Explore Big Sky - December 25th to January 7th, 2026

Dec. 25 - Jan. 7, 2026

Volume 16 // Issue 26

BIG SKY RESORT OPENS GONDOLA, KIRCLIFF

‘CATS PUNCH TICKET TO SECONDSTRAIGHT FCS TITLE GAME

BEST OF BIG SKY’S 2025 WINNERS

FIRELIGHT MEADOWS AT ENVIRONMENTAL CROSSROADS

UPDATES ON BIG SKY FIRE DEPARTMENT

TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR

December 25 - January 7, 2026

Volume 16 // Issue 26

Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana

PUBLISHER

Eric Ladd | eric@theoutlawpartners.com

EDITORIAL

VP MEDIA

Mira Brody | mira@theoutlawpartners.com

SENIOR EDITOR

Jack Reaney | jack@theoutlawpartners.com

STAFF WRITER

Jen Clancey | jen@theoutlawpartners.com

LOCAL JOURNALIST

Leslie Kilgore | leslie@theoutlawpartners.com

DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD

Fischer Genau | fischer@theoutlawpartners.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Carli Johnson | carli@theoutlawpartners.com

CREATIVE

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Radley Robertson | radley@theoutlawpartners.com

SALES AND OPERATIONS

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Josh Timon | josh@theoutlawpartners.com

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Megan Paulson | megan@theoutlawpartners.com

VP DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Hiller Higman | hiller@theoutlawpartners.com

DIRECTOR OF RELATIONSHIPS

Ersin Ozer | ersin@theoutlawpartners.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Tucker Harris | tucker@theoutlawpartners.com

CONTENT MARKETING LEAD

Taylor Owens | taylor.owens@theoutlawpartners.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Sara Sipe | sara@theoutlawpartners.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Patrick Mahoney | patrick@theoutlawpartners.com

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

Ellie Boeschenstein | ellie@theoutlawpartners.com

Jason Bacaj, Kaley Burns, Mario Carr, Ali Chipouras, Dom Daher, Nielsen Greiner, Rachel Hergett, Brooks Nuanez, Colter Nuanez, Benjamin Alva Polley, Loris Poussin, Candace-Corette-Pratt, Mark Staples CONTRIBUTORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRIEFS LOCAL SPORTS A&E REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT HEALTH

ON THE COVER:

For the first time since 2008, Big Sky Resort now has an operational gondola serving ski terrain. On Dec. 20, the Explorer Gondola welcomed its first guests, transforming the mountain and connecting to the Lone Peak Tram for an unprecedented base-to-peak experience.

PHOTO BY CARLI JOHNSON

EDITORIAL POLICY

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

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

BIG SKY RESORT OPENS GONDOLA, KIRCLIFF

As sunlight crept over Lone Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 20, guests and visitors of Big Sky Resort were invited to the grand opening of the Explorer Gondola and subsequent Kircliff observation deck marking the finale of the resort’s 10year strategic plan, Big Sky 2025.

FIRELIGHT MEADOWS AT ENVIRONMENTAL CROSSROADS

Big Sky’s Firelight Meadows neighborhood faces a costly— but environmentally critical—infrastructure upgrade to replace its failing septic system. EBS spoke with local experts and authorities on how Firelight residents will need to tackle the issue.

UPDATES ON BIG SKY

FIRE DEPARTMENT

An unexpected budget shortfall in late 2025, caused by a tax miscalculation at the county level, continues to impact the Big Sky Fire Department. EBS checked in to learn how BSFD is moving forward.

‘CATS

PUNCH TICKET TO SECOND-STRAIGHT FCS TITLE GAME

The Montana State Bobcats stayed resilient without breakout defensive star Caden Dowler on Saturday, Dec. 20, defeating the rival Montana Grizzlies. EBS columnist Colter Nuanez dives into the success of Caden’s twin, Taco Dowler, including his stellar 87-yard grab and what has fueled the Bobcats in the FCS tournament.

BEST OF BIG SKY’S 2025 WINNERS

Community took center stage at the 2025 Best of Big Sky Awards, hosted by Explore Big Sky and Outlaw Partners on Dec. 16. Business owners, community leaders, nonprofits and even local pets gathered to celebrate more than 40 awards presented throughout the evening.

TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR

The Explore Big Sky team looked back at some of our best work from 2025, and picked out the stories worthy of a second read. If you missed one, here’s your chance to catch back up before diving into 2026.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor allow EBS readers to express views and share how they would like to effect change. These are not Thank You notes. Letters should be 250 words or less, respectful, ethical, accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to media@outlaw.partners.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

For the Jan. 8th issue: Jan. 2nd 2026

CORRECTIONS

Please report errors to media@outlaw.partners.

OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • media@theoutlawpartners.com ©2025 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited

BRIEFS NEWS IN BRIEF

BIG SKY RANKS THIRD IN WELLNESS SURVEY PARTICIPATION

EBS STAFF

Across the mountain West, 10 resort communities from Aspen, Colorado, to Sun Valley, Idaho and Big Sky, are participating in a wellness survey to better understand mental, behavioral and overall community wellness. The survey is paired with a layer of friendly competition as local organizers, including Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and the Big Sky Health and Wellness Coalition, urge those who work and live in Big Sky to participate against other communities.

As of mid-December, Big Sky is in third place at 194 participants, behind Steamboat, Colorado at 429 participants, and Summit County, Colorado at 268 participants. Sarah Gaither of the Big Sky Community Food Bank told EBS in an email she hopes Big Sky can reach 1,000 participants by February.

The regional wellness survey is led by the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and while the competition is friendly, local leaders said the data ensures the community’s needs are accurately represented alongside other resort towns. Its true purpose is to support and uplift each other, and Big Sky is "grateful to be part of the KAF community," emphasized Kiernan Volden, director of programs at Wellness In Action. Participation is open to Big Sky residents and commuters who work in Big Sky, and the survey is available in both English and Spanish. Responses are anonymous, with an optional entry at the end to win a $500 Conoco gift card.

Founded by former and current Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz and his late wife Elana Amsterdam, KAF works to improve mental and behavioral health in Mountain West resort communities. Once complete, survey data will be uploaded to KAF’s dashboard, allowing Big Sky to compare results with similar mountain communities. Locally, the data collected will play a critical role as Big Sky explores the formation of a Big Sky Wellness District, a potential initiative that could generate approximately $20 million in funding over the next eight years to support health and wellness programs.

NEW ALS DIAGNOSTIC BLOOD TEST

EBS STAFF

A new rapid blood test for ALS has been developed by scientists at the Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based nonprofit Brain Chemistry Labs. Based on analysis of 788 patient blood samples, including 393 ALS patients and 395 healthy controls, the new test can identify a person who has ALS with 97% accuracy from a single blood draw. In addition, this new test can also rule out patients who do not have ALS.

“For ALS, which typically results in loss of life within 2-5 years from the appearance of symptoms, a delay of one year in receiving a diagnosis is simply unacceptable,” said Dr. Rachael Dunlop, senior researcher at Brain Chemistry Labs. “This new test means that patients can initiate therapy early in the disease.”

This new test is based on microRNA, short genetic sequences that typically function to modulate protein synthesis. This approach opens up the possibility of diagnosing ALS at the earliest possible stages.

FOX WEATHER

BROADCASTS LIVE FROM BIG SKY RESORT

EBS STAFF

On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, FOX Weather meteorologists Ian Oliver and Bayne Froney presented the first episode of season two of “FOX Weather Ski House” live from Big Sky Resort from 1 to 4 p.m.

Season two of “FOX Weather Ski House” will also present live episodes from Sugarbush and Stratton, Vermont; Steamboat, Colorado; and Deer Valley, Utah.

During the broadcast, Oliver and Froney presented viewers with the local and national weather forecasts, discussed the latest industry gear and ski safety tips, and interviewed former Olympian and Big Sky resident Bode Miller. They also planned to explore the terrain and highlight ways to enjoy Big Sky Resort specifically.

The three-hour show pairs “snow-packed adventures with engaging segments and live interviews on safety, gear and ski culture,” a FOX News Media press release stated. This season features live segments on five local resort conditions, snow reports, ski safety interviews, local ski patrols and guides.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AUDIT PUBLICATION STATEMENT

An audit of the affairs of Big Sky Fire Department has been conducted by Rudd & Company, PLLC. The audit covered the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Section 2-7-521, MCA, requires the publication concerning the audit report include a statement that the audit report is on file in its entirety and open to public inspection. This report is available to the public at 650 Rainbow Trout Run, Big Sky, MT 59716 or at www.bigskyfire.org (Home Page/About Us/ BSFD Master Plan, Annual Reports, and ISO Public Protection Classification/2024 Audited Annual Financial Report). Big Sky Fire Department will send a copy of the audit report to any interested person upon request.

Sincerely, Big Sky Fire Department

LOCAL

BIG SKY RESORT DEBUTS EXPLORER GONDOLA, KIRCLIFF OBSERVATION DECK

BY CARLI JOHNSON

BIG SKY—As sunlight crept over Lone Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 20, guests and visitors of Big Sky Resort were invited to the grand opening of the Explorer Gondola and subsequent Kircliff observation deck marking the finale of the resort’s 10-year strategic plan, Big Sky 2025.

“To our community, our guests and every team member who touched this project, this lift belongs to you,” Troy Nedved, president and COO of Big Sky Resort said at the gondola’s ribbon cutting that morning. “But today isn't just about what we built. It's about why we built it. And the story stretches back 52 years to Chet Huntley's original vision.”

Stephen Kircher, president and CEO of Boyne Resorts, took to the podium to honor the original Explorer lift and the shared vision of establishing Big Sky as a world-class mountain destination. As part of a Big Sky Resort tradition, the new gondola was welcomed by the ringing of a Doppelmayr bell, followed by fireworks before the first riders loaded the cabins.

“For the first time in Big Sky's history, anyone could travel from the parking lots to the Mountain Village, the top of America's Matterhorn—skiers, non-skiers, and every generation,” Kircher said. “So with that, the Big Sky 2025 is now complete. The next chapter is about to unfold.”

The gondola replaces the resort’s last original 1973-built chairlift with new D-Line platform technology by Doppelmayr. According to the press release, Explorer is the fastest 10-person gondola in the world moving at 7.1 meters per second. The 83 cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows, heated seats and has the capacity to move 2,850 skiers per hour.

“Experience here is extraordinary. The Explorer Gondola is the most advanced lift in the world, and the speed at which these cabins leave the terminal is unbelievable,” Nedved said just before the gondola loaded its first riders to experience it for themselves.

The gondola features a mid-mountain station— soon to be base camp for the resort’s ski school

programming—which offers access to much of the beginner terrain, including green-rated trails like Mr. K and White Wing. The gondola continues to its upper terminal beside the base of the Lone Peak Tram. This connection allows for a 15-minute ride from the base of the resort to the summit of Lone Mountain for both skiers and pedestrians, creating an ADA-accessible experience in both winter and summer.

Kircliff brings Chamonix experience to Montana

Following the gondola ribbon cutting, the resort hosted the grand opening of the Kircliff, an alpine observatory that sits atop Lone Mountain designed by Salt Lake City-based architect Tang Yang. The two-story glass structure offers 360-degree views and a glass floor that extends over the edge of the mountain.

“For the first time in Big Sky's history, anyone can reach the top of Lone Peak in the winter. No skis required,” Nedved said. “Just an incredible journey from where we stand here to the top of

the most stunning summit experiences in the greater Yellowstone.”

Inside Kircliff is a custom art installation by sculpture artist Anthony James. The sculpture, titled “The Mountain,” features mirrors and illuminated geometric shapes creating the illusion of infinity.

Atop Lone Mountain, Kircher shared that his inspiration for the structure came from a family trip to Chamonix where there is a similar structure teetering over the edge of Aiguille du Midi mountain.

“I was scared to death to walk in it, but when we got out of there we're thinking, ‘We’ve got to do this somewhere,’” Kircher said.

Nedved called the resort’s innovations—including the installation of 20 new lifts in the last 10 years, the “most significant transformation of North American skiing history.” With the completion of Big Sky 2025, Nedved and Kircher both expressed how the Explorer Gondola and Kircliff are laying the groundwork for what comes next.

Plans include new on-mountain dining, future lift expansions and an enhanced beginner experience centered around the gondola’s mid-mountain station.

Kircher, accompanied by sons Finn and Everett, and wife Molly during the opening ceremonies, emphasized a legacy that goes beyond a few years— and instead looks to decades and lifetimes.

“I want to call out my son Everett, who’s been relentless about the Big Sky 2025 vision. His passion is indicative of the entire next generation as well as my wife's passion for this place,” Kircher said in his opening remarks. “At Boyne, we think long-term. It's one of our core values—not in quarters, not in years, but in decades. That's how my father thought, and that's how we're raising the next generation to think.”

FIRELIGHT MEADOWS SEPTIC SYSTEM FLAGGED FOR UPGRADE AMID WATER QUALITY CONCERNS

‘WE ALL HAVE AN INTEREST TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE’

BY FISCHER GENAU

BIG SKY—A failing private septic system serving the 216-home Firelight Meadows development south of Big Sky’s Town Center has been flagged as a threat to water quality, prompting homeowners to form a new sewer district and pursue a connection to Big Sky’s main wastewater treatment system.

Firelight Meadows operates its own septic system, separate from the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District. Officials and environmental experts say the system can no longer adequately treat wastewater—in fact, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality declared it non-compliant with environmental standards a decade ago— resulting in elevated nutrient levels that may pose risks to the Gallatin River and Big Sky’s drinking water supply.

“It’s a top priority for all parties involved,” said Johnny O’Connor, general manager of the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District. “We’re at the table trying to actively work through solutions.”

