Big Sky’s Top 10 Summer Events

Summertime in Big Sky is an amazing time to visit.    With 75 degree cloudless days and 40 degree nights be sure to bring a warm jacket to the Music in the Mountains Concert series every Thursday night. The sun sets at 9:30 pm so you will have plenty of daylight to fit in all your adventures.

Bands from all over the US play on our outdoor stage.  Bring your own camp chairs and enjoy the sounds of summer. There are lots of food vendors and fun activities for the kids too. Living in Big Sky for the past 9 years I have compiled a list of my “not to miss” events that happen every summer in Big Sky.

1. Music in the Mountains – Every Thursday night enjoy outdoor concerts in the park at the Big Sky Town Center Stage –  7-10 pm.

2. Big Sky’s Farmers Market – Every Wednesday night at the Big Sky Town Center- 5-8 pm.  Food vendors, baked goods, in season fruits and vegetables and many crafts.

3. Big Sky’s PBR – July 30th – August 1st.  Watch real professional bull riders try to stay on top of bucking bulls for 8 seconds of fame. 3 days of Rodeo event including music and great food. This is a party not to miss.

4. Big Sky Fly Fishing Festival – July 24 – 26. Three days of fishing, fun, and all for a good cause–ensuring the quality of the Gallatin River! Click on this link to find all the details: Fly Fishing Festival.  Sunday – July 26 from 12-4 pm – Family friendly outdoor festival at the Town Center park in Big Sky.

5. Every Monday from 5-8 pm – 320 Ranch Pig Roast – tons of fun and food including slow-roasted pulled pork sandwiches with a choice of two mouth-watering sides, beer on tap from a Montana Brewery and toe tapping music by a local musician on their beautiful deck. Cost is $15 per person.

6. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks – August 2nd – 5:00 pm – Location: Center stage at Town Center Park. “The Taming of the Shrew” is this years performance and its FREE and suitable for all ages. Pack a lunch, spread your blanket on the lawn and sit back and enjoy Shakespeare outside!

7. Vine and Dine Festival – August 13 | Big Sky Resort’s 2nd annual Vine and Dine Festival of wine, food and arts.

8. Big Sky Community Corporation Annual Parks and Trails Gala – August 15 at the Big Sky Community Park. This is a celebration of parks, trails, recreation and community. Unique auction items and live music. Proceeds from the evening will help fund BSCC’s recreational amenities and programs, and further our vision

9.  Par the Peaks Golf Tournament – August 13 – Location: The Preserve at Moonlight Basin Golf Course. Contact Women in Action to participate in this amazing fundraiser benefiting local families and giving kids an opportunity to go to summer camps. www.wiabigsky.org

10.  Kids Adventure Games – August 28 & 29 – End your summer on an adventurous note with your kids! Location: Big Sky Resort. For kids ages 6-14, who will compete in teams of two in a variety of outdoor obstacles (ziplines, rafting, ropes course) and sports.

No Lift Lines

For years, Vail Mountain has dominated as the nation’s largest ski area, but last fall Big Sky Resort surpassed its known competitor with the addition of acreage on a series of neighboring mountains, giving Big Sky more terrain and lots of elbow
room. Operated by Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, Big Sky grew last July when it acquired a private ski area on Spirit Mountain, and expanded again in October with the purchase of Moonlight Basin ski resort.  Moonlight Basin had declared bankruptcy in 2008 and was picked up by its creditor, Lehman Brothers. Now, the ski area comprises 5,750 acres, edging out Vail at 5,289 acres. BAM!

Over the Christmas-to-New Year’s holiday week, peak season, the biggest skier day drew 7,500 people, a relatively light total. Last year the resort tallied 370,000 skiers, versus Vail, which regularly gets 1.7 million skiers per season. Spread over three mountains, Big Sky’s runs range over 4,350 vertical feet, with 40 percent rated beginner and intermediate and the rest advanced and expert.

This sets the stage for plenty of elbow room and no lift lines.  With an annual snowfall of 400 inches you can usually find a powder stash to take advantage of on many of the 300 named runs.

