packages are based and designed on escaping,” says Rager. “If you can’t get 

away for your spring break, you can escape to somewhere at Ozssage.” You can even 

arrange a massage in your own home. Ozssage therapists gladly make outcalls to the 

Club at Spanish Peaks, Big Sky Resort, Moonlight and the Gallatin Canyon area. 

Stop by for last minute holiday gifts and purchase Rager’s homemade body products, 

all made without chemicals and preservatives, or pick up a gift certificate for a 30, 

60, or 90 minute massage. The website offers detailed descriptions of all treatments 

and daily specials. ozssage.com (406) 995-7575 

a.D.


L I M I T E D 

AD SPACE 

A V A I L A B L E 

CONTACT ERIC 

406-570-0639 • 406-995-2055 

MEDIA@THEOUTLAWPARTNERS.COM 

Happy Holidays and 

welcome back to big sky! 

if your painting still needs to be done please call: 

dennis Henley 

painting contractor 

Registered licensed, insured 

specializing in Repaints 

406-581-3057 

henleydennis@live.com FRee estimates 

ROOF SHOVELING 

5 8 1 - 9 6 7 5 

BIG SKY AREA 

PILATES 

YOGA 

MASSAGE 

Tax return preparation 

Tax planning 

Payroll Services 

Bookkeeping 

Financial Statement preparation 

Business Consulting 

Business Valuation 

WAYNE NEIL, JR. CPA 

DOUG NEIL CPA 

JAKE NEIL CPA 


PERSONAL TRAINING 

HEALTH COUNSELING 

Celebrating 40 years of business serving 

Montana and the Gallatin Valley! 

1184 North 15th Ave. Ste. 1, Bozeman, MT 59715 

Phone (406) 587-9239 Fax (406) 586-4737 


Big Sky WeekLy 

Home of THe 

10 

CLaSSifiedS! 

$ 

$15 WiTH PHoTo 

each ad can 

be up to 4 lines 

(maximum of 30 

words). 

additional lines 

are $5 per line, 

maximum of 8 

words per line. 

email classifieds and/or 

advertising requests to: 

media@theoutlawpartners.com 

(406) 995-2055 

HeLP WanTed 

Engineering Tech (Part time) 

The successful candidate will 

possess basic maintenance skills as 

they relate to the maintenance and 

upkeep of household and condominium 

environments. The ability 

to diagnose and repair common 

maintenance items such as simple 

plumbing issues, heating problems, 

small appliance repair, are required. 

Any experience with satellite TV 

repair or troubleshooting is a plus. 

Candidate must be able to use 

simple hand tools and lift up to 50 

pounds. The successful candidate 

will be a self-directed and active 

problem solver able to work under 

pressure with tight deadlines. Can- 

38 December 24, 2010 

didate must live in the Big Sky area 

and be able to fulfill on-call duties as 

needed. Submit cover letter and resume 

to: employmentinfobigsky@ 

gmail.com. EEO 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

By Word of Mouth Restaurant is 

hiring a FT night line cook. Please 

call or email to set up a interview 

406-995-2992 or bwombigsky@ 

montana.net 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Need some extra money? Come 

share your passion for the Big Sky 

area as a Driver for Shuttle to Big 

Sky & Taxi. Must be at least 25 yrs 

of age w/ clean driving record and 

able to lift 50 lbs. FT & PT positions 

avail. Please submit resume 

to info@bigskytaxi.com. EEO. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Reservationist (Part Time) 

Successful candidate will have reservations 

experience selling lodging 

over the phone for hotel or 

condominium properties. Ability 

to verbally communicate features 

and benefits of different properties 

to sell inventory is required. 

Familiarity with the Big Sky area 

is a plus. Must be able to learn 

and use computer software to 

book reservations. A high level of 

professionalism is required for this 

position selling luxury accommodations. 

Please send cover letter 

and resume to: employmentinfobigsky@gmail.com. 

EEO 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Ophir School District #72 seeking 

a route bus driver. CDL w/”S” 

endorsement required. Please see 

full ad and application online at 

www.ophirschool.com 

for SaLe 

TYM Tractors--the only tractor 

with the standard5 YEAR WAR- 

RANTY, starting at $13500 

Yellowstone Tractor Co. 406-388- 

2423 “Your snow removal headquarters” 

for renT 

Want to Open a Business? 

