Category: Community

May 1st – May 31st: Town Center Spring Bingo

Stop into any of the participating businesses listed and grab your Spring Bingo Card. Instructions on how to play are included. Drop your completed card off by June 3rd to be entered in a raffle for great prizes drawn on June 10!

 

Wildlife Awareness

As the snowpack recedes higher in elevation, we are seeing more activity from our local wildlife. The elk and moose are becoming more prevalent in the area again, and the bears are searching for food wherever they can find it. During this time, it is important that we all do our part to keep the wildlife, wild. Giving these animals adequate space in an encounter is always advised. Even from inside a vehicle, it is important to give all wildlife enough space so they do not feel threatened. Another critical action that can be taken is to make sure all bear attractants are secured. A bear attractant can be anything that has a scent. Things like grills, bird feeders, and food trash will attract bears especially this time of year when they have limited natural food sources. It is important to keep these attractants in locations that a bear cannot get into. Please enjoy viewing these beautiful animals while keeping them wild.

Exciting News: Tips Up Unveils State-Of-The-Art Sound System

Tips Up is thrilled to share that a brand-new sound system has been installed! This major upgrade is set to position Tips Up as a premier music venue, rivaling top club-sized venues across the country.

With this transition to a top-of-the-line system, Tips Up will now have the capability to cater to the audio needs of top national artists, making it an attractive destination for tours stopping at similarly sized venues. This upgrade not only enhances our support for local and regional talent but also opens the doors for national acts to perform in Big Sky for one-night shows or multi-night residencies.

Music is at the heart of Big Sky’s identity, and Tips Up is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for both our local community and visitors. The vision is for Big Sky to be renowned not only for its world-class outdoor activities but also for its vibrant nightlife, with a world-class music scene as its centerpiece.

This upgrade marks a significant milestone for Tips Up, allowing them to elevate their music programming to the level of major market venues. Whether you’re a fan of Americana Country, New Grass Jam, Trance DJs, Story-Telling Singer Songwriters, or classic Rock n’ Roll, Tips Up will be delivering exceptional sound quality and a powerful low-end thump to enhance your experience.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of enhancing our music scene and creating unforgettable moments at Tips Up!

9th Annual Big Sky Winter Shootout Film & Photo Festival – Saturday, April 6th

Big Sky’s Favorite Little Film & Photo Festival Returns For its 9th Year

The Big Sky Winter Shootout is a full on visual celebration of Big Sky’s ski community and mountain culture. It pays tribute to our local customs and traditions, gives voice to social issues, showcases the work and talents of the many creatives that call this place home, and does it all with a smile, tear and a laugh. This little film festival has produced cult classics like Higher Love I & II, Master Blader I & II, Bachelor of Big Sky, 4 Guys 1 Line, Don’t Change, just to name a few.

Please join us Saturday, April 6th at The Way Point for all of this year’s submissions by Big Sky’s local creatives. Rock your best Dirtbag and apres attire for this Shred Carpet event and for a chance to win $100 cash for best dressed. Also, enter to win a YES Basic 155 snowboard from G.A.S.

Vote for the Live People’s Choice Awards and recognize your favorite artists. Votes from the two showings by the live audience will be tallied up and announced at the awards ceremony after the 9pm screening (tentatively scheduled for 10:30pm*). Shootout awards include Best Powder, Best Line, Best Trick, Best Social Commentary, Best Lifestyle, Best Landscape/Cinematography, and Best Wildlife. 

Showings at 6pm and 9pm. Tickets on sale now. (https://bit.ly/BigSkyWinterShootout24)

Can’t make it to the premiere? Follow Second Season on Facebook or Instagram for the online release of all the 2024 Big Sky Winter Shootout submissions.

2024 Big Sky Farmers Market

The 2024 Big Sky Farmers Market will take place every Wednesday from 5-8pm, June 5th-September 25th in Big Sky Town Center (Market stretches from Town Center Plaza, along Town Center Ave. and over to Fire Pit Park). Please note that for the month of September the Fall Markets will downsize to a smaller venue tentatively at the Town Center Plaza.

Application forms can be filled out and submitted HERE. Applications will be reviewed by our team for approval with an emphasis towards local/regional farmers, professional artisans, young artists/entrepreneurs, and community organizations – all with a goal of helping to foster and maintain a market that is true to our Big Sky mountain culture. The Fall Markets for the month of September are by invitation. Please let our team know if your brand is interested in attending. Once reviewed we will notify vendors of the status of their application. Thank you for your patience as we process your requests and we look forward to another great market season.

