“ Big Sky is a really supportive community for new business owners , entrepreneurs , inventors , innovators — the sky ’ s the limit .” |
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bring her family to look at gorgeous maps of the area , where a fishing guide can meet his customer at the café , or a Realtor ® can meet with a client in a comfortable space ,” says Dominick . |
walking distance to miles of hiking and biking trails in the summer . Ski-in / ski-out living along with private lake access is a rare combination for mountain living . |
continues to evolve and grow , Middleton says the core values have not changed : “ Big Sky Resort is today what it has always been : one of the best ski resorts in the world .” |
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With currently only forty percent of the community built out , Dominick , like many others , believes residents have a unique opportunity to write Big Sky ’ s history . “ We get to choose what we want the future to look like ,” he says . That includes building the firstever hotel in Town Center . This beautiful , contemporary space , with natural and historical elements , will be situated right in front of the town square , making it a perfect hub for visitors and their families to enjoy outdoor concerts , the town square bonfire , ice skating , and all of the restaurants and retailers . The future also includes plans to build a Big Sky Community Center for kids and families , and a permanent event center with a year-round hockey rink and rodeo arena . Plans to build much needed work-force housing have also begun , thanks to the Big Sky Community Housing Trust , funded in part by a land donation from the Bough Family , financing from the Resort Tax District , and Lone Mountain Land Company working on the project at cost . Kevin Germain , Vice President of Planning and Development for Lone Mountain Land Company , believes strongly in the project . “ Economically , business owners need great employees , and employees are one of the backbones of this community ,” Germain says .
NEW DEVELOPMENT New developments at Spanish Peaks and Moonlight Basin are ready for the growth , responding to the influx of young families . New single-family homes built around mountain lakes , beautiful trails , and wooded hillsides emphasize the healthy , nature-driven lifestyle for which people move to Big Sky . The Timbers and Lake Cabins at Moonlight Basin are built around gorgeous Ulrey ’ s Lake , giving people the opportunity to fish , paddleboard , swim , or simply take in the view . All cabins are ski-in / ski-out in the winter and
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Just around the mountain , at Spanish Peaks , twenty-two single-family homes are for sale and under construction . These beautiful homes , called the Highlands , will also be ski-in / ski-out , and connected by hiking trails . They are also all within walking distance to the Spanish Peaks Clubhouse . Every layout and design has nature and the Montana outdoor lifestyle at the forefront , but Kevin Germain says , “ It ’ s also about being environmentally conscious .” Subdivisions are created carefully to not destroy the natural environment for animals , and land planning is done to leave a very light footprint . Moonlight Basin currently has twenty-two homes that are LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) certified . “ It ’ s all about creating a livable place and getting people outside ,” says Germain .
As more people choose to call the Big Sky community home , Big Sky Resort is ready and excited for growth on the mountain . The resort recently announced a ten-year $ 150 million capital plan , called Big Sky 2025 . Plans to enhance “ The Biggest Skiing in America ,” include building and upgrading twelve ski lifts , designing new contemporary hotels , and building more ski-in / ski-out restaurants and retailers on the mountain . Taylor Middleton , President and General Manager of Big Sky Resort says the Big Sky 2025 plan is a natural response to the growth seen in the area over the last fifteen years . “ Big Sky has become a much more livable community ,” he says , “ thanks to the thriving school system and amenities like a new grocery store , a hardware store , and the beautiful new hospital facility .” Middleton adds , in addition to the unparalleled ski terrain , Big Sky Resort is also focused on “ livability ” for guests , which means adding a variety of restaurants , lodging , and vibrant villages across the mountain . While the resort
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CREATING BUSINESSES , FAMILIES , AND LIFESTYLE The smart planning of Lone Mountain Land Company , Simkins Holdings , and the input of residents has created a great place for businesses to thrive . Opie Jahn , owner of Caliber Coffee in Big Sky , says he has seen huge success since he and his wife opened their coffee shop doors last winter . Jahn ’ s success is not due solely to tourism either ; a large part of his revenue has been from repeat local customers . “ An underlying current of the Big Sky community ,” he says , “ is the support of small , local businesses .” Jahn moved to Big Sky over fifteen years ago where he started out by making pizzas at Milkie ’ s restaurant . He jumped around to other resort towns but the growth and opportunity in Big Sky pulled him back several years ago . Having watched Big Sky grow so much in just ten years , he says he ’ s excited to see more businesses open up that are supporting year-round residents and their families . “ Big Sky is a really supportive community for new business owners , entrepreneurs , inventors , innovators – the sky ’ s the limit .”
Heather Morris , mother of four , agrees with Opie . She and her husband had their first date in 2000 in Big Sky and fell in love with the community . They could see the growth and business potential and decided this was where they wanted to raise a family . They love the supportive school system and outstanding teachers , a large reason why they chose to stay permanently . From the accredited preschool and recently-built elementary school to the high school , all children in Big Sky are receiving nationally acclaimed , quality education . “ And I love that everyone in town knows my children ,” Morris says . “ They say it takes a village to raise a child . Well , it takes the entire village of Big Sky to raise my children ,” she jokes . When she ’ s not
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Opie Jahn , owner of Caliber Coffee in Big Sky , serving up coffee and entertaining customers .
busy running her children around to their activities , as Moonlight Community Foundation Chairperson , Morris helps distribute financial donations to organizations in the community . The foundation , which is supported by generous Moonlight homeowners , members and supporters , has recently donated to the Gallatin River Task Force to support the local river ; HATCH , an organization dedicated to inspiring and mentoring our future leaders ; and the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center .
Morris says the new Big Sky Medical Center has also been a great addition to the community . “ Our family has had to , unfortunately , take advantage of the Medical Center on numerous occasions . We are so thankful we don ’ t have to drive into Bozeman anymore for medical attention .” Before the medical center existed , the closest medical facility was 50 miles away in Bozeman . Since the opening in 2015 , the new center , an affiliate of Bozeman Health , now has five doctors , a pharmacy , and a physical therapy center . The medical center , the thriving businesses , and the outstanding schools allow many people to live in Big Sky year-round and enjoy the reason many chose to live in the Rocky Mountains : nature . From downhill and cross-country skiing , to snowshoeing , mountain biking and hiking ,
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