Big Sky Happenings

Summer Activities

Summer in Big Sky, Montana

Fly Fishing - Montana is known for the outstanding trout streams. Big Sky has several outfitters to show you the way.

Hiking- Big Sky has miles upon miles of trails and with Yellowstone National Park located within a few minutes drive the possibilites are endless.

Mountain Biking- Along with hiking trails there are numerous biking trails around town and at Big Sky Resort.

Camping- Gallatin Canyon has many car camping spots between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Gallatin National Forest surrounds the Big Sky area for backcountry camping opportunities.

River Rafting- There are several river guides located right here in Big Sky to take you on an adventurous ride down the Gallatin River

Golf- Big Sky Resort offers an 18 hole Arnold Palmer course in the meadow. Coming Soon: Moonlight Basin will be offering a Jack Nicholas 18 hole course.

Tennis- There are two courts located in Big Sky; One is located in the meadow and the other is at Big Sky Resort.

Rock Climbing- Enjoy the spectacular pitches of Montana; From first timers to advanced climbers there are many challenges awaiting your next climb.

Horseback Riding- Big Sky has many outfitters to take you into the scenic backcountry; Enjoy the wildflowers, the rivers and streams, the wildlife and the many mountain views Montana has to offer.

Kid's Camp- Throughout the summer Big Sky has many kid's camps available for school age children raning from Arts and Crafts to soccer.

Tidbits about Montana

Population:  904,433

Entered Union: November 8, 1889

Capital: Helena

Song: Montana

Land Area: 145,392 Square Miles

Water Area: 1,746 Square Miles

Size Ranking: 4th

Length: 630 Miles

Width: 280 Miles

Highest Point: 12,799 Feet, Granite Peak

Lowest Point: 1,820 Feet, Kootenai River

State Nickname: Treasure State

Motto: "Oro y Plata" (Gold and Silver)

Animal: Grizzly Bear

Bird: Western Meadowlark

Butterfly: Mourning Cloak

Fish: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout

Flower: Bitterroot

Grass: Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Tree: Ponderosa Pine

Fossil: Maiasaura, or Duck-Billed Dinosaur

Gemstone: Agate and Sapphire

Tax 101 for home flipper

Tax 101 For Home Flippers

Near the top of the list of pitfalls for anyone who wants to make money flipping houses is failure to understand and plan for the tax consequences, says Michael Cain, a certified public accountant based in Woodland Hills, California.

The current law allows a seller to keep, tax-free, gains of up to $250,000 (or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly) on the sale of a primary residence if the seller has lived in it for 24 of the previous 60 months.

For investment homes - and those in which the owner did not live for at least two of the previous five years - the Internal Revenue Service assigns taxes according to the length of time it was owned before a sale.  Profits from homes owned for one year or more are taxed as capital gains, at the current rate of 15 percent, plus state taxes.  Profits from homes owned for less than one year are taxed the same as regular income, according to the bracket in which the seller falls, anywhere from 25 percent to 35 percent.

The savvier approach, Cain says is to move the proceeds of a home sale into another investment property of roughly equal value, a procedure known as a like-kind of 1030 exchange.  IRS rules to give investors 45 days from the time they sell a property to identify the exchange property and 180 days to make the exchange.  Investors can't receive any cash from the sale, so all  money must be held by qualified intermediaries, such as a title company.

What home flippers hope to avoid is being labeled a "trader business" by the IRS.  Those are investors whom the IRS identifies as making their living off the buying and selling of homes.  In that case, flippers will not only have to pay the higher income tax rates, but they also will have to pay 15.3 percent in self-employment taxes.

Tidbits about Big Sky

Facts about Big Sky, Montana

• Meadow Elevation  6,220ft
• Mountain Village 7,500ft
• Lone Peak Elevation 11,166 ft
• Population 1,220
• Male 680
• Female 539
• Median Age 34.3
• Number of Housing Units 1,788
• Number of Owned Units 322
• Number of Rented Units 251
• Average Household Size 2.13
• Average Family Size 2.67

Summer Events

June 16 - Corral Annual Golf Tournament Benefiting Eagle Mount. For more info call 995-4249

June 16 - Gallatin Whitewater Festival Enjoy this annual festival as it kicks off on Friday June 16th at the Moose Creek Campground in the Gallatin Canyon BBQ event registration music and more. The whitewater events take place on Saturday June 16th and include both rafting and kayaking downriver events and exhibitions.  Events begin at 9:30 am at the 35 mph bridge parking area near the Lava Lake trail head turn-off in the Gallatin Canyon hwy 191; For more information contact Alisa Allgood at (406) 539-9662