 

12th Annual Auction for the Arts

The Arts Council of Big Sky wrapped up its 12th Annual Auction for the Arts on February 2 with an impressive show of support from the Big Sky community. This year’s auction was a tremendous success, raising a total of $238,000 through the sale of 85 art pieces contributed by 69 artists, who generously shared their proceeds with the Arts Council. The event also featured the Arts for All Paddle Call, which garnered $58,000 in donation pledges.

Thanks to this incredible support, the event’s net proceeds amount to $185,000, which will directly benefit arts programming in Big Sky, including the “Contribute What You Can” art classes accessible to all residents.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers, talented artists, and hardworking staff who made this event possible. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our event sponsors, whose generous support was instrumental in the success of the auction.

  • Lone Mountain Land Company
  • Big Sky Real Estate Company
  • Montage Big Sky
  • JP Morgan Private Banking
  • Blue Ribbon Builders
  • Bozeman Spirits Distillery
  • Big Sky Journal
  • Western Art and Architecture
  • Gina Dee and Provincial Store Fixtures
  • Five Star AV
  • Vision West Contemporary
  • Gallery Wild
  • Maya Frodeman Gallery

Thank you all for your support of the arts in Big Sky!

Pictures by Dave Pecunies – Instagram: @DavePecunies

2024 Big Sky Skijoring Best in the West Showdown

The 6th Annual Best In The West Skijoring Competition: Big Sky, MT To Host The Best Skijoring Teams In North America.

Big Sky, MT: The Big Sky Skijoring Association (BSSJ) will host their 6th annual Best In The West Showdown Presented By Delzer Diversified, Lone Mountain Land Company, Lone Mountain Ranch, & RentBiz in Big Sky, Montana on February 3-4, 2024.

The team at Big Sky Skijoring has been turning the skijoring world upside down. Now in its 6th year, The Best In The West Showdown has a reputation for pushing the envelope of competitive skijoring by pairing cutting edge course design, showmanship and elements of mountain culture never seen before. The results speak for themselves.

Last year’s event attracted over 150 of the best teams in North America with 4000 spectators. The highlight of the Showdown culminated with the Keith Sayers FMX team performing the world’s first ever snowmobile backflip over a live skijoring race. In their final run in the open division the team of Colin Cook (skier), Richard Webber III (rider) and Serge To Paradise (horse) put together a smooth clean run through the berms, jumps and flames just in time for pro freestyle snowmobiler and Winter X Games champion Willie Elam to hit the throttle and lay out a huge backflip over the team as they dashed through the finish line. The crowd went wild, as did the internet with millions of views as the spectacular moment went viral.

“When our team here at Wrangler saw that video, we had to learn more about this event,” says Clay Hanback (Sr. Manager of Western Content Marketing & Partnerships, Wrangler). “Our brand is grounded in the spirit of people who work hard, have fun, and showcase courageous individuality. After seeing the coverage of The Showdown, meeting with their team, and hearing their vision for the future, we clearly found that spirit. We are very excited to be part of the event this year and can’t wait to get out to Big Sky.”

The culture of this event is something special, said Erik Morrison, one of the producers of Big Sky Skijoring. “It’s the inclusivity of it all. Big Sky Skijoring is carrying on the tradition of skijoring while actively expanding the sport to appeal to new competitors and audiences across all generations. You have cowboys and cowgirls, ski racers, freeride competitors, die hard dirtbag skiers/riders, celebrities, families, and everyone in between on the edge of their seats enjoying the show together. Everyone is part of the culture of the event, and everyone is a VIP. The best seats in the house are anywhere with a great view of the course to cheer on the competitors, a cozy fire pit and enjoying some food and drinks with the colorful company. That’s the Big Sky vibe our team is working to cultivate with The Showdown.”

This year’s event will feature two action packed days of racing.  A total of 154 skijoring teams will leave it all on the course for their chance at a piece of the $15,000 prize purse. The Keith Sayers FMX team will be back again to perform their big air exposition during intermissions. This year’s lineup includes X Games athlete and Snowmobile Freestyle Gold winner Brett Turcotte. There will be an opportunity for the public to meet and greet with many of the skijoring and FMX athletes at the vendor village. Similar to last year, the village will offer ticket holders numerous options for local food, beverage, retail, and a comfortable atmosphere overlooking the race.

“This Big Sky venue and the community that is helping pull it all together is something special.” says Justa Adams (Executive Director of BSSJ). ”Our community partners don’t just help sponsor the event. They roll up their sleeves, dig in and build it! Thanks to the teamwork of Delzer Diversified, RentBiz and Lone Mountain Land Co. working to stockpile snow, we are able to build a quality course in the face of a lean start to the winter season. I’m really proud of our team and how things are coming together for The Showdown. I can’t wait to see what our course designers Patrick McVey (Course Groomer and General Manager at Lone Mountain Ranch) and Jeremy Ueland (Program Director of the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation) come up with this year.”

