heather - Explore Big Sky

Exploring life and land from the heart of the Yellowstone Region 

Big Sky 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

Volume 3 // Issue #26 

moonlight basin athlete 

heather 

mcphie 

tears up world cup mogul circuit 

Top 10 

stories of 2012 

Best of 

Big Sky: 

Results are in! 

ReSoRT Tax BoaRd: 

Upcoming town hall meetings 

Boughs, Rapiers donate for kids 

Big Sky's Locally owned and published newspaper 

Fire Department 

strapped for resources 

media@theoutlawpartners.com

PUBLiSHER OF THE 

BiG SkY WEEkLY 

2011 BiG SkY 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

BuSineSS of The YeaR 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

Volume 3, Issue no. 26 

PuBlIsHeR 

Eric Ladd 

eDItoRIal 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Emily Stifler 

EDITOR 

Joseph T. O'Connor 

STAff wRITER/DISTRIbuTION DIRECTOR 

Tyler Allen 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT 

Maria wyllie 

cReatIVe 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Mike Martins 

VIDEO DIRECTOR 

brian Niles 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Kelsey Dzintars 

VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER 

Chris Davis 

wEb DEVELOPER/DESIGNER 

Sean weas 

DESIGN INTERN 

Taylor-Ann Smith 

sales anD oPeRatIons 

COO & SENIOR EDITOR 

Megan Paulson 

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR 

Katie Morrison 

contRIButoRs 

bruce Auchly, Jamie balke, Matt bakken, buscrat , Jake 

Campos, Greg Dupont, Harv forsgren, bob foster, Niles 

Jeran, Chad Jones, Max Lowe, Erik Morrison, brandon Niles, 

Kaela Schommer, Matthew Sterbenz, Scott Talbott, Katie 

Thomas 

eDItoRIal PolIcy 

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Jan. 4, 2013 

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a look forward 

BY ERiC LADD 

publisher 

• 35,000 readers across the 

Yellowstone region 

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The year 2012 is in the history books and while the Mayan’s 

prediction was not accurate, let’s hope as a society 

we evolve and enter a period of further enlightenment 

and peace. 

In this paper we are covering an array of topics to help 

celebrate the New Year including the Top Stories of the 

2012 (as nominated by readers), The best of big Sky (as 

voted by readers) and most importantly a tribute to the 

fallen angels in Newton, CT (pages 8 & 9). 

Newton, CT is 2,259 miles from big Sky, yet this distance 

cannot prevent us from paying tribute to the people 

whose lives were stolen. Our company takes our role 

in media seriously and we have vowed to not allow this 

tragedy to be forgotten. If you are inspired, we encourage 

you to take the enclosed tribute and hang it up in your 

home, office or business. 

Big Sky Weekly distribution 

View of Lone Peak on Christmas day. PHOTO BY TYLER BUSBY 

As our country enters into another period of debates, 

arguments and acquisitions over guns, fiscal 

cliffs and taxes, my personal hope for the world is 

clarity. I hope in 2013 we can each experience moments 

of lucidity allowing for thoughtful debate 

and meaningful progress. 

At Outlaw Partners we are thankful for all the support 

in growing our business. In 2012 we had more 

than 1,000,000 readers and amazing support from 

advertisers and our talented staff. Outlaw’s New 

Year's resolution is to grow our readership numbers 

to 2,000,000 while remaining a good steward of our 

community. Thank you and Happy New Year. 

“I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary 

folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of 

kindness and love.” – Gandalf, “The Hobbit: An 

unexpected Journey” 

BC 

AK 

Anaconda 

Hamilton 

Bozeman Big Timber 

Three Forks 

Livingston 

Wisdom 

Dillon 


Ennis 

Virginia City Gardiner 

West Yellowstone 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Community...4 

Local News...10 

Regional..12 

Montana...13 

Sports...17 

Health...21 

Business...23 

Classifieds...28 

Environment...30 

Best of Big Sky...33 

Art...35 

Food & Dining...36 

Outdoors...38 

Gear Review...39 

Word from the Resorts...40 

Events...40 

Fun...44 

Column...47 

Top 10 of 2012...49 

Entertainment...56 

Events...57 

Back 40...60

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LOCATED IN THE BIG SKY TOWN CENTER 

BIG SKY, MONTANA

COMMUNiTY 

4 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 



Rapiers donate ski passes to LphS students 

George and kymberly Rapier 

By JOSEPH T. O'CONNOR 

big sky weekly editor 

bIG SKY – In the tradition of giving 

this holiday season, one big Sky 

couple has redefined philanthropy, 

donating to the big Sky Community 

Corporation; big brothers, big Sisters 

and the Heart of the Valley Animal 

Shelter, among others. 

In all, the Rapiers gave close to $1 million 

to big Sky and Greater Gallatin 

Valley organizations in 2012. 

In their latest gesture, George and 

Kymberly Rapier offered every 

student at Lone Peak High School a 

season pass to big Sky Resort. when 

Kym heard the resort was supplying 

k – 8th grade students in the big 

Sky School District with 2012-2013 

season passes, she wanted to help out. 

She had three simple words for her 

generosity. 

“Pay it forward,” Kym said. 

In the past, the resort rewarded high 

school students with discounted 

season passes for good grades and community 

service, but due to a change 

in this year’s pricing structure, they 

discontinued that service. 

big Sky Resort does offer passes to 

high school students at a new discount, 

but this rate doesn't compare to 

the offer by the Rapiers, who negotiated 

with big Sky Resort on a final sale 

price of more than $13,000, according 

to barb Rooney, vice president of 

lodging for the resort. 

“It’s amazing,” Rooney said, after the 

Rapier’s had a coordinator contact her 

about the transaction. “They’re very 

special [people].” 

big Sky School District Superintendent 

Jerry House said the kids were 

ecstatic. 

“They were saying ‘Let’s go skiing 

today!”’ House said. “This community 

is so giving,” he added. “[The Rapiers] 

are incredible [for offering] private 

donations on behalf of the kids.” 

The husband and wife duo, originally 

from San Antonio, Texas, feels that it’s 

a part of who they’ve become over the 

years. 

“we’ve been fortunate with our 

businesses and just want to give 

back,” said Kym, who is the executive 

director of the Rapier family 

foundation, an organization formed 

by the Rapiers in 2006 to benefit 

charities and nonprofits. “Now 

we’re in big Sky and we want to [do 

the same here].” 

George and Kymberly Rapier found 

big Sky, Mont. while on a ski vacation. 

They fell in love with the area, 

bought a house here in 2010 and 

moved from San Antonio, Texas to 

big Sky permanently a year and a 

half ago. 

The Rapiers began their foundation 

in San Antonio, and donated more 

than $20 million to various causes 

there in 2011. 

In moving to big Sky, Kym plans 

to bring in a program she started in 

Texas called Kym’s Kids, which offers 

scholarship opportunities to students. 

Kids can earn points, which 

translate into money for tuition, 

through volunteer service. 

“The dropout rate is bad in Texas,” 

Kym said, as to why she started the 

program. “They can use it for college 

or trade school or other [educational 

opportunities]. The economy is hard 

right now.” 

Kym, who owns Pretty Paws Mobile 

Pet Grooming in big Sky, has an af- 

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finity for animals too, she says, and 

owns three dogs – bailey, a lab, and 

two schnauzers named Jackson and 

Lucy. 

The Rapiers enjoy giving, yet they 

encourage organizations to help 

themselves, too. 

They demonstrated this quid pro 

quo approach when they donated 

$200,000 to Morningstar Learning 

Center this fall. They promised to 

provide the school with an additional 

$100,000 if Morningstar raised 

$100,000 of their own. 

The Rapiers hope this philanthropic 

aid will spread across the community. 

“That was the whole thing in San 

Antonio,” Kyn said. “It’s contagious.” 

when you see someone else contributing 

for the community’s betterment, 

she said, it makes you want to 

help too. The Rapiers feel the more 

people can give back to the place 

they live, the community at large 

will benefit. 

“You can do something good for 

someone else, even if you don’t have 

money,” Kym said. “[People] can 

still volunteer at the food bank or at 

Morningstar.” 

We’ve taken custom ski boots 

to a new level. 

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Letter 

COMMUNiTY 

It might be difficult for some to 

remember the Reckless Kelly concert, 

donated to the community last summer 

by Sarah Phelps and Lee Giffiths to 

celebrate their marriage. 

The couple told everyone the best gift 

they could receive was a contribution 

to the warren Miller Performing Arts 

Center. folks continue to contribute to 

the wMPAC, in honor of the Griffiths' 

wedding. 

friends of big Sky Education, the 

non-profit organization engineering the 

wMPAC capital campaign, has seen 

donations in Lee and Sarah’s names now 

tally more than $1000. we know that 

could have bought a lot of wedding 

gifts. 

Sincerely, 

Anne Marie Mistretta 

Summer vacation 

packages support haiti and 

bring awareness to Big Sky 

BY MARiA WYLLiE 

big sky weekly editorial assistant 

bIG SKY—big Sky’s Chamber of 

Commerce has partnered with the 

family-focused travel blog, Trekaroo, 

to raffle off two big Sky summer 

2013 vacation packages in support 

of Passports with Purpose, the travel 

community’s largest annual fundraiser. 

Passports with Purpose was founded 

in 2008 as a way to build community 

among travelers and give back to the 

places they visit. This year, the founders 

have partnered with water.org, a 

nonprofit organization dedicated 

to bringing access to safe water and 

sanitation to people in the developing 

world. 

from Nov. 28 – Dec. 11, 2012, 

thousands of donors bid in $10 

increments on one or more of the 110 

prizes hosted by more than 200 travel 

bloggers from around the globe. 

Surpassing its goal of $100,000, 

Passports with Purpose has raised 

$110,000 to help water.org build five 

wells in Haiti. 

big Sky prizes include a weeklong 

authentic dude ranch vacation at Lone 

Mountain Ranch and a three-day big 

Sky and Yellowstone adventure. 

Liling Pang, co-founder and CEO of 

Trekaroo, initiated the Chamber’s 

participation in the fundraiser after 

she attended the COC’s fAM, or 

media familiarization tour, this past 

summer. The fAM helped consumers 

understand big Sky’s close proximity 

to Yellowstone and introduced them 

to summer activities in the big Sky 

area. 

when Pang contacted Kitty Clemens, 

executive director of the big 

Sky Chamber of Commerce, asking 

if she would support Passports with 

Purpose, Clemens sent an inquiry to 

various lodging partners. The Chamber 

received enough responses they 

decided to sponsor two prizes. 

“Liling delivers a lot of return to the 

big Sky area during the warm season,” 

Clemens said. 

Having stayed at Lone Mountain 

Ranch in the past, Pang was able to 

blog about Montana and her experience 

on the ranch, thus promoting 

big Sky to the travel community and 

other online visitors. 

“what it does is big in that someone 

would be writing about us who has 

been here,” said PJ wirchansky, 

Director of Marketing and Sales at 

LMR. “we are excited people can 

come and enjoy Lone Mountain 

Ranch and be a part of a community 

that offers so many wonderful experiences.” 

LMR typically supports the school 

and nonprofits around big Sky, but 

Passports with Purpose has given 

the ranch the opportunity to come 

together with other well-known big 

Sky properties and be a part of something 

bigger. 

“when different organizations can 

come together to help support Passports 

with Purpose, but also bring 

awareness of Montana to a better 

level, it just seems like a good thing 

to do,” said wirchansky. 

Second prize, which includes a 

number of big Sky activities as well 

as a trip to Yellowstone, has been put 

together by a partnership between 

buck’s T-4, big Sky Resort, Moonlight 

basin, and Yellowstone Luxury 

Tours. 

“Liling wrote two big Sky blogs, but 

her colleagues reposted, so it’s like a 

domino affect with all bloggers talking 

about how great it is to visit in the 

big Sky area,” Clemens said. 

Pang’s blog has 480,000 Twitter followers 

and reaches 1.5 million visitors 

monthly. with two packages, big 

Sky received double the coverage. 


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COMMUNiTY 

6 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 



Terrific Kids of the month 

Students honored for cooperation in December 

bIG SKY – big Sky School District honored four 

students for their cooperation this December as part 

of its Student of the Month/Terrific Kids of the 

Month program. 

Teachers choose two ‘terrific kids’ from kindergarten 

through fifth grades, and two ‘students of the 

K-2: Marley Schack 

for the Month of December we 

would like to congratulate Marley 

Schack as the Terrific Student of 

the Month. 

Marley is a positive role model in 

the classroom and is always willing 

to help her classmates and teachers. 

She is always cooperating with 

other students and helping her 

classmates to make good choices. 

we can always count on Marley to 

lead by example with exceptional 

behavior! Congratulations Marley. 

month’ in middle and high school, recognizing 

them based on a different theme every month. 

An announcement is made over the intercom, 

and the students are called into the office to be 

congratulated. In addition, the K-5 honorees are 

rewarded with a burger from the Corral and the 

3-5: Ben Quackenbush 

Cooperation in its truest sense is a 

group working towards a common 

goal. Therefore the goal of a 4th grade 

classroom is to work cooperatively 

to achieve academic, emotional and 

human success. ben Quackenbush has 

demonstrated leadership qualities to 

help contribute to this class-wide objective. 

He has been a cooperative member 

who leads by example, not words. He 

helps us see the benefits of the whole 

group, not himself. ben encourages 

others to participate and is open and 

receptive to new ideas. Thank you 

ben and thank you to the 4th grade for 

dedicating your time at school to reach 

common goals that will help us become 

the leaders of tomorrow. 

Middle School: 

Chloee Beardsley 

Chloee is an outstanding example 

of cooperation. She takes cooperation 

to a new level, not only with 

teachers but with peers and younger 

students. Chloee is the first to help, 

to volunteer, to work it out, to take 

it on, basically to demonstrate that 

working with others, whether adults 

or students, creates an atmosphere of 

supportiveness and helpfulness. 

Thank you Chloee for setting an 

example for those around you. 

ophir School still seeking parent liaison 



bIG SKY – women in Action, a local non-profit 

dedicated to bringing affordable heath, education 

and family services to the big Sky community, 

has partnered with bozeman-based nonprofit 

Thrive to bring a parent liaison to the Ophir 

School in big Sky. 

Serving as advocates for the community, wIA 

is part of a school community partnership and 

has been involved in providing services for the 

children of big Sky for the past three years. After 

evaluating the school’s guidance program, wIA 

saw that there was a gap in services that could 

best be met through Thrive’s Parent Liaison Program. 

“we want students to be successful, and this 

would be a great resource and tool,” said Lisa 

beczkiewicz, Executive Director of wIA. 

Ophir School has been looking to fill the newly 

created position since June and still hasn’t found 

anyone. 

The Parent Liaison Program is one of Thrive’s five 

signature programs that help communities prosper 

by empowering children and parents and encouraging 

schools and organizations to work together more 

effectively. 

Designed to serve as a bridge between home and 

school, parent liaisons are working professionals 

who operate as part of the school’s guidance team 

and help parents access community resources and 

develop effective strategies for their child’s success. 

“The success of this position is rooted in building 

relationships and trust with parents, teachers, and 

the community,” said Steve wellington, Parent Liaison 

Program Manager. 

Although the parent liaison will work in big Sky, 

Thrive handles the hiring. wellington intends to 

middle and high school students chosen get pizza 

from blue Moon bakery. 

Read the teachers’ praises for those honored 

below. 

high School: Soby haarman 

Soby Haarman is a wonderful example 

of cooperation as she is dedicated to aiding 

all of those she comes into contact 

with. whether it is with students, 

teachers, or her community, Soby continually 

lends a helping hand to those 

around her. Congratulations to a great 

student! 

hire someone who can commit to the position for 

2 to 3 years. 

“we've learned through experience that it takes a 

certain type of person to be successful as a Parent 

Liaison, and that it's worth finding that person even 

if it takes some time,” said wellington in an email. 

“we are very purposeful about who we hire for this 

role in any community. It often takes many months 

to fill this position in bozeman.” 

Once the right candidate is found, the individual 

will be a member of Thrive and will gain supervision 

and training through the nonprofit. 

The Cross Charitable foundation has provided 

funding to cover program costs for one year, and the 

Rapier foundation has provided funding to cover 

program costs for three years. 

Interested applicants can apply online at allthrive.org.

COMMUNiTY 

LPHS students get first-hand look at MSU tech facility 

BY MATT BAkkEN 

lphs technology education teacher 

bOZEMAN – Lone Peak High School students 

enrolled in technology classes took a field trip to 

Montana State university on Dec. 13, to tour the 

Technology Education facility. 

The students first learned steps to convert a 3-D 

drawing in AutoCAD to an STL file for a 3-D 

printer. Engineers and architects worldwide use 

these printers and teachers can employ them in 

classrooms to give students experience creating 

functional 3-D models. 

The department had a new Dimension 3-D 

printer in action, and LPHS students watched as 

it created a solid sphere inside a hollowed-out 

cube. A laser-engraving machine was used to etch 

the Lone Peak big Horn logo onto a clear coffee 

mug. 

The kids created web pages using Adobe Dreamweaver 

on the department’s new laptops and an 

MSu student taught them how to modify their 

index template, add logos, create links, and 

change colors using the hexadecimal system to 

recreate the MSu website. 

In the department’s manufacturing shop, students 

learned how a PlasmaCAM cuts metal by turning 

superheated air into plasma, and blowing it 

through the metal to cut it. The CAM cut LPHS 

Home 

406.995.2093 

www.MTwinter.com 

William Feher 

406.600.0275 


Lynn Milligan 

406.581.2848 

Students learn how to set up the PlasmaCAM to cut sheets of metal. 

Christmas ornaments out of a metal sheet for each 

student to take home. 

MSu professor Lidia Haughey then explained the 

design process behind a computer numerical control 

machine (CNC), as it milled a sail and mast 

out of Styrofoam. 

The field trip was an eye-opener for the LPHS 

students as they have only heard about these 

technologies. 