June 30 - Bozeman Symphony's 'Far Afield Program' Grizzly Wolf and Discovery Center West Yellowstone Noon - 1:30pm Free For more info call (406) 646-7001 or 800-257-2570

July 4 - Firecracker Open Golf Scramble. For more info call (406) 995-5780

July 4 - 4th of July Rodeo at the 320 Ranch. For more info call (406) 995-4283

July 4 - Little Elmo and the Mambo Kings (Free) - music following fireworks at the Community Park. For more info call (406) 995-2742

July 13 - Eightrack Mind at the Community Park (Hip Hop) For more info call (406) 995-2742

July 15 - Trek to Big Sky - A fundraiser for R.E.A.C.H. Food and music following trek to the Peak of Lone Mountain. For more info call (406) 995-5000

July 15 - Gallatin River Celebration - Various points/Various events. Following the events there will be a BBQ at Buck's T-4. For more info call American Wildlands (406) 586-8175

July 16/17 - Big Brothers / Big Sisters Celebrity Golf Tournament. For more info call (406)587-1216

July 18 - Big Sky Food Festival.  For more info call (406) 995-4111

July 20 - I See Hawks in L.A. at the Community Park (alternative country). For more info call (406)995-2742

July 22 - Little Elmo and the Mambo Kings at the Corral. Music starts at 9:30pm

July 22 - Short Course Triathlon - Moonlight prelude to Nissan Xterra Triathlon

July 22 - Bozeman Symphony - Annual Pops concert at the CommunityPark. For more info call (406) 995-2742

July 27 - Rising Lion at the Community Park (Reggae). For more info call (406) 995-2742

July 29 - 'The Jack is Back' Brewfest at Big Sky Resort. For more info call (406) 995-5000

August 3 - Storyhill at the Community Park (Acoustic Folk). For more info call (406) 995-2742

August 4 - Hawaiian Open Golf Tournament followed by a Luau. For more info call (406) 995-5780

August 5 Montana Rose at the Corral. Music begins at 9:30pm

August 5 - Wet-N-Wild Party at Big Sky Resort. Music, kid's activities, food, fun and more. For more info call (406) 995-5000

August 10 - Uncle Earl at the Community Park (Blue Grass).  For more info call (406) 995-2742

August 12 - Big Sky Country Fair at the Community Park

August 17 - Too Slim and the Taildgraggers at the Community Park (Blues). For more info call (406) 995-2742

August 18 - Friends of the Library Golf Tournament. Help support the local library. (406) 995-5780

August 19 - Big Sky Poker Ride - Ride the mountain bike course of Lone Mountain to collect the best poker ride - Beginner and advanced trails. For more info call (406) 995-5000

August 24 - Tom Freund at the Community Park (Singer/Songwriter). For more info call (406)995-2742

August 31 -The Clumsy Lovers at the Community Park. For more info call (406)995-2742

September 1 - Chili Cook-off - Madison Lodge at Moonlight. For more info call (406)995-2742

September 2 - Mountain Festival at Big Sky Mountain Village. Montana Rose.  Children's activities - sidewalk sales (406)995-5000

September 3 - Shakespeare in the Parks. A Winter's Tale at the Community Park

September 3 - Freighter's Pancake Breakfast at the Big Sky Fire Department - Westfork. For more info call (406)995-2100

September 8 - Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. 4 person scramble. (406)995-3000

Big Sky Activities

While in Big Sky there are many activites to enjoy.

Winter in Big Sky

Montana

Downhill skiing and snowboarding- Big Sky offers one of America's largest ski terrains with two resorts operating seasonally.

Cross- Country skiing- Lone Mountain Ranch offers 75K of groomed Nordic trails. There are trails available to all levels of skiers. Lessons, rentals and guides are available.

Snowshoeing- Snowshoes are available for rent at the many different outfitters in Big Sky. There are countless trails waiting to be explored around Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park.

Snowcat Backcountry skiing-

Sleigh Ride- Take a sleighride under the twinkling stars of the Big Sky.  Dinner sleigh rides are available for your enjoyment. Reservations are recommended.

Dog Sledding- Enjoy the thrills of driving a team of sled dogs through the wilderness.  Reservations ar required.

Horseback riding- Big Sky has many outfitters to take you into the scenic backcountry.