I love to ski Big Sky and I am spoiled by the beauty and magnitude of this mountain.  A five-minute line is a wait for anyone who knows Big Sky. A destination resort, Big Sky is not based in a bustling ski town offering a range of entertainment options. The television newscaster and Montana native Chet Huntley, who died just days before the slopes officially opened, conceptualized the resort, about 44 miles south of Bozeman, in the late 1960’s. The first lifts opened in 1973. Tucked under the 11,166-foot-elevation Lone Peak, is the modest mountain village and a collection of two midsize hotels, a few chalet-inspired condo buildings and a smattering of A-frame cabins. A base camp center where activities like tubing, zip-lining and snowshoeing are offered. There is an array of bars and restaurants in the Mountain Village. In the Moonlight area  there is  a full-service lodge and a small Madison base village area with a restaurant and bar. Both of which are easy to ski to by day, but hard to reach without a car at night. The lifts close at 4 pm.

Depending on your point of view, Big Sky’s remote location is a detriment or a gift. You can expect to pay more to fly to the smaller Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport than a major hub like Denver. But the wilderness location offers one more agreeable twist: proximity to Yellowstone National Park, 45 miles south. Outfitters will shuttle Big Sky guests to West Yellowstone and back for park tours by snow coach or snowmobile and that offer opportunities to spot bison, elk, wolf and coyote and to cross-country ski around geysers where steam clouds are magnified by the freezing temperatures. The park, too, gets few visitors in winter; of over three million annual tourists, about 3 percent come in winter.

When they say Big Sky boasts about two acres per skier you can be sure you will leave the crowds behind, relax and discover lapping ski runs!

White Water Rafting Trip

The Gallatin River is approximately 120 miles long and runs through Wyoming and Montana. It rises in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park and flows northwest through the Gallatin National Forest, past Big Sky and joins the Jefferson and Madison about 30 miles northwest of Bozeman, MT.  This river was named in July 1805 by Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never been rafting in Big Sky on the Gallatin River and I live 2 miles from this tributary of the Missouri River.

2 Forward!

My husband and I finally decided it was time to go rafting. We played hooky from work and met at Geyser White Water Rafting Expeditions.   As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a friendly face and instructed to sign some forms. We were then informed the water was a balmy 40 degrees farhenheit  It was advised we would want to wear a wet suit and then we were guided to the gear room to get suited up for our float. This is a room filled with wet suits and rafting gear. I can’t say the smell was good but I can’t say it was bad either. Kind of a cross between wet dog and neoprene.  After squirming and wriggling into our wet suits we were fitted with a helmet, a paddle and a life vest. We were ready to embark on our float down the mighty Gallatin!

The water levels weren’t as low as they normally are in July due to the large amount of snow we had received this past winter. (500 inches!)  The CFS (cubic feet per second of water flow) was at 1350 that day.  Which to the seasoned rafter is anywhere from a class III  to IV rafting experience.  This past June the rapids were classified at a VI and no commercial trips were allowed. In other words it was pretty dangerous.  For my first trip class IV rapids were perfect for me.

We boarded the bus and were driven upstream about 15 minutes from Geyser Whitewater’s base camp.  I was feeling pretty nervous not knowing what to expect and hoping I didn’t fall off the raft. We had opted for the half day lower white water river trip. This trip has the best rapids and the infamous Mad Mile. There is literally about 1.5 miles that you float and it is continual rapids. (so fun but I will get to that). We listened to Pat (chief guide and bad joke teller) explain CFS water flow and how to hold our paddles.  When we arrived at the drop point we listened to more serious talk from Pat explaining what to do if you do fall off the raft and how to pull someone back in the boat quickly. I was starting to get a little nervous. My husband and I have canoed most of our lives but never rafted. We understand how paddling works but normally we do that on a lazy river as I have a cocktail and read my book. There were no cocktails on this trip and I had to leave the book behind.