Commercial Space in Town Center 

– owner is prepared to make 

deals happen for lease or ownership. 

Amazing spaces range from 

1200sq/ft to 2000sq/ft. Owner, 

Sam Sammis - (PH) 802-522-8500 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Small cabin in Gallatin Canyon. 

Available now. 1 person only, NS/ 

NP, 1st last and deposit. $450/ 

month. Call 763-4361 

ServiCeS 

Steam Ice Dam Removal 

- Custom Roofing Professionals 

- Copper, Cor-Ten, Cold-Rolled, 

Standing Seam, Cedar Shake, 

Asphalt 

- Full-Spectrum Roof Inspections, 

Including Infrared 

406.209.3786 

www.roofcoop.com 

SNOWMOBILE RENTALS DE- 

LIVERY AVAILABLE 

www.bigboystoysrentals.com 

406-587-4747 

Is a New Computer 

on Your List? 

If you’re planning to buy a new computer this year, you may find that your old 

dial-up connection just can’t deliver everything your new computer can. Want 

to watch YouTube? Download music? Stream movies? If you want your new 

computer to work as advertised, now’s the time to upgrade to 3 Rivers High 

Speed Internet—sign up today, speed up your connection and save! 

$39.95 per month for 12 months!* Save $120! 

Call today! 

1.800.796.4567 ● 467.2535 

* New customers only. 12 months commitment required. After 12 months, cost is $49.95 per month. 

Speeds are not guaranteed. Not available in all areas. Call for details and qualification. 


In need of a caretaker or estate 

manager? Former corporate 

facilities manager with 20 years of 

home building experience seeking 

long-term caretaker/estate manager 

position. I will provide an exceptional 

level of service and commitment 

in exchange for housing 

+ salary. Excellent references. 

Contact Scott @ 406.451.8510 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Pilates/Yoga fusion class EVERY 

Sunday at 9:00 am @ BENTLEY 

BODIES studio in Big Sky. Increase 

strength, flexibility & balance. 

All fitness levels welcome. 

WWW.BENTLEYBODIES.NET 

406.570.9154 

LoST 

Missing since 11/17: Blk&White 

Malamute named Polar. Last seen 

on Gallatin Rd. near Karst. Large, 

Friendly, trained. $1000 Reward 

for any info leading to his return. 

Lenny at 406-548-7499. 

Want to advertise 

in this newspaper 

or our other 

publications? 

Contact Outlaw Partners at 

(406) 995-2055 or 

media@theoutlawpartners.com

Fun 

PeoPLe on 

THe STreeT 

WHaT aRe yOu DOing FOR neW 

yeaR’S eVe? 

KrIstIna WHItloW 

Ennis 

I’m probably going to bed early because hopefully 

it’ll be a long week full of avalanche control (with 

Moonlight Basin ski patrol). 

marK DaVIDson 


Skiing at midnight. I want to be the first person on 

the slopes in 2011. 

sally PatrIcK 


The Progressive Nordic Ski Party. We start at 

the mountain and end in the meadow, stopping 

at two hot tubs, three bars, and a couple houses 

along the way. 

lIla sHuman 

South Carolina 

Celebrating my birthday. I’m turning six on January 

1. We might open a couple presents with my parents. 

Holiday fun facts 

This year, the White House 

Christmas Tree came from 

the Blackrock district of 

the Bridger-Teton national 

forest in Wyoming. The 67 

ft. englemann spruce may 

have been logged for plywood 

or attacked by treekilling 

beetles, but instead 

a forest Service employee 

spotted the tree, and this is 

the first time ever the Capitol 

Christmas tree is from 

Wyoming. 

The first president to 

decorate the white house 

Christmas tree in the 

united States was franklin 

Pierce. 

“it’s a Wonderful Life” 

appears on Tv more 

often than any other 

holiday movie. 

rudolph was actually 

created by montgomery 

Ward, a housewares 

seller, in the late 1930’s 

for a holiday promotion. 

