Big Sky, Montana

Geography

Big Sky is located close to the Yellowstone National Park along the western edge of Gallatin County and eastern edge of Madison County, on U.S. Highway 191. It is approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, being around 45 mi by road from each. It sits within the Madison Range, with elevations in the CDP ranging from 5900 ft in Gallatin Canyon along U.S. 191 to over 11000 ft at the summit of Lone Mountain.

The "Meadow" area of Big Sky lies in the eastern part of the CDP in an alpine valley formed during the Cretaceous period, at a base elevation of 6200 ft. Initially called the "Gallatin Canyon Basin", the Meadow is braided with small rivers that channel mountain snow run-off. Fishing is permitted on all of these feeders of the Gallatin River. Two ponds are found on the Middle Fork of the Gallatin that bisects the Meadow, and fishing there is permitted for those 16 and younger. Since 1993, an innovative sewer system has protected the water in the area from sewage discharge. Several agencies, such as the Gallatin River Task Force, monitor the health of the rivers.

The "Mountain" area of Big Sky is west of the "Meadow" area at a base elevation of about 7400 ft. The community had two large ski resorts in the "Mountain" area: Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin. In October 2013, these resorts merged: both are now managed by Big Sky Resort, and both are alpine ski and golf resorts. The combined terrain of the two resorts allows them to market themselves as the "Biggest Skiing in America", with over 5800 acre of terrain. The Spanish Peaks Mountain Club is a ski and golf resort that has three chairlifts and 13 ski runs connecting it to Big Sky Resort at the base of Big Sky's Southern Comfort lift. Spanish Peaks is also now owned by Big Sky Resort, in collaboration with the Yellowstone Club. Another resort, Lone Mountain Ranch, is a Nordic ski and summer resort that professionally grooms over 75 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. Yellowstone Club, a private resort, is located to the south and adjacent to Big Sky Resort.

The "Canyon" area of Big Sky lies in the Gallatin Canyon in the northeast part of the CDP, along the Gallatin River, a favorite for whitewater rafters and kayakers. The river, named after Albert Gallatin who was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is a Blue Ribbon trout stream that attracts fly-fishers from around the world. Several dude ranches (320 Guest Ranch, Elkhorn Ranch, Cinnamon Lodge and 9 Quarter Circle) operate in the Gallatin Canyon.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 311.4 sqkm, of which 310.8 sqkm are land and 0.6 sqkm, or 0.18%, are water. Most of the CDP drains to the east into the Gallatin River, while the westernmost portions drain west via Cedar Creek and Jack Creek to the Madison River. The Gallatin and the Madison both drain north to form the Missouri River.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Big Sky has a borderline humid continental (Dfb) / alpine subarctic climate (Dfc). for most of the area, but the lower elevations may be closer to a dry continental climate.

|Jan record high F = 55 |Feb record high F = 57 |Mar record high F = 65 |Apr record high F = 77 |May record high F = 84 |Jun record high F = 91 |Jul record high F = 95 |Aug record high F = 93 |Sep record high F = 91 |Oct record high F = 84 |Nov record high F = 67 |Dec record high F = 53

|Jan avg record high F = 44.9 |Feb avg record high F = 47.0 |Mar avg record high F = 57.2 |Apr avg record high F = 64.5 |May avg record high F = 73.8 |Jun avg record high F = 80.8 |Jul avg record high F = 87.3 |Aug avg record high F = 86.7 |Sep avg record high F = 82.5 |Oct avg record high F = 71.6 |Nov avg record high F = 55.4 |Dec avg record high F = 43.0 |year avg record high F = 88.2

|Jan avg record low F = -16.6 |Feb avg record low F = -15.8 |Mar avg record low F = -5.2 |Apr avg record low F = 6.3 |May avg record low F = 17.8 |Jun avg record low F = 25.8 |Jul avg record low F = 32.9 |Aug avg record low F = 29.9 |Sep avg record low F = 22.0 |Oct avg record low F = 7.9 |Nov avg record low F = -7.0 |Dec avg record low F = -15.1 |year avg record low F = -24.6

|Jan record low F = -39 |Feb record low F = -42 |Mar record low F = -20 |Apr record low F = -15 |May record low F = 8 |Jun record low F = 19 |Jul record low F = 22 |Aug record low F = 20 |Sep record low F = 5 |Oct record low F = -12 |Nov record low F = -26 |Dec record low F = -41

|Jan snow depth inch = 32.1 |Feb snow depth inch = 37.4 |Mar snow depth inch = 34.8 |Apr snow depth inch = 19.7 |May snow depth inch = 1.8 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.2 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 1.3 |Nov snow depth inch = 5.9 |Dec snow depth inch = 20.4 |year snow depth inch = 36.9

Demographics

At the 2010 census, there were 2,308 people living in the CDP. The population density was 10.1 per square mile.

Activities

Hiking trails thread throughout the landscape and into neighboring national forests. Camping sites are available throughout the Spanish Peaks and the Gallatin National Forest. Elk, deer, black bears, grizzlies, upland birds, waterfowl, and wolves call this area home. Hunting is prohibited in Big Sky proper, but it is permitted throughout the National Forests that surround the area. Recreational snowmobiling is also not permitted within the Meadow or Mountain terrain, but is permitted in the Gallatin Canyon and in areas to the south of Big Sky.

The Crail Ranch Buildings, built by Montana pioneer Frank Crail and his family, offer a glimpse of life in Big Sky more than 100 years ago. The authentic cabins are preserved as part of the Crail Ranch Homestead Museum. The museum displays artifacts, photographs and documents, along with extensive information about the pioneer Crail and Creek families.

Education

The Gallatin County portion of the CDP is in Big Sky School K-12. The Madison County portion is in Ennis K-12 Schools school district.

In addition to the Big Sky School District #72 and the Ennis district, Big Sky has a preK-12 non-profit private school, Big Sky Discovery Academy. The Gallatin County side has three public schools: Ophir Elementary School, Ophir Middle School and Lone Peak High School. The district educates approximately 425 students.

Media

Big Sky has two local newspapers, Explore Big Sky, and Lone Peak Lookout, in addition to the regional publication, Bozeman Chronicle.

The local radio station is KBZM. Other regional radio stations can be received from Bozeman.

Three television stations are available: KTVM (6) NBC, KBZK (7) CBS, and KUSM (9) PBS.

ExploreBigSky.com is a regional daily news website.

Notable people

• Jessica Biel, actress, and her husband, pop star Justin Timberlake
• Troy Downing, politician, technology entrepreneur
• Robert Peter Gale, cancer researcher
• Chet Huntley, pioneering newscaster, retired to Big Sky
• Bode Miller, former Olympian ski racer
• Warren Miller, film director, lived in Big Sky during the winter
• Matt Morris, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Marty Pavelich, NHL player, year-round resident
• Jamie Pierre, professional skier, snowboarder

References

References

1. "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Montana". United States Census Bureau.
2. "P1. Race – Big Sky CDP, Montana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
3. {{GNIS. 2407845
4. "P1. Race – Big Sky CDP, Montana: 2010 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
5. "Visit Big Sky".
6. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
7. "The Gallatin River". Greater Yellowstone Resource Guide.
8. (2016). "Climate - Big Sky, Montana".
9. "Decennial Census Official Publications". Census.gov.
10. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Gallatin County, MT". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
11. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Madison County, MT". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
12. (2015). "Mountain Outlaw Magazine".
13. "Explore Big Sky".