 

Gallatin River

We were then placed in groups and appointed our guide, Travis. There were 6 of us in the raft plus Travis.  He introduced himself and then asked who would like to sit in the front? My husband nudged me and I had a moment of self talk in my mind and then blurted out “Yes, we’ll do it!”.  What did I do?  Travis then explained this was an important position in the boat and you had to paddle at the same time whenever the guide asked you to.  Gulp well it was now or never we were doing this!  We were the first to climb into the raft and I was surprised how sturdy and strong the raft felt. I was also surprised that you don’t sit down inside the raft. You sit on the outer edge. There are foot holds on the floor of the raft to tuck your toes into so that you don’t fall out.  That was reassuring.

Travis pushed us out onto the river after we were all situated in the raft. He practiced a few basic commands with us.  “2 forward!” he yelled. We did as we were told. “2 backward!” Again we paddled like we meant it, obediently in sync.  We were synchronized paddlers and dam proud of ourselves.

The first rapids we came to I braced my feet in the footholds and didn’t want to wimp out and grab the handle holds. Plus you cannot let go of the end of your paddle for fear it will hit your co-paddler. I rode the first set of rapids like the newbie I was! Squealing in delight and whooping and hollering it was so fun. It was very exhilarating pushing through the waves and refreshing as the water splashed over me! Travis expertly guided our raft and kept us away from the many large boulders on the Gallatin.   The final stretch, appropriately named the “Mad Mile” was fast approaching. I had heard about this for years as being one of the toughest stretches of the river.  I was glad that the water was classified as IV but there were still some waves reaching 4 feet.   We sailed through the Mad Mile, past the infamous House Rock and floated successfully the rest of the mile.   We really enjoyed ourselves and Geyser is truly a first class rafting company I would highly recommend.  We also got some great photos taken by Crystal Images. They appear at different spots on the river capturing all the highlights of your trip.

Happy Trails!

The infamous House Rock

Wahoo!

PBR in Big Sky, Montana

I was able to get my hands on the much coveted tickets to the Professional Bull Riders Rodeo (PBR) in Big Sky last night. It was an amazing experience.  From the crazy bull riders to the insane rodeo clowns it was an exciting night I won’t forget. Some of the top bull riders in the country were right here in Big Sky on Wednesday and Thursday.  Big Sky got voted one of the bull riders favorite places to compete. Who can blame them with an outdoor arena surrounded by mountains  as their venue.

The rodeo clowns, also known as bullfighters or rodeo protection athletes are extremely brave and know how to work a ticked off bull. They put themselves in extreme danger every time a bull is released into the arena. They protect the bull rider by distracting the bull and providing an alternative target for the bull to attack.  It was pretty heart stopping watching them protect the riders when they got bucked off.

After the rodeo there was a local favorite Bozeman band that played called Pinky and the Floyd.  Dancing and schmoozing with the cowboys was a great end to the evening. The PBR Rodeo has to be one of my favorite events I have attended in Big Sky so far this summer. Check out some of my pics I captured below.

Happy Trails!

 

5 Tips for a Family Summer Road Trip

What is Summer without a Road Trip?

Making memories

I know, I know: Few trips sound less relaxing than packing your kids into the car for a long drive. But the family road trip has one major benefit that many other trips can’t match: You can set your own schedule and change your plans whenever you want. You have no plane tickets to rebook. It’s the ultimate in planning flexibility, plus, if you have older teens, you can share driving duties with them (assuming, of course, you find it relaxing to have your teen at the wheel!)

Whether you are traveling for 2 hours or 2 days you need to be prepared.  Today, cars and SUV’s are equipped for handheld electronics and DVD players.  When I was a kid my 3 brothers and I just worked on punching each other in the back seat of the station wagon and making my Dad angry.   Then we would invariably push the sibling not involved in our antics forward so my Dad’s flailing arm could make contact with that said child.  Remember we didn’t wear seat belts and spanking was an approved method of child rearing.   Those were the days!

Now that I am a Mother I have some great tips to offer you.  I have made a few road trips with my husband and  3 children around the United States and no spanking is required!

1. Keep the kids entertained.  Handheld electronics are a major component for a few hours of peacefulness. Ipads, smart phones and DVD players are key factors.  I always buy a new movie or two so that it’s a surprise for them.  Also a new coloring book or toy works quite well too.  We also like to play the game 20 questions or finding license plates for every state in the US.