Firelight Meadows was built in 2003, when the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District was under a development moratorium and unable to accept new connections. As a result, the developer constructed a separate septic system, privately owned and operated by Westfork Utilities, also known as HLH. When the treatment system was first built, it primarily served second-home owners who spent only part of the year in Big Sky. Over time, however, more residents have moved into Firelight units full-time, and the system became increasingly strained.

In 2015, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality determined that the septic system could not adequately treat wastewater and ordered Westfork Utilities to upgrade it. A decade later, the system remains out of compliance

with state wastewater treatment standards, and nitrogen is not being treated adequately, according to O’Connor.

“The Firelight Meadow septic system essentially is polluting the groundwater that runs from Firelight Meadows to the West Fork of the Gallatin River,” Kristin Gardner, chief executive and science officer for the Gallatin River Task Force, told EBS.

The Gallatin River was designated as impaired in 2023 by Montana DEQ after several years of excessive pollution-induced algal blooms, and experts have been trying to determine the causes of increased nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the waterway. While the river is not exceeding permitted levels for nitrogen or phosphorus, environmental groups say rising nutrient concentrations remain a concern.

A recent study by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology examining water resources in and around Big Sky identified Firelight Meadows as a likely source of excess nutrients, Gardner explained.

“It was a light bulb to our organization that wow, okay, it appears that the pollution going to the West Fork is likely not associated with the golf course,” Gardner said. Furthermore, Big Sky Resort’s golf course had been involved in an environmental lawsuit surrounding alleged pollution from irrigation, and those allegations were recently disproven.

Gardner said that other sources, such as a sewer main leak, have not been ruled out and said further groundwater testing would be needed for certainty. Her primary concern, she said, is the quality of Big Sky’s drinking water, and while she also worries about the river’s long-term health, she noted that fish and aquatic insect populations appear stable.

O’Connor acknowledged the environmental risks but cautioned against describing the issue as pollution.

“When it comes to Firelight, you’ve probably heard some language get tossed around like ‘polluting’— it’s just not meeting current treatment standards,” O’Connor said. “We all want to improve that, we don’t want to have a liability sitting out there, and so we all have an interest to address this issue and hopefully come to a solution for public and environmental safety.”

With the situation hanging over the Big Sky community, Firelight homeowners are taking steps to address the problem themselves.

Finding a fix

One of those homeowners is Becky Brockie, who stepped up to lead the May 2025 ballot initiative and now serves as vice chair of the newly formed Firelight County Water and Sewer District.

“We’re just trying to fix this problem that we essentially inherited when the developer made the choice 25 years ago,” Brockie told EBS. “Fast forward 25 years and now we’re trying to clean up that choice.”

“IT’S MY HOME. IT’S WHERE I LIVE. I LOVE BIG SKY, AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM.”

-Becky Brockie

Brockie learned about the problematic septic system when she volunteered for the Firelight HOA to be more involved in her community. Soon after, she decided to get involved.

“The Firelight project is really a self-preservation project,” Brockie said. “It’s my home. It’s where I live. I love Big Sky, and we have a problem.”

In 2024, the HOA sought voter approval to create a new water and sewer district that would allow Firelight to pursue state and federal funding. Despite unanimous support, the measure narrowly failed after falling one vote short of a statemandated turnout requirement. It passed the following year, and the Firelight Meadows County Water and Sewer District was formally created in May 2025.

The district’s main goal is annexation into the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, which would allow Firelight’s wastewater to be treated at the area’s advanced Water Resource Recovery Facility. But a few things have to happen first.

“You’ve got a bunch of hurdles and stuff you have to go through,” Johnny O’Connor told EBS.

Since 2015, many different deals to fix the system have fallen through, according to O’Connor,

largely due to cost and the involvement of a private utility owner. But he says that Firelight is now a “top priority,” and representatives from both sewer districts and Westfork Utilities met in December to discuss a path forward.

“When the cost is more than what 217 doors can afford, it really stalls things, and then when you’re dealing with a private entity, it’s not so easy,” O’Connor said. “We met with them so we could give them some guidance and help continue to move them forward to get momentum back on track with this project.”

The first step would be a preliminary engineering report, or PER, expected to begin in early 2026,

which would evaluate annexation into BSCWSD and other possible solutions.

“Our next big step to better understand, A, are there any other options out there besides annexation? And B, if there are, what does that option cost compared to annexation?” Brockie said.

O’Connor estimates that upgrading the existing septic system would cost upwards of $20 million, which is a heavy financial burden for just 216 Firelight homeowners. Annexation is widely viewed as the most viable option, though it would take an estimated two to five years.

O’Connor said BSCWSD has unused treatment capacity in the WRRF's second phase that could potentially serve Firelight, but he emphasized that current ratepayers would not be asked to shoulder additional costs of absorbing Firelight.

“We can’t ask our current ratepayers to pay for something that they’ve already paid for, so you have to ask the new people or the new development coming in to pay those fees in order to take on that risk and that liability,” O’Connor said.

Annexation would require agreement among all three parties—Westfork Utilities, the Firelight Meadows district and BSCWSD—as well as approval from their respective boards. If approved, Firelight’s wastewater would be redirected to Big Sky’s public WRRF.

After 10 years of Firelight Meadows going unaddressed, O’Connor, Brockie, and Gardner are all excited that the community is rallying around this issue.

“I’m excited that we’re heading in the right direction,” Gardner said. “It seems like the community wants to see the issue fixed, and it’s been great so far. It seems like it’s moving in the right direction.”

Brockie said that the collaborative effort speaks to how Big Sky comes together to solve problems.

“That’s part of the magic of this town,” Brockie said. “We don’t have a central government, and here’s the type of things our community does despite that.”

LOCAL

GROUP HOPES TO FIND SOLUTION FOR MAINTAINING, IMPROVING POPULAR BEEHIVE BASIN ROAD

AS CONDITION OF THE ROAD TO BEEHIVE BASIN TRAILHEAD WORSENS, LANDOWNERS LOOK TO LONG-TERM PLANS FOR SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

BY JEN CLANCEY

BIG SKY—Each year, hundreds of people drive the winding road to the Beehive Basin Trailhead to access one of Big Sky’s most popular outdoor destinations. What drivers might not know is that the Beehive Basin Homeowners Association covers maintenance of the public section of Beehive Basin Road, including snow plowing, repairs and widening, even as the trailhead’s popularity has increased dramatically in recent years.

Recently the HOA formed the Beehive Basin Access Alliance to find a long-term solution to the public road’s maintenance and repairs, which they say is critical to visitor and resident safety.

It’s a complicated task as a both an old timber company and the U.S. Forest Service hold easements on the road, and current steepness of Beehive Basin Road also makes financing mechanisms more challenging. A meeting to discuss solutions with county officials and community organizations is coming up in January, and in the meantime, a $25,000 microgrant from Big Sky Resort Area District will help the BBAA get started.

Joseph Kiferbaum, a resident in the Beehive Basin area and member of the BBAA, emphasized that any solution is meant to embrace the popularity of the site, primarily accessed for hiking, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

“Everybody who’s in the basin loves it and appreciates the natural beauty of it and wants everyone to experience it, enjoy it,” Kiferbaum said. But the parking lot fills quickly in the summer and

winter, leading cars to park on the edge of the road, eroding away the pavement in the process.

A main concern BBAA has is about safety and emergencies. If road conditions continue to deteriorate and narrow, emergency vehicles can’t access the area. And if a weather event, like the high wind gusts on Dec. 17, blocks road access, helicopters may be the only emergency response option. Rodney Willett, a board member of the

Beehive Basin HOA, added that wintertime poses further challenges. Though the HOA plows and adds grit to the road, unfavorable weather can still lead to cars and trucks sliding and getting stuck.

On Nov. 13, the Big Sky Resort Area District awarded a $25,000 microgrant to the BBAA to support studies and startup costs. BBAA noted that the money will go toward legal counsel to better understand easements and the limits of what BBAA can do with the road, engineering studies and investigations into available financing mechanisms.

One goal is to learn how county officials can get involved to support the effort. The Beehive Basin area is in Madison County, and in an Aug. 11 Madison County Commission meeting, Kiferbaum and fellow resident Lindsay Poe asked commissioners about options for sustainably funding road maintenance. In that meeting, Colton Lauer, deputy county attorney noted that the steepness of the public road currently excludes it from finance mechanisms like rural improvement districts, and although there are small ways to improve road conditions and width, not much can be done to reduce the steep grade.

“It’s somewhat of a unique situation as they all tend to be,” Commissioner Bill Todd responded. He noted that he’s seen the road in the busy season, and agreed with Poe and Kiferbaum’s concerns. Because of the maintenance and improvements needed, the organization would need to explore how to cover both regular work, like snow plowing, and larger improvements like repaving and widening.

A mid-January meeting will outline next steps, and at last bring together government and community entities to find a sustainable and safe option for Beehive Basin Road moving forward.

PROJECT CUTS, SALARY REDUCTIONS: BSFD ADJUSTS TO COUNTY TAX ERROR

FIRE CHIEF REFLECTS ON 'PHENOMENAL' TEAM AFTER TOUGH MONTHS OF DEPARTMENT NEWS

BY JEN CLANCEY

BIG SKY—Big Sky Fire Department Chief Dustin Tetrault sees transparency with the community and taxpayers as no less than essential.

“It’s the highest level of integrity that this organization has,” Tetrault said. So there was no question about sharing the news with the public when the department learned about a major Gallatin County tax miscalculation and the results of a misconduct investigation. Tetrault noted his team’s readiness to reorganize and work together was key to managing a tumultuous fall.

First, a Sept. 25 announcement informed BSFD taxpayers in Gallatin County that they were over levied by $8.5 million, a result of Gallatin County miscalculating mills over the course of four years.

“So effectively, in one phone call we lost $2.7 million of tax revenues,” Tetrault told EBS. That means that about 90% of taxpayer revenue this year is devoted solely to paying staff, according to Tetrault. The fire department quickly informed staff that no one would be laid off. Instead, budgets for projects and maintenance will be reduced and cut.

On the list of cut plans: concrete repairs in Fire Station 2 next to Big Sky Resort, the hiring of four staff members at the new, third fire station, water and sewer installation at the training grounds, and future infrastructure planning, equipment planning and snow removal contracting. One of the snow removal contractors, Big Sky Snowman, donated their services for the upcoming year to help out, according to Tetrault. The fire department and county officials expect to hold a Q&A session in January 2026 to answer further questions, in time for residents to take a look at tax statements that could show a 40-60% reduction in BSFD taxes.

Two BSFD plans will progress, which were formerly meant to be covered in the general budget. The first is to pay for two new engines for Station 3. The station itself is funded through a Rural Improvement District, and the fire department paid a large sum upfront for the engines two years ago with ongoing payments until the engines arrive this year. Limited cash will also be used to buy land next to the training facility, another purchase that was already in the works.

Both of these expenses will be covered by reserve funds, using more than half of the $4 million in reserves, which was originally intended to cover a future public safety headquarters.

To free up further dollars, Tetrault and the fire department leadership team volunteered to take a 5% salary reduction, doing away with a raise they received in July this year. Staff not in leadership positions will continue to receive the same salaries.

Less than two months after the budget news, the fire department shared in a press release that an investigation found that a former deputy chief, Seth Barker, had been charged with felony theft of $79,000 and “official misconduct.” BSFD ordered the internal investigation following department audit results indicating stolen funds. The final investigative report took over a year to complete, combined with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s

Office’s own investigation, and results came out in late October 2025.

Tetrault described the toll of learning and sharing this information with the public, especially after the hit of Gallatin County’s tax miscalculation.

“It’s super, super difficult,” Tetrault said. “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my career.”

Barker attended his initial court hearing on Dec. 15 and following hearings are scheduled for October and November 2026.

Amid those challenges, the fire department worked to serve the community. A recent 2024 annual report revealed statistics to prove it—the department conducted 7,438 hours of training, completed 423 plan reviews and inspections, and responded to 1,431 emergencies. Calls for services only seem to be increasing, as BSFD responded to 13% more emergencies in 2024 compared to 2023, and 56% more emergencies than in 2019.

In addition to working in Big Sky and the region, BSFD began the year by sending staff to assist in the historic Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Any time the fire department assists other states in wildfire mitigation, they are reimbursed for their time. Outside of providing necessary assistance, it’s

also an opportunity for fire departments to both earn revenue and training. Locally, this summer saw an increased demand in wildfire response—a 10-person hand crew is on call to respond to wildfire incidents, with the help of Yellowstone Mountain Club Rural Fire District.

“I think we’re gonna continue to see ignitions climbing around our area here,” Tetrault said. “And we’ve seen that trend for a while and that’s really what’s pushed us to staff up and to get our seasonal wildfire program up and running.”

Despite a bumpy year, and more work ahead to smooth out the department's challenging budget deficit, Tetrault remembers a highlight: celebrating employees at the inaugural employee recognition ceremony last May. The practice of uplifting internal success and looking inward for solutions of budget shortfalls will be a theme in the upcoming year, he explained. He credited his team for getting through a challenging 2025.

“That’s what really makes my job easy and what’s really helped me weather the storm of all of the negative things that have come out, is the fact we’ve got a phenomenal group of people that work here,” Tetrault said. “I would argue that we’re one of the best, if not the best fire department in the state and in the country for that matter.”

BIG SKY PATROLLERS CELEBRATE LIFE OF PHIL CAPY

BY JACK REANEY

BIG SKY—A sudden gust of December air fluttered two-dozen miniature plastic flags, adorned with the ski patrol symbol and the number 32—the radio number of legendary Big Sky ski patroller Phil Capy.

Jimbo Humphries looked left, looked right, and pushed forward down the slope.