The rest is history. 

if you received all of 

the gifts in the song “The 

Twelve days of Christmas,” 

you would receive 

364 gifts. 

Holly berries are poisonous. 

Contrary to common 

belief, poinsettia plants are 

non-toxic. 

more diamonds are sold 

around Christmas than any 

other time of the year. 

“auld Lang Syne” is an old 

Scottish song that was first 

written down in the 1700s. 

a translation of the words 

is “We’ll drink a cup of 

kindness yet for times 

gone by.” 

christmas-celebrations. 

com/trivia/html 

dailyyonder.com 

howstuffworks.com 


Host a festive new year’s Party 

aS TOLD TO aBBie DigeL 

Pam Flach, owner of By Word of Mouth Restaurant 

and Catering in Big Sky, shares her tips and tricks 

for throwing a fabulous New Years party. 

drink: 

Keep your guests hydrated and not sorry they came 

the next day by leaving out a clear pitcher of water 

with lemon slices. 

Set up a self-serve cocktail table. Fill a small tin 

tub with holiday beers or get a portable keg from 

your local brewery filled with seasonal brew. For 

wine, keep it simple. Choose a red blend to please 

all your guests. Place Pinot Gris or Sauvignon 

Blanc in an ice bucket, and put all-purpose wine 

glasses next to the wine. 

make-ahead martinis: 

Infused vodka is fun, and the options are limitless. 

Use pineapple, pear, lemons or cranberries. Let the 

fruit sit in a cheaper variety of vodka a few days 

before the party to infuse the fruit flavor. Place 

infused vodka and fresh fruit in a pretty, clear 

pitcher. Don’t forget to put out a good bottle of 

vodka to please the purists. 

Leave out a small bucket of ice, a few cocktail shakers, 

glasses and garnish (lemon peels, olives). Stuff 

olives with blue cheese or garlic if you are feeling 

ambitious. A small bottle of your favorite hot sauce 

will add a kick to martinis, as well. 

food: 

Finger food is best to keep the chatter going. Try 

these easy appetizers. 

escalantes 

Stuff dates with almonds. Wrap each with half slice 

of raw bacon, secure with a toothpick, and put in 

oven-proof pan. Drizzle with soy sauce. Cover with 

foil, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 

for 10 more minutes to brown tops. Make ahead of 

time and warm up just before guests arrive. 

oven-browned shrimp 

Put raw shrimp on greased or parchment covered 

pan. Sprinkle a light dusting of chili powder and 

dried dill on both sides. Drizzle with olive oil and 

bake at 350 five minutes on each side. Serve at 

room temperature with a flavored aioli (spice added 

to mayonnaise) and lemon wedges. Add a bowl 

to the buffet table for discarded shrimp tails and 

tooth picks. 

Round off the buffet table with selections of 

artisanal cheese and crackers. Garnish with fruit. A 

small vegetable crudités tray with colored peppers, 

al dente asparagus, carrot sticks, and other seasonal 

vegetables is a nice addition. 

Dessert 

You can’t do it all, so visit your local bakery and 

choose brownies, bars etc. Cut desserts into small 

squares and sprinkle with powder sugar. 

gueST arrivaL: 

Hand out flutes of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) 

as guests arrive. This beverage is readily available, 

affordable, light, and something fun and different. 

Drop a few frozen cranberries in the champagne 

flute and drink up. This is a festive way to greet 

guests and put everyone at ease. 

Want to party without the prep? Call By Word of 

Mouth and they will cater your event. 

(406) 995- 2992 bigskycatering.com 


40 December 24, 2010 

Noun: wild or rough terrain 

adjacent to a developed area 

Origin: shortened form of 

“back 40 acres” 

Christmas 

Presence 

By JOHn e MiLiCH 

As Christmas rapidly approached 

this year, I searched for the right 

gift for my 10-year-old son, Jovial. 

Along with skiing and mountain 

biking, Jovial is the love of my life. 

As such, buying this gift should be 

an easy task, but each year I make 

it as difficult as possible; not buying 

for buying sake, but looking for 

something special. While I tried to 

maintain a good attitude toward the 

Yuletide season, rampant consumerism 

and piles of crappy red plastic 

chafed my chamois. I wanted this 

gift to be something that carried 

the magic of the Christmas dream– 

something from the heart. More 

than anything, it had to be something 

that justified the weeks of 

anticipation that define Christmas. 