2. Pack Lightly.  Take only what you will need for your trip. Don’t over pack clothes and gear.   Most hotels or rental companies offer pack and plays or cribs to borrow.  Take advantage of this.

3. Snacks. Make sure you pack easy to eat car snacks.  Pack up a collapsible cooler with drinks, and  food that is easy to eat and not messy.  Keep the cooler somewhere easily accessible so you don’t have to stop the car. Preparing sandwiches ahead of time saves money and time.  Make sure to provide wet wipes and paper towels for easy clean up.

Another great family hike during our road trip.

4. Leave the dog at the Kennel.   You may feel guilty for not taking Fido but the truth is the less stress you have the more relaxed your vacation will be. The dog is one less worry and you know it’s too hot to leave him in the car when you make that pit stop for lunch or shopping.  If you travel to Yellowstone National Park pets are prohibited in the back country and on trails and boardwalks.  

5.  Take photos and videos. You are making memories and it is so fun to look back when the kids are older.  Enjoy all the moments of your road trip. Even the bad ones can be recounted later and laughed about.   When I was 7 years old my family was driving thru the Teton mountains when the muffler on our car became detached and bounced down the mountainside.  Between the fumes, the loud sound of a car without a muffler and the twisty mountain roads all 4 of my siblings and I succumbed to sickness. My parents had 4 barfing kids pulled over on the side of a mountain but we still bring it up 40 years later and it never fails to make us laugh. My parents survived and you will too.

Happy Trails!

 

Final destination – enjoying the journey

Big Sky Photo Blog

Instead of using words in this blog post I thought I would show you some of the best of Big Sky in Summer thru photographs.

 

 

ENJOY..

 

Beehive Basin Trail

Moonlight Basin Views

 

Beehive Basin Trail

Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing

 

 

 

Yellowstone National Park

More trophy trout fishing

Yellowstone National Park Elk

Windy Pass Trail

Big Sky Closing Weekend

Closing weekend in Big Sky is a thrilling time to wrap up the winter ski season. Pond Skim is an event not to be missed. The weather usually cooperates with temps in the 50’s and spring skiing conditions.  It’s a bittersweet end to the ski season.  Closing day events however can get pretty wacky.

My family and I routinely attend Pond Skim every year.  Sun, skiing, beer and people flying across open water scantily clad; what’s not to like?  Big Sky delivered on Saturday with record crowds arriving to watch the shenanigans.  Over 100 deranged skiers signed up and paid money to ski across open water hoping to make it across without getting wet in the icy cold ponds.  Many wore costumes or less and it was a blast to watch.  Check out the fun pics and don’t miss it next year.

Cheers!

Summer Events in Big Sky

There are so many amazing things to do and see in Big Sky in the Summer!

There is always a free concert every Thursday evening to attend or the Wednesday night farmers market in the Town Center. Festivals, fundraisers, rodeos, the list goes on. The Big Sky PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Rodeo is very impressive and if you are in Big Sky at the end of July it is an event not to miss. Real cowboys riding bulls for those 8 seconds of glory. It’s a hair raising two days of fun.  Bands, food,  cowboys all  surrounded by mountains! How much better can it get in Montana?

Here is a list of happenings to browse for this upcoming summer season:

June 8th – Big Sky Resort opens for the Summer

JULY

July 4th – Big Sky’s Fourth of July Extravaganza, Big Sky Community Park. Kids games, fun runs,  face painting, crafts, and a parade thru the TownCenter.

Music in the Mountains – Freddy Pink Band. Back for a third year, Freddy Pink and his nine-piece ensemble will highlight Big Sky’s 4th of July evening celebration at Town Center Park. The concert will be followed by fireworks

Every Wednesday, The Farmers Market will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The popular market features over 50 vendors, selling fresh produce, herbs, plants and flowers, baked goods.

July 10th – Music in the Mountains – The Main Squeeze 7 pm. A raging funk experience at the Town Center Park .

