™ Your local source for news, culture and events Dec. 7 - 20, 2018 Volume 9 // Issue #25 926F: How one wolf death can alter a pack County commissioners’ biannual visit Big Sky’s rapid growth on full display The future of ski tuning touches down at Grizzly Outfitters Special Sections: Real Estate Guide & Guide to Giving #explorebigsky explorebigsky explorebigsky @explorebigsky ON THE COVER: Sunshine, smiles, snow and sledding: what could be a better combination? With an abundance of snow this winter season, there is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy the fluffy stuff. PHOTO BY JENNINGS BARMORE TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 7 - 20, 2018 Volume 9, Issue No. 25 Section 1: News Owned and published in Big Sky, Montana Opinion...........................................................................................5 926F: How one PUBLISHER OP News........................................................................................6 Eric Ladd | [email protected] 24 wolf death Local..................................................................................................7 can alter a pack EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Montana.......................................................................................14 Tyler Allen | [email protected] STAFF WRITER County commissioners’ Bay Stephens | [email protected] Section 2: Environment, Sports, biannual visit Outdoors & Dining EDITOR-AT-LARGE Big Sky’s rapid growth Joseph T. O’Connor | [email protected] 10 Environment.............................................................................17 on full display CREATIVE LEAD DESIGNER - MEDIA Sports............................................................................................19 Carie Birkmeier | [email protected] Outdoors....................................................................................24 LEAD DESIGNER - MARKETING The future of ski Marisa Specht | [email protected] tuning touches down Section 3: Business, Dining, Health, SENIOR VIDEO EDITOR 33 at Grizzly Outfitters Ryan Weaver | [email protected] Arts and Entertainment & Fun LEAD VIDEOGRAPHER Jennings Barmore | [email protected] Business.......................................................................................33 SALES AND OPERATIONS Dining.............................................................................................36 SPECIAL SECTIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Health............................................................................................37 Megan Paulson | [email protected] Real Estate Guide EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SALES AND MARKETING Arts and Entertainment.................................................38 EJ Daws | [email protected] Fun..................................................................................................47 & Guide to Giving MEDIA AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Ersin Ozer | [email protected] MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE Sam Brooks | [email protected] DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR Doug Hare | [email protected] MARKETING MANAGER Blythe Beaubien | [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Rich Addicks, Jason Bacaj, Matthew Brown, Jessianne Castle, Matthew Daly, Deby Dixon, Dan Egan, Anna Husted, Ted Kooser, Scott Mechura, Jesse Michener, Colter Nuanez, Matt Volz, Andrea Wick, Amy Wiezalis, Todd Wilkinson 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. 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, "There are good ships and wood ships, ships accurate, and proofread for grammar and content. We reserve that sail the sea, but the best ships are the right to edit letters and will not publish individual grievances about specific businesses or letters that are abusive, malicious or friendships, may they always be" potentially libelous. Include: full name, address, phone number and title. Submit to [email protected]. -Irish Proverb ADVERTISING DEADLINE For the December 21, 2018 issue: The above quote was recited by former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson at former President George H. W. Bush’s December 12, 2018 memorial service on Dec. 5, 2018. CC PHOTO CORRECTIONS Please report errors to [email protected]. OUTLAW PARTNERS & EXPLORE BIG SKY P.O. Box 160250, Big Sky, MT 59716 (406) 995-2055 • [email protected] Do you want to see your photography in the pages of EBS? Submit a maximum of three images via email to [email protected] or use #explorebigsky on social media to be eligible. © 2018 Explore Big Sky unauthorized reproduction prohibited One photo per issue will be chosen for the opening shot. CORRECTION: In the article titled, “The Rocks Tasting Room is a foodie’s delight,” published in the Nov. 20, 2018 edition of EBS, it was reported that their duck bacon is made in-house at The Rocks. The duck bacon is made at Buck’s T-4. MARTHA JOHNSON CONTACT MARTHA FOR ANY OF YOUR Vice President of Sales | Founding Broker THE BIG SKY REAL ESTATE CO. BIG SKY REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS: Martha, a full time Big Sky resident since 1988, is (406) 580-5891 the Co-Exclusive listing broker for Spanish Peaks [email protected] Mountain Club and Moonlight Basin. GALLATIN PRESERVE 80 TIMBER RIDGE Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Moonlight Basin 8 Tracks with outstanding views of Lone Peak and Gallatin Range Custom log home + guest cabin, pistol range & trout pond. SPMC Golf Membership comes with the purchase of property, but not required. 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths Homesites 160 +/-Acres 20+ Acres From $4,300,000 $4,600,000 2005 CHIEF JOSEPH ELKRIDGE 58 Sweetgrass Hills - Big Sky Meadow Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Wine cellar, indoor lap pool & gorgeous trout filled pond. Ski-in/Ski-out, Adjacent to Yellowstone Club. 5 Bedrooms | 5.5 Baths 5 Bedrooms | 6 Baths 7,690 SF | 22 +/- Acres New Construction $4,800,000 $5,750,000 SPRING CREEK RESERVE 180 THOMAS MORAN DRIVE Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Big EZ Estates Mountain setting with spectacular views of Lone Peak and the Ultimate Montana home with resident elk and wildlife. Spanish Peaks. Golf Membership to Spanish Peaks available. Homesite 4 Bedrooms | 5 Baths 27.77 Acres 5,209 SF | 20 +/- Acres $1,900,000 $3,995,000 CHARLIE RUSSELL LOOP ROAD MOUNTAIN LAKE Big EZ Ranch 2 Big Sky Mountain Village in the mix of Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin National Forest, and New Construction. Amazing views of Lone Peak. America’s largest combined ski resorts with spectacular views and 2 Bed/Flex Rm to 4 Beds | 3-4 Baths ubundant wildlife. 1918-2417 SF 37.1 Acres From $794,300 $599,000 MARTHA JOHNSON VIce President of Sales | Founding Broker (406) 580-5891 | [email protected] All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed reliable; however, the content contained herein is not guaranteed by Lone Mountain Land Company LLC or its affiliated or parent companies, subsidiaries, officers, managers, employees, agents, brokers or salespersons and none of the forego- ing make any representations regarding the accuracy of such information. Any floor plans, square footage, photos, illustrations/renderings, maps and features and amenities described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Offerings are subject to error, omissions, prior sales, price changes or withdrawal without notice. Prospective purchasers are urged to independently investigate the property. No governmental agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This material shall not constitute an offer to sell in any state or other jurisdiction where prior registration is required and shall not constitute a solicitation if you are working with another real estate agent. © 2016 The Big Sky Real Estate Co.. All rights in and to the content are owned or controlled by The Big Sky Real Estate Co.. Any unauthorized reproduction is expressly prohibited. 4 December 7-20, 2018 Explore Big Sky Task force welcomes new development Yellowstone Club Community Foundation director grants GALLATIN RIVER TASK FORCE YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Ryan Newcomb stepped into his role as the first fulltime development The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation extended its commitment to director for the Gallatin River Task Force on November 15. The new the region’s nonprofit sector through its annual fall grant cycle. This autumn, position was supported through a capital campaign contribution made over $265,000 was awarded to 26 local groups. The foundation members are possible by a public-private partnership between the Yellowstone Club and excited to announce that with the release of these grants, they have donated Madison County. over $5 million to the Big Sky and Gallatin communities since inception in 2010. Newcomb joins the task force from Washington, D.C. and brings ten years of experience fundraising for various organizations including the Boy Scouts Reinforcing its focus in education, healthcare, conservation, community of America and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. As a member services and arts and culture, the foundation’s latest grants support the of the task force leadership team, he will create and