By Sara Sipe EBS CONTRIBUTOR
Breakfast sandwiches, elk-sausage sandwiches, veggie frittatas, breakfast burritos, omelets, hashbrowns, waffles, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, or cinnamon rolls. If this sounds like the menu at a great breakfast spot, that’s because it is. These are just some of the “daily specials” being served up at the bottom terminal of Big Sky Resort’s Lone Moose triple chair by a group of neighbors wanting to show appreciation for their local lifties.
But this morning breakfast spot, nestled at the foot of Andesite and Flat Iron mountains, isn’t open to the public. These morning munchies are reserved for the lift operators that call this place home seven days a week.
“We started several years ago,” a Lone Moose Meadows owner (representing the collaborative efforts of the neighborhood) wrote in an email to EBS. They added, “One day, we saw someone who must have been having a bad day take their frustration out on a lift operator who was not at fault. The operator handled the situation with maturity and grace. We just wanted to show the lift operator that he was appreciated.”
What began as a way to recognize one lift operator developed into a neighborhood meet-and-greet.
“It’s a great way to get to know the folks who work on the mountain. We benefit from their hard work. Seeing their smiling faces is a great way to start the day,” the neighborhood representative added.
Joe Breckenridge has lived and worked on the mountain for three seasons and he’s been enjoying breakfast from the neighbors in Lone Moose Meadows from the first day he started as a lift operator at Big Sky Resort.
“They never skip a day!” he said.
According to the appreciative owners in Lone Moose Meadows, it’s that upbeat attitude that makes them eager to show their gratitude to their lift operator neighbors.
“They are all pretty special, and they are kind, friendly, funny and always appreciative,” the neighbor said. “We’ve been charmed by so many over the years. They each have very different personalities, but they all have a kind, thoughtful and caring dispositions.”
“We’d like to give Big Sky Resort kudos for hiring such great people and training them well for this public-facing job,” they continued. “This year, we owe a great deal of thanks to the ‘Four J’s:’ Joe, Joel, Jackson and Jonny, as well as Alyssa, Dallas and Drew, who has moved to a different area of the mountain.
The neighbor added that the lifties “just feel like family.”
And the feeling is mutual.
“We call them our Montana parents because they have always treated us so well throughout the years,” said Breckenridge.
According to Breckenridge, one of the things he likes best about working at Big Sky Resort is the close friendships he has made. When asked what the impact has been of the relationship with his neighbors at Lone Moose Meadow, he replied, “They have left an impression on us that we will never forget. We feel blessed to have people who truly care about us.”
Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!