July 12th – Brew Fest – Big Sky Resort will hold its annual Brewfest on Saturday, July 12 in the Lone Peak Pavilion from 3:00 – 10:00 p.m. Brewfest attendees will be able to sample 70+ beers from 30 different area breweries.  Meet several local brewers at Meet the Brewers Party on Friday evening, July 11th from 6:30 – 11:00 p.m.

July 13 – Big Sky Celebrity Golf Tournament. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Big Sky is sponsoring the annual Big Sky Celebrity Golf Tournament to be held at Big Sky Resort Golf Course.

July 17 – Music in the Mountains presents the Red Elvises, 7 pm, Big Sky Town Center Park. Thursday evening concert will host Red Elvises. a guitar based rock’n’roll ensemble. The group is led by Igor Yuzov, a singer, songwriter and guitarist.

  July 19 – Big Sky Community Corporation’s 3rd Annual Gala. Come out and support the Big Sky Community Corporation at their annual Gala event under the stars.

July 24 – Music in the Mountains presents the Dead Winter Carpenters, 7 pm, Big Sky Town Center Park, whose music blends Americana roots-rock with alternative country music.

July 26 – Big Sky Fly Fishing Festival: Hooked on the Gallatin Banquet at the Gallatin Riverhouse Grill

July 27 – Big Sky Fly Fishing Festival: Outdoor Event, 12:00 pm Town Center Park.

July 30 & 31 – Big Sky PBR Rodeo. Town Center. The Big Sky PBR was voted event of the year by bull riders for the 2013 run, and we are looking forward to an even bigger and better year. The Annual PBR is a two day event of professional bull riding and supporting activities. The rodeo hosts numerous big name athletes and bulls from around the world. The cowboys attempt to ride the bulls for 8 seconds, while being judged for their style and difficulty of the ride. A Calcutta is hosting the evening before the event, along with a band and dancing, to give the spectators an additional way to be a part of the adventure. The outdoor arena is built specifically for the event, with the Spanish Peaks and Lone Mountain as the backdrop for the bucking bulls. Local artisans and food/drink vendors add to the festivities and the Mutton-Busting competition gives the kids a fun way to be part of the action. The community side of the event is truly exhibited by the participating non-profits, which all benefit from proceeds of the event to keep the dream alive and well in Big Sky.

AUGUST

August 7 – Music in the Mountains presents Della Mae, a 5 woman bluegrass combo, at its 7 pm Thursday evening concert in the Big Sky Town Center Park.

August 8 – The Fourth Annual Big Sky Classical Music Festival will open the festival weekend with a performance by violinists Angella Ahn and David Wallace. The performance will take place at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. Ahn is violinist for the world-famous Ahn Tro and Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola at Montana State University. Dr Wallace tours internationally, is a Grammy-nominated performer and award winning composer.  Go to the WMPAC website beginning June 1st to purchase tickets for this event.

August 9 – Big Sky Classical Music Festival: Masters Class with Angella Ahn and David Wallace.  Guest artists for the Classical Music Festival, Angella Ahn and David Wallace, will hold a Masters class on Saturday morning of the festival. Class registration is by invitation only; the class is open to the public for viewing.

August 21 – Music in the Mountains presents Black Lillies, a Nashville roots rock quintet, at its 7 pm Thursday evening concert in the Big Sky Town Center Park.

August 22 – Kids Adventure Games – Big Sky Resort.  Kids 6-14 can compete in teams of two in some of the following events: mountain biking, tubing, ziplining, archery, low ropes course, mud pit slope-n-slide and hiking.

August 28 -Music in the Mountains presents The Sweetback Sisters, playing vintage country music of the 1950s-era Nashville, as part of the 7 pmThursday night music series in the Big Sky Town Center.

August 30 – Mountain Fest: The annual Mountain Fest will take place over Labor Day weekend with a 5k run, sidewalk sale and live music, as well as other activities.

Sept 13 – The Rut 50K and 12 K Mountain Trail Run.  Big Sky Resort and the International Sky Running Federation and Salomon are sponsoring the second Big Sky based Rut – 12k and 50k ultra-endurance races. The events include the Lone Peak Vertical Kilometer, the 50k race with a 31 mile distance and 10,000 ft.elevation gain and loss, and the 12k race with a 7.5 mile distance and 2100ft. elevation gain and loss. The terrain for the races will be mostly single track with a smaller amount of dirt road running. Register online at runtherut.com.

