By Renae Counter Explorebigsky.com Editorial Assistant
BIG SKY – On her second day on the job, Suzan Scott, the new director of the Big Sky Owners Association, was officially introduced to BSOA homeowners at the annual meeting held in the Talus Room of the Summit Hotel.
Rumsey Young, who is serving his first year as BSOA chairman and has served on the board since 2007, introduced Scott to the packed room, welcoming her home.
Scott, a fifth generation Montana, has previously lived and worked in Bozeman and Big Sky while attending Montana State University. Most recently she has lived and worked in Helena in the University System and the Governor’s office.
“She (Scott) is a very serious and competent person,” Young said during his introduction. He expressed excitement to have her on board at BSOA.
“I am really happy to be here and look forward to working with all of you,” Scott said after her introduction. She welcomed everyone to contact her during the meeting and at BSOA.
Scott is replacing long time BSOA director, Mary Jane McGarity.
Topics of discussion included BSOA’s ongoing efforts to improve awareness among homeowners of bears and remove noxious weeds, as well as the BSOA board retreat held the day prior.
“Bears and trash are always a hot topic in Big Sky,” Young said. Though incident reports of bears getting into trash were down this year, Young said the group wished to “lead by example before something bad happens to a dog or kid.”
The BSOA noxious weed budget will continue to allow roadside a property spraying of noxious weeds on BSOA property.
On Thursday, the BSOA board held a daylong retreat to discuss long-term goals for the next three to five years. The group was pleased to report that all of its goals from the last retreat in 2006 have been met.
Young also reported on BSOA’s work to communicate better with its members, inviting members to drop into the BSOA office with questions or concerns.
Annual Community Report
Big Sky Resort General Manager, Taylor Middleton gave his Annual Community Report at the Big Sky Owners Association Annual Meeting. The report: Big ups for Big Sky. Population, resort tax dollars, Ophir School students, houses and condos sold, and the number of skier visits to Big Sky all increased from previous years.
Thanks to plentiful snow and free lift tickets for Epic Pass holders during January 2012, the slopes at Big Sky Resort saw the most skier days in history this past season, Middleton said. Season pass deals, including the Frequent Sky Card and the College Unlimited Pass, brought skiers and boarders to the mountain all winter long.
He reported other resort news, including the remodel of Solace Spa and Salon that added a full service salon and more massage rooms; the addition of new glade skiing; and the first time the Chamberlain Rail Jam was held in Big Sky.
Improvement to the resort continued into the summer, Middleton noted, with the addition of the Giant Swing, the Lone Peak Expedition Tram to the Top, and the new Burrito Hut. Weddings under the pavilion, Big Sky Motocross and the Spruce Moose Festival kept the resort busy all summer.