/hōm/ (noun) A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it 

Winter & Company 

real estate 

Lara Hobby 

406.581.4243 

Aimee Gerharter 

406.599.4448 

“It was cool to see the 3-D printer take something 

off the computer and make something you could 

hold in your hand, said Gage Lindell, a Lone Peak 

freshman. 

before leaving the facility, Dr. Scott Davis said 

next spring, LPHS students in Technical Drawing 

II can send their models to him and he will print 

them on the university’s 3-D printer. This opportunity 

will allow students to evaluate and test 

their models for form and function. 

Montana 

Shawna Winter 

Shawna Winter Broker | Owner 

Marcie Hahn-Kno 

406.599.3530 

406.581.2033 

www.MTwinter.com Shawna@MTwinter.com 

Winter & Co. Welcomes 

Aimee Gerharter

“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest 

potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” 

- Dalai Lama XIV

LOCAL NEWS 

10 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 



Fire Department short-handed, concerned for community 

Chief proposes mill levy increase 



bIG SKY – At 7:35 p.m. on August 

8, 2012 the big Sky fire Department 

received a call for an overturned vehicle 

on Highway 191, north of the Lone 

Mountain Trail junction, that was spilling 

gas near the Gallatin River. 

All three on-duty firefighters responded 

to the hazardous materials spill, as 

did fire Chief william farhat, who was 

off-duty, leaving no one at the station 

to field emergency calls. 

Simultaneously, farhat, who personally 

responds to 37 percent of all calls 

in the big Sky area, received an alert on 

his pager about victims suffering from 

a carbon monoxide leak. He left the 

Gallatin Canyon accident to respond to 

the triage scene in big Sky, solo. 

Multiple-event instances happen 

constantly, according to farhat, who 

took over as fire chief in November 

2011. bozeman Deaconess is the closest 

medical center, some 50 miles from big 

Sky, and farhat was the lone incident 

responder for that call. 

“I just started treating patients,” he 

said. “Luckily, no one had to go to the 

hospital.” 

Home to multiple ski resorts, big Sky 

receives significant amounts of snow 

in winter and is prone to forest fires in 

summer, leading to potential emergency 

situations. farhat feels his department 

should have ample resources at its 

disposal to keep the area safe. 

“we’re busy twelve months out of the 

year,” he said. 

The fire department has 10 personnel 

on staff and with limited funding there 

are two or three firefighters on duty at 

any given time. It’s an unsafe number, 

farhat says, and one that falls short of 

complying with federal requirements 

laid-out by the Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration. 

In addition to paid staff, the department 

has nine volunteers, currently, 

with eight more in training. This is 

certainly helpful, farhat said, but only 

when they are able to respond. The 

average volunteer response rate is 6 

percent of the annual call volume. 

“Volunteers are important,” he said. 

“but they are not able to give [the 

department] what we need.” This is 

especially true when two calls come 

in at once, and this limited volunteer 

resource is busy and can’t respond. 

These instances, in which multiple 

emergency events require his crew to 

be in two or more places at once, are 

depleting, farhat says, and unsustainable. 

He is proposing an 11.14 mill tax 

increase to protect area residents. 

The mill levy refers to the taxable value 

of a home, he said, and should not be 

confused with the market value of the 

property. 

for example, if a residential home has 

a market value of $600,000, its taxable 

value is $15,780. An 11.14 mill levy 

increase would raise the homeowner’s 

annual tax by about $175, which equals 

approximately $15 per month. 

Non-resident homeowners would account 

for more than 70 percent of these 

taxes, he added. 

The money collected from this tax 

increase, totaling $485,000, would allow 

farhat to hire five more firefighter/ 

EMTs or paramedics to comply with 

OSHA standards, which require four 

personnel on-shift at any given time. 

This increase in staff would allow the 

department to handle multi-incident 

scenarios in an area that has limited 

help from outside emergency resources. 

If an incident such as a forest fire, 

multi-vehicle accident or structure fire 

occurs in the big Sky area, mutual-aid 

resources are finite. The Yellowstone 

Club fire Department is the closest 

backup at 20-minutes away and has a 

paramedic and ambulance available for 

assistance. 

If the YCfD is on a call, farhat said, 

help has to come from Gallatin Gateway, 

45 minutes from big Sky. 

Even then, Highway 191 is the only 

road connecting big Sky to bozeman. 

On Dec. 12, a tractor-trailer jackknifed 

on 191 and began spilling fifty gallons 

of diesel fuel onto the road near the 

river. The truck came to rest perpendicular 

to the highway, blocking traffic 

and preventing additional resources 

from reaching the accident for nearly 

two-and-a-half hours. 

“This was actually one of the simpler 

accidents we’ve had [in Gallatin 

Canyon],” said farhat, who recalled 

notifying dispatch to get the word to 


media entities soon after he learned the 

road was blocked. He made sure the 

driver wasn’t injured, then farhat and 

his crew dealt with the diesel leak. 

Nothing is ever simple in the canyon, 

he added. with limited to non-existent 

cell phone service, a more complex situation, 

one with injuries, would drive up 

that two-and-a-half-hour timeframe. 

“Imagine if we had a medical call at the 

same time in big Sky,” farhat said. “If 

the helicopter isn’t available there’s 

no way to get them to the hospital [in 

bozeman] without going all the way 

through west Yellowstone. It’s always a 

big issue for us.” 

when firefighters transport a patient 

from big Sky to the hospital in 

bozeman, it can take them out of the 

rotation for hours, leaving minimal 

staff to respond to additional medical 

emergencies. 

Chief farhat had to leave a 3:30 p.m. 

interview with the Big Sky Weekly on 

Dec. 14 after 20 minutes, when he received 

a call to assist with a ski-injury 

transport to bozeman Deaconess. 

“I was gone until 9 [p.m.],” he said 

in a follow-up interview. “It’s a long 

time to drive to get to the hospital, 

turn around and be ready for the next 

[incident].” 

farhat spoke to the Resort Tax board 

about his concerns for big Sky residents 

earlier this year, and took these 

issues to other community members 

about a month ago. His tax proposal 

received strong community support 

in a survey he sent out in October, 

garnering an 86 percent approval 

rating. 

“I want to be open and honest [with 

people],” he said. “And I want to get 

the information out there.” 

He hopes the rest of the community 

will follow suit. 

“we haven’t had a tragedy [related 

to an inability to respond] in big Sky 

yet,” farhat said. “we’re trying to 

avoid that. but if I was to wait until 

a tragedy occurred [to bring awareness], 

shame on me.” 

For volunteer information with the 

Big Sky Fire Department, visit bigskyfire.org 

or call (406) 995-2100. 

Chief Farhat will also be presenting 

information about the department and 

his proposed tax levy at the Big Sky town 

hall meetings on Jan. 14 and Feb. 11.

LOCAL NEWS 




Bough family donates $400,000 to friends of Big Sky School district 

BY TYLER ALLEN 

big sky weekly staff writer 

bIG SKY – On friday, Dec. 21 Jill and Loren 

bough handed a $400,000 check to big Sky 

School District Superintendent Jerry House. The 

money was a donation to the friends of big Sky 

Education, earmarked for theater and music opportunities 

in the district through the new warren Miller 

Performing Arts Center. 

friends of big Sky Education has 

been around for eight years. It’s 

led the effort to create Lone Peak 

High School, bring the football 

stands from MSu for the LPHS big 

Horns, helped facilitate the new 

school gymnasium and been active 

in contributing to education in 

the district. They have also led the 

fundraising effort for the wMPAC, 

set to open this winter. 

The board was started by Jill, Loren, 

Mark Goode, Ann-Marie Mistretta 

and barbara Rowley because they 

identified a need for secondary 

education. 

“when we moved to big Sky there 

was no high school,” Loren said. 

“Kids were being bussed to bozeman 

to what we considered an 

already oversized school.” 

It was not an ideal education for the 

kids in big Sky to be travelling so far and without a local 

support network. Many of big Sky’s families ended 

up leaving the community as their children neared 

high school age, he said. 

The addition of LPHS has added a culture that was 

missing in big Sky. The community now has sports 

teams to follow, more concerts and theater to attend, 



bIG SKY – The Resort Tax board is holding two 

town hall meetings early in 2013, before tax appropriations 

are divvied out starting in April. 

In a letter to the community, received by the Big 

Sky Weekly on Dec. 18, members of the fiveperson 

RTb explained the purpose and importance 

of these public meetings, scheduled for Jan. 14 and 

feb. 11. 

“with big Sky’s decentralized quasi-form of government 

made up of various taxing districts and 

not-for-profit organizations, which perform many 

duties of traditional incorporated governments, 

some centralized exchange of thoughts and planning 

is a good idea,” the letter read. 

“we want to make prudent decisions in spending 

the limited but respectable amount of taxes collected 

by local businesses.” 

In the Jan. 14 meeting, the board says they're looking 

for feedback on two main issues. 

and assemblies like the Veterans Day celebration this 

November. 

Since the high school opened in September, 2009, 

the big Sky School District has grown from 155 

to a projected 280 students for the 2013-2014 

school year. 

“Local businesses and the resorts can be confident 

that their quality employees can remain in this 

community to raise their children,” bough said. 

Loren Bough, Jerry House and Jill Bough in front of Ophir School Dec. 21. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOUGHS 

The wMPAC will serve the student population 

of big Sky but will also benefit the community at 

large. During after-school hours and weekends the 

space will be available to the Arts Council of big 

Sky and other organizations to hold performances 

based on an application and booking process. 

RTB to hold town hall meetings 

first, they hope to discuss with community 

members a “sinking fund.” This refers to the 

board setting aside money for “anticipated capital 

expenditures,” according to the letter. 

“Each resort tax board wrestles with being limited 

by appropriating no more than the taxes collected,” 

said Les Loble, RTb’s chairman. “It’s hard 

to turn people down and still put money away for 

a rainy day.” 

Additionally on Jan. 14, the board will address 

asking the Montana legislature for bonding authority 

for big Sky’s “resort tax district,” such as 

areas have in “resort tax communities” like west 

Yellowstone. “Issuing bonds would mean that 

future tax receipts would be pledged to pay the 

bonds,” according to the letter. 

Another issue the board looks to discuss is 

whether certain projects necessitating a bond 

should require a board super-majority vote or one 

made by registered voters in the district. 

“I’m so happy this community supports arts and 

education,” House said. “Having a school and 

community facility in one . . . we couldn’t ask for 

anything better than that.” 

The facility will allow big Sky to draw the National 

Honor Society, professional musical and theatrical 

acts, national speakers, and broadway type productions. 

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “we hope to have it 

completed by the end of January. 

It’s awesome for [big Sky], something 

we can all hang our hat on.” 

The bough family has donated 

about $900,000 to fbSE since its 

inception and more than $350,000 

to local charities. Jill and Loren 

both grew up in small towns in 

Montana and choose to live in big 

Sky for the lifestyle it affords. 

“There was a time in our career that 

we realized we could live anywhere 

in the world,” Loren said. “we 

had already lived in many interesting 

places, on the east coast and 

overseas, but we chose to return 

to Montana, and specifically big 

Sky. The bottom line for us was 

‘where is the best place to raise our 

children?’” 

friends of big Sky Education 

continues its fundraising effort for 

the wMPAC, selling engraved seats with donors 

names for $500-$1,000. big Sky has one of the 

fastest growing school districts in the state, but the 

challenges of that fast growth – including classroom 

space and hiring new teachers for the growing 

student population – are being met with a strong 

financial commitment from the community. 

On feb. 11, the board will present a post-review 

version of an organizational survey, including 

information from local organizations regarding 

their goals and future needs. These surveys will 

request funding requirements for the next three 

years. 

The board will then hear from organizations in 

five-minute presentations, about their purpose 

and involvement in the community. 

They plan to close the feb. 11 meeting with an 

open forum and a question and answer session 

with the RTb. 

The board hopes to see a significant public turnout 

at the meetings, in addition to organizations 

hoping to receive funding from resort tax. All 

community members are encouraged to attend. 

Meetings on Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 will be held from 

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Montana Room at Buck’s T-4 

Restaurant Complex. 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 11

REGiONAL 

Composer Eric Funk honored by MSU 

msu news service 

bOZEMAN - Eric funk doesn't have an iPod, but he's 

pretty sure his mind works like one. 

“Composers are like iPods,” said the award-winning 

performer and composer. “Only they’re filled with 

their own music.” funk recently won the 2013 James 

and Mary Ross Provost's Award for Excellence, one of 

Montana State university’s top teaching awards. 

The namesake and creative director of the awardwinning, 

Montana PbS series "11th & Grant with Eric 

funk," he’s also a jazz musician, recording artist and 

conductor. He has six CDs featuring his original work, 

which has been recorded by symphonies and orchestras 

around the world. 

funk has composed more than 121 major works: nine 

symphonies, four operas, 16 concertos, five string 

quartets and an extensive list of choral and chamber 

works. 

He’s also been teaching some of MSu's most popular 

classes since 2002. 

His music appreciation classes, part of the university's 

core curriculum, are among MSu's most regarded. 

About a quarter of MSu's students will take a class 

from funk. 

"former students rave about his teaching,” said Greg 

Young, interim director of the MSu School of Music. 

"They feel he’s knowledgeable, captivating, warm and 

talented.” 

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Motivation is never a problem for composer Eric Funk, 

who also is one of MSU's award-winning instructors. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERiC FUNk. 

funk believes one of his biggest creative leaps as a 

composer came as a result of teaching. "for me [that 

leap] was education, interacting with young people and 

mentoring them.” 

Perhaps his most noted composition to date will be 

introduced to the general public in March when 

Montana PbS releases its documentary "The Violin 

Alone," about funk and Hungarian violin virtuoso 

Vilmos Olah. The film follows funk’s visit to budapest 

last year to see Olah debut a complex piece funk 

composed, in which the violinist plays all parts of the 

concerto on one violin. 

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Olah, who plays a Stradivarius violin, practiced 

the composition for two years before premiering it 

in budapest. 

“The sound that comes out of that thing is so 

phenomenal, funk said. “It actually sounds like an 

oboe, a flute and a trumpet." 

funk works in Montana because, he says, "it’s 

where I make sense. In Europe they tell me, 'your 

music is so big.’ I couldn’t compose the music I do 

if I didn’t live here." 

born in Deer Lodge to a musical family, funk was 

considered a child prodigy in a family of musical 

masters. He is perhaps best known in his home 

state for the series "11th & Grant," now in its 

eighth season. The series airs during the winter 

featuring Montana musicians and is filmed in just 

one week in the summer. 

The String Orchestra of the Rockies in Missoula 

and the bozeman High School Orchestra 

performed his composition "Montana winter" in 

December. 

“Things are coming to fruition,” said funk, 63, and 

says he’s only in the middle of his career. “with 

composers, it usually takes a while.” 

This piece was adapted from one originally written 

by Carol Schmidt. 

Town Hall MEETings 

Talking about Big Sky’s Future 

The Resort Tax Board would like to engage the 

community in a series of two town hall meetings to 

have some two way conversations about achieving the 

best results for our community. Big Sky is blessed with 

exceptional volunteerism and dedication. With the Resort 

Tax to help fund programs and services, together we can 

continue to build a world class community if we continue 

to manage the funds thoughtfully as Big Sky grows. 

Your help and ideas are needed. 

Join us 

January 14th and February 11th 

from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the 

Montana Room at Buck’s T-4 

For more detailed information go to bigskyresorttax.com

MONTANA 

Bullock, Walsh announce directors 

of Transportation, natural Resources 

and Conservation, DEQ 

HELENA – On Dec. 13, Governor-elect Steve bullock and Lieutenant 

Governor-elect John walsh announced their appointments to run the Transportation 

Department, as well as the department of Natural Resources and 

Conservation. A day later, bullock chose the new head the Department of 

Environmental Quality. 

Mike Tooley, former colonel and chief of the Montana Highway Patrol, was 

appointed director of the state’s Department of Transportation. A native of 

Havre, Mont., Tooley served in the highway patrol for 28 years, has undergone 

training for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard 

university and graduated from the fbI National Academy. 

John Tubbs was picked to lead Montana’s Department of Natural Resources 

and Conservation, where he worked from 1985 to 2009. Tubbs was most 

recently the Deputy Assistant Secretary for water and Science for the u.S. 

Department of the Interior. He received both his Masters of Art and bachelors 

of Science from the university of Montana in Missoula. 

"Looking after our land, water, and critical infrastructure is an important 

responsibility, and I know John and Mike are up to the job," said bullock. 

The governor-elect chose on Dec. 14 Tracy Stone-Manning, of Missoula, to 

head the Department of Environmental Quality in his administration. 

Stone-Manning has served as a senior advisor and acting state staff director 

to u.S. Senator Jon Tester on conservation, natural resources, and alternative 

energy issues. She has a master’s degree from the university of Montana and 

bachelor’s degree from the university of Maryland. 

"Tracy has a proven record of bringing people together to responsibly manage 

our natural resources," said bullock. "She will work together with whoever it 

takes to make sure DEQ is doing right by everyone who values and prospers 

from Montana's land and water." 

Montana Revenue Department 

launches enewsletter 

montana tax news you can use 

HELENA – The Montana Department of Revenue published its first issue 

of Montana Tax News You Can Use Thursday, Dec. 13. 

The electronic newsletter for tax preparers assists people in filing and meeting 

their tax responsibilities. It’s designed to keep tax preparers informed 

on what's happening at the department, new ways of preparing and filing 

taxes, and issues and trends that arise during tax season. 

"we appreciate the essential role of tax preparers in the tax system,” said 

Department of Revenue Director Dan bucks. “we understand that the system 

continues to get more and more complicated, [and] we will do our best 

to communicate to you in a way that is as clear and simple as possible." 

The first issue features news about contingency planning for the expiration 

of federal tax provisions, business tax forms, and free electronic filing 

options. 

The next issue is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2013. The department will publish 

the newsletter weekly during tax season. 

To view or sign up for the eNewsletter, visit revenue.mt.gov. 




Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 13

MONTANA 

14 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 




iGBC opens discussion: regulated grizzly bear hunting 

BY HARV FORSGREN, outgoing igbc chair 

and SCOTT TALBOTT, incoming igbc chair 

It has been nearly 30 years since the Interagency 

Grizzly bear Committee was created to coordinate 

the wide range of state, federal and provincial 

resource agencies sharing responsibility for 

recovering the grizzly bear. Once delisted, grizzly 

population management is handed off to state 

and provincial wildlife agencies, allowing federal 

resources to be shifted to the recovery of other 

grizzly populations and endangered species. 

The IGbC provides direction for the subcommittees 

responsible for recovery work at the 

ecosystem level. The IGbC’s goal is to analyze the 

varying ecosystem factors and to formulate a wide 

range of mechanisms in order to create the unique 

combination of biological and social conditions 

needed to achieve recovery into the future. 

from a population standpoint, two of the ecosystems 

have reached the goals set to signify biological 

recovery. However, we have learned that 

recovery is based on human acceptance as well as 

biological factors. People living and working in 

recovery areas must be included because, without 

human acceptance, all the biological fixes in the 

world will not bring back and sustain a species as 

envisioned by the Endangered Species Act. 

The North American Model of wildlife Conservation 

began in the mid-1800s and is responsible 

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for our greatest wildlife recoveries. The model 

utilizes conservation based on the best available science 

and the consideration of the human role. 

Paradoxically, much of the success has been driven 

by the support of those who hunt and fish, including 

the recovery of endangered species. Through 

sportsmen dollars generated from license sales for 

the quarry they pursue, they have worked to insure 

that needed habitats exist for thousands of wildlife 

species and that populations are managed properly. 

Much of the great wildland legacy we have today 

can be attributed to the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt. 

He contributed to the model based on his 

knowledge as a sportsman and his understanding of 

the value of wild places. Sportsmen since Roosevelt 

have carried the burden of conserving wildlife and 

the habitats they need to thrive. 

Despite the incredible accomplishments associated 

with grizzly bear recovery, there has been great 

uproar over the consideration of a statement supporting 

the use of regulated hunting as a possible 

management approach for grizzly populations that 

are recovered and delisted. IGbC agencies have 

collectively and unanimously endorsed regulated 

hunting as one approach to promote coexistence, to 

manage populations and to reduce conflicts between 

bears and humans. 

Our support is limited to regulations that reflect 

the best available science, are established in a 

public process and are consistent with standards 

in the ecosystem-specific conservation strategies 

that guide the management of delisted populations. 

The recovery of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone 

and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems is 

an excellent example of how people living and 

working in grizzly country recognize the value 

of grizzly bears and represents one of the nation’s 

most significant conservation achievements. 

As recovery efforts continue to succeed, bear 

populations will increase, and conflicts will 

increase as more bears move into human occupied 

areas. unchecked grizzly populations in areas of 

high human density will compromise the value 

and tolerance people have for grizzlies. 

we know grizzly bears will require continuous 

management to ensure conflict with humans 

is minimized and to keep bear distribution and 

numbers aligned with social tolerances and biologically 

suitable habitats. 

waiting until delisting occurs to discuss options 

for managing bear numbers and distribution is 

irresponsible. In order for recovery to be successful, 

the IGbC believes it is important that 

an open and honest dialogue occurs regarding all 

facets of recovery and management. 

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BUSiNESS, HEALTH AND ENViRONMENT 

bOZEMAN– It was hard for Heather McPhie to 

stay focused when she clicked into her bindings 

in finland on Dec. 15. Half an hour earlier, she 

crashed so hard on this mogul course in training 

she broke a ski. 

Luckily, she had her backup Moment boards at 

the top of the hill, and her coach, Lasse fahlen, to 

keep her calm in the starting gates. 

“[we] had a good plan of just staying focused on 

myself and the few simple things that we were 

working on,” McPhie said in an email interview, 

thankful for her safety and the result of her efforts. 

This ice running through her veins shot the bozeman, 

Mont. native down the course and earned her 

first place in the opening world Cup mogul competition 

of the season. McPhie’s winning run included 

her signature D-spin, an off-axis 720-degree aerial. 

McPhie, 28, is off to an epic start – she’s won the 

first two world Cup moguls competitions of the 

season and is currently ranked number one in the 

world. 

with victories in finland and Austria, McPhie is 

poised to control the circuit, and she’s determined 

to remain focused on her goal, to be overall world 

Cup champion. 

“I had a feeling she was 

ready to do well this 

year,” said Kristie Mc- 

Phie, Heather’s mother. 

“It’s really coming 

together.” 

This road to the podium 

was long for McPhie 

however, and included 

a major setback after she 

broke her back in 2006 – 

the fracture took months 

for doctors to diagnose. 

“It was a scary injury 

because it [went] on for 

so long,” she said. “It was 

painful and confusing.” 

McPhie, who now lives 

in Salt Lake City, utah, 

stuck it out with the help 

of mental coach Craig 

Manning, and called it 

“one of the best learning 

experiences I have had.” 

Her mother remains 

impressed by Heather’s 

resilience. 

“It’s been quite a journey,” 

Kristie said. “we 

learn a lot from her all 

the time.” 




Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

Volume 3 // Issue No. 26 

SPORTS 

Local olympian wins opening World Cup competitions 



2012 U.S. Freestyle Nationals at Stratton Moguls training. PHOTO BY kiRk PAULSEN, 

COURTESY OF U.S. Ski TEAM 

Heather Mcphie in the 2012 US Freestyle Championships. PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. Ski TEAM 

Now a major threat in the mogul circuit, Mc- 

Phie’s last two ski seasons have been a whirlwind. 

The 28-year-old topped the fIS freestyle Skiing 

world Cup podium in Deer Valley in 2010, with 

a first-place finish that turned heads and earned 

her a spot on the u.S. Olympic ski team for the 

Vancouver winter Games. 

These latest victories in finland and Austria, the 

first two fIS world Cup mogul competitions of 

the season, have McPhie picking up where she 

left off last year with four podium finishes. Her 

success has come with hard work and focus. 

McPhie, an ambassador at Moonlight basin 

Resort, spent the last off-season cramming for 

this season’s tests. After a century road-bike ride 

with friends last spring, she resumed her normal 

training routine in the gym six days a week. but a 

professional mogul skier’s training demands more 

than lunges and sit-ups. 

She trained on the snow at Mount Hood, Chile 

and Switzerland from the end of summer to early 

fall, had water ramp-training sessions in Lake 

Placid, N.Y. and attended a high-performance 

camp with sponsor Red bull at a Toronto trampoline 

facility. 

McPhie, the first-ever mogul skier to pick up a 

Red bull sponsorship, practices her D-spin and 

other in-air maneuvers with Red bull’s air awareness 

coach, focusing on balance and the ability 

to know where she is after takeoff. She also 

points to Moment skis and Oakley, other sponsors 

which help boost her performance, as well as 

Outlaw Partners, the publisher of this paper. 

Continued on p. 18 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 17

Continued from p. 17 

SPORTS 

In October, the former gymnast had a different 

sort of training, with Cirque du Soleil in Las 

Vegas, Nev., one she won’t soon forget. 

“It was mind-blowing,” she said, after training 

and attending two Cirque shows that left her in 

awe. “It was all about finding your creativity and 

I was able to explore a side of me that I had never 

tapped into before.” 

On Christmas Eve, McPhie returned to Montana, 

taking time for family and friends, and the rest 

of what she misses about big Sky Country – “the 

wide opens spaces and how quiet it is in the 

mountains. The longer I’ve been gone, the more 

thankful I am for my roots,” she said. 

She also anticipates giving back to her home 

mountain, Moonlight basin. Her schedule on 

Dec. 27 included a ski with one lucky bidder who 

won the chance to make turns with the Olympic 

athlete. Afterward, McPhie met with Moonlight’s 

freeride team, to talk about her experiences skiing 

around the world, and locally. 

“we are honored that Heather has joined on for 

a second year as a pro ambassador of Moonlight 

basin,” said Karen Lum, director of sales and 

marketing at the resort. “She is an inspiring role 

model for our freeride team and all the youth in 

our specialty programs.” 

18 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

McPhie and Moonlight basin have collaborated 

on fundraisers for Eagle Mount – bozeman, a 

nonprofit agency dedicated to improving lives of 

disabled persons and youths with cancer through 

recreation. McPhie and the resort also raise funds 

for Heart of the Valley Humane Society, a bozeman-based 

animal shelter. 



in the throes of battle: Mcphie on the course PHOTO BY kiRk PAULSEN, COURTESY OF U.S. Ski TEAM 

Happy New Year 

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The next fIS freestyle world Cup moguls comp. 

is Jan. 17 – 19 in Lake Placid, N.Y. 

for Heather McPhie, the competition year is just 

getting started, but so far the field is chasing an 

ace, one who’s eying the overall championship 

just beyond the next bump. 

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SPORTS 

fixing the Jets 

BY BRANDON NiLES 

big sky weekly sports columnist 

After a disappointing game against the 

Titans Monday, Dec. 17, Jets players 

hung their heads as they left the field. 

A team many picked to be playoff 

contenders had fallen short and done so 

with late season play establishing them 

as one of the worst teams in the league. 

After the Titans loss, Jets coach Rex 

Ryan announced quarterback Mark 

Sanchez would no longer be the starter. 

However, instead of handing the 

reigns to highly publicized backup Tim 

Tebow, Ryan named second year quarterback 

Greg McElroy out of Alabama 

as the starter. McElroy saw some action 

earlier in the season, as Sanchez was 

benched late in the Dec. 2 game against 

Arizona. McElroy played admirably in 

that contest, guiding the Jets to a late 

touchdown and a 7-6 win. 

Winter means 

powder days, 

snowflakes on 

the tongue, 

20 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

fans have been clamoring for Tim 

Tebow to get his opportunity in a Jets 

uniform, and pundits have questioned 

the Jets’ decision to acquire the 

controversial quarterback if he wasn’t 

going to be a consistent part of the 

offense. The recent news of McElroy’s 

elevation to the starting role has led 

to further rumors Tebow will seek 

a trade, or his release, in the coming 

off-season. 

Missing in all of this is whether or not 

starting McElroy is the right football 

decision. The knock on McElroy 

coming out of Alabama in 2010 was 

he had great leadership but lacked arm 

strength. He slipped to the seventh 

round despite throwing for 37 touchdowns 

and nearly 5,500 yards his last 

two years at Alabama and playing in 

the 2010 National Championship 

Game. 

The Jets are in a state of unrest right 

now. They have a struggling offensive 

line, questions at the skill positions 

and an inconsistent pass rush. Not to 

mention the quarterback struggles. It’s 

become clear that Mark Sanchez is not 

the long term answer for the Jets. with 

the rest of the team struggling and the 

playoffs no longer in reach, the switch 

to McElroy was the best decision. 

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Mark Sanchez lost is position as starting quarterback 

for the Jets after a disappointing loss to the Titans. 

Tebow has certainly enjoyed success 

in the NfL; but if the team is not 

convinced of his ability as a long term 

passer, there’s no reason to start him in 

the final two games. The Jets are better 

off seeing what they have in McElroy, 

a more traditional style of quarterback 

than Tebow, and addressing the problem 

at the end of the season. 



Rex Ryan is a good coach. The Jets 

should hang on to him. However, the 

team needs to be patient and find a new 

answer at quarterback while attempting 

to upgrade the skill players. Trade Sanchez 

to a needy team that might want to 

give him a chance and would eat the last 

year of his contract (Oakland or Arizona?) 

and trade Tebow to Jacksonville 

or whichever team hires his former 

Denver head coach Josh McDaniels 

(maybe the browns?) next year. 

The Jets can draft a new guy to battle 

it out with McElroy for the starting 

role, bring in a running back, upgrade 

at right tackle and guard, and acquire 

another wide receiver. fixing their pass 

rush might have to wait another year. 

The cure for the Jets is patience and a 

new direction with an influx of fresh, 

young talent. The problem is, in New 

York, patience runs thin. 

Brandon Niles has done online freelance 

writing about the NFL since 2007. His 

articles range from NFL news to teamspecific 

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. 

Lone peak high School 

Boys and Girls Basketball Schedule 2012-13 

Two games played per date: Game No. 1 – LPHS Girls’ Game No. 2 – LPHS boys’ 

Dec. 7 & 8 Away Girls’ @ St. Regis Tournament TBD W (30, 15) 

Dec. 7 & 8 Away Boys’ @ St. Regis Tournament TBD L (31, 51) 

Dec. 14 Home vs Harrison/Willow Creek 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. W (60, 51) 

Dec. 15 Home vs Ennis 4 p.m./5:30 p.m. L (49, 73) 

Dec. 18 Away @ Shields Valley 4:30 p.m./6 p.m. L (38, 66) 

Jan. 4 Home vs Gardiner 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 5 Away @ Twin Bridges 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 10 Home vs Sheridan 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 11 Away @ West Yellowstone 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 12 Home vs Lima 3 p.m./4:30 p.m. 

Jan. 17 Away @ Ennis 6 p.m./7:30 p.m. 

Jan. 19 Away @Harrison/Willow Creek 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 25 Away @ Gardiner 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Jan. 26 Home vs Shields Valley 2 p.m./3:30 p.m. 

Feb. 1 Away @ White Sulphur Springs 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Feb. 2 Home vs Manhattan Christian 4 p.m./5:30 p.m. 

Feb. 7 Home vs West Yellowstone 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Feb. 9 Away @ Lima (BOYS’ PLAY FiRST) 5:30 p.m./7 p.m. 

Basketball District Tournament MAC Center, Butte, MT, February 13-16, 2013 

Basketball Divisional Tournament, Hamilton, MT, February 20-23, 2013 

Basketball State Tournament Girls’ –Belgrade, MT, February 28-March 2, 2013 

Basketball State Tournament Boys’ – MSU-Bozeman, MT, March 7-9, 2013 

Basketball Awards Banquet – week of March 11-15 – day & time TBD

HEALTH & WELLNESS 

State project promotes lifestyle 

changes to prevent type 2 diabetes 

National program offers tools and resources to help 

montana department of public 

health and human services 

HELENA – Diabetes affects nearly 26 

million Americans, and an estimated 

79 million adults are at risk for developing 

the disease. In Montana, diabetes 

affects more than 62,000 adults 

and an estimated 270,000 more have 

pre-diabetes. 

but two groups are showing how 

lifestyle changes can prevent or delay 

the onset of this dangerous disease. 

The Montana Diabetes Project and 

National Diabetes Education Program 

are changing the way diabetes 

is treated by working together to 

help people better understand how to 

make the necessary changes in their 

daily lives to prevent or control type 

2 diabetes. 

"Even if you know what to do to improve 

your health, figuring out how 

to do it and fitting it into your daily 

routine can be a big challenge," said 

Anna whiting Sorrell, Director of 

the Montana Department of Public 

Health and Human Services. 

According to Sarah brokaw of the 

Montana Diabetes Project, a healthy 

lifestyle change requires choosing a 

goal and working toward it. 

"Once a plan is in place, the NDEP 

provides a number of tools to help 

people reach their goals," brokaw 

said. "whether it's to eat healthier, be 

more active, lose weight, or cope better 

with stress and emotions." 

for those at risk for type 2 diabetes, 

the Montana Cardiovascular Disease 

and Diabetes Prevention Program is 

a 10-month program available at 15 

sites across the state and at several 

telehealth sites in southeast Montana. 

This evidence-based program shows 

a 58-percent reduction in the risk 

of diabetes through simple lifestyle 

changes. 

for more personalized assistance, 

Montana diabetes educators can also 

help tailor specific plans, brokaw 

said. 

Find local diabetes educators through 

your local hospitals or online at 

diabetes.mt.gov. 

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Bang replaces o’Leary as Big Sky’s director of sales and marketing 



bIG SKY – big Sky Resort had a void to fill last 

month, when its sales and marketing department 

learned their leader, Meg O’Leary, was moving on 

to become director of Montana’s Department of 

Commerce. 

Consider the void filled. 

brandon bang was named big Sky’s new director of 

sales and marketing on Tuesday morning, Dec. 18, 

20 years to the day since the resort first hired bang 

as a front desk clerk. 

“I missed my college graduation ceremony [in 1992] 

to come out and interview,” said bang, who eventually 

received his degree that year from the university 

of North Dakota. “That’s one of the cool things 

about this town and big Sky Resort. If you come 

here and work hard, you can succeed.” 

bang held a number of positions at big Sky before 

his latest appointment. He worked as an accountant, 

managed the reservations department, was sales 

manager for 11 years and held the director of sales 

job for four and half. 

big Sky’s General Manager Taylor Middleton, who 

coincidentally first hired bang on Dec. 18, 1992, 

personally delivered the message to the sales and 

marketing department. 

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Big Sky's Resort's new director of sales and marketing, Brandon Bang, stands next to 

Marine One, Barack Obama's helicopter, during the president's 2009 visit to Big Sky. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOYNE RESORTS 

Middleton praised bang’s experience and personality, 

saying it was a good decision to appoint him to 

one of the most important jobs at the resort, and 

calling him a “rainmaker” for big Sky. 

“we hired him because of his qualifications and his 

incredible history on the sales side of the business,” 

Middleton said, adding that bang is “always enthu- 

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siastic and optimistic. 

He has a radiant 

personality.” 

Middleton, who was 

director of sales and 

marketing in ‘92, 

announced the decision 

just after 9 a.m. 

Tuesday, said Chad 

Jones, big Sky’s public 

relations manager. 

“Meg is going to 

be sorely missed,” 

Jones said. “She is a 

leader in the department 

and in big 

Sky, in general. but 

brandon has a lot of 

expertise. we’re all 

excited to move on 

and be a part of the 

next evolutionary 

step in big Sky.” 

O’Leary, appointed 

as bullock’s director of the Commerce Department on 

Nov. 30, held bang’s position for the past 12 years and 

has been with the resort for 23. 