Humphries, who patrolled Big Sky Resort from 1995 to 2017, held a larger version of the same flag, affixed to a poster of Capy’s face. A crowd of Big Sky Resort Ski Patrol staff and nostalgic retirees followed Humphries, with flags carried in hand and tucked into goggle straps, beginning a memorial lap down Mr. K on Dec. 10.

On Oct. 17, Capy passed away at 97 years young. He dedicated more than two decades to the safety of Big Sky skiers, working into his late eighties. But patrolling Big Sky was just one of his many chapters: a U.S. Air Force pilot, once shot down in enemy airspace in the Korean War; a jazz guitarist and singer producing records and touring with the Jimmy Clark Trio in the late 1950s and early ‘60s; a casual lumberjack; a handy maintenance worker;

a world traveler; and a public safety leader who developed emergency plans for Gallatin County and Oregon’s Deschutes County.

“Phil is absolutely legend, and lived the kind of life that everybody aspires to live,” Humphries said. He described Capy as interesting, unique and committed to his craft developing the Big Sky Resort Ski Patrol’s medical program.

Capy and Humphries both joined Big Sky patrol in 1995, the same year the resort opened the Lone Peak Tram and began expanding its ski terrain on a massive scale. Capy supported the fastchanging years when the number of skiers grew and complexity of rescues increased, and the medical plans needed updating.

“Phil helped us keep our bearing over the years,” said Steve Emerson, who spent 10 years on patrol with Capy and organized the Dec. 10 celebration of Capy’s long, full, inspiring life. Emerson started patrolling Big Sky in 2007, and took over the medical program where Phil worked. They worked closely together, with many after-hours conversations forging a close friendship.

Emerson was impressed by the number of people who joyfully told stories about Capy during a Wednesday evening dinner ceremony at Big Sky Resort’s Huntley Dining Room.

“Phil was a genuine friend to us all,” Emerson said. “His storytelling was way above par. And his recall—to be able to go back to the 1930s when he was a kid on his bike in central Texas, and the things he used to do—I mean, it’s a lifelong story… He was everyone’s friend.”

Check out a two-minute video by Explore Big Sky’s sister publication, Mountain Outlaw, capturing Phil Capy toward the end of his career in Big Sky.

Tom Stetzner, who patrolled Big Sky Resort for 29 years, summed up what made Capy special.

“The way he skied. The way he operated the firstaid room. The way he would take the sleds down the hill,” Stetzner recalled. “The way he would gather wood in the backcountry. The way he would make yogurt in his cooler at home. The way he would dance when he’d have an organic vegetable

beer. And the way he talked about his beautiful wife, Linda.”

In recent years, Emerson started recording Capy’s stories with a microphone and camera, creating an everlasting portfolio.

“He was just such a gentleman and a charming guy, that he was an easy person to spend time around,” Emerson said. “And he knew so much about life.”

After arcing leisurely turns down the iconic green trail, Humphries spotted Capy’s partner, Linda Herrick, waiting by the ski racks. With a hug, he handed her the seven-foot flag.

“By golly, we had a great turnout,” Humphries said. “So that’s the whole energy behind this, was just to get the family and friends of Phil together to take one good ski run for him.”

The crowd mingled quietly. One retired patroller exclaimed something straight out of an ‘80s locker room—funny, but not quite fit for print—and the group began clicking out of skis, offering hugs to Linda Herrick, and shuffling away with an hour to spare before bringing the memory of Capy to life, a night full of legends and laughter.

Southwest Montana’s podcast covering people, stories and the Greater Yellowstone with humor and heart.

EP. 518

PERC: Greed is Good for the Earth

Meet the Property and Environment Research Center, a nonprofit think tank making national headlines with its unique approach to environmental advocacy.

EP. 523

Framing Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall made a name for herself humanizing chimpanzees, and legendary wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen gives us rare insight into who she was as a person.

The New Bobcatin-Cheif

From facilities and staff to research and athletics, Dr. Brock Tessman is poised to lead a rapidly growing Montana State University into uncharted territory.

“Love the variety of this podcast. It covers everything from bear attacks to musicians to skiers to whiskey.”

Commercial Opportunity in Big Sky Town Center

50 OUSEL FALLS RD BIG SKY TOWN CENTER

9,498± SQFT | 3 COMMERCIAL UNITS

Located at the prime corner of Big Sky Town Center, 50 Ousel Falls Road offers a rare opportunity to own a fully leased commercial building. Home to established tenants like Ousel & Spur Pizza Co., The Waypoint, and The Trove West, this property benefits from high visibility and foot traffic along the main route to The Yellowstone Club and Spanish Peaks. With nearby hotels and community amenities, this exceptional investment opportunity is a standout in Big Sky Town Center.

Fully Leased Investment Property Featuring:

Ousel and Spur Pizza Co. | 1,422 Sqft±

The Waypoint | 7,649 Sqft±

The Trove West | 427 Sqft±

'GIFT FROM THE THRIFT’ GRANTS TOTAL $139K IN THIRD YEAR

BIG SKY THRIFT, YCCF GIVE-BACK PROGRAM SUPPORTS WMPAC, FOOD BANK, BSCO, CUB SCOUTS

BY JACK REANEY

On Dec. 6, Big Sky Thrift reached three years of operation under the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation. Now, manager Emily Burke wonders, “What did we do before the thrift store?”

With three years of growing impact and growing revenue, Big Sky Thrift has been able to develop its give-back program for local nonprofits. After one year, the nonprofit second-hand store granted $137,400; after two years, it granted $150,000; and after its third year of revenue, the grant program— now called “Gift from the Thrift” and focused on awarding fewer, yet larger and more impactful grants—had its most competitive cycle yet, facing $642,000 in requests with $139,219 available.

“We really looked at maximum community benefit, and I really think the ones that we chose are transformative for our community,” Burke told EBS.

The Big Sky Community Food Bank received $3,300 for Food it Forward rescue and fresh produce assets, particularly a tower garden and germinator to allow the nonprofit to grow its own vegetables.

The Montana council of Scouting America received $6,000 for costs to start up a co-ed Big Sky Cub Scout Pack. A pack existed before COVID, and many families have requested it in the years since.

In the first of two larger grants, the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center received $50,030 for a new sound system made by d&b audiotechnik that will support a “crystal clear, world-class” audio experience and should be installed by summer 2026, according to WMPAC Executive Director John Zirkle. He sees the grant as transformational.

"As we continue to grow our presence in the region with extraordinary shows every season, it’s important to keep up with audience and artist needs for high quality sound,” Zirkle stated in an email to EBS. “... Sound is really the front line for an inspiring performing arts experience. Put simply, it ensures that voices are heard.”

The largest grant is $79,889 to the Big Sky Community Organization for a 2025 Ford Transit 15-passenger van. BSCO does not currently have a passenger van, and it will allow the nonprofit to reliably and safely transport kids for Camp Big Sky excursions, as well as participants in programs including Bike Big Sky needing oneway transport for trails like Mountain to Meadow. In rare cases, the van will also be used to fill occasional gaps in Big Sky School District transportation to bring students to BSCO’s after-school BASEcamp program.

“Transportation has been a big barrier for us since the opening of BASE and this gift from Big Sky Thrift is removing that barrier, opening the door to more adventures, learning and connection throughout our community,” stated Liv Grubaugh, BSCO director of development, in an email to EBS. She noted that BSCO will also contribute to the project, and it should be ready by spring 2026.

Doubling the community impact

Big Sky Thrift has granted a total of $477,450 since opening in December 2022, counting college scholarships to local high school students through Friends of Big Sky Education and nearly $50,000 in event sponsorships offered to other nonprofits.

This year’s "Gift from the Thrift" grant program budget was slightly smaller due to a change in Big Sky Thrift’s subsidy framework. The shop’s increased revenue means it requires less support from the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation than in years past.

“[We’re] doing substantially better,” Burke said. “Our annual sales are up over 55% to-date. And that’s due to being open more days, and also just word getting out about the Thrift around the state of Montana.”

Burke sees the thrift as critical for Big Sky’s local workforce, especially those arriving to Big Sky in need of basic home supplies—for example, a can opener would be $1 at Big Sky Thrift, versus $15 or more brand new from other local stores.

“I don’t know how people managed,” Burke said. “I think you see it making a huge difference— again, it’s a quality-of-life thing. To be able to come into a place and get really good quality stuff that’s affordable.”

The store has always been volunteer-run, with Burke being the only paid employee through her YCCF role—they’re currently hiring a second employee, though.

Melissa McKeithen was among the founding volunteers and served on the YCCF steering committee to create the shop. Like many of the volunteers, she’s very passionate about the gig.

Burke said its the only organization in Big Sky in which the volunteers vote directly on the distribution of funds. Volunteers also participate in the live interview process with grant applicants.

“It enhances the volunteer experience because you’re in here on a daily or weekly basis, seeing how much having the Thrift means to the community,” McKeithen said. “Just in terms of access to affordable goods and clothing. And then, to be able to turn around and [distribute] all the profit, you’re kind of doubling the community impact. It’s super rewarding for a volunteer to be involved on both sides of that.”

McKeithen thought that the surge of donated goods would eventually slow, but they didn’t. She’s been surprised by the overflowing donations and by the popularity of “thrifting” among locals, kids and tourists.

Burke gestured around the back-of-house unit for storing and sorting donations, with items that will soon find their second home. Just last year, the shop kept more than 58,000 items out of the landfill.

Her question is fair: what did people do before the thrift?

“Where did all this stuff go,” Burke wonders. “Look at this stuff.”

SPORTS

MONTANA STATE DOUBLES DOWN AGAINST RIVAL MONTANA; HEADS TO SECONDSTRAIGHT TITLE GAME

‘CATS RESILIENT WITHOUT DEFENSIVE STAR CADEN DOWLER; COACH VIGEN VIEWS TACO’S 87-YARD GRAB AMONG ALL-TIME BOBCAT PLAYS

BY COLTER NUANEZ SKYLINE SPORTS

BOZEMAN—Following Saturday evening’s FCS semifinal action, the Montana Grizzlies finished their season with a 13-2 record, both losses to the ‘Cats and both losses in large part because of the Dowler twins.

This 2025 chapter of the Dowler brothers’ story has been fascinating: for the first three seasons of their Montana State careers, Caden Dowler was known as Taco Dowler’s brother.

Taco has the unique name. Taco catches the touchdowns. Taco returns the punts. Taco has TV color commentator Ty Gregorak shouting, “It's Taco Tuesday on a Saturday!” any time the man from Billings named Taco scores.

But this season, despite Taco’s undeniable name recognition and undeniable continued production, Caden Dowler stole the stage. Taco became Caden’s brother instead of vice versa, as Caden became the hero of the fall for the Montana State Bobcats.

Caden Dowler began his turnover barrage in early November, helping Montana State put the rest of the Big Sky Conference on notice when he forced three takeaways in MSU’s 66-14 win over Weber State.

The takeaway propensity continued for the rest of the season as Caden surged his way to earning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.

His pick-6 against UC Davis helped Montana State emerge from a Top-8 showdown with a 38-17 win. Dowler’s pick-6 against Montana was a huge difference maker in MSU’s 31-28 win over the Griz in Missoula in November.

That Garden City victory sewed up a third Big Sky title in four seasons under fifth-year head coach

Brent Vigen. It also ensured MSU would have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. And it crucially assured that if the Grizzlies advanced as far as the Bobcats in this year’s postseason, the 125th rivalry showdown would occur at Bobcat Stadium.

So when all of those factors played out, and Caden Dowler snapped his wrist less than 10 minutes into the “Super Brawl”, no one could’ve blamed the Bobcats for panicking.

Montana State’s best player and team captain was wounded.

That’s when Taco Dowler reassumed his lead amongst the Dowler brothers in a friendly competition—one that’s actually irrelevant because it’s dead even. And Montana State sure is lucky to have the twins from Billings.

In a back-and-forth game in which Montana State dominated the first 20 minutes despite Caden’s injury to take a 20-3 lead, only to see Montana grab the momentum back for the next 20 minutes and leap-frog to a 23-20 lead of their own, Taco provided the back-breaker.

In the third quarter, MSU answered UM’s goahead with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in Bozeman-native Rocky Lencioni’s short TD to put MSU up 27-23.

But when Montana State faced third-downand-20, three minutes into the fourth quarter, Justin Lamson rolled out and heaved a pass through

contact that will resonate forever in Bobcat and FCS lore.

Taco Dowler snared the pass and used his afterburners to finish an 87-yard touchdown, bringing the scoreboard one giant step closer to an insurmountable deficit for the Griz.

“To be able to finish it off in the fashion that we did, clearly, the play from Justin to Taco, I don’t know if that’s not the best play in the history of our program, I don’t know… it certainly was the best play today,” coach Vigen said after the game.

Taco, the former Montana Gatorade Player of the Year out of Billings West High School, contributed to winning throughout the contest. He hauled in five catches for 125 yards and seemed unfazed by a hit to the head which resulted in a targeting penalty against the Griz.

“I think just celebrating and getting to spend another week with this team means more than anything,” Taco said after the game, noting it feels similar to last year. “Caden wasn’t playing in this game. I gave him a big hug and shed a tear with him. Then we won. Super special.”

Dowler brothers aside, Montana State has affirmed full authority in a rivalry that Montana once owned. The Bobcats took a back-and-forth heavyweight fight and turned it into a late-round knockout, affirming the Treasure State in the process.

The ‘Cats have now won eight of the last 10 against the Griz, including three in a row. UM has not won in Bozeman in 10 years and six trips to Bobcat Stadium. UM head coach Bobby Hauck is 2-6 against MSU since returning to his alma mater, including 0-4 in Bozeman. His overall record is 7-8 after leaving Montana after his first stint (20032009) with a 5-2 mark that included four wins in a row, and two straight in Bozeman.