For ticket info and a complete itinerary of the weekend’s events please visit bigskyskijoring.com.

2023 Big Sky Christmas Stroll

BIG SKY CHRISTMAS STROLL: DEC. 8-10TH

View the full 2023 Christmas Stroll Guide by clicking HERE

Big Sky celebrates 26 years of community, giving and the holiday spirit.

Big Sky, MT: The streets of Big Sky will come alive during the 26th Annual Big Sky Christmas Stroll on December 8-10th. This community wide holiday celebration unites Big Sky Town Center, Meadow Village Center, Big Sky Resort, and our neighbors for a weekend of family fun and festivities.

The Stroll began in the Meadow Village Center in the winter of 1997 says Grant Jardine, Meadow Village Community Manager, and Chief of Alpine Property Management’s HOA Division. Our intimate gathering of locals and visitors alike came to celebrate the holidays and the beginning of the ski season. That first Christmas Stroll was very special for this community and that spirit lives on. It has grown with our community. The evening is jubilant with that holiday spirit. You can feel it in the air.

Now, twenty six years later the local tradition continues to be passed down to newcomers and the next generation of strollers. The community will gather at Meadow Village Center on Friday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. for Santa’s arrival on a team of horses at Blue Ribbon Builders, the holiday tree lighting and photos with Santa at American Bank. The air will be filled with the sound of music as The Dickens Carolers and Lone Peak A Capella directed by John Zirkle will sing classic holiday songs as strollers enjoy the many open houses and offerings by Meadow Village merchants. Free sleigh rides by Lone Mountain Ranch will take guests on an east side meadow tour, over to the Chapel and down to the new Big Sky Resort Nordic Center. For the more adventurous strollers illuminated nordic skiing and winter use trails along the golf course will be available (weather dependent*), connecting Meadow Village to Big Sky Town Center.

The Stroll really is something special says Erik Morrison, Big Sky Town Center Marketing & Events Manager. The event has matured and expanded over the years, yet still maintains its classic communal holiday vibe. Shop owners open their doors and invite strollers in to share their hospitality and holiday cheer. Children and their families line up for glimpses of Santa Claus and the chance to share their Christmas list. Luminaries line streets and trails connecting neighborhoods around our mountain village and guide strollers and skiers to their next destination. Children and adults skate and enjoy games/programs on the ice, while the crowd gathers and warms themselves around the bonfire in anticipation for the fireworks to come. The scene is reminiscent of holidays past. An eclectic mix of cozy small mountain town holiday traditions and Rockefeller Center circa 1950. Hard to capture yet instantly felt. The community seems to love it!

Saturday, December 9th the Stroll celebration continues in Big Sky Town Center. Join our neighbors at Beehive Basin Brewery for their annual Stroll Pre Party from 3-5 p.m. Along with Big Sky’s best craft beer, strollers can enjoy their new full bar, live music, and s’mores by the fire. From there guests may continue their stroll on foot or wagon ride and enjoy the many holiday activities downtown. Stop in The Wilson Hotel for the 2nd Annual Big Sky Winter Market Presented By Bozeman Health. Enjoy a gathering of local artisans, crafters, cottage goods, and other mountain made businesses. BASE will also be hosting Santa’s Holiday Lounge presented by First Security Bank. Bring the family to come and meet Santa himself. After enjoying the many open houses and activities strollers are invited to gather outside and look to the eastern skies for a fireworks display at 8 p.m.

The Stroll is not the only thing we are celebrating. Ski season has just begun with currently 8 runs and 195 skiable acres open at Big Sky Resort. Take the weekend to make some lift serviced laps and get your ski legs back under you. Come ski, stroll and stay with us this weekend with special offers from our lodging partners. Save on Big Sky Resort lift tickets and lodging with their latest packages and promotions. Stay and stroll in the heart of Town Center that weekend with the special “Local’s Rate” by The Wilson Hotel. Call (406) 995-9000 and mention it when booking with concierge for the best deal on rooms downtown. Enjoy a classic Big Sky Christmas Stroll experience like no other at the historic Lone Mountain Ranch. Save 25% off when booking their Bed and Breakfast package December 7th – 12th.

It’s easy to see Big Sky is the place to be this holiday season. Come join the fun. For more information about the 26th Annual Big Sky Christmas Stroll and the online Stroll Guide (coming soon) visit: visitbigsky.com/christmas-stroll.

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