Ice Skating- Take a twirl on the rink at Moonlight Lodge as you watch skiers come cruising down the mountain.

Ski Joring-

Fly Fishing -Montana is known for the outstanding trout streams.  Big Sky has several outfitters to show you the way.

Ski School - Located in the Snowcrest Building at Big Sky offering lessons from age 3 on up! Come learn from the best!

Shopping- Big Sky has an array of boutiques and gift shops located throughout the town.

Click here to see Big Sky's Trail Maps

10 tips for High Altitude

 

10 TIPS ON HOW TO HANDLE HIGH ELEVATION

1. Drink Water!!! If you think you've had enough – Drink more!
Carry a water bottle with you! If you feel a headache or light–headed     drinkmore water – even if you aren’t thirsty!

2. Take it easy the first few days. Your heart and lungs are working harder at high altitude. 

3. Is your skin dry and itchy? Use lotion and lip balm. We live in a  very dry climate with thin air.

4. Alcohol has more effects at high altitude – less is more! 

5. Eat high carbohydrate meals regularly. Have extra snacks on hand.

6.The Rocky Mountains are very unpredictable. Dress prepared for any sort of weather. Layers are best.   

7. Take extra precautions when playing outdoors. Wear sunscreen!          We are close to the sun and its warm rays.

8. Nosebleeds occur because of the dryness of the air –

9. Break out those shades! Protect your eyes from UV rays.

10. Follow these tips and enjoy your time at our high elevation!

Don't Forget to Drink lots of water!

History of our town

History of Big Sky

Lone Mountain Ranch~

First homesteaded in 1915 as a working ranch. In 1926 it was sold to Mr. Butler, a Chicago paper tycoon, and his daughter’s family. They built most of the buildings. Later Chet Huntley of Chrysler Corporation with other corporations bought the ranch and most of what is now know as the mountain and meadow villages and began developing the area. In 1977 Bob and Vivian Schaap began developing the ranch as a world class cross country ski resort.(info from LMR website)

Crail Ranch ~

 Frank Crail and his family arrived in 1902 to Big Sky. His family operated a large hay cutting operation. His son Eugene was a carpenter and built the Crail House out of hand chiseled logs. The home is now furnished with décor that would have been used by the Crail family at the end of the 19^th century. (info from visitmt.com)

Soldier’s Chapel ~

In 1955 the Story family dedicated the Chapel as a WWII memorial. It is open daily during May through September. Wedding ceremonies are also popular events at the Chapel.

Chet Huntley and Big Sky Resort ~

Chet Huntley was born in Cardwell, MT in 1911. He spent much of his career as a newscaster. When he retired in 1970 he moved back to his native Montana and began the development of what is now Big Sky resort. His creation has grown to be one of the top ski resorts in the country. Big Sky first opened in 1973 and in 1976 Boyne USA Resorts purchased the resort and is still the operating management today. Big Sky boasts their non–existent lift lines and offers 3600 acres of accessible terrain.

Buck’s T-4 Lodge ~

 The original lodge was a hunting camp established by Buck and Helen Knight in 1946. Setting up a saw mill in the forest on the property and skidding out the timber on horseback, the Knights constructed the first buildings themselves and opened for hunters with lodging, meals, and a horse and guide costing $12 a day. With road traffic not measuring up to the anticipated levels in 1950, two of the cabins were converted into the present lounge bar. With Buck being behind the plank and Helen in the kitchen, Buck’s T-4 became a favorite watering hole and eating establishment for locals, hunters and tourists to Yellowstone National Park.

With the initial construction phase of Chet Huntley’s Big Sky Resort underway, Buck and Helen retired and sold the business in 1972 to the Scholz family. The business has been managed and expanded with the same pride of ownership displayed by the Knights. Over the last 30 years, Buck’s T-4 has evolved into a full service resort complex. A large dancehall and a Laundromat were added the first summer or new ownership. In 1975,the grill and game room were added and that building was extended to enclose the original bar, known locally as Buck’s lounge. A new dining room was constructed in the fall of 1977 on the site of the original dining room, and a 41 unit Best Western Lodge with meeting facilities was completed south of the main building in 1979.

The 80’s saw the addition of a state liquor store and gift shop, a large deck for summer gatherings and a private dining room, along with extensive remodeling throughout the entire facility. In the last decade, Buck’s has added 34 more guest rooms, a second dining room and new state of the art kitchen and a new lobby in the lodge. The restaurant at Buck’s T-4 has become known throughout Montana and the skiing community for its superior cuisine.