Vigen is 60-12 in his Bobcat career, including 40-2 at home. He’s never lost a game in regulation at Bobcat Stadium. And his team will play for the national championship for the third time in five years after not playing for or winning a national title since 1984.

The Dowlers have played a large part this season. But Vigen’s unshakeable nature, driven and stoic approach along with his unbreakable formula for winning have been the defining factor in the greatest era in Bobcat football’s storied history.

And now Montana State gets to go to Nashville, Tennessee—instead of Frisco, Texas—to play in a national championship game without North Dakota State, Vigen’s alma mater, looming on the other side.

Instead, Montana State will gun for its first national title since 1984 against Illinois State, a 30-14 winner over No. 12 Villanova and the first team in FCS Playoffs history to win four straight road games. The Redbirds advance to the FCS title game for the first time since 2014.

“This was about ‘how can we complete this journey and go as far as possible?’” Vigen said. “What did it take this crew… 51 weeks? And obviously, we have one more game. We have to figure out how to get on top.”

Colter Nuanez has covered the Big Sky Conference for 19 seasons and has directly covered Montana State since 2011. His work can be found at skylinesportsmt.com and he can be reached at Colter.Nuanez@gmail.com.

A&E

‘OUTLIER’: HOLDEN SAMUELS FEATURED IN FREERIDE DOCUMENTARY

SHORT FILM EXPLORES SAMUELS’ IDENTITY AS A CHARGING, BIG MOUNTAIN

SNOWBOARDER RAISED ON THE ROCKY STEEPS OF BIG SKY’S HEADWATERS RIDGE

BY MARIO CARR EBS CONTRIBUTOR

BIG SKY—One of Big Sky’s finest mountain athletes is in the spotlight, in a new film that premiered on Dec. 19.

The Pangea Collective Youtube channel will release four short documentaries, each showcasing the unique story of one skier or snowboarder on the 2025 Freeride World Tour. Holden Samuels, a professional freeride snowboarder from Big Sky, finished sixth overall last season and qualified for the 2026 FWT. The title of the Samuels-focused film, “Outlier,” is a description of his unique, aggressive style forged on the steep slopes of Lone Mountain, as the only snowboarder on his freeride team.

“There’s just not a lot of snowboarders in Big Sky or Montana in general. Most people ski and I think that has a lot to do with the fact that the terrain is a little bit more difficult to snowboard in… it doesn’t lend itself to snowboarding really well like some other places,” Samuels explained in an interview with EBS about the film.

The documentary features intimate time with Samuels’ family, along with some time following him around his home mountain on the terrain that turned him into the competitor he is today.

“I’m really thankful to grow up in Big Sky. I love the community, I love the town, I love the mountain and it’s pushed me a long way… I’ve been all around the world—Big Sky’s still my favorite place to ride,” Samuels said.

Pangea Collective Creative Director Ethan Herman says that he’s wanted to cover Samuels’ story for a long time, and thinks the best is yet to come for his career.

“We want to tell stories about the athletes that we work with… Holden really stood out to us because he’s really just like such an underrated rider. I think he absolutely has the talent to win the tour,” Herman said.

Herman believes that Samuels—who is now 25 years old—has the years under his belt and the strength in his legs to piece together a championship run. With hopes that Freeride will be part of the 2030 Winter Olympics, Samuels aims to compete for gold on that new world stage.

Go big or go home

As Big Sky’s first competitive FWT contestant to tackle the slopes on one edge, Samuels has made it to the highest level of competition and hopes he’s helped inspire others to follow in his bootsteps.

A theme of the film is Samuels’ stubbornness as a rider, and how that has shaped his creative and aggressive style. He said it can be harder

for snowboarders to control speed on certain freeride venues.

“Growing up around skiers I just wanted to do the same things they were doing. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t do that, so that was always my goal throughout competing,” Samuels said. He fought to keep up with his older brother, Chase, on skis as he led the way down gnarly terrain during Holden’s development as an athlete. Chase also competed in freeride in the skiing category.

“I just tried to do everything he was doing and I think that helped me a lot. I think it’s hurt me in

some competitions—but overall it’s made me a much better rider,” Holden said.

As a kid, Holden believed snowboarders were simply less exciting to watch than the skiers in competition, and it was his goal to change that. “That definitely got me into some trouble because I have hit a lot of things in competition that maybe I shouldn’t have,” he said.

Samuels’ career as a freeride competitor has been known for big sends and big spills, but he’s never let his failures discourage him. Last season he fought to make the cut after falling at his first two events, and hopes this year he can combine his skills and his wisdom for a cleaner journey to the championship.

Balancing risk and reward in competition has been Samuels' greatest challenge, but he explained that he believes he has what it takes to continue to make the podium in a sport that puts a lot of weight into top results—middle-of-the-pack finishes don’t pay off as much as victories, even if the podium chase leads to a crash here and there.

“So a lot of competitors do have an incentive to kinda go big or go home, in a way,” he said.

When it comes to balancing his love for freeride with the reality of the competition and the need to outperform others, Samuels has never complicated the issue.

“I have pretty high expectations for myself… I would definitely say that I’m just trying to ride my best and compete against myself more than anything during every competition and usually if I do that, those are the same criteria that would land me on the podium.”

A LA CARTE: AN OLD ARMY TRADITION FOR CHRISTMAS

BY RACHEL HERGETT EBS COLUMNIST

My grandfather, Bozemanite John Williams, did not talk much about his time in the U.S. Army, though his service to our country shaped our family in countless ways. He met the woman who would become his wife, my grandmother Keiko, in a coffee shop on the outskirts of Hiroshima, near where his unit was stationed to aid in post-war cleanup. His young family’s early moves, criss-crossing the country from Texas to Massachusetts, were based on where he was stationed.

My own ideas of what grandpa’s time in service to our country must have been like are decidedly colored by mid-century cinematic depictions, especially “White Christmas.” It’s a sparkly propaganda-centered version of life in wartime and after the bombs have dropped. And maybe this is the type of nostalgia grandpa was leaning into when he requested my grandmother whip up old Army dishes in the kitchen.

One, which remains a mess hall treat among the ranks of active service members, is a hamburger gravy served over toast. It’s generally known as SOS, or “s*** on a shingle.” It’s delicious slop.

Grandpa loved the dish so much he requested that his wife learn to make it. And she did, every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember. In this way, grandpa’s service also shaped my family’s longest-standing Christmas food tradition.

In my childhood, Christmases were a more raucous affair. My mom was one of seven children, and whoever could possibly make the trip home to Montana would congregate around their parents during the holidays, along with a selection of my more than 20 first cousins. I remember the magic of the giant evergreen, dripping in tinsel and surrounded by a moat of presents so wide one couldn’t even touch the tree. While my eyes were filled with the wonders of that tree, my nose was filled each Christmas morning by the smell of the

giant pot of SOS that grandma would stir with one hand, while removing tray after tray of biscuits from the oven with the other.

I polled my family about SOS in the weeks leading up to Christmas this year. “Do you still do SOS on Christmas morning?” I asked. And “Have you tweaked the recipe at all?” The results were interesting.

Without my grandparents, each of my mom’s siblings have started to create their own traditions, though most of us still expect there to be some form of SOS on the table on Christmas morning. Family members that don’t make SOS on Christmas morning have young kids or dietary restrictions, making it impractical. But even they remember it fondly.

The official recipe, I suppose, is the “Creamed Ground Beef” from the Armed Forces Recipe Service developed by the U.S. Army Quartermaster School and used by all branches of the military. Like most of the Armed Forces Recipe Service’s

offerings, this one is scaled to feed an army. It calls for 18 pounds of ground beef for 100 servings, and water to reconstitute the dried milk from army rations.

The recipe is simple, as one would expect for food made at that scale: Brown the ground beef with onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, then add milk and a flour slurry to thicken. Grandma added Kitchen Bouquet to make the gravy more brown, and, if recall is correct, left out the Worcestershire.

According to my family poll, no one follows the recipe from either grandma or the army. The most popular variation switches up the meat, creating a half-hamburger and half-sausage combo that is somewhere between actual SOS and the sausage gravy most people associate with biscuits and gravy.

My mom’s version is usually some form of ground wild game. It is a bit of a cross between hamburger and sausage, she tells me. At their request, pork fat is added by the game processor, and then, when it is cooking, she adds a homemade sausage seasoning.

One uncle, who also served in the military, seems to go rogue, making more of a brown gravy version with beef stock. I scoffed at the idea, and when I told one cousin—another veteran—she texted, “That is not OK.” But I may have to eat my words. A version of SOS in “The Army Cook” from 1942 uses evaporated milk and water, or beef stock.

These days, Christmas mornings seem very quiet. Our pot of SOS feeds a few people—not an army—and we only make one tray of biscuits. Still, sitting down to the table to a plate of SOS makes me feel connected to our family history, to all of my aunts and uncles and cousins scattered around the country, and to those who served our country itself. I can’t imagine Christmas without it.

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

SATURDAY, JAN. 3

HUMMOCKS TRAILHEAD, 12 P.M.

Hosted by Big Sky Community Organization, community members are invited to snowshoe the three-mile Hummocks Trail near Big Sky Town Center. Attendees should dress warm, bring their own snowshoes and meet at the Hummocks Trailhead by noon.

REGIONAL

NEW LIGHTHOUSE RANCH FACILITY AIMS TO TRANSFORM YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN GALLATIN VALLEY

BY MIRA BRODY

BOZEMAN—For years, Gallatin County has faced rising youth mental health needs with few resources to meet them. In the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 14% of Gallatin County high schoolers reported attempting suicide in the previous year.

“It's a shocking number,” Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition Coordinator Kirsten Smith said. “In that same year, almost 300 kids ended up in our emergency department after a self-harm attempt.”

Lighthouse Ranch is a nonprofit that provides teens and families with the mental health services, residential care and crisis support, build skills and find a path to healing. To grow their services and match a growing need, Lighthouse Ranch has set an ambitious goal—to raise $8.5 million and open a full-service campus for local families.

The door of opportunity opened when Smith caught word of the sale of the former Liberty Place’s Bootstrap Ranch, once the sole rehab facility in Montana for severely brain-injured adults, which closed in 2023. The campus, located along Dry Creek Road in Belgrade, was still equipped with 10 buildings including dorms, classrooms, a gym, cafeteria, commercial kitchen, barn, staff housing and 30 acres of open space.

“The moment I saw it, I thought, we have a provider and we have a place—how do we make this happen,” said Smith, who also serves as Lighthouse Ranch’s executive director.

The project is being led by the Human Resource Development Council, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Gallatin County and the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition. It has quickly received generous support from a network of community partners—HRDC helped purchase the property for $3.55 million after Liberty Place agreed to dramatically reduce the price; Gallatin County Commissioners contributed $1.5 million in seed funding; and donations of $550,000 from Bozeman Health, $300,000 from Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, and between $50,000 and $100,000 each from private family foundations, have helped raise the first third.

The Bozeman-based Rieschel Foundation recently approved a $250,000 grant toward the project, and for the foundation’s Executive Director Pete MacFadyen, it was a way to give back to a cause he’s been ingrained with for most of his career. MacFadyen founded Big Sky Youth Empowerment where he worked as the executive director for 18 years, and he holds a license in professional counseling.

“We invest in our kids because we care about the future, and from a pragmatic standpoint, providing a robust continuum of care … it saves all of us money and time in the future,” MacFadyen said. “Having this service available to the people in the community is helpful because it's the right thing to do.”

The completed campus will consist of housing for 60 teens and staff as well as a school, and therapeutic and recreational facilities. The space will allow families to seek care locally instead of traveling to Helena, Billings, Missoula or Salt Lake City for inpatient care.

That separation, Smith said, compounds trauma for kids and families alike.

“Sending a kid out of town … is so disruptive for that child to leave and not be working in harmony with their family if [family members] aren't able to relocate,” Smith said. “And even if they are, there's this transition back to their home, to their community.”

The ambitious fundraising goal will allow Lighthouse Ranch to expand its existing services, a plan outlined in three phases. First, it expands outpatient and community-based services from approximately 70 to 200 youth and families per day providing early intervention, therapy and intensive outpatient care. Second, it will add short-term, youth-specific crisis and post-crisis stabilization beds with 24/7 staffing and clinical support. Finally, it will establish a full residential and educational space serving 45 to 60 youth in residential treatment, and an on-campus day school program for regional districts, allowing students with mental health needs to attend school during the day and return home at night as needed.

The motivation to reach that goal remains simple, as Smith put it: “If our kids aren’t okay, nobody’s okay.”

On Dec. 12, Lighthouse Ranch raised another $204,000 more fundraising dollars at an event called LIFT, hosted by SAV Digital Environments and Alder and Tweed in Big Sky, aided by a $100,000 donation match by the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Lone Mountain Land Company. The generosity and support shown by the local community, both Smith and MacFadyen agree, has been remarkable.

“This community is incredible. We have world-class human beings living here. We have world-class access to natural resources. We take care of one another,” MacFadyen said. “I think it speaks to the character of the community.”

ENVIRONMENT

DISPATCHES FROM THE WILD: THE BATTLE FOR MONTANA’S PUBLIC LANDS

STEVE PEARCE, SEN. STEVE DAINES AND THE BLM

BY BENJAMIN ALVA POLLEY EBS COLUMNIST

Montana’s wild landscapes aren’t just scenery—they represent a deeply held way of life for many in the Treasure State. Access to public lands shapes Montana’s culture, economy, and even its politics.