“Meg has been such a great leader and a permanent 

fixture here,” bang said. “I have some really big ski 

boots to fill.” 

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28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 23

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BUSiNESS 

bOZEMAN – Zeph Hallowell was 

working as a carpenter in bozeman, 

Mont. after college, and spent a lot 

of time thinking about skiing while 

pounding nails. 

“One day I’m going to build some 

skis,” Hallowell thought to himself, 

as he was remodeling houses. 

building skis is a lot of woodworking, 

he says, and in summer 2011 

he put his hammer down in favor of 

an 1800-pound ski press in hopes of 

creating a viable business in Caravan 

Skis. 

when Hallowell isn’t out testing his 

boards in the southwest Montana 

mountains, he spends his days in his 

Short Street garage in north bozeman 

pressing the three different models of 

Caravans. The Zepher, PigDog, and 

Daily Driver are each intended for 

different conditions and rider styles. 

“The Zepher is more of a resort pow 

ski,” he said. “It’s super easy to turn.” 

26 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

It’s 115 cm underfoot and has a flatter 

tail for smearing those turns when you 

need them. 


The Daily Driver (105 cm underfoot) is 

more of an everyday, every-condition 

type of ski as the name suggests. It’s 

narrow enough to carve on fresh corduroy, 

yet wide enough to float when the 

fresh snow piles up, Hallowell says. 

The first ski he ever made, the PigDog 

is his, “big, fat pow ski. It slashes really 

easily but is super stable.” Its flat camber 

and early-rise tip and tail are ideal 

for when the Montana storms really 

deliver. 

Hallowell says he’s spent a lot of time 

trying different skis throughout the 

years and has taken concepts and ideas 

from an industry that’s always evolving. 

“There are so many different variables 

that make a ski [perform] differently,” 

he said. “I’m not doing anything drastic, 

but you just change the shape, flex, 

etcetera and you have a different ski.” 

Making skis is not an environmentally 

friendly process, 

Hallowell said, but he’s doing 

what he can to mitigate the impact 

Caravans have on the earth. The 

skis are built with fast-growing 

bamboo fiber – though, as he 

notes, it's shipped from across the 

globe – and a non-toxic epoxy that 

is made partially with paper-pulp 

runoff. 

Hallowell uses basalt fiber in the 

base construction, which is the 

most abundant rock on earth, 

he said. He also hopes to move 

towards recycled plastics in the 

sidewall construction in the 

future. 



Caravan skis: building a business from scratch in Bozeman 



Zeph Hallowell ouside his Short Street workshop in Bozeman. PHOTOS BY MAx LOWE 

“There’s a lot of trial and error and 

research into how different materials 

interact with each other,” Hallowell 

said. “[building skis] can be the most 

frustrating thing ever. There are so 

many different things that can go 

wrong.” 

This season Caravan began offering 

it’s “Artist’s Edition” which allows the 

buyer a choice of different top sheets 

designed by local artists Greg Swain, 

walker Howard and August Cary. 

Hallowell hopes to have more artists 

contribute their designs in the future. 

Caravan is offering an introductory 

price of $499 per pair this season to 

get the skis out on the slopes and build 

the name. “I just want to create a brand 

people can get behind. I want to get as 

many shredders on them as possible.” 

For more information visit caravanskis.com. 

Hallowell building new Caravan boards.

BUSiNESS PROFiLE 




Zócalo coffee shop: Bozeman’s newest gathering place 



bOZEMAN – Luke welborn opened Zócalo coffee house this September 

on Main Street in bozeman, with the goal of making the greatest cup 

of coffee in town. After a thorough nationwide search of roasters, he 

found his beans right here in Montana. 

“I spent a lot of time looking at the best roasters in the country,” welborn 

said. “I wanted to stay local but still have best coffee in bozeman.” 

After comparing nationwide samples from renowned roasters, he settled 

on Montana Coffee Traders in whitefish. 

“It couldn’t have been a better fit,” he said. “Their beans are easily 

comparable to the best Seattle roasters and they’re local.” Also, they’re 

mostly grown in Guatemala, a country he has visited eight times, starting 

when he was a student at the university of Colorado – boulder. 

welborn and a friend traveled to Guatemala on a whim in college and 

decided other students would enjoy the experience too. They began 

organizing trips involving adventure travel and tours, and never charged 

more than their cost, so it was always full of students. 

After college he wanted to stay involved in Latin America and his love 

for its coffee. 

Zócalo, Spanish for “meeting place,” is also the name of the main square 

in Mexico City. welborn chose the name in hopes it would convey the 

community gathering space he envisions for the shop. 

The twenty-six-year-old is a full-time Emergency Room technician, and 

plans on being a doctor someday. In his spare time however, he devotes 

his energy to caffeinating his fellow bozemanites. 

Luke Welborn pours a cup of joe at Zócalo coffee house. PHOTO BY TYLER ALLEN 

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Elevated Fitness offers innovative approach to fitness 

Personal trainer opens new space in Town Center 

Susan Darden focuses on the task at hand. 

PHOTOS AND STORY 

BY EMiLY STiFLER 

big sky weekly managing editor 

bIG SKY – Susan Darden loves boxing. 

The personal trainer teaches it to all her 

clients, showing them jabs, straight 

punches, upper cuts, left and right 

hooks, and kicks. 

“This is a real waist whittler,” Darden says, 

demoing a side kick on the heavy bag with 

practiced expertise. 

Light on her feet, she sets up with knees 

bent, fists by her face. She rotates on her 

left foot, lifting her right foot to waist level 

and nailing the bag with a lightning fast 

kick. In addition to toning the obliques, 

side kicks also work many of the same 

muscles used for skiing and snowboarding. 

Her reasoning behind using boxing and 

other creative exercises: “The way to 

help people is by rotation and movements 

that help everyday life.” Plus, 

she says, boxing is fun and a good stress 

reliever. 

Darden, 32, started as a personal trainer 

in 2008, working at big Sky Health and 

fitness until opening a new studio in 

mid-September. 

“[I wanted] to create a private setting for 

personal training,” she said. 

Elevated fitness, an open 1,264-squarefoot 

space with high ceilings, tall mirrors 

and an array of exercise equipment, 

is in the Design Center building in the 

Town Center, between Pure west and 

Sotheby's. 

She likes to teach her clients moves 

they can do at home – things like bodyweight, 

kettle bell and medicine ball 

exercises – but also implements free 

weights, stationary bikes, weight machines, 

and bouts with the jungle gym. 

Paying careful attention while taking a 

detailed health history, Darden tailors 

training sessions around that, as well 

as athletic goals. Doing each exercise 

Darden holds the bag for a client. 

properly, with control, will prevent 

injury, she says. “Take the time, that’s 

key.” 

In addition to a creative, non-judgmental 

style, Darden is well qualified 

to be a personal trainer in a ski town. 

She earned a Kinesiology degree from 

university of Colorado and has been a 

ski and snowboard instructor for seven 

seasons, five at the Yellowstone Club 

and two in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 

Germany. 

“There are such a variety of people 

from around the country that train in 

big Sky,” she says. “People are motivated 

due to [it] being in such an active 

town.” 

Her clients range from ages 10 to 70. 

Some are looking to lose weight or 

improve their health, she says, while 

others train with Darden to make daily 

living easier by working on balance and 

range of motion because of previous injuries. 

One regular group is a collection 

of six guys who come in for a weekly 

ski conditioning session. 

“Really, it’s just life training,” Darden 

says. 

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CLASSiFiEDS/BUSiNESS DiRECTORY 

heLp WanTed 

Big sky school District 

advertisement for services of a 

General contractor construction 

manager (Gc/cm) 

big Sky School District #72 is requesting 

qualifications from Licensed Montana 

contractors to provide pre-construction 

services as a General Contractor Construction 

Manager (GC/CM) as defined 

by MCA 18-2-502 for the design collaboration 

and construction management of a 

new elementary school located on district 

property. 

Complete qualification requirements 

may be obtained from the District Office 

(due to winter break office will be closed 

until December 27) Please send email 

requests to jhouse@bssd72.org. Qualifications 

are due in the District Office by 

4:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. 

notIce oF BoaRD VacancIes 

In BIG sKy: 

The Madison County board of Commissioners 

has two vacancies on the 

big Sky Mountains, Trails, Recreation, 

and Parks District board, and 

a vacancy for an “At Large” member 

on the Madison County Planning 

board. If you are interested in serving 

on either of these boards please 

contact the Commissioners’ Office at 

406-843-4277, by email at 

madco@madison.mt.gov , or visit our 

website at www.madison.mt.gov. 

Office manager/Executive Assistant 

position available with local Real Estate 

company. Must have great organizational 

and communication skills, high proficiency 

in database management and excel. 

Pay DOE, please send resume and cover 

letter to bigskyryan@gmail.com 

Phonebook delivery. Experience preferred, 

bozeman area. Contact directadllc@aol.com 

with inquiries 



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VERIFICATION COPY OF YOUR ADVERTISEM 

Attn: Bailey Paving 

This is a copy of your advertisement which will appear in the 2009-2010 edition of the Big S 

Directory published by Statewide Publishing - Montana under the heading(s) of: 

• short or long term luxury rental in Big sky • 

Paving Contractors 

1. Is spelling and ad information correct? ................................................................................... 

2. Is your phone number and address correct? .......................................................................... 

3. I understand that colors in my ad may vary due to differences in printer inks & pape 

4. Please mark the necessary corrections directly on the ad as neatly as possible. 

email advertising and/or 

advertising requests to 

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ENViRONMENT 

our winter visitors 

BY BRUCE AUCHLY 

montana fish, wildlife and parks 

birds that head south for the winter are easy to envy 

and understand. who hasn’t occasionally dreamed 

of spending a winter in the bahamas, Mexico or the 

pampas of Argentina? Think of western tanagers, 

orioles and barn swallows. 

Likewise, we can 

empathize with those 

birds that spend their 

entire lives here, doing 

their best to survive the 

worst that winter can 

throw at them. In this 

category, place horned 

larks, great horned 

owls and magpies. 

Tough birds, all. 

but what to make of 

birds that migrate to 

the Montana prairies to 

enjoy our winter; birds that come here for winter, 

and only winter? The quick answer is they come 

because we look like the bahamas compared to their 

home. Our winter visitors range from snowy owls 

to rough-legged hawks to snow buntings. by their 

names alone, they’re the perfect winter guests. 

Let’s start with snowy owls. As their name implies, 

these members of the owl family are mostly white 

with some dark barring; immature and female 

Snow buntings can take the worst of Montana's winters: 

below zero temperatures and snow. PHOTO BY FWP 

birds have more bars than males. And they’re big: 

up to 28-inches tall with a wingspan of five feet or 

more. That’s a bit larger than the more familiar great 

horned owl. 

The snowy owl makes its home on the Arctic’s treeless 

expanse. Yet periodically, when its food (mice 

and lemmings mostly) 

becomes scarce, some 

owls fly south to areas 

that resemble their tundra 

home, like prairies and 

coastal dunes. There’s not 

much for coastal dunes in 

Montana but we have lots 

of prairie. So on those bitter winter days when folks 

say Montana looks like frozen tundra, at least one 

creature must think it looks pretty inviting, just like 

home. 

unlike the occasional snowy owl visitor, our most 

visible and common winter raptor maybe the roughlegged 

hawk. The rough-legged hawk nests north of 

us from Alaska across Canada. when it patrols our 

prairies in winter searching for mice and small ani- 



According to the Audubon Society 

Encyclopedia of North American 

Birds, the snow bunting can withstand 

temperatures of minus 50, burrow 

in the snow to keep warm and 

even loves to bathe in the snow. 


mals, it’s an easy bird to spot: feathered legs down 

to the toes, a broad band of brown across the belly 

and black patches on the underside of each wrist, 

or bend of the wings. This hawk settles into its 

Montana winter territory by November, sometimes 

earlier, and leaves by March. 

Hawks and owls are easy to spot compared to our 

most overlooked winged winter visitor. Drive any 

gravel road in the winter 

and you will frequently 

encounter and scatter a 

flock of small, drab birds. 

Those little brown, white 

and black creatures are 

usually snow buntings, 

feeding on weed and grain 

seeds. According to the 

Audubon Society Encyclopedia 

of North American birds, the snow bunting 

can withstand temperatures of minus 50, burrow in 

the snow to keep warm and even loves to bathe in 

the snow. Loves it! 

The holiday season brought with it winter visitors. 

The American philosopher ben franklin is famous 

for saying, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after 

three days.” 

If you have holiday guests that have stayed too 

long, suggest they make like snow buntings and 

bathe in the snow. winter visitors all. 

Bruce Auchly, the FWP Region 4 Information Officer, 

wrote this article as part of the Tales and Trails series. 

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PER MONTH LEASE/ 

42 MONTHS 

12,000 MILES/YEAR 

D R I V I N G T O C O N S E R V E M O N T A N A 

$ 0 

$ 0 

$ 0 

Security Deposit 

First Month’s Payment 

$329 per month lease for 42 months with $0 total* due at signing. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Payment based on MSRP of 

$27,750. 12,000 miles per year, residual amount $15,540.00. On approved credit. See Dealer for details. Offer ends January 02, 2013. 

*OAC. Not All Buyers Will Qualify. ** EPA estimate www.fueleconomy.gov 

(406) 586-1771 

Text 579-9966 for Service 

Same Day Service for Most Repairs 

montanaimportgroup.com 

On all models 

2013 VW TIGUAN 2.0T S 

$ 0 

DUE AT 

SIGNING 

31910 Frontage Road 

SALES Mon-Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 

SERVICE Mon-Fri 7:30-6 • Sat 9-5

section 3: 

LiFE, LAND AND CULTURE 

BeST LunCh 

1 st Wrap Shack 

2 nd Blue Moon Bakery 

3 rd Bugaboo 

BeST ReSTauRanT 

1 st Lotus pad 

2 nd olive B's 

3 rd Buck's T-4 

BEST BREaKFaST 

1 st Bugaboo 

2 nd Blue Moon Bakery 

3 rd The Corral 

BeST piZZa 

1 st Blue Moon Bakery 

2 nd ousel and Spur 

3 rd Milkies 

BEST OF BIG SKY 

20 12 

V O T E D B Y 

Blue Moon Bakery led the Best Pizza and Best Coffee in Big Sky categories, with 

toppings out the wazoo and a mouth-watering crust. Try the Orion, a pie built for a 

hunter, or the Northern Lights, complete with Feta cheese, artichokes, roasted red 

peppers, garlic, spinach, basil and sundried tomatoes. 

Y O U 




Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

Volume 3 // Issue No. 26 

Locals and visitors from afar logged on to explorebigsky.com 

or filled out surveys by hand, weighing in on their favorites 

in big Sky. This survey was conducted in a “write-in” format. 

Those filling out surveys had the chance to nominate 

anyone or any business they chose. Thanks to all the voters 

for helping us dig up the best of the best, including top 

restaurant, après ski joint, and outdoor shop around. And 

congrats to the winners! we all appreciate your hard work. 

Marc Lang, boot-fitter extraordinaire at Grizzly Outfitters, straps up a sale. Grizzly 

topped the Best Outdoor Shop category, boasting a full-service ski repair shop, 

rental center and specialty boot-fitters. PHOTO By JOSEPH T. O’CONNOR 

BeST ouTdooR Shop 

1st Grizzly outfitters 

2nd GaS 

3rd Lone Mountain Sports 

BeST apRéS 

1 st Scissorbills 

2 nd Moonlight Lodge 

3 rd Choppers 

BeST hoT SpRinGS 

1 st Chico hot Springs 

2 nd norris hot Springs 

3 rd Boiling River 

MoRE on nExT PaGE 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 33

34 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

BeST Cup of Coffee 

1st Blue Moon Bakery 

2nd Hungry Moose 

3rd Big Sky Coffee & Tea 

BeST Live 

MUSiC vEnUE 

1 st Town Center 

2 nd Choppers 

3 rd Whiskey Jack's 


BEST OF BIG SKY 

20 12 

V O T E D B Y 

Choppers Grub and Pub, located in Town Center, won Best Burger, and it’s no 

wonder. The Juevos Rancheros burger, with a fried egg, ranchero sauce, pepperjack 

and cheddar will curb your appetite. if not, get the Hog, a full pound of meat 

with three slices of bacon and your choice of cheeses. PHOTO BY DANiEL BULLOCk 

BeST BuRGeR 

1st Choppers 

2nd The Corral 

3rd Lone peak Brewery 

CoMMUniTy MEMBER 

of The YeaR 

1st The Rapiers 

2nd Ryan hamilton 

3rd david o’Connor 

Victory! The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) rodeo won Event of the Year. With big 

bad bulls, live music, dancing, mutton bustin' and a multitude of additional 

festivities, this included the “best eight seconds of your life,” the seeming-eternity 

that a cowboy had to stay atop their bull. This year's event is July 31 and 

Aug. 1. PHOTO By JAkE CAMPOS 

Y O U 


BEST SKi MoUnTain in MonTana 

1 st Big Sky Resort 

2 nd Moonlight Basin 

3 rd Maverick Mountain 

BeST pLaCe To 

GRaB a DRinK 

1. Choppers 

2 nd By Word of Mouth 

3 rd Lone peak Brewery 

BEST BUSinESS - 

MvP aWaRD 

1 st outlaw partners 

2 nd Lone peak Cinema 

3 rd Grizzly outfitters 

evenT of The YeaR 

1 st pBR 

2 nd Summer Concert Series 

3 rd dirtbag 


ART 

Stacie Smith designs 



bOZEMAN – Inspired by her 

journey through life, Stacie Smith 

creates jewelry and paintings, each 

piece telling a different tale. 

Smith used to see her work as 

separate pieces of art, but she now 

realizes they feed off each other, 

representing a personal dialogue in 

which she examines her own experiences. 

"Just waiting" PHOTOS COURTESY OF STACiE SMiTH 

“I think of my work as telling a 

story," Smith said. “Sometimes it’s 

my own, and sometimes it’s how 

people are affecting my life.” 

