When Denise Wade arrived in Big
Sky in 1985, her plan was to stay
for one winter. Instead, one winter
turned into an indefinite number of
years.
It didn’t take Wade long to fall in
love with the snow, mountains,
Yellowstone National Park and the
tight-knit community. Wade spent
a short amount of time in Idaho and
Alaska, but she couldn’t escape the
attraction of Big Sky and remained
here full time after 1993. Wade was
an integral part of Lone Mountain
Ranch’s Nordic program for many
years and has returned to the Ranch
to take over the program.
Wade will also manage the trail system
Lone Mountain Ranch utilizes
for both summer and winter activities.
“Her dedication to… exposing
people to the outdoors, making a
difference in the community, with
guests and our crew, and to the
success of Lone Mountain Ranch…
is extraordinary,” general manager
Mark Parlett said.
Wade has been a member of the Big
Sky Resort Volunteer Ski Patrol,
owned a restaurant with her husband
for 10 years in Big Sky and
was an instructor for University
of Montana-Dillon Elder Hostel
program, which specializes in intergenerational
educational adventure
trips. She has also enjoyed teaching
summer ecology classes and
field studies for the University of
Montana-Western and introducing
people to the wonders of Yellowstone
for the past 12 years.
Wade is a Level 3 PSIA certified
Nordic instructor and has been
involved with the Professional Ski
Instructors of America organization
for more than 20 years.
“The friendships and relationships
established while experiencing the
outdoors have enriched my life immeasurably
and I am thrilled to be
part of Lone Mountain Ranch again
as the Nordic and trails director.”