That’s why President Trump’s nomination of Steve Pearce, a former Congressman from New Mexico, to direct the Bureau of Land Management is drawing significant scrutiny, especially among Montanans who are passionate defenders of their public lands. Adding fuel to the debate, Sen. Steve Daines —an endorsement at odds with the sentiment of many in his own state.

Pearce’s background combines business acumen and legislative experience. He served on committees related to natural resources and land management in Congress, which supporters say demonstrates his understanding of the complexities of administering vast federal lands.

Advocates argue Pearce will champion policies to increase responsible resource extraction—timber, minerals, and energy—that can generate revenue for rural communities. Pearce has stressed the importance of returning control to local authorities, criticizing what he views as overreach by federal agencies. His supporters believe this philosophy could give Montana ranchers, landowners,

and county officials a stronger voice in land management decisions.

Some hope that Pearce will streamline permitting processes, making it easier for small businesses, ranchers and outfitters to operate on public land.

Still, many Montanans are worried.

Pearce’s record includes support for transferring federal lands to state or private entities—a stance that alarms Montanans who cherish broad public access for hunting, fishing and recreation. Many fear Pearce could restrict access or prioritize corporate interests. Conservationists warn that increased resource extraction could lead to habitat loss, water pollution and degradation of wild landscapes, endangering Montana’s rich wildlife biodiversity and tourism economy.

Montana’s outdoor recreation sector generated $3.4 billion in 2024 and supported 30,915 jobs. Public lands and their protection consistently poll high around 74% among Montana voters, across the political spectrum. Pearce’s positions appear out of step with these deeply held values, raising concerns about who the BLM will serve. Pearce’s critics argue that he has not consistently demonstrated a willingness to listen to all stakeholders. Montana’s outdoor recreationists, tribal groups and conservation organizations worry their voices will be marginalized or ignored.

Sen. Daines appears torn between party allegiance and state values.

As a staunch Republican, Daines’ support for Pearce is not surprising. Daines claims the nomination will create jobs and stimulate local economies. But this stance puts him at odds with many Montanans—

Democrats, Independents and many Republicans— who fear losing access to the public lands that define their way of life.

Montana has a tradition of bridging political divides when it comes to wild places. Support for keeping public land in public hands is nearly universal, with organizations such as Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Montana Wildlife Federation voicing concerns about Pearce.

It’s telling that Daines faces growing criticism from constituents who see his support for Pearce as an abandonment of homegrown values for party loyalty.

Bottom line, the debate over Steve Pearce’s nomination as BLM director goes beyond a single appointment—it’s a referendum on who gets to shape the future of America’s public lands.

For Montana, the stakes could not be higher. Across the state, people are asking whether their voices— from ranchers and hunters to conservationists and tribal leaders—will be drowned out by distant politicians with only a passing interest in the places they call home. By standing behind the nominee, Senator Daines now faces a stark choice: defend the lands that define Montana, or allow party lines to silence the voices of his own state.

Daines is up for re-election next year. Don’t forget where he stands on what’s important to Montanans.

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

THRIVING LANDSCAPES: WHY THE HOME IGNITION ZONE MATTERS ENVIRONMENT

BY ALI CHIPOURAS EBS COLUMNIST

This summer in Montana, the 2025 wildfire season reminded us just how unpredictable fire can be. Statewide, total acreage burned remained relatively low, just over 76,000 acres, the fourthlowest in the past 15 years. However, the number of individual starts was high at around 2,200.

In late August, the West Fork Fire broke out in the southern Madison Range, roughly 20 miles south of Big Sky. From its ignition on Aug. 19, until containment later in the season, wildfire crews battled the blaze. Even though crews eventually achieved containment, the West Fork Fire, and others nearby, were stark reminders of the risk and real impacts of embers, smoke and fire.

Home ignition zone

Now more than ever, creating defensible, wellplanned landscapes around our homes is essential for safety, community resilience and long-term ecological health. A major part of that work is understanding the home ignition zone, which is the roughly 200 feet around your home that has the greatest influence on a structure’s potential to survive a wildfire. By managing this space thoughtfully, homeowners, renters and property owners can dramatically reduce ignition risk.

The Department of Natual Resources’ Montana Wildland Fire Preparedness Guide provides detailed checklists for each part of the home ignition zone. Below is a streamlined overview of the three landscape zones and the recommended best practices for each:

Immediate zone: 0-5 feet from the home

Wind-blown embers are the biggest threat to homes during a wildfire. This zone should be kept as close to non-combustible as possible. The DNRC provides examples of what homeowners can do to secure the immediate zone.

Homeowners can remove wood mulch, firewood, dead leaves, pine needles and other flammable items, install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening on vents and other openings to prevent ember entry, seal gaps in siding, trim and roof edges with highquality caulk and maintain it annually and use nonflammable fencing materials where a fence attaches to the house.

Intermediate zone: 5-30 feet from the home

The intermediate zone area should stay “lean, clean, and green,” especially during fire season. Homeowners are encouraged to remove dead grasses, weeds, brush and dried vegetation, keep lawns and native grasses mowed and wellwatered, prioritize low-growing, non-woody, herbaceous plants with good spacing and break up continuous fuels with rock features, paths, patios or irrigated landscaping.

Extended zone: 30-100 feet or more from the home

In this part of the home ignition zone, the focus is on reducing overall fuel and slowing fire spread. The DNRC recommends residents clear leaf litter, needles, and woody debris from the yard, maintain grasses and wildflowers at under eight inches in height and thin overcrowded trees and shrubs to improve spacing and eliminate ladder fuels.

A landscape that works smarter, not harder

Creating fire-ready landscapes isn’t about removing nature—it’s about planning with intention. By choosing native plants, reducing excess fuels and using water wisely, residents can establish landscapes that are safer during wildfire season while supporting wildlife habitat, reducing water use and enhancing ecosystem services such as soil health, pollination and watershed function.

Curious what improvements could make the biggest impact on your property? Schedule a free site visit this spring with Alpenscapes’ partners the Big Sky Fire Department, Gallatin River Task Force and Grow Wild. Learn more at Alpenscapes.org.

Ali Chipouras, writing on behalf of Big Sky’s Alpenscapes, is a sustainability and communications consultant with nearly a decade of experience helping organizations and communities in Montana advance their climate and resilience goals. Based in Bozeman, she enjoys spending time in the mountains.

GNFAC: FOCUS ON 30 ENVIRONMENT

BY MARK STAPLES EBS COLUMNIST

Deciding when to enter avalanche terrain requires a complicated decision-making process involving the avalanche danger rating, evaluations of recent weather and an individual slope assessment. However, before we even start that process, we need to be able to identify where avalanches happen.

Identifying avalanche terrain is like identifying the door to a casino; once you enter that door you can have a lot of fun but you might lose all your money. Entering the casino is just like entering avalanche terrain, except that the door is invisible, and the stakes are much higher. We’re gambling with our life.

The good news is that we can learn to see the door. The other good news is that we don’t have to go through the door to still have lots of fun—we can ride low angle slopes staying out of avalanche terrain and never worry about avalanches.

There are many ways to recognize this door. If it looks fun to ride, then it is probably avalanche terrain. If trees are flagged or show damage from frequent avalanches, then it’s avalanche terrain.

The other surefire way to identify the door to avalanche terrain is with slope angles. The challenge is that there are many different slope angles used to define avalanche terrain. A quick Google search gives a lot of varying results: 25-50 degrees, 30-45 degrees, 37-38 degrees, 35-38 degrees. While all are correct, it’s confusing.

Instead, we focus on a single number: 30.

Going on or under slopes steeper than 30 degrees is entering the door. If we avoid walking through the door, we can avoid avalanches altogether. By learning to see this door, we can safely ski and ride every day regardless of the avalanche danger.

Can we accurately measure slope angles? We can, but it requires education and practice. There are many essential skills needed to safely travel in the mountains, and they all require education and practice with no shortcuts. It’s even more important to practice measuring slope angles because it’s easy to misjudge—for example, 30-degree slopes feel totally different in different situations. Slope angles look different on a cloudy day compared to a sunny day. They feel different on a hard icy slope compared to a slope with soft powder. Mapping apps can help, but they can’t tell you exactly where that door is and ultimately, there’s no substitute for taking measurements in the field and practicing a lot. All my field partners and coworkers practice measuring this slope angle more than we practice avalanche rescue.

One important point: you don’t have to be on a slope steeper than 30 degrees to be in avalanche terrain. If you’re under a slope steeper than 30 degrees, you’re in avalanche terrain because that’s where avalanches run. Many people have died thinking they were “playing it safe” on the slope, but were actually under a steep slope, thus in avalanche terrain. A good example of this happened near Cooke City on Dec. 11 of this year. Two riders were crossing under Crown Butte in relatively flat terrain, but they triggered an avalanche that crashed down on them. One was buried for 12 minutes, but luckily found and dug out alive.

Entering the door to avalanche terrain means crossing onto a slope steeper than 30 degrees OR going underneath a slope steeper than 30 degrees.

Buy a simple inclinometer or use an app on your phone to start measuring the slope angles of small slopes. Ask your partners to do the same and compare measurements. Getting it right is a matter of life or death—practice and you’ll get better. Focus on 30 and ask yourself and your group: “Is that slope steeper than 30 degrees or not?”

While there are other ways to identify avalanche terrain, knowing if a slope is steeper than 30 or not is the most basic and most important.

Mark Staples is the director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

HEALTH

HEALTH BUZZ: ALTITUDE GUIDE

BY KALEY BURNS EBS COLUMNIST

Welcome to wonderful Big Sky, Montana! As you take in the beautiful scenery, your body may also be reminding you that you are not at sea level anymore. Depending on where you are in town, you could be resting anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 feet of elevation.

At higher elevations, you will take in less oxygen per breath. This means the higher you climb, the greater the risk of developing altitude-related illness. Altitude sickness is actually a type of stress on the body and can be a big concern for travelers. The stress of lower oxygen levels can lead to symptoms such as nausea, trouble breathing and weakness.

Thankfully there is no need to miss out on the fun and leave the mountain to alleviate altitude-related symptoms. Reference this guide for helpful tips and tricks.

Dr. B’s Top 10 Tips to Adjust to Altitude

1. IV nutrient and hydration therapy: Especially if you know you are sensitive to elevation changes, I suggest getting a nutrient intravenous drop—IV treatment—as soon as you get into town. Don’t wait until you are already feeling ill.

2. Keep up hydration with electrolytes: Our favorite electrolyte on the market is LMNT. Add a packet to your 40-ounce water bottle once to twice per day to keep your muscles happy and allow you to enjoy the mountain to the fullest. Water intake is advised to be half your body weight in ounces. If you are physically active, add roughly eight ounces for every 15 minutes.

Pro tip: Drink 24 ounces of water within the first 30 minutes of waking. Your body dehydrates overnight.

3. Mind your activity levels: Many people notice that they need to monitor their intensity and duration of activity as they are adjusting to higher elevations. It’s common for physical performance to become more difficult when you ascend in altitude. It is best not to push yourself too hard for the first two or three days.

4. Get adequate amounts of sleep: Sleep disturbances are common at higher elevations. If you are struggling to sleep, check your caffeine intake and try improving sleep hygiene with a dark room, white noise or calming essential oils such as lavender.

Pro tip: Magnesium is great for helping promote optimal sleep. Current research shows that magnesium can help the body relax to help improve disruption and even insomnia.

5. Be cautious with alcohol intake: Alcohol is dehydrating and can affect many people more

significantly at altitude. Alcohol intake can also disrupt sleep patterns. Your safest option is to wait about 48 hours before you consume alcohol at altitude.

6. Boost your nutrient intake: Foods such as bananas, avocados, spinach, greek yogurt and kale are all high in potassium which can help mitigate some of the effects of altitude.

Pro tip: Another favorite way to support your nutrition—and help with hydration levels— is consuming bone broth. There are a couple great restaurants in town that offer this tasty treat as well!

7. Keep an eye on your calorie intake in general: Your body has to work extra hard to keep you functioning with less oxygen available. Therefore, your body requires more fuel. A nutrient-dense diet combining complex carbohydrates, plant and animal proteins and healthy fats can help keep you full and enable your body to run well at higher elevations.

Pro tip: If you experience appetite reduction, this is a great time to utilize nutrient-packed fluids including bone broths, juices and quality protein shakes. Just check labels and steer clear of sugar levels above 12 grams per serving!

You may have to ditch the keto routine. Instead consume adequate complex carbs, which require less oxygen to metabolize and help you maintain a better ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide, allowing you to use oxygen more efficiently.

8. Recruit quality supplementation as needed: I recommend NEO40 or SuperBeets supplements to support nitric oxide production. Research has found that optimal nitric oxide levels are key to improving high altitude function.

Beets contain iron and vitamin C as well, which can be a good way to help maximize the metabolic benefits of being at altitude.

9. Protect yourself from the sun: Ultraviolet rays are more intense the higher you go in elevation, meaning sunburn can occur more easily. The effect is intensified by the sun reflecting off the snow, so don't underestimate the power of sun protection.

10. Go lower or seek support if necessary: Don’t wait too long to seek medical attention if your health is struggling as you adapt to altitude. If needed, make arrangements to sleep at a lower elevation; This has been found to help the body adjust more optimally and can allow you to still enjoy a day at the mountain!

Dr. Kaley Burns is a licensed Naturopathic Physician providing a wide range of services for her clients, including: Naturopathic Medicine, IV Nutrient Therapy, Regenerative Injections, Rejuvenation Therapies, Vitamin Shots, and Nutrition Counseling. She embraces a natural approach to health and aims to similarly inspire and guide others on their health journey.

5

500 years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the plains. That number is now less than 30,000. The depletion of free range bison has been attributed to:

•Decades of over-exploitation

•Decline in genetic diversity

•Habitat loss

•Human Interaction

Yellowstone National Park boasts the nation's largest free range buffalo herd, but only two others remain - the Henry’s Mountains and Book Cliffs herds, both in southern Utah.