That’s a wrap of all the happenings this summer in Big Sky.  Call Big Sky Vacation Rentals to reserve your best Big Sky Vacation. Remember we live and play here. We know Big Sky!

bookbigsky.com

Cheers!

 

Top 10 Summer Bucket List Adventures in Big Sky, Montana

Where is Big Sky Montana? It is located in the very Southwest corner of Montana, only 180 miles from Jackson Hole Wyoming. Big Sky  is just 45 minutes from Bozeman International Airport with direct flights from 14 major cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Detroit, and New York City.

It is the ultimate Montana vacation destination with its endless natural splendor, close proximity to Yellowstone National Park, and a bevy of activities. You will have big fun in Big Sky.

Here is my Summer Bucket List of Adventures to discover while you are here in this “Last Best Place”.

1. Visit Yellowstone National Park.  We are less than an hour’s drive  from the West entrance to this national treasure.  YNP offers spectacular, unforgettable scenery and experiences of a lifetime.  Drive your car thru a buffalo rush hour road jam, watch Old Faithful’s cone geyser erupt or see your first grizzly bear.  Easy day trips into the Park for wildlife viewing and vast stretches of unspoiled wilderness will make lasting memories for friends and family.

2. Ziplining.  Over the river and thru the forest. Montana White Water and Big Sky Resort both offer some exciting ziplining experiences not for the faint of heart. Where the scenery includes towering limestone cliffs, pine forests and a rushing river.  It’s an adrenaline rush soaring through the trees at Big Sky Resort’s zipline adventure. The series of 3 ziplines starts with a short hike, then zips you through gullies & trees and high over the creek & ski trails.

3. White Water Rafting. Raft the Gallatin River.  The Gallatin offers you the chance to take in incredible scenery and paddle through some fun, challenging and continuous whitewater.  There are different stretches of river for varying skill levels. This can be as adventurous as you like. You can opt for the slower scenic route or delve into the class IV rapids of the Gallatin River. Geyser White Water Rafting Company is the one to make sure your first experience is your best.

4. Fly Fishing.  Montana fly fishing is legendary. Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat , Arctic Grayling, and Brook Trout  abound in our world-class trout streams and rivers. Anglers from all over the world travel to Montana to experience fly fishing the blue ribbon trout rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Whether an angler seeks to battle trophy sized wild rainbow trout on the Yellowstone River or to experience the solitude of a high mountain lake, Montana provides fly fishing experiences like no other place can. Other legendary rivers nearby are the Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone and Missouri. Grizzly Outfitters can guide you to some of the best fishing spots.

5. Ride the tram at Big Sky Resort.  Ride Big Sky Resort’s Tram up 11,659 feet above sea level. It’s an experience of a lifetime to stand at an 11,166 ft. summit and view two national parks, three states, and many mountain ranges.  Make sure to bring your camera and go on a clear day if possible to get the best photos.

6. Horseback ride in the mountains. Guided tours from one hour to all day can be enjoyed in the midst of our wilderness areas. Wildlife viewing, scenic vistas, this is truly a traditional old West Montana experience.  Cache Creek Outfitters specializes in matching riders and horses for a safe and enjoyable riding experience. They have dependable kids horses  to horses that can keep an expert riders attention, all the while never missing the spectacular scenery and enjoyment of the ride.

7. Attend an outdoor concert in the Town Center. Enjoy summer as it’s meant to be enjoyed. Bring a cooler of your favorite snacks, spread out your blanket and relax to the sounds of Blue Grass or possibly some Classical Music. Every Thursday night there is a concert in the Park and it is big fun.  Watch the sun set and the stars come out with the mountains surrounding the town of Big Sky.  There’s not a bad view from any seat on the lawn at this outdoor venue.  Oh and did I mention it is free?

