Tidbits from Big Sky Resort, Yukon to Yellowstone, Dept. of Revenue and Resort Tax
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
For many Big Sky residents, Labor Day weekend began with a tradition as old as the community: the Big Sky Owners Association annual meeting. In the event’s 53rd year, the Friday evening summit foreshadowed strong years ahead under newly hired Executive Director Holly Coltea.
“She’s been with us for just over two months, and she’s doing a fantastic job,” board chair Maggie Good told a full ballroom at The Wilson. “She’s got an incredible amount of energy, and she’s trying to address a multitude of issues that we face all the time at the BSOA and I couldn’t be more thrilled that she’s on board.”
Coltea described her background and her vision of leadership for the future of the BSOA, including her commitment to focus on creating an environment where residents feel supported, respected and proud of BSOA’s work.
“And in return, I ask that each of us bring that same spirit to every interaction with each other, with our fellow homeowners, with our community partners and with the broader community,” Coltea said. “If we lead with this mindset first, I believe that we will run not just a better BSOA, but a place where people truly feel cared for.”
- After the annual meeting, BSOA released the results of its board election, with three new members joining.
Friday’s official BSOA business included a finance report, updates on the architectural committee and gratitude to Kristin and Kelly Kern for their contribution to BSOA’s nearly finished pond restoration project.
Of note, Treasurer Kenny Holtz announced a 4.3% increase in annual dues to $545. He cited a spike in liability and homeowners’ insurance costs, from $36,000 to $82,000 in the past year, as well as the board’s effort to make up for a decade in which dues did not increase—the freeze created an opportunity cost of more than $1.2 million, he said.
Later, board member George Mueller gave an update on the Big Sky Architectural Committee, explaining that BSAC will be shifting from “complaint-based” to “proactive compliance” regarding trash, holiday lights, noxious weeds and parking. In the interest of wildfire mitigation, BSAC will no longer approve wood burning fire pits or outdoor fireplaces—existing ones will be grandfathered but discouraged.
“One of the reasons that property insurance has gone sky high in the entire Big Sky area is because of fire danger, and the BSAC is going to do its part,” Mueller said.
Good also announced a new transportation committee working on a “global” rural improvement district to combine five separate RIDs together in the Mountain Village for maintenance. In the Meadow Village, BSOA will incorporate its two existing bridges into RIDs to address maintenance.
“Road maintenance is a top priority, it’s one of the key things that the BSOA has responsibility for,” Good said.
With official business closed, attendees got a sneak peek at the winter ahead.
Resort boasts efficient lift network, new happenings
Big Sky Resort President and COO Troy Nedved gave a brief construction update on the Explorer Gondola, set to open Dec. 20 after three years of work and still “a lot to do.”
Explorer Gondola will become the world’s fastest 10-seat gondola, combining with recently built Swift Current 6 and Ramcharger 8 to put the uphill capacity of Big Sky Resort’s base area on par with significantly more crowded resorts, Nedved explained.
“It’s ultimately going to eliminate all of our ski lift lines from the base area, period,” he said. “We’re going to have about 10,000 people-per-minute capability out of our base area.”
Nedved said the new Lone Peak Tram, now with two winters under its belt, saw a 54% increase in ridership in its second season, helped by greatly improved snow conditions in 2024-25. Even with increased use, Nedved was proud to report average wait times under 15 minutes.
“It almost blew me away at actually how efficient that worked,” Nedved said to a room full of applause. Years ago with the former tram, the goal was 30 minutes, he added.
New this coming winter, Lone Peak Tram riders will also experience the new Kircliff summit attraction. Nedved explained it will help accommodate summer tourism, providing shelter from lightning and high winds for customers riding to the peak.
In another win for the resort’s lift infrastructure, Nedved said the 2024-25 debut of Madison 8 enabled 60% more riders than the final season of the retired Six Shooter lift.
Beyond lifts, the resort will introduce a new “Alpine Iglu” attraction between the top terminal of the Explorer Gondola and the bottom of the Lone Peak Tram. The European-inspired igloo will be built in January, serving food and drinks in the bowl.
Finally, in April, the resort will adjust its end-of-season schedule to meet demand. After Sunday, April 12, the resort will operate Friday through Sunday until closing day, April 26. The pond skim will take place on Saturday, April 11.
Resort Tax, Y2Y and Montana property tax
Daniel Bierschwale, executive director of the Big Sky Resort Area District, gave a casual update on the past year—a very busy year including tens of millions of dollars in voter-approved bonding, the voter-approved renewal of the Big Sky’s resort tax through 2065, and a pair of directly impactful bills in the Montana Legislature: Senate Bill 260 for special districts and Senate Bill 172 for workforce housing.
For those less familiar with the workings of Montana’s resort tax, Bierschwale noted that it’s “the best tax in the state of Montana” because 100% of tax revenues stay local to support a given resort community.
He noted that since 2018, Big Sky’s annual resort tax collections have increased from roughly $7.5 million to now over $23 million.
After hearing about Resort Tax, attendees heard from conservation nonprofit Yellowstone to Yukon. Daniel Anderson, senior outreach specialist for wildlife passage, told a compelling story of Montana’s population growth during his lifetime, and how his grandfather empowered him to work for the protection of wildlife corridors in a fast-changing landscape.
Anderson said Montana deserves wildlife-friendly transportation that lives up to the landscape, and encouraged the Big Sky community to get involved with Y2Y’s efforts to preserve the largest intact mountain system remaining in the world.
Finally, Brendan Beatty and Paula Gilbert returned after an Aug. 19 presentation about Montana’s complicated and fast-changing property tax system. They stuck around for Q&A with the attendees before the event adjourned for cocktails, appetizers and the holiday weekend.