OPINION

SKI TOWN VIGNETTES: BE KIND AND TAKE CARE

OF YOURSELF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

BY NIELSEN GREINER EBS COLUMNIST

On the morning of Dec. 10, I hopped on Swifty with two skiers. “Can we put down the rain bubble?” I asked, only half joking. We all let out a grim laugh as raindrops spattered the blue shield.

This month, I had a first—I went snowboarding in the rain, and in December at that. Do they make windshield wipers for ski goggles? I don’t know about you, but winter motivation has been a little hard to come by. It’s almost Christmas, can you believe it? I think it’s okay to not be entirely stoked.

Not only that, but it’s December and if you’re like me, you’re almost over all the people coming into town—before most have even shown up. My blood pressure and heart rate rises at the mere thought of infuriatingly slow drivers, crowded lift lines, long waits at restaurants and full bar stools.

And yet, tourism and busy holiday seasons provide many of us with the money to pay the bills and live in a town we love.

Whether you’re employed in the food service industry or retail, shoveling snow, driving a bus or working on the mountain, every day brings another opportunity to choose positivity—no matter the snow conditions—and show kindness to strangers.

You live where people vacation; a day on the mountain is always a win, and a smile can make a visitor’s experience all the more enjoyable.

I can almost guarantee that the small effort of turning your head and saying a quick, “Hello, how’s it going today?” to the person next to you on the chairlift will lead to many enjoyable conversations and moments of laughter; it certainly has for me.

Don’t beat yourself up

Apart from what you do for others, how can you take care of yourself as the busy holiday season approaches?

If you find yourself needing to hit the personal reset button, here are some options to consider.

Spend time outside away from the resort; take a walk in your neighborhood, dust off the crosscountry skis, or go for a mellow tour—of course, read the avalanche forecast, go with a partner, and don’t forget your beacon, shovel and probe. Be safe out there!

Take a whole day off and don’t leave the house— yes, preferably when it’s not a powder day.

If you go to the resort, then go with friends who will force you to slow down and take it easy, instead of trying to “get after it” every lap.

Pick up a new hobby that doesn’t involve

adrenaline, or even going outside— knitting, anyone?

If you spend most nights out, then try taking more nights in—time to crack that book you’ve been wanting to read. On the flip side, if you spend most nights in, then try taking more nights out— time to catch up with that friend you haven’t seen in far too long.

Here’s one way the wild recently took care of me. Since I have a “Green” pass and can’t ride the resort on weekends, on a recent Sunday morning I drove a few miles to my favorite five-mile hiking loop to beat the blues. As I entered the openness of the sagebrush meadows, my heart opened up along with the view.

As the low-lying sun struggled up over the conifers along the creek, its wintery light dispersed whatever ailed me. My shoes crunched over frozen snow. I stopped at my favorite aspen and Douglas fir, and, startled from a silent revelry, took a moment to listen to the happiest of Townsend solitaires as they performed their bright song in the darkest of months.

Nielsen Greiner is an aspiring writer and outdoor enthusiast based in Big Sky. He loves snowboarding and splitboarding, mountain biking, long day hikes and truck camping in the woods, and has a thing for books, coffee, trees and birds. This summer, Nielsen lived out of his truck while traveling through Canada and Alaska for two months. To read more, visit nielseninthewild.com.

BUSINESS

THE WAYPOINT WELCOMES BIG SKY INTO THE NEW YEAR

BY TAYLOR OWENS

Sponsored article

As the calendar turns and winter settles into Big Sky, The Waypoint continues to establish itself as more than just a place to grab a drink and see a movie. It’s a gathering space built around community, connection and year-round events. That spirit will be on full display during The Waypoint’s upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration, a ticketed event designed to bring locals and visitors together under one roof to celebrate, Great Gatsby-style.

“First and foremost, we are a venue for the community,” said Ben Axe, The Waypoint’s general manager. From weekly events to seasonal celebrations, The Waypoint has leaned into filling a gap in Big Sky’s social landscape, especially during the winter months when options beyond the ski hill can be limited.

“There’s not a lot of entertainment avenues for the locals and tourists here outside of the ski hill, especially in the wintertime,” Axe said. “Trying to provide fun and exciting things for everyone to do that's not going to cost an arm and a leg is what our core is.”

That focus on programming has shaped The Waypoint’s identity. Regular events like trivia nights, live music, film festivals, movie showings and partnerships with the Arts Council of Big Sky have helped turn the venue into a reliable outlet for locals and tourists looking to gather, unwind and be entertained. Rather than positioning itself as just a

theatre and bar, The Waypoint has worked to create an unforgettable experience.

Behind the scenes, Axe credits a collaborative team culture for shaping the guest experience.

“As the leader, I feel it is important in my role to also listen to the suggestions and the comments from my team to better curate a better experience

for the guests that come in here,” he said. That collaboration shows up in everything from service to programming and menu offerings.

This winter season also marks an expansion of The Waypoint’s late-night presence. The venue is now open until midnight, serving food until 11 p.m. and offering a late-night menu alongside a nightly reverse happy hour starting at 9 p.m. The shift allows guests to settle in rather than treat The Waypoint as just a starting point for the evening.

All of that momentum leads into one of the venue’s most anticipated nights of the year. The Waypoint’s New Year’s Eve party will feature a Roaring ’20s theme, complete with live music from local favorite band Ticket Sauce Trio, specialty cocktails, a red carpet-style entrance with photography, tarot card readings, a best dressed contest and a casino-style blackjack setup. The night will also include a champagne toast at midnight.

Tickets are $40 and include access to all entertainment, with no additional buy-ins for activities.

Reflecting on what sets The Waypoint apart on New Year’s Eve, Axe pointed back to the experience as a whole. “The fun and friendly atmosphere that my staff curates, on top of all the different entertainment options we will be providing, will make The Waypoint the best place to go for New Year’s Eve this year.”

As Big Sky prepares to ring in the new year, The Waypoint is positioning itself as a place to stay awhile, where locals and visitors alike can celebrate together into 2026.

ENJOYING THE RIDE: GUIDANCE TO HELP YOU FINISH THE YEAR STRONG AND START 2026 WITH

CONFIDENCE

BY CANDACE CORETTE-PRATT EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Sponsored Article

As we approach the close of 2025, this is an important time to reflect on your financial progress, prepare for upcoming opportunities and complete several essential year-end tasks. Markets have been dynamic this year, offering both challenges and moments of meaningful growth, and thoughtful planning now can help you enter 2026 with clarity and confidence.

At Shore to Summit Wealth Management, our mission is to support you through every peak and valley of your financial journey. Whether you’re reviewing investments, making charitable gifts or simply checking in on your goals, my team and I are here to assist you with any outstanding year-end items to ensure your strategy continues to serve your long-term goals.

As you look ahead, there are several key actions to consider before Dec. 31. Each one can make a meaningful difference in how you close out the year and position yourself for the future. The following checklist highlights the most important steps to review now.

2025 market year-end summary

2025 has been a year marked by moderate but steady economic growth, continued innovation in technology sectors and shifting interest-rate expectations as inflation finally stabilized. Key themes include:

• U.S. equities showed renewed strength, especially in mid-cap and growth sectors.

• Bonds offered more stability as interest rates settled, giving investors a chance to revisit income strategies.

• The broader economy held steady, with healthy consumer spending, low unemployment and cooling inflation.

These shifts create space for long-term planning, but also call for thoughtful recalibration. As we turn the corner into 2026, diversification, disciplined longterm investing and tax-efficient strategies remain central to managing both risk and opportunity.

A brief review with a Shore to Summit team member could reveal opportunities worth pursuing that may help shape your strategy going forward.

Your year-end checklist: must-complete items by Dec. 31, 2025

1. Tax-loss harvesting: A smart finish

If you’ve realized gains this year, now may be the time to offset them. Selling underperforming positions can reduce your tax liability and create room for reinvestment. Consider:

• Realizing losses to offset capital gains

• Rebalancing allocations for 2026

• Evaluating concentrated positions and risk exposure

Reviewing your investment strategy and taking a closer look at your holdings offers an opportunity to explore whether a few strategic adjustments could strengthen your foundation for the year ahead.

2. Required minimum distributions (RMDs): don’t leave it to chance

For those age 73 or older—or anyone with an inherited IRA—RMDs must be completed by Dec. 31. Missing this deadline can trigger steep penalties. Make sure:

• All retirement accounts are accounted for

• Beneficiary IRA rules are correctly applied

• Qualified Charitable Distributions—QCDs— are considered, if appropriate

• Transfers are scheduled early to prevent processing delays

We’re happy to double-check your calculations and make sure everything’s in motion. A quick review now can save you time and stress later.

3. Charitable giving: make it count Giving is personal, but it’s also strategic. The right approach can amplify your impact and reduce your tax bill. You may want to explore:

• Donor-Advised Funds—DAFs—for flexible giving

• Appreciated stock gifts, which can eliminate capital gains

• QCDs if you are 70-and-a-half or older

• Cash contributions eligible for 2025 tax deductions

Let’s design a giving plan that reflects your values and maximizes your generosity. We’ll help you choose the path that fits best.

4. Family gifts: celebrate with intention The 2025 annual gift exclusion allows you to give up to $19,000 per person without affecting your estate exemption. Beyond the numbers, gifting is a way to support loved ones and pass on financial values. Common strategies include:

• Funding 529 college savings plans

• Helping adult children with down payments or financial milestones

• Gradual wealth transfer to reduce future estate tax exposure

• Supporting grandchildren through custodial accounts

If you’re considering a gift this season, let’s talk through the options. We’ll help you structure it in a way that feels meaningful and aligns with your broader goals.

5. Contributions: don’t miss the window Before the year ends, it’s worth confirming your contributions to retirement plans, Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. These accounts offer powerful tax advantages, but deadlines vary. Check your status on:

• Workplace deadlines may be earlier than Dec. 31 for 401(k), 403(b), 457 plans

• Roth IRAs and Traditional IRAs—income limits apply—but you can still strategize

• before the year closes

• HSAs

• FSAs—confirm use-it-or-lose-it rules or allowable carryovers

Let’s make sure you’ve taken full advantage of what’s available. A quick check-in could boost your savings and reduce your taxable income.

6. Beneficiary designations: a five-minute check-up

It’s easy to overlook, but outdated beneficiary information can cause real complications. Life changes—marriage, divorce, births, deaths—should

always prompt a review. Review designations on:

• Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.)

• Life insurance policies

• Annuities

• Transfer-on-Death (TOD) accounts

• Trust documents

If it’s been a while since you checked your designations, let’s take care of it together. This small step can protect your legacy and simplify things for your loved ones.

7. Planning refresh: step into 2026 with clarity Your investment plan evolves with you, adapting not only to life’s milestones but also to shifts in the markets and changes in the economy. As the year wraps up, it’s a good time to revisit your goals, assess your progress, and make adjustments. Topics to review:

• Retirement income planning and projections

• Tax strategy review for 2026 and beyond

• Insurance coverage and long-term care evaluation

• Cash-flow planning and emergency fund needs

• Debt management and interest-rate considerations

• Estate planning strategies and legacy updates

• Let’s make sure your strategy reflects where you are and where you want to go.

Wishing you a meaningful season

As we close out 2025, we want to thank you for the trust you place in us. Investment planning is deeply personal, and it’s a privilege to walk alongside you. At Shore to Summit, we’re committed to helping you build a life that reflects your values, supports the people you care about, and prepares you for whatever comes next. If you’d like help with any of the items above, we’re here. Let’s make the most of this season, together.

Candace Corette-Pratt is a Partner at Shore to Summit Wealth Management. She currently lives and works in Bozeman with her husband and 2 children and 2 dogs.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network does not provide legal or tax advice. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors, a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.

Donations are irrevocable charitable gifts. The sponsoring organizations maintaining the fund have ultimate control over how the assets in the fund accounts are invested and distributed. Donor Advised Funds donors do not receive investment returns. The amount ultimately available to the Donor to make grant recommendations may be more or less than the Donor contributions to the Donor Advised Fund. While annual giving is encouraged, the Donor Advised Fund should be viewed as a long-term philanthropic program. Tax benefits depend upon your individual circumstances. You should consult your Tax Advisor. While the operations of the Donor Advised Fund and Pooled Income Funds are regulated by the Internal Revenue Service, they are not guaranteed or insured by the United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

Contributions are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Donor Advised Funds are not registered under federal securities laws, pursuant to exemptions for charitable organizations.

BIG SKY LISTINGS

BIG SKY COMMERCIAL LISTINGS

40± acre alpine meadow overlooking the Gallatin Canyon, outstanding views of the Spanish Peaks and Lone Mountain. Two adjacent 40± acre properties, designated building sites, end of the road privacy easy all season access. Close to Ophir School and the West Gallatin River. $2,600,000

$1,200,000

Commercial frontage with no covenants, zoning or restrictions. Virtually a blank slate to to allow a new owner a variety of options. An existing duplex is on-site and available to be converted into a variety of uses. Approximately 8.345± acres. Adjacent to McAllister post office.

BEST OF BIG SKY HONORS OVER 40 BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, COMMUNITY LEADERS

EBS STAFF

Community reigned supreme at the 2025 Best of Big Sky Awards at The Waypoint on Dec. 16. The annual event, hosted by Explore Big Sky and Outlaw Partners, gathered business owners, community leaders, nonprofits and even local pets to celebrate each other.