Due to their visual nature, Smith’s 

paintings tell these stories, and this 

year, she’s sharing them by creating 

a monthly painting, each based on a 

different person in her life. 

“It’s a definite allegory,” she said. 

Smith’s jewelry is characterized by 

silver, copper and 

brass mediums, 

and recently, 

she’s been adding 

color with patina, 

a tarnish created 

by various chemical 

reactions. 

She sees her 

jewelry as funky 

and elegant while 

also having depth 

and breadth. 

Considered wearable 

sculpture, 

Smith crafts each 

piece of jewelry 

by hand. “They 

are one of a kind,” she said. “I never 

want to have a production line where 

people are working for me.” 

Smith also does special orders. She 

prefers to work individually with 

clients, helping them design special 

and unique pieces. 

After receiving a bachelor’s degree 

in fine art with a concentration in 

sculpture and photography from the 

university of New Mexico in 1992, 

Smith worked as a photographer and 

metal smith in Taos. five years later, 

she decided to get her master’s in art 

education. 

SIX WEEK PROGRAM 



come explore 

MOOnlIGht’S MAny hIddEn 

powder runs, 

or seek the ultimate adventure 

with a group of women, taught by women. 

Moonlight Ladies 

2 SESSIOnS 

AvAIlAblE 

Every Wednesday 

› January 2 - February 6 

› February 27 - April 3 

Visit moonlightbasin.com or call the Moonlight Basin SnowSports School at 

(406) 993-6062 for reservations and more information. 

kids 5 & under always ski free at Moonlight Basin 

Youth aGe 6-10 

ski free 

one of 3 ways 

1 when mom or dad is a Moonlight passholder 

2 enroll in a specialty snowsports program 

3 As guests of Moonlight Lodging 

MAKE MOOnlIGht Y our mountain 

$295 snowboarders, alpine, 

telemark skiers and all abilities 

welcome. Lift tickets not included. 


Smith eventually found her way to 

bozeman High School, where she has 

been teaching art for the past twelve 

years. 

Although she no longer practices 

photography, Smith said that experience 

plays a definite role in her current 

work, helping with composition 

and lighting. 

Stacie Smith’s work can be purchased 

online and at Theory, Oh Suzanna’s, 

and the Emerson Visual Arts Center in 

bozeman. Visit staciesmithdesigns.com 

for more information. 

moonlightbasin.com (406) 993-6000 

@moonlightbasin · #moonlightbasin 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 35

FOOD & DiNiNG 

Thaid up in Bozeman 

STORY AND PHOTOS 

BY kATiE THOMAS 

big sky weekly contributor 

bOZEMAN – upon stepping into 

the tiny, intimate space that previously 

housed such mysteries as 

Sloppy Dawgs and a Polynesian 

grill, the first thing to hit the 

senses is the fragrant aroma of simmering 

curry and stir-fry. warm 

lighting, colorful décor, and worn 

brick walls complete the cozy atmosphere. 

Located at 140 East Main Street in 

bozeman, a few doors down from 

blackbird Kitchen, Rice Thai Cuisine 

is Gallatin Valley’s newest addition 

to Asian dining. Rice opened 

on October 16 and serves steaming 

bowls of authentic Thai for lunch 

and dinner seven days a week. 

be prepared to get to know your 

menu once you sit down. Owner 

Pam Mongkolpla, who also owns 

Lemongrass Thai on the corner of 

South willson and Kagy, hails from 

bangkok, Thailand, and offers a 

phenomenal variety of authentic 

Thai small plates, entrees, soups 

and salads. 

Thai food is traditionally taken 

THANK YOU 

TO OUR CLIENTS 

FOR 15 YEARS 

OF SERVICE IN 

BIG SKY! 

We sincerely appreciate 

your business. 

36 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

family-style, and not usually with 

chopsticks, with each person ordering 

a different entrée and then sharing. 

Variety is encouraged. 

Our group savored Gaeng Karee 

(yellow curry) with chicken; pork 

fried rice; an outstanding Panang 

curry; and Pad Khee Mao (“Drunken 

Noodles”) with beef. The Tom 

Yum Goong (a lemongrass broth- 


based shrimp soup with Kaffir lime 

leaves) was exceptional, as was the 

black Rice Pudding for dessert. 

while Rice does not sell alcohol, 

they have a range of other beverages, 

including a must-try sweet 

and caffeinated Thai iced tea. It is 

also worth noting that almost half 

of the menu is gluten-free. 

Here’s a word to the wise: unless 

your server happens to mention it, 

each dish’s level of spice is a surprise. 

You may want to inquire after 

this topic, as the concept of “too 

spicy” is incredibly subjective. 

we found the Gaeng Kiew waan 

(green curry) to be very spicy, but 

then again, that’s why a side of 

jasmine or brown rice is such an 

essential part of many Thai dishes 

– it’s a better spice-murderer than 

water. 

If that spice lingers for too long, 

stepping over to nearby Chocolate 

Mousse helps. The taste of chocolate 

complements Rice’s savory 

flavors and will balance out your 



downtown dining experience. Rice 

Thai Cuisine’s location is ideal, so 

take your taste buds downtown for 

some authentic Thai feasting. 

Rice offers $9 lunch specials Monday 

through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Seven of the most popular entrees 

are available and each comes with a 

salad and crispy spring roll.

Picture 

life 

here 



3025 Half Moon Court - Living in Style 

Representing distinguished properties and 

buyers in Big Sky, backed by an international 

network of sales & marketing professionals. 

• Nordic ski access 

• Backyard y shing 

• Mature trees, Privacy 

• Heart of Big Sky Meadow 

• Designer nishes and xtures 

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3,396 Sq Ft. 

• Re-priced @ $1,299,000 

TALLIE JAMISON 

Associate 

406.600.8081 

reallyBIGsky.com 


Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 37

OUTDOORS 

TECH TaLK – Ski Construction 

BY MATTHEW STERBENZ 

4frnt skis 

If you’ve shopped for ski equipment in the past, you may recall eyeing 

up two seemingly identical boards side-by-side but priced miles 

apart. The salesman hopefully shed some light on this matter, but his 

heartfelt explanation probably flew over your head, leaving you dizzy 

and headed home for some online research. 

There are multiple factors to how products are priced, but when you 

boil it down, the major factor driving the price is this week’s topic: ski 

and snowboard construction. 

Cap 

Standard cap construction is found 

more on beginner to intermediate 

level boards. Ironically, you may also 

find variations of this technique on 

the high-end skis targeting an older 

advanced skier just looking to make 

easy turns. The cap design was initially 

aimed at high-end riders until consumers 

drove the price down because 

production costs were known to be considerably 

less. As a result, its longevity 

at high end was not as great as its rival 

sandwich construction. 

No sidewalls means no sidewall milling. 

This was a huge contributor to popping 

the premium price-point bubble 

shortly after it debuted. The benefit is 

a lively feel made possible because the 

core, most commonly wood, is encapsulated 

tip to tail, edge to edge. 

when a ski is loaded (flexed) and later 

released, it sends energy impulses 

through the ski that are seeking to dissipate. 

because the fiberglass-encapsulated 

core provides no easy exit for this 

energy impulse, it springs to life, edge 

to edge with ease. 

beginners and intermediates like this 

because it helps them drive some life 

into their turns as the ski snaps back to 

shape. Advanced to expert-level skiers 

despise this construction because the 

ski is creating instability through vibrations. 

Experts generally prefer the 

ski to be damp and calm at speeds. 

Sandwich 

A sandwich-constructed ski or board 

is just that, built layer-by-layer, with 

resin infused concoctions of metal, 

rubber, plastic and wood. Just like 

your favorite hoagie, each layer is 

exposed showing exactly what lies 

within. The upside in sandwich-con- 

Cost flex Weight Strength Character ability Character 

Cap $ Soft Light Weak Buttery intermediate Park & Cruisers 

Semi Cap $$ Medium Medium Average Playful Advanced All MT 

Sandwich $$$ Stiff Heavy Strong Aggressive Expert Big MT 

Three types of construction make up all boards and skis, regardless the core material: cap, sandwich and semi-cap. The boards’ 

construction plays an integral role in how it will perform and how much it may cost. 

structed boards is that they provide 

excellent stability at speeds as well 

reparability when, say you’re at big 

Sky and your edge finds a rock and 

requires some mending. 

unlike its friend the cap, the sandwich 

is able to dissipate those undesired 

vibrations. Every ski has a springloaded 

reaction when flexed but with a 

sandwich constructed-board, you can 

count on those vibrations dissipating 

before they arrive to the center where 

you feel it most. 

If you’re sold on the sandwich, be 

aware it also comes with a higher 

level of care. because the materials 

are exposed over edge, any ski-to-ski 

contact from the metal edge of one ski 

will easily damage the soft-seamed 

materials in your other ski. This is not 

such a concern for snowboards, but if 

you’re stuffing your ride into a rocket 

box, don’t be surprised to see some 

chips along your edges once you get to 

the hill. 

favored by the expert crowd for its 

anti-vibration demeanor, sandwich is 

the only construction found on televised 

ski and snowboard athletes for 

these exact, high performance reasons. 

If you want what the pros are riding, 

this is it. 

fACEbOOK – bozeman made a strong 

showing in Powder magazine’s Ski 

Town Throwdown this December, 

losing to Rossland/Nelson, british 

Columbia 11,426 to 10,572 in voting 

on their facebook page. The resorts Red 

Mountain and whitewater represented 

the Canadian finalist, edging out big 

Sky, Moonlight basin and bridger 

bowl. 

The contest was a tournament format, 

similar to March Madness, as 32 

towns were seeded in four brackets 

and competed head to head over a five 

day voting period. bozeman was the 

number one seed in the “Daffy” region 

beating Marquette, Mich.; Santa fe and 

Taos, New Mexico; Truckee, Calif. and 

defeated fernie, british Columbia in 

the semi-finals. 

Semi-Cap 

If there was ever a way to make 

amends between cap and sandwich 

construction, check out the semi-cap. 

It was designed to lighten the skis’ 

swing-weight by eliminating cumbersome 

sidewall material in the tip and 

tail areas. A cap-style construction 

feathers into the ski’s sidewall, while 

sandwich construction sits underfoot. 

This design combines the stable and 

damp attributes of sandwich construction 

with the light, snappy qualities 

of cap. 

Semi cap-constructed boards also 

eliminate that edge of soft material, 

which becomes compromised as result 

of ski-to-ski contact. Ever notice that 

hump of snow just after the Challenger 

chair lifts you off the ground? It’s 

littered with what look like chocolate 

chips; but those aren’t dessert, they’re 

fragments of topsheets ripped apart 

from skiers banging their feet together. 

Even though semi-cap construction 

protects your top sheets a bit, smacking 

your skis together is not recommended. 

use your pole basket to 

remove the snow or better yet, practice 

a daffy by clicking your skis once they 

become perpendicular to one another, 

nice and clean, edge against edge. 

Bozeman makes final in Powder’s 

Ski Town Throwdown 



bozeman was ranked number three 

overall in Powder’s p3 (powder per person) 

scoring. “At Powder, we believe 

the best days are the deep ones that 

don’t get tracked out by noon,” according 

to their November issue. 

The magazine created an algorithm to 

rank towns based on factors including 

skier visits to a region, average snowfall, 

cost of a beer, the number of hot 

tubs versus number of police stations 

and smiles per hour. Lots of acreage and 

low skier visits produced higher scores, 

favoring towns like bozeman and overall 

number one seed Revelstoke, british 

Columbia. 

The town of whitefish was the other 

representative from Montana, making 

it to the second round of the “backscratcher” 

region before running into 

eventual victor Rossland/Nelson.

GEAR REViEWS 

ibex Shak Lite Full-Zip 

The winter months are cold in Montana; 

spring and fall can be chilly too. You 

need warm layers to survive and thrive 

in this climate, and if you’re active you 

need those layers to breathe, too. 

Enter the Ibex Shak Lite full Zip garment 

for men and women. The athleticfitting, 

stylish mid-layer made of rambouillet 

wool has thumb holes for easy 

layering under your ski coat or big puffy, 

which also keep your wrists warm when 

the office gets drafty. At 21 microns, the 

wool is warm but very soft and stretchy, 

so the piece can be worn as part of your 

layering system or on its own during active 

pursuits when the mercury climbs. 

The best part: the wool is from sheep 

raised in Lavina, Mont. at the familyowned 

Lehfeldt Ranch. The garment is 

sewn and constructed entirely in the uS; 

Vermont-based Ibex is committed to pursuing 

a more localized supply chain with 

their field to factory clothing collection. 

You can look good, stay warm and feel 

good about spending your hard-earned 

dough here in the uS with the Shak Lite. 

– Tyler Allen 

shop.ibex.com $150 

40 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 


explorebigsky.com Big Sky Weekly 

The big sky weekly/explorebigsky.com staff is a group of outdoor-loving men and women 

who play hard almost every second we’re not in the office. Some of the gear seen here is 

brand new, and some of it’s stuff we’ve had for ages—we think it’s worth the ink to tell you 

about some of the gadgets, gizmos, gear and garb that make our lives even more fun. 

Tyler Allen sizes up a sticky bun in his Shak Lite Full-Zip at the Hungry Moose in Big Sky. PHOTO By JOSEPH T. O'CONNOR 

Peace of Mind 

2 Years Complimentary Maintenance: 

• Oil & Filter Change • Tire Rotation • 19-point Inspection 

24/7 Roadside Assistance: 

• Tire Change • Lockout Protection • Towing 

ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled service. Plan is 2 years or 25k miles, whichever comes first. The new Toyota vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial 

fleet or a livery or taxi vehicle. Other restrictions may apply. See local participating Toyota dealer for coverage and details. 

Toyota of Bozeman 

INSERT DEALER INFO HERE 

866-623-5535

WORD FROM THE RESORTS 

Lone Mountain Ranch 

BY BOB FOSTER 

lmr general manager 

The Lone Mountain Ranch staff is excited 

for another great season of Nordic 

skiing, snow shoeing and fishing. 

All 85 km of Nordic trails are open, 

including the golf course, Town 

Center/Ouzel falls and the dog trails. 

for those who want more exertion, all 

30 km of our snowshoe trails are also 

open. Packed powder conditions exist 

on both upper and lower trails. 

Remember to have a pack with water, 

an extra layer of clothing and some 

healthy energy snacks when crosscountry 

skiing. 

while fishing, wear plenty of layers 

and be ready for some winter fun as 

Big Sky Resort 



So far big Sky Resort has received a 

lot of snow, light wind and awesome 

coverage. Ski patrol has done a great 

job keeping everyone safe and letting 

locals pound out the new terrain. 

As of press time, the resort is ahead 

of schedule with 94% of the terrain 

open. A huge storm mid-December 

dropped around 70 

inches in one week, and, 

with little wind, the 

snow has leveled out 

perfectly. 

Santa was making spirits 

bright, bringing 2-3 

inches of new snow and 

blue skies on Christmas 

day. Despite all the 

people visiting for the 

holidays, it was a relatively 

quiet morning. 

Getting off the Triple, 

I made some mellow 

turns down Gun Mount 

and had no trouble finding 

fresh snow. 

There’s nothing like being 

able to ski and party 

over the holidays. big 

Snowshoeing at Lone Mountain Ranch PHOTO COURTESY OF LMR 

you experience nymph fishing on the 

Gallatin, snowshoeing and fishing on 

the Madison or ice-fishing on Hebgen 

Lake. 

Yellowstone National Park opened the 

west Entrance for the winter season to 

over-the-snow vehicles only, and Lone 

Mountain will take guests in twice a 

week to experience the Park in relative 

seclusion. 

After January 3, pricing drops with the 

decline of the holiday rush, but “the 

original” sleigh ride still departs at 7 

p.m. and returns at 9:50 p.m. 

And just remember, “we may be small, 

but we’re well groomed.” 

Sky Resort is ringing in the New Year 

with four days of music and, hopefully, 

a lot more snow. 

way-Alt-west fest at the resort takes 

place Saturday, Dec. 29 – Tuesday, 

Jan. 1. The music festival features a 

wide range of alternative musicians 

and will also be hosting a songwriting 

workshop for aspiring artists. 

Santa stopped by Big Sky Resort to make some 

turns before his busy night. 

Moonlight Basin 

By NiLES JERAN 

mlb snow reporter 




what great conditions compared to last year. Since opening day, Moonlight basin 

has received several feet of snow, making for wild pow days and an epic early 

season. More than 80% of the mountain is open with the Headwaters and Lone 

Tree attracting all the big-mountain chargers. One word to describe the upper 

mountain is “deep.” 

All five terrain parks are up and running with over 40 features, and the newly 

added flyrock Gully has been prime for progressive jib fun. Skiers and riders 

have been charging all over the mountain in search of the next kicker, cliff and 

new trick. 

Volcom’s Peanut butter & Rail Jam snowboard contest is scheduled for January 

19. This year is going to be even bigger and better than last year’s event. Sign-up 

is free, and you don’t need a lift ticket to compete. Think you got what it takes? 

Visit volcom.com to register. 

with these conditions, this season is going off. Don’t get caught sitting on the 

couch, and come make Moonlight your mountain. 

Erik Morrison finds the “deep.” PHOTO BY ERik MORRiSON 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 41



We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing team, family and clients for 

their dedication and loyalty through the building of our new business; 

Martha Johnson, Broker 

406.580.5891 

martha@bigskyrealestate.com 

Michael Schreiner, Associate 

406.580.5624 

michael@bigskyrealestate.com 

ELKRIDGE 32 

The Club at Spanish 

Peaks, 5bd, 7 bath, on 

the golf course/ski in/ 

ski out. Gorgeous 

views. 

$3,485,000 

240 TROPhy BuLL 

3 bd + bunk room, 

5 bath on 20 acres. 

Borders National 

Forest with top of 

the world views. 

$1,950,000 

Ducks Pond Estate 


Peaks, 4 bd, 4.5 

bath, timber framed 

construction, 20 acres. 

