By Leslie Kilgore EBS STAFF
After 15 years of guiding throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Greg Darden launched Silvertip Adventure Company in 2024, offering private, customized experiences in Yellowstone National Park. The company combines touring, hiking and fly fishing with plans to add a recreational concierge component for visitors to the region.
In this installment of Making It in Big Sky, Darden talks about coming to Big Sky in 2006, building a business around outdoor experiences and his plans to expand Silvertip’s community and environmental education efforts.
This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.
Explore Big Sky: When did you first move to Big Sky and what initially brought you here?
Greg Darden: After months of discussion, my wife, Susan, and I made the decision to move to Big Sky in December of 2006. We were in the process of moving back from Europe and decided on Big Sky for its relative early development stage and alpine-like ski terrain.
EBS: When did you start your new business and what prompted you to do so?
GD: I officially launched Silvertip Adventure Company in late summer of 2024 after 15 years of guiding in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With the rapid growth of Big Sky’s seasonal visitation in recent years, I noticed a greater demand for additional bespoke outdoor activity offerings.
EBS: Can you give us a brief overview of some of the services you offer?
GD: Silvertip is currently offering private, customized experiences in Yellowstone National Park that include touring, hiking and/or fly fishing in Yellowstone’s incredible and unique setting. Additionally, we will be incorporating a recreational concierge component to assist with activity planning for visitors.
EBS: Do you see growth for your business in the future?
GD: With the anticipation of multiple hotels planned for the near future, I do see the potential for additional growth in this area.
EBS: Can you tell us about your engagement with the local Big Sky community?
GD: After discussions this past summer with both the Big Sky Community Chamber and Big Sky SNO, we are working to launch an environmental education and sustainability program in the spring of 2027. By using our platform with visitors, our goal is to help represent this ecosystem and highlight the connectivity of its valuable resources.
EBS: That’s an incredible component. What are some of the best things you’ve found about living and working within the community of Big Sky over the years?
GD: What makes Big Sky the absolute best community in the country is the passion and love for nature and recreation, the care people have for one another, the generous donation of both time and resources, and locals’ dedication to balancing the resort-community relationship.
EBS: Agreed! What is some of the best business advice you’ve ever received?
GD: Thus far, I feel like the best business advice I have received is to scale responsibly. That said, I am always open to additional business advice from any of our successful community members.
EBS: What are some of your favorite things to do in Big Sky day when not working-like your perfect day?
GD: My perfect Big Sky day would be a large cup of dark roast coffee, ripping Nunya Trees with my family on fresh snow, rope drop at Shedhorn Grill, a Green Bridge or two, enjoying Thai takeout next to a fire while watching the Horns crush, capped off with a hot tub session with my incredible wife.
EBS: Now that’s a great life!
GD: We are blessed to live here.