“At the end of the day a community is, by definition, all of us,” said Barbara Rowley. Joined on stage by Boyne Resorts President and

CEO Stephen Kircher, Rowley accepted the “Community Member of the Year” award on behalf of her husband, Taylor Middleton, longtime Big Sky Resort leader. “We are all our community's people of the year because there is no community of one, and being a part of this place has been a lifetime commitment for our family.”

By the end of the night, over 40 awards were handed out to deserving recipients, listed below. Explore Big Sky congratulates all nominees and thanks voters for making the annual tradition possible.

BEST LODGING

MONTAGE BIG SKY

Montage earned first this year for their offering of quality lodging with ski-in, skiout access as well as a variety of year-round family-friendly activities. From s’mores and cooking courses, to their annual tree-lighting ceremony, bowling and fine dining, there’s a space for everyone just up the hill at the Montage Big Sky. montage.com/bigsky

Big Sky visitors rely on a solid rental agency for their experience. Ascend Properties, which took first in “Best Property Management" last year, continues its legacy with wellmanaged properties so that both guests and homeowners have the best experience possible. Ascend’s staff provides responsive, reliable service for vacationers getting a taste of the area, and they work to maximize revenue for homeowners who list with the company. ascendvacationrentals.com

Natural Retreats believes in providing travelers with a curated portfolio of luxury properties in iconic destinations across the U.S., including here in Big Sky. The company continues to invest in its employees and deliver a high standard of service within the luxury vacation rental market serving both homeowners and visitors in need of a unique rental experience. naturalretreats.com/destinations/big-sky

BEST BUILDER

BIG SKY BUILD

Big Sky Build has been a common name for the “Best Builder” category. Led by John Seelye, the company has worked on Big Sky homes since 1997, holding a high value to communication, organization, teamwork and quality. Projects include Yellowstone Club homes and remodels, and custom builds throughout Big Sky, each complimenting the beautiful nature around them. bigskybuild.com

Longtime friends Jeff Lusin and Ben Erickson started 45 Architecture and Interiors in 2016 over a mutual respect for quality work and entrepreneurial spirit. Since then, their firm has grown to serve the Gallatin Valley and accommodate work with a humanfirst approach and a belief in its motto, “partnerships, not projects.” 45arch.com

With a solid foundation already built in Big Sky, Outlaw Realty is quickly becoming a trusted agency for buying and selling homes in the quickly growing Gallatin Valley and Bozeman region. OR’s team, which includes in-house experts in marketing, videography, operations and more, helps people streamline the home-buying and selling process to serve as their passport to the Western lifestyle. outlaw.realty

Martha and Charlie Johson bring over 30 years of combined experience to buyers and sellers of Big Sky homes. Agents and founders of Aperture Global Real Estate, a global real estate company, the mother-son duo are premiere advisors for luxury properties whether clients are buying or selling their next home. luxurybigskyhomes.com

Operated by Big Sky Community Organization, BASE Community Center is truly a home base for all ages. A fitness center, gymnasium for pickup sports, a climbing wall, a child care center, and even an office space for BSCO and a host of community meetings, the building has gathered Big Sky folks for every occasion. BASE stands for “Big Adventures, Safe Environment” and many community members of all ages find themselves walking through the doors with an affirmation of the sentiment. bsco.org/base

Music in the Mountains is perhaps the best summer tradition in Big Sky and while it has grown in popularity, it has kept its community ethos at close hand. Gathering music lovers from near and far at Len Hill Park, the Arts Council of Big Sky’s annual free summer music series brings musical talent of all genres to the stage for entertainment the whole family can enjoy. bigskyarts.org/pages/mitm

Museum of the Rockies is a perfect, familyfriendly mix of entertainment and education. At the Bozeman-based campus, visitors can explore exhibits that span hundreds of millions of years of Earth’s history from ancient geology and dinosaurs to the lives of Indigenous peoples and Montana pioneers, as well as a show at the Taylor Planetarium. Its endless lineup of visiting exhibits makes Museum of the Rockies worth the drive. museumoftherockies.org

From radiant wildflowers in the summer, to gold and orange aspen trees in autumn and majestic Lone Mountain in the winter, each season serves as an inspiration for local painter Heather Rapp. She finds color in just about everything, and when she’s not painting, you can find her snowboarding or serving up beers at Beehive Basin Brewery. heatherrapp.com

Kevin Noble describes his approach to photography as minimalist, but the subjects he captures are huge: a 1,500-pound rodeo bull mid-buck, a towering, shaggy bison, or a geyser mid-eruption. Noble made the greater Yellowstone area his muse after a personal tragedy led him to seek a new life, and his black-and-white photography holds up a mirror to the grandeur of the West. kevinnoblephotography.com

A trio featuring local music leaders Thad Beaty and his wife, Annie Clements, and Amanda Stewart, Tuesday Night Rodeo Club combines the best of Nashville with the best of the West. The group plays everything from country and Americana to classic rock and more, and can be heard around local venues including summer Tuesday rodeos at Lone Mountain Ranch, which inspired the group’s name.

A staple in Big Sky since 2013, Riverhouse BBQ & Events brings the slow-smoked flavor of Texas to Montana in both their food, drink and atmosphere. Founders Kyle Wisniewski and Greg Lisk met in 2003 while working as bartenders at the Half Moon Saloon (now Riverhouse). Inspired by the deep sense of community and friendly neighbors, Wisniewski and Lisk set out to create a local hangout where family, friends and visitors could gather to prop their feet up on the back porch and enjoy a beer, views and barbecue. riverhousebbq.com/about/

It’s one thing to mix a good drink, and it’s another thing to make every patron feel welcome. At The Waypoint, Thiago Arosteguy exemplifies hospitality with his attentiveness, helpful and kind attitude, and most of all, his signature sense of humor. Chat with him for just one minute and you’ll see why Big Sky voters awarded him “Best Bartender” this year. thebigskywaypoint.com

While Big Sky is far from the Sicilian countryside, Michaelangelo’s owners Emily and Michael Annandono have been serving up delicious Italian cuisine in Meadow Village since 2016 and still today it is Big Sky’s favorite spot for a meal with your loved one or group of friends. Voted “Best Date Night” in the past, this year Chef Michael Annandono takes the prize for his finesse and attention to detail in Michaelangelo's deserving menu. michaelangelosbigsky.com

TROXLER - OLIVE B'S BIG SKY BISTRO

BYWOM takes it again in 2025, not yet dethroned as Big Sky’s best burger. The BYWOM burger is a classic go-to for any occasion. Owners John and Pam Flach have been cheffing up burgers and other plates since the mid-1990s, while keeping the beloved establishment in touch with its truly local Westfork Meadows roots. While their burger has taken the award for years, the rest of the menu is worth a shop as well. bywombywordofmouth.com

While new to the caffeine scene in Big Sky, Hero Snow in Meadow Village has quickly earned community love with their morning treats and carefully crafted coffees to kickstart a day of work or play. herosnowcoffee.com

After a first place win in 2023 and a second place win in 2024, Ousel and Spur Pizza Co. returned to the number one spot for Big Sky’s favorite pizza this year. Their specialty gourmet pizzas feature fresh house made sauces, hand-tossed crust and fresh vegetables from Montana farms. ouselandspurpizza.com/

If you want to take a step back into time of dirtbag evenings of yore, grab a cold beer or a bite at Scissorbills Saloon after a long day of skiing. Their loyalty to the local ski community has made them a mainstay since Big Sky Resort first opened in 1973 and earned them “Best Apres” many years in a row. scissorbills.com

When One&Only Moonlight Basin opened, placing Big Sky’s offerings on a global scale, The Landing, their first restaurant to serve the public, was highly anticipated. In the short time since then, they’ve earned our editor’s hearts and mouths over with their eclectic menu, all while overlooking the restaurant’s spectacular panoramic views. oneandonlyresorts.com/moonlight-basin

While Blue Moon Bakery is a repeat winner for their made-from scratch pies, this year, they’ve earned the award for “Best Local Meal Deal,” making it a go-to place for a bite whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The locally-owned bakery is a staple for classic pizza, pastries and specialty pies whether you’re looking for sweet or savory. bigskybluemoonbakery.com

Courtney Collins Fine Art is a local gallery with acclaimed contemporary and traditional western art from world-renowned artists. Featured artists include Kevin Red Star, Kenneth Peloke, David Yarrow and Ben Pease, and the gallery’s goal is to “preserve the heart of the Old West,” according to its website. courtneycollinsfineart.com

Since 2017, Tribe Salon has been providing local hairstyling good enough to keep appointments booked weeks—and even months—in advance, and loyal customers coming back. Owner Hanna Powell is a longtime local and a ripping snowboarder, and her business is a fixture in the community. facebook.com/p/TRIBESALON-100054544476687/

Santosha Wellness Center’s services range from bodywork and massage, yoga and fitness classes, to rejuvenating Ayurvedic body therapies, and seasonal cleanses. The local business offers skin care services including various specialty facials—addressing customers’ specific concerns or their desire to “simply feel pampered and refreshed,” according to the website. For customers looking for something specific, chances are Santosha can provide it. santoshabigsky.com

A longtime business that changed hands in 2023, Big Sky’s Town Center chiropractor is now Dr. David Dalgardno. In his two-plus years in Big Sky, he’s quickly earned the trust of longtime patients and new walk-ins, especially outdoor athletes needing to get right for the next gnarly mission. windyridgechiropractic.com

There’s no shortage of dispensary options in Big Sky, but the voters have spoken: Lone Peak Cannabis Co. is the favorite, yet again. Customers enjoy the LPClub loyalty program, especially with shops spread across the region in towns like Bozeman, Ennis, West Yellowstone, Lolo, Laurel and Butte. On the mountain, keep an eye out for ambassador athletes; they’re hard to miss in their LPC basketball jerseys. lonepeakcannabiscompany.com

The Gallatin River is a local gem, and Big Sky is lucky to have an organization dedicated to preserving its natural flow and character. From boots-on-the-ground projects to restore streambanks and ensure fishing access, to water quality monitoring and scientific studies to understand algal blooms and other environmental threats, the Gallatin River Task Force does more than many people may realize to protect Big Sky’s nearby waterway. gallatinrivertaskforce.org

When most residents think of a truly local ski, bike and gear shop, “GAS” comes to mind right away. Local owner Tom Owen is an avid biker and conservationist among other outdoor pursuits, and his staff knows their stuff across rentals, tunes, gear and accessories. For those wanting to support their local ski shop, GAS is a great option for a wide variety of sports. gallatinalpinesports.com

Speaking of local shops, East Slope Outdoors has been locally owned since 1984 and bills itself as “Big Sky’s premier fly-fishing and ski shop.” Right on Town Center Avenue, the shop not only offers gear sales and rentals, but owner “Super Dave” Alvin and his staff are passionate about providing guided fly-fishing adventures on the Gallatin, Yellowstone and Madison rivers. It’s a back-to-back award for East Slope! eastslopeoutdoors.com

Specializing in weddings and events, but still offering everyday arrangements, Sugar and Spice Florals is the trusted provider of weekly florals for Montage Big Sky, as well as various restaurants and spaces in the community, according to its website. Owner Heather St. Clair Ross believes in “intricate simplicity,” and demonstrates a true passion for all things floral at her young, growing business. sugarandspicesflorals.com

ND SHANNON HYEM AND EWAN KNOWLES - HERO SNOW COFFEE

RD JIMMY ENSIGN - JAMBO DESIGNS BIKE RACKS

BSCO PARKS & TRAILS DOGS GOOSE

It’s hard not to vote for a cat named “Pico de Gato,” but “Space Kitten” isn’t a bad nickname either. While we haven’t met every cat on this list, it’s safe to say our third winner has some moxie. Every feline shares its own personality and lifestyle, whether we’re talking indoor cats, outdoor cats, cuddly cats or shy, cunning observers. Some, like Mable, are astronauts, too. Congratulations to these local favorites!

PICO DE GATO MOXIE

It’s hard not to vote for a cat named “Pico de Gato,” but “Space Kitten” isn’t a bad nickname either. While we haven’t met every cat on this list, it’s safe to say our third winner has some moxie. Every feline shares its own personality and lifestyle, whether we’re talking indoor cats, outdoor cats, cuddly cats or shy, cunning observers. Some, like Mable, are astronauts, too. Congratulations to these local favorites!

MABLE AKA SPACE KITTEN

Horn & Cantle Saloon at Lone Mountain Ranch serves plates that are perfect after a day in the snow. With fireside seating and Western style, guests can pop in for an appetizer and cocktails, or a hearty, delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. lonemountainranch.com/horn-cantle/

Big Sky Bravery provides support to U.S. Special Operations Forces post-deployment. Through all expense covered trips in Big Sky’s serene landscapes, the nonprofit helps armed forces members transition from combat, reconnect with loved ones, forge new connections and decompress. bigskybravery.org

2

ND

BE WELL BIG SKY

Be Well Big Sky has worked tirelessly to build mental health support, education and awareness in Big Sky. We chose Be Well Big Sky for its mental health outreach programs and organizing with fellow nonprofits and leaders to build a healthier community. bewellbigsky.org

BIG SKY FOOD BANK 3 RD WARRIORS & QUIET WATERS

WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS

LONE PEAK VETERINARY HOSPITAL

“Dr. Syd” is surely a local hero, providing urgent and thoughtful care to countless Big Sky pets at Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital. Plus, she’s behind an effort to build a new clinic and animal shelter, which is currently under construction in the Westfork Meadow area. Even with the stress and energy required to run Big Sky’s only vet clinic, Dr. Syd keeps a smile on her face as she supports Big Sky’s pet-loving community. lonepeakvethospital.com

HEALING HANDS CHIROPRACTIC

After recently moving into a new location in the Meadow Village Center, Dr. Andrea Wick continues to help patients reach their health and wellness goals. She holds a degree in kinesiology and human performance from the University of Wisconsin, with further education, experience and certifications in kinesiology and chiropractic care. She teaches healing classes and workshops including chakra healing, energetic boundaries, intuition and manifestation. drandreawick.com

SMALL BUSINESS (UNDER 30)

BIG SKY PRINT AND SHIP

Big Sky Print and Ship prides themselves on giving super-star customer care to everyone who walks through their door, and they’re known for their friendly employees and speedy service. Plus, it’s one of the only places in town that packages and ships goods and offers copying and printing. bigskyprintandship.com

FIRST TRACKS TIRE SERVICES

Providing oil changes, tire repair and brake service, First Tracks Tire Services are committed to high-quality, friendly care of Big Sky’s cars, helping out Big Sky residents with regular maintenance or when they’re in a pinch. firsttrackstire.com

COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE YEAR

TAYLOR MIDDLETON

For nearly 45 years, Taylor Middleton has been central to the long-term growth, vision and development of Big Sky Resort and its accompanying ski community. He began working for Big Sky Resort in 1981, rose to the executive level, and in September 2024, transitioned from his long-held role as president and COO into a strategic advisory role. It’s safe to say Middleton earned his spot on Big Sky’s Mount Rushmore of one-of-a-kind leaders.