$1,599,000 

ontana Living ~ Big Sky Real Estate 

Craig Smit, Broker 

406.581.5751 

craig@bigskyrealestate.com 

Karen Davids, Associate 

406.580.5700 

karen@bigskyrealestate.com 


Warmest Wishes for a Happy & Healthy 2013! 

Martha & Scott Johnson 

Owners | ontana Living ~ Big Sky Real Estate 

Suzanne Schreiner, Associate 

406.570.4935 

suzanne@bigskyrealestate.com 

Kevin Butler, Broker 

406.570.3890 

kevin@bigskyrealestate.com 

John Bauchman, Associate 

406.570.1920 

john@bigskyrealestate.com 

The Pines Condominium 

4 bd, 4 bath, centrally 

located, huge views of 

the Spanish Peaks, 

model unit. 

From $429,000 

Snowcrest 8512 

Ski-in/ski-out, heart of 

the mountain village. 

Best ski location in Big 

Sky, solid rental history. 3 

bd, 3.5 bath. 

$1,399,000 

ELK RIDGE #69 


Peaks, 4bd, 5.5 bath, 

5,000 sq ft. Ski-in/ski-out, 

.96 acres, great views, 

fabulous decking and hot 

tub. 

$3,050,000 

This information is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, withdrawal and approval of purchase by owner. All information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed by Montana 

Living - Big Sky Real Estate, independent investigation is recommended. For properties being purchased at The Club at Spanish Peaks approval for membership is required prior to closing. If you 

are currently working with another real estate agent, this is not intended as a solicitation.

BigSkyRealEstate.com | 406.995.6333 | Located in Big Sky Town Center 

GREAThORN K 

RANCh #3 

Fabulous 20 acres 

located only minutes to 

Big Sky Town Center. 

Resident wildlife 

& gorgeous views. 

$649,000 

ESSENTIA 

CONDOMINIuMS 

2 units, 2 great 

floorplans, central 

location in Big Sky Town 

Center. Strong long 

or short term rental 

history . 

$405,000 & $480,000 

1620 ChIEF JOSEPh 

Generational estate. 

7,500 sq. ft. 4 Suites, 

elevator, office and 

workout room. 8.3 

acres with amazing 

views of Big Sky. 

Broker owned. 

Call for price. 

3079 TwO MOONS 

Spacious home 4 Bd 

& 4 Baths. Great 

location w/easy walk 

to Town Center and 

Golf Course. Granite 

counters, slate and 

hardwood floors. Hot 

tub. Motivated Seller. 

$699,000 

BLACK EAGLE 

CONDOMINIuM S 

Ski-in/Ski-out. In the 

Mountain Village. 3 

to choose from. One 

finished and furnished. 

3-5 bdrm. New 

construction. Great 

rental history. 

From $895,000 

POwDER RIDGE 

CABIN #126 

Ski-in/ski-out, 5 bd, 4 

bath, 3,064 sq. ft. hot tub 

and single car garage. 

Big views from multiple 

decks. Great rental 

history. 

$895,000 

This information is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, withdrawal and approval of purchase by owner. All information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed by Montana 

Living - Big Sky Real Estate, independent investigation is recommended. For properties being purchased at The Club at Spanish Peaks approval for membership is required prior to closing. If you 

are currently working with another real estate agent, this is not intended as a solicitation.

FUN 

Buscrat’s fables 

folks call him Santa 

father Christmas, St. Nick 

Ol’ Mr Jolly 

The big man, take yer pick 

I ‘member the day 

Santa became Jolly 

The magic seeped in 

An it tweren’t no folly 

‘s been bout 2,000 years 

Since ol’ Nick n the missus 

were travelin about 

findin’ places to visit 

They spotted an Inn 

The feller said it was full 

They could stay in the barn tho’ 

with all the animals 

They’d slept in worse places 

Than this unlikely home 

but soon enough realized 

That they wasn’t alone 

Snuggled up in the hay 

was a family of three 

Mama and papa 

And their tiny baby 

44 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

No coats, flimsy shoes 

Their kid born in a barn? 

Santa knew he must help 

‘twould come to no harm 

Santa took off his coat 

an’ wrapped it round the papa 

Their blanket fer the baby 

An’ Mrs. Claus’ cloak fer the mama 

They gave em every last coin 

Their blanket and food 

And the last of Santa’s 

Prize winning magic stew 

The Claus’s loved to give 

And them folks needed it more 

‘sides, Santa had extra…fluff 

To keep him warm 

A few decades later 

Santa happened back that way 

They heard tell of a feller 

Perfomin’ miracles each day 

He spoke words o’ wisdom 

To a whole crowd o’ folks 

Most found him amazin’! 

Some thought it a hoax 


Not Santa n missus 

They knew it was true 

when the feller saw them he parted 

The crowd an’ come through 

He looked them in the eyes 

And said clear as the morn 

“I want to thank you for the gifts 

on the night I was born.” 

Now how’d he remember that? 

Just an infant back then 

Another miracle for shore 

from that magical man 

Just then came a wealthy man 

Pushin’ through the crowd 

“I want to live forever” he said 

“Now you tell me how?” 

The wise feller answered 

“that’s easy enough 

Give yer money to the poor 

And yer time, and yer stuff.” 

I believe his wisdom 

was lost on that rich man 

“He won’t give it all” thought 

Santa, 

“He won’t, but I can!” 

Each year on the eve of 

The wise feller’s birth 

Santa gave away everything 

they possessed on the earth 

from that day forward 

They din’t age a lick 

They gave all they had 

To the poor’n the sick 

but the real magic happened 

when Santa Claus found 

As much as he gave 

More came the next round 

The first years he spent 

Givin’ just to the poor 

but he had so much to give 

He had to choose more 

They decided all year 

They’d spend searchin n siftin 

Lookin for folks 

who deserved some upliftin 

The sick n the needy 

Came first of course 

but all this new magic 

Changed Santa’s course 

‘steada travelin abroad 

All the year round 

They needed a place 

They could settle down 

A place to build toys 

And build up their stock 

They could bring joy to thousands 

And work round the clock 

but santa din’t want 

No attention on hisself 

He just wanted to give 

He liked how it felt 


He started with a sleigh 

And two little reindeer 

they was good in the snow 

And could persevere 

Each Christmas Eve 

He loaded up his sleigh 

N delivered his goods 

To the kids down the way 


This holiday season, Buscrat chose to write his fable as a poem. big Sky weekly printed it post-Christmas to remind readers it 

isn’t the time of year that matters, but rather what’s happened in the past and the acts of kindness we perform in between. 

Where’d Santa Claus Come From and When? 

This is how Big Sky gets 

into hot water. 

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 

As years went by 

He’d need a bigger sleigh 

And 6 more o’ them deer 

As more magic came his way 

As the magic kept coming 

His route grew to reach more 

There was good deserving folks 

besides just the poor 

Santa wanted to give 

To those in need 

but also to those 

who done a good deed 

As the years went by 

His reindeer could fly 

They covered the earth 

In one magic night 

As the magic continued 

He able to know 

If kids were behavin’ 

An’ deserved presents so 

A buncha small fellers 

Come to lend a hand too 

Cheerful little bunch 

with neat pointy shoes 

They spend all year long 

working at the north pole 

‘cept for summer in Montana 

(It’s good for the soul) 

buscrat’s Fables are simple stories 

that teach a moral. Buscrat welcomes 

you to visit buscratsfables.com for 

more fables and to post your comments.

FUN 

STORY AND PHOTO 



find out what tunes we’re bumping! In “Powder Playlist,” big Sky 

weekly staff and guests suggest a soundtrack for a day on the mountain, 

and guests have a chance to share what they listen to when they shred. 

Keep in mind, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings while skiing, 

and listening to music too loudly can be dangerous. 

Guest picks 

Staff picks 

Fresh food, fresh pow, and 

Over the past two weeks, i’ve spent a 

fresh tunes are what Adam 

Skaggs and his boy Noah 

www.VectorOpenStock.comlot 

of time skiing alone, trying to learn 

my lines as a newcomer to Big Sky. 

are all about. Whether he’s 

Consequently, i’ve also spent plenty of 

riding in or out of bounds, 

time riding the same chair lifts over and 

Adam has yet to miss a day. 

over again. The songs listed below are 

Noah skis on weekends 

perfect for riding lifts – they help me 

and on Fridays through the 

relax on the ride up and dominate on 

Ophir School’s “Ski Fridays” 

the way down. 

program. However, if it’s 

snowed more than seven 

Song, artist: 

inches, don’t go looking for him in class. Their favorite 

line to ride is “Love Shack,” and these are 

their top ten favorite songs to rock out to: 

1. "#5," Umphrey’s McGee 

2. "Sirens," Toubab krewe 

3. "17th Street," Former Champions 

Song, artist: 

1. "No Quarter," Led Zeppelin 

2. "Natural Mystic," Bob Marley 

3. "The Mask," Fugees 

4. "Carini," Phish 

5. "Bury Me a G," Tupac 

6. "Float On," Modest Mouse 

7. "Don’t Call Me Gaper," Terry Steuben 

8. "40oz. to Freedom," Sublime 

9. "Stroker Ace," Ween 

10. "Tooken Back," Wu Tang vs. Jimi Hendrix 

mixtape 

4. "So Much for Love," Gramatik 

5. "Rain Fall Down," The Rolling Stones 

6. "Greta," Widespread Panic 

7. "i Need a Miracle," The Grateful Dead 

8. "Been Down This Road," Railroad Earth 

9. "Rosalee," Chris Robinson Brotherhood 

10. "Ramble On," Led Zeppelin 




PruMT.com 

406.995.4060 

55 Lone Peak Drive | Big Sky Town Center 

# 1 Real Estate Company in Montana 


Big Sky | Bozeman | Dillon | Ennis | Sheridan | Twin Bridges | Hamilton | Florence | Missoula | Seeley Lake | Polson 

BridGer Canyon masterpieCe 

$7,800,000 • #183385 • Call don 

• 40 +/- acres, 11,000 +/- sf 

• Locati designed home 

• contains artifacts from around the world 

• shop, guest residences, pond 

north fork rd, traCt 8 

$950,000 • #180527 • Call stacy or eric 

• 20 +/- acres Triple Triangle Ranch 

• cross country ski trails to lot 

• desirable, private enclave 

• contiguous 20 +/- acres also available 

430 spruCe Cone drive 

$598,000 • #186619 • Call marc 

• 2 bd, 3 ba, 3,200 +/- s loft, additional rooms 

• rock fireplace, clerestory windows, large deck 

• vaulted ceilings, wood floors, custom lighting 

• .32 +/- acre lot, 2 car garage, Agent owned 

spanish peaks CluB #13a 


• 2 bd, 3 ba, 2403 +/- sf, furnished 

• den, bonus room, two car garage 

• end unit, adjacent to Big Sky Golf course 

• private clubhouse w/ pool, workout facility 

Bear Creek, low BenCh #68 

$199,900 • #183893 • Call don 

• 2.3+/- acre estate lot 

• adjacent to Bear Creek 

• Spanish Peak Views, trees 

• beautiful home site, well is in 

traCt 3 seCtion 5 

$2,500,000 • #175378• Call erin 579-3583 

• 162.4 +/- acres 

• section 5 zoned commercial/residential 

• close to hunting, skiing, hiking 

• great mountain property 

84 lazy t-4 road 


• 9 bd, 7.5 ba 7250 +/- sf 

• 5.5 +/- acre lot 

• Det. barn, 47’ RV storage w/ 11.5’ door 

• fully fitted apartment above 3 car garage 

Gallatin hiGhlands 


• 20 +/- acres, meadows, old growth fir trees 

• fabulous Gallatin Range views 

• south facing, includes Locati house plans 

• minutes from Big Sky Town Center 

Beaver Creek west 

$425,000 • #185650 • Call don 

• 14.15 +/- acre lot 

• gentle sloping land w/ great build site 

• great views of many mountain ranges 

• short walk to NFS land/trails 

Gallatin rd, Castle roCk 

$189,000 • #183518 • Call mike or don 

• 1.84 +/-acre lot 

• No covenants, ideal for Bed & Breakfast 

• mini-storage, or home 

• Great views of Storm Castle Mountain 

Don Pilotte, Broker, GRI, RRS, SFR, 406.580.0155 

Eric Ossorio, Broker, 406.539.9553 

Stacy Ossorio, Broker, 406.539.8553 

141 ulery’s lake road 

$3,250,000 • #186493 • Call stacy or eric 

• 3 bd, 5 ba, 4,430 +/- Moonlight Basin Home 

• furnished home/w bunkroom sleeps 6 

• 2 bd, 2 ba, 2,048 +/- sf guest home 

• 20 +/- acre lot w/beautiful views 

109 roseBud loop 


• 4 bd, 3 ba, 2567 +/- sf, Ponderosa plan 

• furnished Powder Ridge condo, excellent rental 

• ski-in, ski-out access 

• detached 1 car garage 

indian meadows 

$560,000 • #182257 • Call leah 763-4596 

• 4.02 +/- acre lot 

• bordering riverfront National forest land 

• direct access to blue ribbon fishing 

• level building site w/ great views 

antler ridGe, lot 149 

$249,000 • #161824 • Call don 

• .35 +/- acre lot, Lone Mtn. views 

• exceptional building site, southern exposure 

• community water system 

• between Mountain and Meadow Villages 

BlaCk moon road 

$119,000 • #185998 • Call marc 

• 1.89 Cascade subdivision lot 

• electricity, phone, water - to lot 

• views of Spanish Peak Mtns. 

• great priced lot for Cascade Sub. 

156 ulery’s lake road 

$2,700,000 • #186494 • Call stacy or eric 

• spectacular 172.1 +/- acres w/ roughed in road 

• hand picked lot by owner, backs Beehive Basin 

• best views in and of Moonlight Basin Ranch 

• ski accessible lot 

diamond hitCh, lot 31 

$599,000 • #186861 • Call don 

• 1.01 acre +/- building lot 

• one of the most beautiful sub lots 

• great mountain views and privacy 

• excellent ski-in/ski-out lot 

spanish peaks CluB #17e 


• 3 bd, 3 ba, 2,495 +/- sf, end unit 

• custom kitchen, granite counters 

• lovely furnishings, popular E floor plan 

• 2 car heated garage, private clubhouse 

Gallatin river front 

$229,000 • # 184874 • Call Brooms 580-4290 

• .60 +/- acres, back to the Gallatin River 

• 4 bd septic installed, 25 GPM well drilled 

• between Bozeman and Big Sky off Hwy 191 

• a rare opportunity, build dream home here 

Toni Delzer, Sales Associate, 406.570.3195 

Marc Lauermann, Sales Associate, 406.581.8242 

SoLD 

22 primrose lane 


• .34 acre building lot, near ophir School 

• great views of Porcupine game range 

• HoA tennis court, play area, trails 

• on cul-de-sac, agent owned

WANDERER AT REST 

Go big or go to Lowe’s 

Slightly less treacherous Christmas tree hunting conditions 

By JAMiE BALkE 


I love that in Montana, acquiring a 

Christmas tree can be an adventure. 

My first winter here I decided I was 

rugged and got a tree permit from 

the forest Service. I stopped in the 

bozeman office and was provided 

with some information and an 

inscrutable map. Secretly, I sometimes 

wonder if the forest Service 

is trying to keep people out of the 

woods with their maps. 

My next stop was the hardware 

store to purchase a bow saw and 

other tree harvesting accouterments. 

Apparently, I arrived late 

because all the appropriate -sized 

saws were sold out. I wound up 

with a giant red number that is a 

glorious example of overkill incarnate. 

Armed to take down a Christmas 

tree the size of an ancient 

sequoia, I gave my brother a call 

to see if he would be interested in 

joining my ill-fated foray. 

He was. On the appointed morning, 

it was snowing buckets. Rather 

than evaluating the risk of driving 

on unknown, remote roads, we 

went for it. My brother and I piled 

into his much-loved but highly 

temperamental truck and headed 

into the fray. 

we pulled onto the interstate and 

congratulated ourselves for taking 

on this hardcore tree-gathering 

mission. but the storm was unrelenting 

and before long, we were 

approaching the intended exit ramp. 

Near the point of no return, I saw 

the exit was blanketed in a dangerous 

amount of snow untouched by 

plows. 

for some reason, rather than calmly 

saying something useful, I started 

yelling “abort!” Luckily, my brother 

understands crazy speak (we are 

after all, related) and was narrowly 

able to swing us safely back onto 

the interstate. After some shaking 

and a tirade of colorful language, 

not in keeping with the holiday 

spirit, we calmed down and turned 

back toward bozeman in defeat. 

by the time we got to town, the 

snowstorm was raging fiercely 

enough that even driving to Lowe’s 

to pick out a tree was sporty. we 

found a nice one and promptly covered 

it in lights. because he doesn’t 

think I’m funny, my brother 

refused to let me decorate the tree 

with the unused permit. 

This season, given what I learned 

about my extremely limited treeharvesting 

ability that first year, I 

decided on a happy medium between 

venturing out into the wild 

and venturing out to the hardware 

store. 

Oversized saw in hand, my brother, 

a friend and I drove to Rocky Creek 

farm in search of the perfect tree. 

Shortly after our arrival, we were 

whisked away on a tractor-pulled 

hayride through the beautiful farm. 

As we wandered about, me with 

my trusty saw, my brother with his 

ax, and my friend with her camera 

trying to identify the least expensive 

species of tree, I took in the 

surrounding mountains and was 

struck by an intense feeling of happiness 

– I live here. This happens 

pretty much any time I look around 

Montana. 

we were successful in our search 

and after being ushered back to the 

barn on seats of hay, we purchased 

our stately Scotch pine and some 

wonderful apple cider. 

Although both experiences were 

memorable, I think I should probably 

stick to the tree farm. 

Jamie Balke moved to Bozeman in 

the fall of 2009. She can generally be 

found behind the cover of a book, meandering 

down a trail or desperately 

trying not to kill houseplants. 