Hiking for his first turns at 

Moonlight, Jovial age 4 

As a kid, I looked forward to Christmas 

with intensity only a child could 

conjure. Starting the countdown 

as soon as I’d devoured my Halloween 

candy, I marched through 

the house announcing “32 days ‘til 

Christmas…18 days ‘til Christmas.” 

This had a lot to do with having two 

solid weeks off school, but I also 

looked forward to the magic. The 

possibility of a phat philanthropist 

charging through the night sky in 

an enchanted sleigh towed by flying 

reindeer was amazing. Believing 

was part of the spell. To make all the 

magic work, I had to believe in Santa 

and talking snowmen, Wise Men 

and babes in a manger. One small 

bubble of doubt could have brought 

the whole fairy tale to a fiery end; 

Jovial at age 7, late season 

Bridger (Pack borrowed from 

Dad for photo sake) 

For the Big Sky Weekly, the Back 40 is a resource: a 

place where we can delve into subjects and ask experts 

to share their knowledge. Topics include regional 

history, profiles of local artists and musicians, snow and 

avalanche education, and how-to pieces for traditional 

or outdoor skills. 

the threat of coal in my stocking or 

the reality of hand knit sweaters in 

every box under the tree. 

The presence of the extended family—grandparents, 

uncles, aunts and 

funny-faced cousins – enhanced the 

magic. Their personalities mixed with 

the smells of fresh pine and apple 

cider. Cinnamon and Scotch tape 

became part of Christmas lore. 

It wasn’t until I spent a Christmas 

alone in a mildewing VW van, eating 

tuna fish out of a can after a rainsoaked 

ski day in the Cascades that I 

realized, with a shock of disappointment, 

that Christmas really is just 

another day. After that, it became too 

easy to get caught up in that mentality, 

but I was none the better for it. 

Jingle Bells gave me lobe-splitting 

headaches. I shouted at Christmas ads 

on the TV. (Why would Santa ride a 

Norelco razor around the North Pole? 

He’s got a full beard fer chrissake!) I 

bahhhhumbugged, scrooging my way 

through the litany of ‘over commercialized’, 

it’s ‘just a bunch of plastic 

junk’, ‘lost the real meaning’, until 

it became the truth—or at least less 

colorful to believe. 

My son has given me the gift of 

remembering that spark of magic 

and the anticipation, the joy and the 

warm love of family members who 

made the miracle complete. What is 

Christmas, spirituality or love without 

belief? 

As I searched for the perfect gift for 

Jovial, I needed to find something 


Last year, Jovial age 9, Dad age 42, 

Headwaters 

that countered the distraction of digitally 

enhanced technology. I wanted 

to find something that didn’t light 

up, spin or whirr. It couldn’t be something 

that talked or even hinted of a 

personality. One year, Jovial received 

a talking grill named ‘the Bobby Q’. 

The slightest motion would set the 

thing hissing and taking orders for a 

plastic hamburgers and dogs. 

So, I decided to slip a backcountry 

ski pack under the Christmas tree 

for Jovial this year. This is the ski 

family’s equivalent to giving him his 

first pocketknife. It’s a rite of passage 

and a way for me to let Jovial know 

he’s transitioning from a little kid 

that follows his dad around at the 

ski hill into a young man gaining ski 

partner status. A pack is a tool that 

will ultimately teach responsibility, 

while also encouraging a little 

bit of autonomy. And, all the grand 

rhetoric aside, when I think of the 

time Jovial and I will spend in the 

mountains together this winter, a 

huge smile comes to my face and a 

warm feeling washes over my heart. 

I believe that’s what the magic of 

Christmas is all about. 

JohnE Milich moved to Bozeman in 

1980, graduated from high school 

in West Yellowstone, and has been a 

professional ski patroller and builder 

in Montana and Utah for the past 

decade. He had his first Bridger pass 

in 1981, and currently works at 

Moonlight Basin. He lives with his 

wife and son in Bozeman, and dabbles 

in writing poetry and short stories.

Happy Holidays - Explore Big Sky

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