Laura Seyfang’s local involvements are many: she was the first executive director of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust; she’s an officer for Big Sky Rotary Club; and she leads the Community Support Group, welcoming seasonal workers to Big Sky each winter with valuable connections and activities. Seyfang volunteers with a can-do attitude and is always looking for ways to give back to Big Sky.

BIG SKY RESORT

Big Sky Resort earns Editor’s Pick this year for their commitment to year-round activities on snow and trail. With the opening of the Explorer Gondola and Kircliff this winter, the progress on new and updated lifts continue to put Big Sky on the map, including in SKI Magazine’s top pick for North American resorts in 2026. bigskyresort.com

BEST LODGING OR HOTEL

1st: Montage Big Sky

2nd: 320 Guest Ranch

3rd: Lone Mountain Ranch

BEST VACATION RENTAL AGENCY

1st: Ascend Properties

2nd: Big Sky Luxury Vacations

3rd: Two Pines Properties

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

1st: Natural Retreats

2nd: Big Sky Vacation Rentals

3rd: Two Pines Properties

BEST BUILDER

1st: Big Sky Build

2nd: Ever-Green Roofing & Construction

3rd: Two Bear Construction

BEST ARCHITECT

1st: 45 Architecture

2nd: Centre Sky Architecture

3rd: Stillwater Architecture

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

1st: Outlaw Realty

2nd: Big Sky Real Estate Co.

3rd: Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty

BEST REALTOR

1st: Martha & Charlie Johnson

2nd: Michael Pitcairn

3rd: Mia Lennon

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITY

1st: BASE Community Center

2nd: Big Sky Farmers Market

3rd: Beartooth Pub & Rec. at Montage Big Sky

BEST ANNUAL EVENT

1st: Music in the Mountains

2nd: Big Sky PBR

3rd: Big Sky Farmers Market

WORTH THE DRIVE (SURROUNDING AREA AWARD)

1st: Museum of the Rockies

2nd: MSU Sporting Events

3rd: Stacey’s Bar

BEST ARTIST

1st: Heather Rapp

2nd: Jill Zeidler

3rd: Kate Riley

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

1st: Kevin Noble

2nd: Ryan Turner

3rd: Caitie Van Sloun

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN OR BAND

1st: Tuesday Night Rodeo Club

2nd: Scavenger 406 3rd: Dammit Lauren!

BEST BAR

1st: Riverhouse BBQ & Events

2nd: Drunken Monk

3rd: Scissorbills Saloon

AWARD WINNERS

BEST BARTENDER

1st: Thiago Arosteguy

2nd: Joe Messreni

3rd: J.T. Kitchens

BEST CHEF

1st: Michael Annandono (Michaelangelo’s Big Sky)

2nd: Ian Troxler (Olive B’s

Big Sky Bistro)

3rd: John Flach (BYWOM)

BEST BURGER

1st: BYWOM

2nd: Cafe 191

3rd: Riverhouse BBQ & Events

BEST COFFEE

1st: Hero Snow Coffee

2nd: Caliber Coffee

3rd: Cowboy Coffee Co.

BEST PIZZA

1st: Ousel and Spur Pizza Co.

2nd: Blue Moon Bakery

3rd: Milkies Pizza & Pub

BEST APRES

1st: Scissorbills Saloon

2nd: Beehive Basin Brewery

3rd: Horn & Cantle

BEST DATE NIGHT

1st: Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge

Editors Pick: The Landing at One&Only Moonlight Basin

2nd: Horn & Cantle

3rd: Michaelangelo’s Big Sky

BEST LOCAL MEAL DEAL

1st: Blue Moon Bakery

2nd: Wrap Shack

3rd: Riverhouse BBQ & Events

BEST BOUTIQUE AND GALLERY

1st: Courtney Collins Fine Art

2nd: Montana Supply Co.

3rd: Rhinestone Cowgirl

BEST SALON

1st: Tribe Salon

2nd: Ridge and Blade Barbershop

3rd: Hair Ninja

BEST SPA

1st: Santosha Wellness Center

2nd: Sanctuary

3rd: Spa Montage at Montage Big Sky

BEST WELLNESS BUSINESS

1st: Windy Ridge Chiropractic

2nd: Big Sky Natural Health

3rd: Moving Mountains

BEST CANNABIS DISPENSARY

1st: Lone Peak Cannabis Company

2nd: Herbaceous

3rd: Java Joint

LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY

1st: Gallatin River Task Force

2nd: Big Sky SNO

3rd: Big Sky Thrift

BEST OUTDOOR RETAILER

1st: Gallatin Alpine Sports

2nd: East Slope Outdoors

3rd: Montana Supply Co.

BEST OUTFITTER

1st: East Slope Outdoors

2nd: Gallatin River Guides

3rd: Jake’s Horses

EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR

1st: Heather St. Clair Ross (Sugar and Spice Florals)

2nd: Shannon Hyem and Ewan Knowles (Hero Snow Coffee)

3rd: Jimmy Ensign (Jambo Designs Bike Racks)

BEST DOG - TIE FOR 1ST

1st: BSCO Parks and Trails Dogs (Sky, Louie, Angus, Finn), Lola, Goose

BEST CAT - TIE FOR 1ST

1st: Pico De Gato, Moxie, Mable aka Space Kitten

BEST RESTAURANT

1st: Horn & Cantle

2nd: Riverhouse BBQ & Events

3rd: BYWOM

BEST NONPROFIT

1st: Big Sky Bravery

Editors Pick: Be Well Big Sky

2nd: Big Sky Food Bank

3rd: Warriors & Quiet Waters

WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS

1st: Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital (Dr. Stephanie “Syd” Desmarais)

Editors Pick: Healing Hands

Chiropractic (Dr. Andrea Wick)

2nd: Big Sky Eyes (Dr. Erica Perlman)

3rd: Shelly Bermont Fine Jewelry (Shelly Bermont)

BEST SMALL BUSINESS (UNDER 30 EMPLOYEES)

1st: Big Sky Print and Ship

Editors Pick: First Tracks

Tire Services

2nd: Gallatin Alpine Sports

3rd: Big Sky Thrift

COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE YEAR

1st: Taylor Middleton

Editors Pick: Laura Seyfang

2nd: Dr. Stephanie “Syd” Desmarais

3rd: Erik Morrison

BEST BUSINESS (OVER 30 EMPLOYEES)

1st: Big Sky ACE Hardware

Editors Pick: Big Sky Resort

2nd: Big Sky Land Management

3rd: Lone Mountain Ranch

EXPLORE BIG SKY’S

TOP STORIES OF 2025

Last weekend, during its debut, I rode the new Explorer Gondola at Big Sky Resort, sharing the 10-person cabin with a young family. “Not a bad birthday,” the boy said. After wishing him a happy birthday, I asked if he planned to ski off the tram—Liberty Bowl had just opened for the day, and I’d heard good things. He considered the question as his father mused aloud about whether Marx and Lenin were good to go.

The gondola—with its high speed, its shiny mirrored windows and heated seats—was proof that the resort around us has changed over its 52 years. The conversations on the ride to the summit, however, had not. Everyone, every visitor and local, was happy to be there, talking snow conditions and weather, and planning their next run.

In this issue, our editorial staff closes the door on another year with a compilation of our top 10 stories of 2025—stories that reflect moments of challenge, celebration and accountability. As a local community newspaper, we remain rooted in reporting on what matters, examining the issues that shape our town and providing space for connection. As we welcome a new year in Big Sky, remember those lift rides, and that community is built not only through grand gestures, but through everyday interactions with those around you, on and off the chairlift.

We thank you, our readers, for your support. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Explore Big Sky.

Mira Brody, and the EBS team: Jack Reaney, Jen Clancey, Carli Johnson, Fischer Genau and Leslie Kilgore

PHOTO BY CARLI JOHNSON

A SMALL STAFF AMONG HUNDREDS OF PACKAGES

JAN. 13, 2025

Big Sky’s first-ever USPS post office opened doors in July 2024, but quickly, residents found a bulk of their free time was spent waiting for packages or tracking lost ones. I learned from postal union leaders and USPS representatives about Big Sky's staffing and capacity, and how national changes could impact current and future services. I found a community practicing patience in an overwhelmed post office, and a federal agency struggling to hire and maintain staff in a costly living environment.

-Jen Clancey

ENNIS, BIG SKY RESIDENTS TRAVEL TO CAPITOL FOR DISTRICT BOUNDARY HEARING

FEB. 13, 2025

It’s not every day that Ennis Mustangs buses drop off southwest Montana residents at the Montana State Capitol in Helena. Hearings and debates about an legislation that would ease the process of forming new service districts struck a chord with residents in Big Sky and the Madison Valley. Hearings for the proposed change, Senate Bill 260, touched on the struggles of providing rural health care, funding school districts and eventually, how two nearby communities separated by rough terrain and a private road, can disagree, organize and negotiate.

-Jen Clancey

EXPERTS CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WILDLIFE CROSSING SOLUTIONS ALONG 191

MARCH 12, 2025

Anyone who travels frequently between Bozeman and Big Sky has seen their wildlife co-habitants struggle to successfully cross U.S. Highway 191; the thoroughfare popular to tourists and commuters is unfortunately often littered with the remains of vehicle-wildlife collisions. Jen’s piece takes a dive into the people–including the Center for Large Landscape Cosnervation–who are working toward wildlife crossing solutions in Gallatin Canyon’s near future.

-Mira Brody

MDT ADDRESSES ‘DISREPAIR’ AND ‘PAVEMENT

DISTRESS,’ PLANS FOR PASSING LANES ON U.S. 191

MAY 16, 2025

In spring 2025, rapid changes in temperature amplified vehicle impact on U.S. Highway 191, leaving dangerous potholes and, as the Montana Department of Transportation eventually acknowledged, “pavement distress.” In this story, MDT gives hope to residents about a safer future for Big Sky’s critical highway infrastructure.

-Jack Reaney

THEY WORK HERE—THIS NEW GROUP IS HELPING THEM BELONG

JUNE 5, 2025

Big Sky’s seasonal workforce is an essential, if underappreciated, part of our little mountain town, and over the past few years, the Community Support Group has been making sure they’re recognized and taken care of. Before filming the EBS documentary ‘Stay for the Season,’ I knew none of this, but after several months of following seasonal workers around and getting a glimpse of their life in Big Sky, I was moved by their curiosity, their drive and the stories they brought here with them.

-Fischer Genau

‘BASELESS FRAUD THEORY’: JUDGE RULES AGAINST COTTONWOOD LAW IN BIG SKY

WATER LAWSUIT

JULY 16, 2025

For half a decade, the Big Sky community has been under fire from a Bozeman-based law firm for environmental violations involving wastewater. The only catch: federal courts have found at least five times that insufficient evidence exists to support the claims, and in this July ruling, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris doesn’t mince words as he describes the allegations as “baseless” and issues sanctions against the law firm.

-Jack Reaney

MICHENER CABIN MOVED TO HISTORIC CRAIL RANCH

JULY 23, 2025

In an ever evolving community like Big Sky, preserving historical buildings like the Michener cabin reminds residents and visitors how we got here and what brought people in. Moving the cabin marks the culmination of years of work and dedication to preserving Big Sky’s history by community members, Big Sky Community Organization and local historians.

-Carli Johnson

AUG. 4, 2025

Last August, Dave Matthews fans lined the outside of the Big Sky Events Arena to take part in the fifth Wildlands live music and charity event. Between ticket sales, auction items and donations, the event gathered thousands and raised a record-breaking $1.3 million for nonprofit partners. Fischer’s coverage captured the weekend’s highs.

-Mira Brody

MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION CALLED OUT BY FORMER EIGHT-YEAR REP

OCT. 2, 2025

Big Sky’s relationship with Madison County has been testy over the past two years, as local leaders question Big Sky’s place in the Madison Valley’s hospital and school districts. Meanwhile, elected county commissioners face criticism from many residents including a former commissioner, and Big Sky residents unsatisfied with their district representative.

-Jack Reaney

LOCAL LEGENDS: HARRY AND PEGGY RING’S ENDURING LEGACY IN BIG SKY

OCT. 30, 2025

Harry and Peggy Ring laid the groundwork for living, working and enjoying all Big Sky has to offer. Throughout the course of their lives, they saw the resort change, town center grow and, most importantly, welcomed newcomers and visitors with open arms. Their passing is a reminder of the amount of change that a community can take on within two people’s lifetimes, all while leaving a lasting impact of generosity, adventure and Montana spirit.

-Carli Johnson