Elevate Living 

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at Yellowstone Club 

• Well designed, ready-to-build lots 

• Interconnected access to 

Yellowstone Club, Big Sky Resort & 

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• 8,000+ skiable acres 

• World-class family activities 

• Year round recreation in the 

heart of Montana 

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Partial List of Artists Represented 

Rob Akey 

Greg Alexander 

Jim Barrett 

Susan Blackwood 

Diana Brady 

Dot Brandt 

Lynn Cain 

Todd Connor 

Creighton Block 

 

Tom Dean 

John DeMott 

Jerral Derryberry 

Flavia Eckholm 

Edd Enders 

Thomas English 

Howard Friedland 

BIG SKY’S MOST 

EXTENSIVE FINE 

ART COLLECTION 

R. Tom Gilleon 

Don Grant 

Mimi Grant 

Frank Hagel 

Ott Jones 

Harry Koyama 

Dick Lauritzen 

MAIN GALLERY, CHARSAM 

ROOM AND THE NEW PRIVATE 

COLLECTION SALON 

WINE TASTINGS 

EVERY THURSDAY AT 4:30 PM 

provided by 

the cave 

Spirits & Gifts 

Artwork also displayed at 

Outlaw Partners and Lone Mountain 

Ranch Dining Room 

David Lemon 

Asha MacDonald 

Mike Patterson 

Paula Pearl 

Jacqueline Rieder Hud 

Gary Lynn Roberts 

Daniel San Souci 

R. Tom Gilleon 

“Mother Moon” 

Acrylic on Canvas 50 x 50 

Deb Schmit 

Kevin Red Star 

Laurie Stevens 

Ezra Tucker 

Jack Waller 

Shirle Wempner 

Greg Woodard 

BIG SKY TOWN CENTER 

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM // TUESDAY THRU SUNDAY 

MONDAYS BY APPOINTMENT

ig sky weekly editorial staff 

bIG SKY – by many accounts, it appears big Sky 

has weathered the storm. That’s what this hardy 

and adventurous community does, after all – but 

that’s not to say it’s out of the woods yet. 

“I think people’s businesses are starting to come 

back,” said David O’Connor, chairman of the 

big Sky Chamber of Commerce board, after the 

organization’s annual meeting on June 28. 

Skier numbers at both resorts topped the charts 

last winter, with big Sky hitting an all time 

high. Summer visitation was up, as well, and a 

number of local businesses and organizations 

collaborated to draw in tourists heading from 

bozeman to Yellowstone. 

Entertainment and the arts made leaps in 2012, 

their success showcased by the PbR, Arts 

PHOTO BY MATTY MCCAiN 

MOMENTUM iS BUiLDiNG 

Council concerts and the construction of the 

warren Miller Performing Arts Center. 

The newly renamed big Sky School District 

enrollment grew almost 15 percent from 

2011, reflecting a burgeoning young population 

and also the need for smart growth and 

affordable housing. This, combined with 

lack of civic funding other than the 3 percent 

resort tax and other grant monies, will likely 

continue to present challenges ahead as the 

town grows. 

In one notable example, the fire Department 

is facing challenges with limited funding and 

a growing demand for services. fire Chief 

william farhat is considering proposing a 

property tax increase of roughly 11.14 mills 

to help cover the cost of hiring additional 

firefighters to meet service needs. 

RecoRd skieR visits, 

snowfall steady 


As the community grows, strategic collaboration 

will help it find passage out of the recession 

and further solidify its place as an influential 

player at the state, national and international 

levels. 

“There’s momentum building in big Sky,” said 

Moonlight basin President Greg Pack this summer. 

The accounts below affirm that. 

for Montana, visitor numbers look strong. by 

year’s end, 10.9 million tourists will have visited 

the state, a 3.2 percent increase from 2011, according 

to a preliminary estimate by the university 

of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and 

Recreation Research (ITRR). 

Travel volume and spending are expected to 

increase in 2013, stated Norma Nickerson, 

director of the ITRR, in a recent press release. 

big Sky Resort closed the 2011-2012 winter season with more than 

340,000 skier days, its all-time high. 

“Even while other resorts across the country struggled to keep 

slopes open this winter, big Sky started off with a great base and 

continued to get powder throughout the season," said Taylor 

Middleton, the resort’s general manager. 

Moonlight basin also did well, with Presidents weekend skier 

visits up 5 percent over the previous year. “It was the busiest Presidents 

weekend in our history,” said Pack, crediting the biggest 

Skiing in America campaign for helping set the record. 

Although nearby whitefish Mountain and Jackson Hole had strong 

seasons, the rest of the country didn’t fare as well. with below 

average snowfall, skier visitation in the Rocky Mountain region fell 

7.2 percent to 19.4 million visits, and national visitation was down 

16 percent to 51 million, also a 20-year low. 

"Skiers go where there’s snow,” Middleton said. “More skier visits 

means more business – for the resort and for the entire community.” 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 49

signs of economic RecoveRy Roll fRom sPRing into summeR 

Local businesses, especially ski 

rental shops, reported strong business 

in winter 2012. 

“It seemed like everybody was 

busy,” said Andrew Schreiner, coowner 

of Grizzly Outfitters, after 

Presidents weekend. “I haven’t 

seen lines like that up at big Sky in 

years.” 

50 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

Real estate started picking up in the 

big Sky area this year, according to bill 

Collins, vice president of sales at the 

Yellowstone Club, as did construction. 

There are 25 homes currently under 

construction at the YC. 

Starting in June, big Sky Resort 

launched its Lone Peak Expedition 

Summer Tram Tours, carting summer 

visitors to the top of Lone Mountain 


for the first time. Demand was so high 

the resort bumped the number of trips 

from two to six almost immediately. 

In total, the resort created 47 new jobs 

through its basecamp programming, 

according to public relations manager 

Chad Jones. 

Early snow runoff was a boon to fly 

fishermen this year, and all six fly 

PHOTO ByJAkE CAMPOS 


PBR, summeR events 

dRaw visitoRs 


Summer Lone Peak Tram Tour. PHOTO By CHAD JONES 

shops/outfitters did well. “It’s pretty 

clear it's a growing market,” said Gallatin 

River Guides owner Pat Straub. 

“I think the summer tourist season is 

going better than people thought,” said 

Chamber President David O’Connor 

mid-summer, “and we thought it 

would go well anyway." 

The Professional bull Riding tour stopped 

through big Sky for the second year in a row, 

July 31 – Aug. 1, drawing a crowd of 3,000 local, 

regional and national visitors to a sold-out 

event. After the bull riding, Lukas Nelson and 

Promise of the Real stepped on stage and rocked 

the after party. 

A $12,200 grant awarded from the Montana 

Department of Tourism helped market the 

PbR; for the big Sky area, the event provided 

an estimated $925,000 in local impact during 

the days surrounding the PbR, and raised more 

than $40,000 for local nonprofits. 

The Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner 

in June named the inaugural 2011 PbR 

‘Event of the Year’, with the accolades, “direct 

benefit to entire community and a lot of fun!” 

Other nominees included the Arts Council of 

big Sky’s Classical Music festival and Summer 

Concert Series, and the big Sky XC off-road 

motorcycle race, each of which drew crowds 

again this summer.

dRought in the west 

leads to wildfiRe 

A mild winter, dry spring and sweltering summer caused a considerable 

wildland fire season in Montana, where more than 1.1 million acres burned. 

The lightning-caused Millie fire burned more than 10,500 acres of Gallatin 

National forest between big Sky and bozeman, causing a towering smoke 

plume visible from big Sky and dense, brown smoke to settle in the Gallatin 

Valley. 

Thousands of wildland firefighters from local, regional and national crews 

worked on blazes statewide, yet resources were thin due to a severe fire season 

throughout the entire western u.S. 

Other fires included the human-caused Pine Creek fire, which burned more 

than 8,500 acres in the Paradise Valley, and the lightning-caused Pony fire, 

which burned more than 5,000 acres. both destroyed residences. 

Big sky chamBeR and visitoRs 

centeR Relocates 

while many chambers of commerce in the u.S. saw a decline in membership 

during the recession, big Sky’s has grown. And with $572,500 from the 

Resort Tax board this year, the chamber made big strides. 

The biggest news was a move from its old, hard-to-find office in the west 

fork, to a larger space in a prominent location at the corner of Lone Mountain 

Trail and u.S. 191. 

Since the move, the chamber has seen a 23 percent increase in visitors and, 

for the first time, the chamber will be open seven days a week for both the 

winter and summer seasons. 

The chamber also hired a new executive director, Kitty Clemens, who 

started in August, and made progress toward installing way-finding signage 

and initial plans for an entryway monument. 

big Sky’s chamber has an extremely high retention rate with at least 75 

percent of its members having belonged since the chamber opened in the 

early 1980s. According to reports for fiscal year 2011/2012, there were 366 

members and a member retention rate of 93 percent. The chamber is now at 

380 members and still growing. 

Bscc climBing BouldeR, skatePaRk comPleted 

The big Sky Community Corp. added two major recreational amenities at the 

Community Park this summer: a climbing boulder and a skatepark. 

The Rotary Club of big Sky funded the entire $35,000 climbing boulder, 

which opened in late August and has routes for climbers of all abilities. 

Stronghold fabrication, of bozeman, built the 12-foot tall, steel and concrete 

structure. 

Next, Oregon-based Dreamland Skateparks built a $150,000 world-class 

skatepark, which saw its first day of skating on Sept. 14 and its grand opening 

Sept. 29. funding for the skatepark came from the Montana Office of 

Tourism’s Infrastructure Investment Program, big Sky Resort Tax, and the 

Yellowstone Club Community foundation. The Gallatin Valley Skatepark 

Association helped with volunteer labor. 

The bSCC’s July 21 Gala, held for the first time in the Community Park, 

raised more than $100,000, more than doubling past fundraisers. The money 

will go toward park and trail improvements and staffing. 

bSCC is now working on an equestrian trailhead at Yellowmule, building 

singletrack trails in the big Sky Town Center area, a Mountain to Meadow 

trail, and the second phase of the Community Park. 

pick your pearls. 

SHELLY BERMONT 

Unique, handmade jewelry 

Extensive selection of South Sea & Tahitian pearls 

Exotic stones, raw diamonds, fine silver 

and 18-22 karat gold 

BIG SKY, MT | PACIFIC PALISADES, CA 

Private appointments and trunk shows available. 

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“ 

VIEW MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS 

at bigskysir.com 

HELMS 


J E F F HELMS 

JAMISON 

KULESZA 

There's never been a better opportunity to buy 

prime ski-in, ski-out properties at these prices 

Moonlight Mountain Home 66 

$1,150,000 

189 Diamond Hitch 

$1,199,000 

View Video Online 

Moonlight Mountain Home 1 

$1,050,000 

Saddle Ridge K1 

$645,000 

You’re Invited 

Cowboy Heaven 

Luxury Suite 2B 

Open House 

December 28, 29 & 30 

from 1-4p.m. 

Cowboy Heaven Cabin 25 

$589,000 

Saddle Ridge Q1 

$495,000 


“ 

2B Hidden Trail Ln, Moonlight Basin 

Luxury Suite 2B 

$1,850,000 

Jeff Helms, Broker 

Big Sky Town Center O ce 

M: 406.539.0121 

E: je @sothebysrealty.com 

All information is derived from MLS sources and deemed reliable, however, is not guaranteed. Data is subject to error, omissions, prior sales, price change or withdrawal without notice and 

approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent veri cation of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser.

Big sky school distRict continues 

gRowth desPite challenges 

The big Sky School District has 

been Montana’s fastest growing 

for a decade. There are currently 

243 students enrolled – up from 

212 last year – and the school 

board projects that number to 

grow 30 percent, to 270, within 

two years. 

Educational programming has 

grown accordingly, but the 

school’s classroom space is 

maxed out, says Superintendent 

Jerry House. 

The district’s ‘expedition’ programs, 

which integrate classroom 

studies with hands-on 

learning, have expanded around 

the Greater Yellowstone, 

and the new CAP Mentoring 

program will impact learning 

positively, says Superintendent 

Jerry House. 

Construction of the warren 

Miller Performing Arts Center, 

which began in 2008 but was 

discontinued when funding 

came up short, started again this 

August, and the 282-seat facility 

is expected to be operational 

by february. 

The Lone Peak High School varsity 

sports, most in their second 



ring in 2013 

with the 

year, showed notable improvement. 

Senior Tucker Shea 

earned All-State honors for 

football for the second straight 

year and was a finalist for the 

wendy's Heisman Award as the 

top student-athlete in Montana. 

The booster club raised just 

over $47,000 this year for 

school athletics; $10,000 of 

that was donated by the Rapier 

foundation, and between 

$4,000 and $5,000_came from 

the inaugural big Sky Carnival, 

Sept. 22. 

All this, while the district was 

reeling from feb. 3 news that 

the neighboring Ennis School 

District misappropriated more 

than $7 million in property tax 

dollars – $5.25 million of which 

came from big Sky taxpayers in 

Madison County. Most of that 

money went toward construction 

of a new K-8 school in Ennis 

and is likely unrecoverable. 

After months of facilities planning 

meetings, the big Sky 

district is planning to float a 

bond in spring 2013, asking 

residents to vote on building a 

new elementary facility. 

Big Caboose 

elections 

The 2012 election cycle brought with it copious 

amounts of outside money and a general 

consensus that if it ain’t broke too bad, don't 

fix it. 

“The economy is not as bad in Montana [as 

in many parts] of the country,” said David 

Parker, a political science professor at Montana 

State university. A general rule of thumb, 

he said, is “If the economy is fine, keep the 

incumbent in office.” 

And much stayed the same. 

The election was a wild ride for Montanans, 

however, with lawsuits over campaign financing 

and more money coming into the state 

than any election year in history. 

with Democrat Jon Tester winning the Senate 

seat and Republican Steve Daines prevailing 

in the House, Montana reflected the larger 

American picture: keep Congress where it is. 

Jack Creek Grille at Moonlight Lodge features a special dinner 

menu, followed by music, dancing, party favors, a photo booth 

and a champagne toast. 

Dinner seatings start at 6pm $135 per person* 

Reservations required: (406) 995-7777 · Cash bar available 

Late night party only? $35 per person 

Live music from the Big Caboose, dancing, midnight champagne toast & late 

night appetizers. 

* Gratuity not included. All pricing is tax exclusive. 

moonlightbasin.com · (406) 993-6000 · @moonlightbasin · #moonlightbasin 

& the souL 

penetrators 

at Moonlight Basin 


Democrat Steve bullock was elected to 

replace brian Schweitzer as governor in a 

state that votes overwhelmingly Republican. 

The gubernatorial race was overshadowed 

by a $500,000 donation from the Montana 

Republican Party to Republican Rick Hill’s 

campaign. bullock sued Hill for accepting 

the money, effectively stalling Hill’s run 

for governor. 

bullock, for his part, appointed big Sky 

Resort’s Meg O’Leary to direct Montana’s 

Department of Commerce. 

In the race for superintendent of public 

instruction, Democrat Denise Juneau defeated 

Republican Sandy welch by about 

2,000 votes. welch called for a recount but 

was unable to come up with the funds to 

finance it. 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 53

DINING ROOM & SALOON 

406-995-2782 

Breakfast & Lunch Open Daily 

Breakfast: 7am-9am, Lunch: 11:30am-1:30pm 

Saloon Open Daily 

Saloon: 4pm-10pm 

Dinner: Sunday-Th ursday 

5:30pm-9:00pm, Reservations appreciated 

Live music in the Saloon several nights a week. Check out 

facebook.com/LoneMountainRanch for the latest information! 

NORDIC CENTER 

406-995-4734 

• 85km of groomed cross country ski trails (25km are 

dog-friendly!) & 30km of snowshoe trails 

• Rentals, Private & Group Lessons 

• Locals Women’s Weekday Clinics 

• Backcountry ski and snowshoe tours 

• New! Kids Program over the Holidays 

• Open daily 8am-6pm 

54 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH 



ADVENTURES & FINE DINING 

PH: (406) 995-4644 | LoneMountainRanch.com 

Reservations@LMRanch.com 

SLEIGH RIDE DINNER 

406-995-2783 

• Big Sky’s Original Sleigh Ride Dinner for over 33 years 

• Montana Raised Prime Rib Dinner and Live Entertainment 

• 2,000 lb. draft horse teams 

• Day Sleigh Rides available 

LODGING 

406-995-4644 

• Sleigh & Stay packages 

• Authentic Montana log cabins 

• 4 to 7 night all-inclusive packages 

FLY FISHING 

406-995-4734 

• New! Snowshoe & Fly Fishing Adventures 

• New! Ice Fishing Trips 

• Day trips on the Gallatin & Madison Rivers 

WINTER SEASON 

December 7, 2012 - March 30, 2013 

OPEN HOUSE 

Wednesday, December 12, 5-7 p.m. 

PUBLIC WELCOME 


RaPieR family foundation suPPoRts local 

nonPRofits, helPs staRt food Bank 

Since moving to big Sky from San Antonio, Texas, earlier in 

2012, Dr. George and Kym Rapier have donated nearly $1 

million to nonprofits in southwest Montana through their 

Rapier family foundation and gave season passes to all Lone 

Peak High School students as a Christmas present. 

“we’re here full time. we just want to help people here,” 

said Kym Rapier. 

This fall, the Rapiers helped the new big Sky Community 

food bank get its feet off the ground with startup money 

and then a $100,000 check in November. 

“There are a lot of people that need help,” Kym 

said, “especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving.” 

The new big Sky facility, a satellite 

office of the Gallatin Valley food bank, will 

serve that population. 

They also gave Morningstar Learning Center 

$200,000, which will help the childcare center 

pay down the principal on its mortgage. Another 

$100,000 donation is earmarked to pay 

off the rest of the principal, contingent on the 

center raising a matching $100,000. 

