Big Sky

Sales and use tax for accommodations and campgrounds will be increased July 1 by 1 percent via Senate Bill 338. This will bring the statewide lodging tax to eight percent.

Big Sky Resort Area District Tax Board (Resort Tax) is looking into amending the local ordinance regarding alcohol and tobacco sales. Currently, the 3 percent resort tax only applies to alcohol sold in restaurants, but, by the start of the 2019/2020 ski season, residents could expect a shift to all alcohol and tobacco sold.

With the departure of winter powder, the controversial multi-resort ski passes have seen their play for 2019. Big Sky Resort has delved into another multi-pass market to drive tourism in Big Sky – this time with golf. 

On Tuesday, April 30, a group of teachers piled into the “Big Blue Bus” with Jeremy Harder at the wheel in a journey to Town Center. They were wielding American Flags and pins, asserting, “It’s all about the vote” or the more simple request, “Vote.” They went en masse to appeal to Big Sky voters. 

Big Sky has 4 great parties during the ski season. New Year’s Eve, Snow Bar, The Dirt Bag Ball and Pond Skim. Pond Skim never disappoints for great entertainment. The combination of warm weather, crazy costumes, amazing skiing and even more amazing crashes is always a favorite and draws a big crowd to Big Sky on the closing weekend.

Around 20 parents, babies, wobbling toddlers and young children gathered to read children’s books at Ophir Community Library partly in celebration of 5-year-old Levon Wilson, Ava Van Eps– who will be 5 years old in June, 3-year-old Connor Ruuhela, and 5-year-old Dylan Frederick.

A win-win quid pro quo kind of deal was initially discussed about six months ago and has reached fruition: land for SFEs (water). 

Both the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District (BSCWSD) and Big Sky Community Organization have large projects coming down the pike and found a mutually beneficial agreement. 

A few months ago, Tim and Sally Ryan were at Olive B’s quietly celebrating the likely sale of the River Rock Lodge. Big Sky locals had whispered the news. The couple was greeted with periodic handshakes and hugs and a visit at the table from the chef/owner of Olive B’s himself – Warren “Bipper” Bibbins.