By Sara Sipe EBS CONTRIBUTOR
The word “challenging” is often used to describe living in Big Sky. And that is true. For many, seasonal work, high cost of living, and lack of affordable long-term housing options are too hard to overcome. This has always been true of any resort town. And Big Sky is a resort town—it’s why the community of Big Sky exists.
But are the young people just leaving? Or not showing up at all? The resounding answer is “no!” There are plenty of people that were raised in Big Sky that still live and work here and in the surrounding community (we’ll cover that in a different Community Spotlight), and plenty of young people—25 to 35 years old, let’s say—are still moving here and are making it work.
Some, like Austin Larsen and Conner “Coco” Clemens, are not just making it work, they are thriving. They have plans and are actively building their lives in Big Sky. Their love of Big Sky and their desire to make it their permanent home were never on display more than when they recently became engaged on top of Lone Mountain.
Clemens, 29, and Larsen, 34, met just two weeks after her move to Big Sky from Pennsylvania in 2021. Larsen, raised in Ennis, has called Big Sky home since 2013.
“Once we went on our first date, something was just different. It was always him,” Clemens wrote in an email to EBS.
Larsen added, “From day one, Coco has always been a ‘yes’ person, which has made life so fun over these past four years. We are always trying to make an effort to do, see and go places we haven’t been, and to experience new things together.”
When asked about living and building a life in Big Sky, Larsen responded, “From the beginning I have felt the support from the Big Sky community. I think early on, getting involved was key. From community softball to curling, to supporting local organizations and athletics—they all play an integral part of creating that sense of community that I think Big Sky thrives on.”
And it’s that same community spirit that helped Larsen pull off a surprise proposal.
What Clemens thought was just another snowy day at the top of the tram, was a well-choreographed and all-hands-on-deck effort from family and friends. According to Larsen, it only took a little bit of convincing to get Clemens to the top of the tram during whiteout conditions. Help arrived in the form of a photographer friend, Sean Mackinson who was also heading up the tram, under the guise of shooting footage for the resort. He asked if Clemens wanted to be one of his models for a few shots. And in typical fashion, it was an immediate and enthusiastic “yes” from Clemens.
“I knew I wanted to do something off the summit,” Larsen wrote. “It was a group effort for sure—and a special shoutout to local photographer Sean Mackinson. He and I had planned out a few photo options the previous day. She was totally oblivious to what was coming.”
Clemens confirmed, “I had absolutely no idea. I thought I’d have at least some sort of clue, but I was completely surprised. Right before he proposed, I was just running around at the top of the tram, literally bumping into him on purpose, being goofy, trying to stay warm because it was a total whiteout.”
When Larsen got down on one knee, she thought at first he was joking. “I was in total shock. Austin pulled out the most beautiful ring and asked, ‘Will you marry me?’ I just started crying, completely overwhelmed, and gave him the biggest hug.”
Eventually, Clemens gave a verbal “yes,” and they headed down what Clemens now calls the best run of her life. And waiting for them at the base with congratulations and champagne? Their community. Family and friends that support the couple and help them to make their Big Sky dreams come true.
Larsen, a senior property manager for Lone Mountain Land Company, and Clemens, the director of retail and the Hey Bear brand manager for Outlaw Partners—the publisher of Explore Big Sky—plan to wed in 2026 and continue to make their home in Big Sky and with the community they cherish so much.
I would say the kids are alright.
If you would like to congratulate the Big Sky couple, you can find them on Instagram @cococlemens and @auzzielars. Photographs courtesy of @sean.mackinson or @in.our.nature.photo
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!