Other beneficiaries include Adventurers and 

Scientists for Conservation, the big Sky Chamber 

of Commerce, big brothers big Sisters, big 

Sky Youth Empowerment Project, big Sky Ski 

Education foundation, big Sky Community Corp., bridger 

Ski foundation, bridger Care, Dream Montana, Eagle 

Mount, friends of the big Sky Library, friends of Hyalite, 

Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, Lone Peak High School 

booster Club, Travelers for Open Land, Yellowstone Club 

Community foundation, and several area summer camps. 

from 2006 to 2010, the Rapier family foundation donated 

more than $1 million annually to causes including stay-inschool 

and youth initiatives, animals in need, seniors and 

children's health programs. 

Big Sky residents Dr. George and kymberly Rapier (pictured right) donated 

$100,000 to the Big Sky Community Food Bank, which has been distributing food 

twice a week since opening in early November. Photo by kaela Schommer 

Over 3 decades 

building in 





sPanish Peaks 

After more than a year in bankruptcy 

court, assets at The Club at Spanish 

Peaks, valued at $122 million will be 

up for sale in 2013. 

On Dec. 6, the court approved Eastdil 

Secured, an international real estate 

investment company, to market the 

sale. According to court documents, 

secured lenders have to accept a bid 

of at least $20 million. 

A process outlined in these documents 

filed on Dec. 3 included an 

estimated timeline and set June 1, 

2013, as a closing sale date. 

More than 100 Spanish Peaks club 

employees were laid off after entities 

owning the club filed for Chapter 7 

bankruptcy in October 2011. 

Assets for sale at the 5,700-acre private 

mountain community include, 

among others, the lodge, golf course 

and ski resort. 

“we don’t know who is going to bid 

on this,” said an individual close to 

the situation, who requested anonymity. 

“but at least there’s light at 

the end of the tunnel.” 

145 Center Lane Unit L, Meadow Village Center 

P.O. Box 160068, Big Sky, MT 59716 

Phone: 406-995-4579 • Fax: 406-995-4043 

www.blueribbonbuilders.com 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 55

ENTERTAiNMENT 

bIG SKY – The Dirty Shame 

will ring in 2013 at Choppers 

this New Year’s Eve with their 

hard-rocking, foot-stomping 

brand of outlaw country. Their 

first big Sky show since last 

spring, the band will also end 

a two month hiatus from the 

stage. 

Prior to this hiatus, the band 

made their annual pilgrimage 

to Anchorage to play the 

Alaska women’s Aid In Crisis 

(AwAIC) benefit Oct. 27. After 

the AwAIC show, The Dirty 

Shame toured Seattle, wash., 

then headed back toward their 

bozeman home. The tour bus 

didn’t quite make it. 

“Our bus engine blew up on the way back from Seattle,” 

said Dirty Shame lead singer brandon Hale. 

“we had to leave it in a small town somewhere 

west of butte – in the middle of nowhere.” 

The band will use footage from the Choppers show 

for a promotional video in their upcoming Kickstarter 

campaign to buy a new tour bus. Kickstarter 

is an online fundraising platform that offers supporters 

a chance to win prizes with their donations. 

56 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

The band will also be working on a new album 

this spring and featuring some of those new songs 

at the New Year’s Eve show. Listen for “Mission 

bell”, “South Sidewalk City”, “Old friend” and 

“All These Lies”. They’re excited for their return 

to the stage, and to big Sky. 

“The fans are always awesome in big Sky,” Hale 

said. “There’s a good crowd response, a high energy 

response. That’s our favorite part of playing there.” 

They haven’t played big Sky since the spring 

because their summers are usually booked with 




dirty Shame set to rock in the new Year at Choppers 



PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DiRTY SHAME 

weddings and private parties, said Choppers coowner 

Quinn Johnsen. He’s happy to have them 

back. 

“It’s just the kind of music I like,” Johnsen said. 

“That outlaw country rock kind of thing. They 

put on a fantastic show, they bring great lights 

and have a real professional band production.” 

The ten-dollar show starts at 9:30 and includes a 

Champagne toast as Hale counts down the final 

seconds of 2012. 

BIG SKY’S FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORE 

Hand-cut meats • Fresh baked goods • Gourmet items • Beer & wine 

LOCAL 

Delivery available - have your rental unit 

stocked upon your arrival! 406-995-4636 

Open 7 days a week, 6:30am to 8pm 

Extended hours 6:30am to 10pm December 15-April 15 and July 1- Labor Day 

Located in the Meadow Village Center next to Lone Peak Brewery 

FRESH

fRidaY, deC. 28 

BiG SKy 

Eagle Mount Demo Days 

big Sky Resort, 10 a.m. 

Rik Steinke 

whiskey Jack’s, 3:30 p.m. 

BoZEMan 

winter wonderland 

Children’s Museum, 11 a.m. (and Sat.) 

Energy workshops 

Montana weatherization Training, noon 

New Years Theme Party 

wild Joe’s, 7 p.m. 

bozeman Ice Dogs vs. Gillette 

Haynes Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. (and Sat.) 

LivinGSTon & paRadiSe vaLLeY 

Mike D/Mike G 

Pine Creek Café, 7 p.m. 

Honky Tonk Heroes (and Sat.) 

Chico Hot Springs, 9 p.m. 

SaTuRdaY, deC. 29 

BiG SKy 

Teen Jib Session 

big Sky Resort, 5 p.m. (and Sat.) 

BoZEMan 

MSu Lady Cats vs. MSu billings 

brick breeden fieldhouse, 2 p.m. 

MSu Cats vs. Northwest Indian 


New Years ballroom Dance 

Emerson Cultural Center, 8 p.m. 

bottom of the barrel 

Eagles, 9 p.m. 


The fossils 


SundaY, deC. 30 

BiG SKy 

wayAltwest fest 

big Sky Resort, 5 p.m. (thru Tues.) 

Rich Hall Comedy Show 

big Sky Resort, 8 p.m. 

BoZEMan 

Irish Music Sing 

Pub 317, 7:30 p.m. 


blackwater band 

Chico Hot Springs, 9 p.m. (and Mon.) 

MonDay, DEC. 31 

BiG SKy 

New Year’s festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. 

big Sky Resort 

bigskyresort.com/Activities/Events-Calendar 

The Dirty Shame 

Choppers, 9:30 p.m. 

EVENTS 

Moonlight basin New Years Event event- 

see ad on pg 53 for details 

BoZEMan 

A Night in Paris 

Emerson Cultural Center, 6:30 p.m. 

Callie benjamin 

Starky’s, 6:30 p.m. 

Krista barnett Trio 

Rainbow Ranch, 7:30 p.m. 

New Years Eve Contra Dance 

Eagles upstairs, 8:30 pm. 

10 foot Tall & 80 Proof 


Archer’s Mob 

filling Station, 9 p.m. 

flourescent brown 

Zebra, 9:30 p.m. 

Metal Steel 

Molly brown, 10 p.m. 

TueSdaY, Jan. 1 

happY neW YeaR! 

BiG SKy 

Kevin fabozzi 

Carabiner, 6 p.m. (and Tues.) 

BoZEMan 

LIbRARY CLOSED 

Open bluegrass Jam 

Pub 317, 7 p.m. 

Jeremy Morton 

bacchus Pub, 8 p.m. 

WedneSdaY, Jan. 2 

BiG SKy 

Mike Haring 

Chet’s bar, 8 p.m. 

Shuffleboard wednesday 

Lone Peak brewery, 8 p.m. 

BoZEMan 

uke Group 

wild Joe’s, 7:30 p.m. 


Maggie Maguane 


ThuRSdaY, Jan. 3 

BiG SKy 

Mike Haring 


The bad Larrys 


BoZEMan 

MSu Cats vs. Portland State 



Strangeways 

Murray bar, 9 p.m. 

fRidaY, Jan. 4 

BiG SKy 

Montana Appreciation Day 

Moonlight basin, 9 a.m. 

Jawbone Railroad 


BoZEMan 

bozeman Icedogs vs. billings 

Haynes Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. 

MT Roadhouse band 


Locker Room, Old Soles 

filling Station, 9 p.m. 


Kurt Prond 


Quarry Road band 

Chico Hot Springs, 9 p.m. (and Sat.) 

SaTURDay, jan. 5 

BiG SKy 

Lone Mountain Trio 

Carabiner, 8:30 p.m. 

BoZEMan 

MSu Cats vs. E. washington 



Jan and Nan Conley 


SundaY, Jan. 6 

BoZEMan 

Irish Music Sing 

Pub 317, 7 p.m. 

MonDay, jan. 7 

BiG SKy 

frequent Sky Card Holders 

Ski for Half Price (thru Jan. 13) 

Kenny Diamond 

Carabiner, 4 p.m. 



BoZEMan 

Open Mike 

Haufbrau, 10 p.m. 

TueSdaY, Jan. 8 

BiG SKy 

Tumbledown House 


WedneSdaY, Jan. 9 

BiG SKy 

Shuffleboard wednesday 

Lone Peak brewery, 8 p.m. 

The bad Larrys 



PLanninG an EvEnT? LET US KnoW! EMaiL TyLER@THEoUTLaWPaRTnERS.CoM, anD WE’LL SPREaD THE WoRD. 

bSCC Dodgeball Tournament, big Sky 

7-9pm at Ophir School 

BoZEMan 

uKE Group 

wild Joe’s, 7:30 p.m. 

Sizzling Salsa 

baxter ballroom, 7:30 p.m. 


writer’s Night 


ThuRSdaY, Jan. 10 

BiG SKy 

bluebird Sky 


BoZEMan 

Tango Montana 

beall Park, 7 p.m. 

noRRiS hoT SpRinGS 

Music starts at 7 p.m. every fri., Sat., Sun. 

for listings check 

Norrishotsprings.com 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 57

LAND 

Land is the last segment of the market to recover from the economic downturn. 

Time is your friend in getting the best price on your property if you’re a seller 

- but if you’re a buyer, NOW is the time to close as I don’t think this will last 

much longer - the basic laws of supply and demand are changing and the A grade 

properties are getting swooped up. Contact me directly to discuss options and 

strategy on buying or selling. 

58 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 


$4,995,000 

HOMES 

The distressed inventory is being cleared out and prices are starting to both 

stabilize and grow in the home segment of the community. Homes that are 

amenitized by ski in/ski out, golf course, hiking trails and water as well as in the 

Club communities of Yellowstone Club and Spanish Peaks are quickly stabilizing as 

even the most sophisticated and luxurious homes have reacted to the economy 

and are priced to align with the current market. Call me directly for an update on 

Spanish Peaks bankruptcy status and to review home opportunities. 

$1,599,000 



Martha Johnson, Broker 

406.580.5891 

Martha@BigSkyRealEstate.com 

Acreage - Call for Pricing 

Martha Johnson, Founder, Broker & Owner of Montana 

Living ~ Big Sky Real Estate, is a life long entrepreneur and 

die hard, passionate fan of Big Sky, Montana. Since 1995 she 

has been a highly successful real estate professional known 

throughout Big Sky and Southwest, Montana who, even 

throughout the real estate downturn, has consistantly been 

a top producer. Martha’s deep roots and longevity in the 

community, along with her real estate success and proven 

launch experience in all facets of real estate, strategically 

create a winning combination for both buyers and sellers – 

there’s no substition for Martha’s extensive experience and 

knowledge of Big Sky. 

Scott and I would like to thank you for your dedication and 

loyalty through the building of our new business: Montana 

Living ~ Big Sky Real Estate. We have a better and stronger 

SEO, Social Media and Marketing strategy than ever and our 

team has remained the leader in the industry through the 

transition - we’re very proud! 

CONDOMINIUMS 

Condo’s are the fastest moving segment of the 

community. Distressed, Bank owned and short sales 

have driven the prices down to a level of which have 

attracted buyers back to the market. The value and ease 

of owning a condo where the association takes care of 

everything combined with a great sales price are bringing 

2nd property owner’s back to our community and 

weeding out the spec inventory. 

THE BIG SKY COMMUNITY 

The Big Sky community is an emerging world class 

destination supported by world class ski mountains, 

world class rivers and great non stop air service into 

Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport. I first 

moved to Big Sky in 1988 and worked on a dude 

ranch - I fell in love with Big Sky because there’s still a 

cowboy influence. The Gallatin River corridor known 

by locals as the “canyon” still has cowboys and sheep 

herders that frequent the local canyon bars/watering 

holes while their herds of cattle and flocks of sheep 

summer in the neighboring mountains. That combined 

with, in my opinion, the greatest skiing in the West ~ Big 

Sky/Moonlight make Big Sky the perfect place to hang 

your hat. My experience and longevity in the Big Sky 

community are your key to a successful experience in 

purchasing or selling real estate. 

This information is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, withdrawal and approval of purchase by owner. All information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed by 

Montana Living - Big Sky Real Estate, independent investigation is recommended. For properties being purchased at The Club at Spanish Peaks approval for membership is required prior to 

closing. If you are currently working with another real estate agent, this is not intended as a solicitation.

EVENTS 

MOONLIGHT – On friday, Dec. 

14, Moonlight basin’s sixth annual 

Turkey for a Ticket fundraiser 

benefiting the Gallatin Valley 

food bank brought in record donations 

with 37,895 pounds of food, 

including 1,120 turkeys. 

whether the good early-season 

conditions or the media coverage 

brought more than 1,000 skiers 

and snowboarders to Moonlight, 

this year’s event was undoubtedly 

a huge success. The resort collected 

more than double the amount 

of last year’s donations. 

At least 4,000 pounds of food are designated for 

the new big Sky Community food bank, a satellite 

of the Gallatin Valley food bank, and 900 

pounds or more will go to the food bank in Ennis. 

The annual fundraiser, during which Moonlight 

trades a free lift ticket for every frozen turkey or 

twenty pounds of canned food donated, is a huge 

benefit for the community, but it is also an exciting 

day for the resort’s employees. 

“It’s one of the happiest days of the year,” said 

Greg Pack, Moonlight basin’s general manager. 

“You can just see our employees get excited when 

they see how happy people are that they get to ski 

for free when they donate.” 

Turkey for a Ticket is just one of the many events 

Moonlight puts on to show its community support. 

Other upcoming events include the Special 

Olympics of Montana’s fourth annual big Sky 




Turkey for a Ticket 2012 brings in record donations 



Area winter Games and the ninth annual Howlin’ 

at the Moon Snowshoe Shuffle, a fundraiser 

benefiting the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. 

“we want to make sure we give back to the 

community since the community supports us,” 

Pack said. “It is our responsibility to help others 

however we can.” 

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 59

60 Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2013 

noun: wild or rough terrain 

adjacent to a developed area 

origin: shortened form of 

“back 40 acres” 

Big Sky: a first impression 

STORY AND PHOTOS 

By NiLES JERAN 


Three lessons for any newcomer: 

1) If no one has skied it, there’s a reason – there’s 

probably a scree field under the snow. 

2) It doesn’t matter where you’re from, just don’t 

give away big Sky’s secret and start attracting the 

crowds. 

3) Don’t talk about how much you love bridger at 

the black bear. 

while driving my beat-up white Tacoma into town 

on 191, I bounced my head to “winter beats” by I 

break Horses and dreamed of crushing huge pow 

lines. I was going to take big Sky by storm. I had 

ideas of what it would be like— a California kid ripping 

it up in a mountain town like anywhere else. 

I envisioned big Sky like Jackson, or maybe Aspen, 

vintagewinter.com 

A collection of Alpine Home Decor and Chalet Style Antiques 

Vintage Ski Posters 

$19 

Ski wall sconce 

$229 

collectable ski sets 

starting at $325 

three pane ski frame 

$359 

any items at 

VintageWinter.com 

off 

15% 

use promo code: 

Outlaw 



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, how-to pieces for traditional or 

outdoor skills, and science. 

which blend mountain living with 

nightclubs, elegant galleries and 

million-dollar real estate. I thought 

big Sky would be ordinary and felt 

I already had the place figured out. I 

was wrong. Most ski towns have a superficial 

friendliness that melts away 

like snow in May. Yeah, welcome to 

our home. Ok, now leave. 

big Sky was different. There wasn’t a 

grand welcoming and no one jumped 

at the chance to greet a newcomer. I 

drove up to blue Moon bakery, ordered 

the lunch special and sat down 

at a small table in the corner. 

Loneliness soon crept in. My vision 

of being the life of the party was 

gone. but I began meeting people; 

genuine introductions that shortly 

turned into friendships. big Sky folks 

are deservedly protective of their 

home and weary of over-confident, 

seasonal workers who think they own 

the place. what makes this area tick is 

the personality of its streets, mountains 

and people. I now understand 

what ski towns should be – real, just 

like big Sky. 

A few days after that fateful drive in, 

I learned that big Sky is unincorporated, 

that the people of big Sky have 

been able to flourish outside of a formulated 

government. This paralleled 

what I had already learned – that 

this area has its own identity and can 

function independently. 


No other ski town verbalizes that 

tourism is necessary for the economy 

while also saying, “wait a minute, we 

don’t want too many people— just 

enough to keep the lifts spinning.” 

big Sky wishes to do what it does 

best, which is keep to the rural vibe 

and live harmoniously with the surrounding 

environment. 

The most lasting impression, though, 

came from staring a Moonlight 

basin’s Headwaters from the Madison 

Village base area. That terrain will 

send chills down the spine of any 

confident skier and send them packing 

to whatever half-mountain they 

came from. No mountain can claim 

the steeps, the snow or the freedom 

of big Sky or Moonlight. This area 

has changed my perception of skiing 

forever. 

Last week, after waking up at 4:30 a.m. 

and readying myself for work, I 

walked outside and stared blankly at 

the thousands of stars that flooded 

the sky. I had only seen dark snowy 

clouds for the past few days and took 

a moment as my truck ached to get 

warmed up. 

It was then I realized big Sky is 

something special. It’s a place worth 

preserving and it’s unlike anywhere 

else. Maybe people are right by saying 

“once you come here you might 

never leave,” and maybe, just maybe, 

I’ll one day be able to call this wild 

place home.

heather - Explore Big Sky

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