8. Attend the Farmers Market in the Town Center.  This is a lot of fun every Wednesday evening.  From petting an Alpaca to sampling sushi there are plenty of vendors to fill your belly at the Farmers Market.  Purchase an elk antler coat rack or some homemade soap. There is a variety of merchants selling their made in Montana wares.  Local brews, music and fresh vegetables are the things you will also enjoy as you stroll thru the town center.

9.  Golf at Big Sky’s Golf Course.  Tee-off in Big Sky’s Meadow Village, with the mountains surrounding you and Moose frequenting some of the streams along the course. The Arnold Palmer-designed Big Sky Golf Course is a scenic 18-hole par-72 course and is at an elevation of 6,500 feet, with sweeping views, long drives, and the occasional deer, moose, or elk crossing the greens. The Big Sky Golf Course has a full-service pro shop with gear sales and rentals along with golf lessons, clinics and tournaments throughout the summer. The Bunker Bar & Grill serves up tasty meals and refreshments throughout the day.

10. Hike to Beehive Basin.  Big Sky’s iconic Beehive Basin hike was recently chosen as one of the top 10 of the world’s greatest hikes by world-renowned backcountry tour guides Austin-Lehman Adventures. It is about 2.5 miles uphill to the top. You should be in good hiking shape to make this trek.  The trail snakes thru the mountains with blankets of wild flowers, fresh mountain streams and amazing vistas.  Once you get to the top you are rewarded with a mountain lake and maybe even a little snow! Pack a lunch and take in the scenery that surrounds you. Be sure to carry Bear Deterrent Spray on your pack as well. You are after all in bear country and should always be prepared.

Well that’s my summer list. If you can fit even a few of these adventures in on your next Montana vacation I would highly recommend it.  See our website www.bookbigsky.com to find all the information you will need to schedule your best Big Sky vacation or call 888.915.2787.

I am fortunate to live and play in this last best place and I will continue my quest in finding the greatest summer experiences!

Cheers!

Private Chefs

I’d like to let you in on a little secret I discovered. Private Chefs.

Chef Michael Caracciolo preparing  homemade pasta.

Big Sky Vacation Rentals  has Personal, Private Chefs in Big Sky who will come into your vacation home, cook and serve your meal and clean up too! It is the the most innovative idea, especially when you are on vacation.  You can sit back, relax and enjoy an incredible freshly prepared meal!  We have an amazing group of  Private Chefs that Big Sky Vacation Rentals has personally selected to make your vacation experience the best ever.  Sound expensive? It’s not.  The cost ends up about the same as going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. You can also supply your own favorite libations and nobody has to get behind the wheel of a car.  I was lucky enough  to sample the sensations of Chef Michael Caracciolo and Chef Jeremiah Lake on a snowy night a few weeks ago.  My cohorts and I arrived at our Powder Ridge Cabin 28 in Big Sky, Montana and the Chefs were already there prepping our meal.  Sarah was our server and she poured the wine and brought out our appetizers. The food was incredible and the Chefs explained what fresh and local ingredients were used in each course. From the homemade pasta with a wild mushroom and truffle sauce to the pan seared pheasant breast, each one was more tantalizing that the other.  The beef tenderloin melted in your mouth and the grilled baby redskin potatoes were marvelous.  We were able to sample an ample amount of food and my groans of joy were met by the others ooing and aahing over each course.  I should have stopped myself at the 3rd course but of course I did not, I was a glorified glutton.  And I didn’t stop there either. Dessert came out next! Cheesecake, white chocolate layered cake, mocha indulgence and a lemon meringue tart were all ours for the taking. And take I did.  I had to finally push my chair away from the table wishing I had worn my stretchy pants but sadly I had not. The sofa was looking pretty good at that point but standing vertical was all I could muster.

A roaring fire was burning in the fireplace as the wind and snow blew outside.  My friends and I lounged by the fire after our feast, arguing which foods were our favorites as we finished off the last of our wine. It was the perfect ending to a 5 star meal that can be hard to find in Big Sky, MT. The best part was not having to leave the warmth of our cabin and just a few steps to our beds.

To book your very own personal, private chef for your next Big Sky vacation call Bridger Kitchens 406.582.1001