Big Sky
I’ve spent one week in the ski town of Big Sky, and I already feel like I know half the town. The community here is unique — at least before it completely changes in the coming decade as some locals tell me. I grew up in a small town myself, so I’m no stranger to the way you can predictably bump into someone on main street, meet mutuals through mutuals, or get wind of the next big drama in town. Big Sky is special, though. Surrounded by the Montana mountains, people come here for many reasons, and one of them is always skiing. The common thread is how much everyone wants to be outside, whether it’s carving Lone Peak, rigging a highline, or climbing on their off days.
During my time here, I meet new people every day. Skiers, snowboarders, climbers. All adventurers. Big Sky welcomes a certain type of person who never shies away from a challenge, and it’s the place to try new things. It’s the type of place to grow your outdoor hobbies, because there’s always someone to learn from. No one ever stops you from tagging along.
I passed through for a couple days on a road trip back in August. These Montana forests are unbeatable in the summer light, but now that I’m back for the snow, winter here is really something special. Take the lift upwards and perhaps the tram up to the mountain peak if you’re daring, or take Powder Seeker up to traverse across The Bowl. Drop down from the main paths to zigzag through snow-peaked pines and try your hand at the powdery moguls. And when you’re all tuckered out from a day of shredding the slopes, grab a slice of pizza from Pinky G’s and end your day with a game of pool at the Broken Spoke bar. Exhausted yet satisfied, that’s my favorite type of day here in Big Sky. And life keeps going just like that. It can get repetitive, but for some, this is all they could ever want. Big Sky lives in the moment.
I know this won’t be the last time I am in Big Sky. Everyone has different reasons why they found themselves here. For me, I needed a break. I needed to find myself back in the natural, snowy surroundings that I was once so accustomed to, only so much grander in the West. Everyone here has different aspirations, too, but it’s hard to leave this place. It’s hard to give up the lifestyle, the beauty, the community. And the more I come back, the more I want to stay here forever too.
