By Leslie Kilgore EBS STAFF
For Peter Bing, Big Sky has always been home. Raised in the mountain community, Bing returned after college and a career in finance, development and the outdoor industry to help lead Blue Ribbon Builders, the family-owned construction company founded by his parents more than 50 years ago. Today, Bing serves as principal and vice president of sales and administration alongside his brother, Luke Bing and partner Brandon Wier, continuing a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and community involvement that has grown alongside Big Sky.
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: Tell us about living and working in Big Sky and how long you’ve been here.
Peter Bing: Big Sky has always been home base for me. I was born in Bozeman, but I grew up in Big Sky. But I like to say that you become a Big Sky local when you affect the community in a way that outlasts you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here five weeks or five decades. If you contribute to the community in a way that will outlast you, that’s when you can claim to be a local.
EBS: What was it like growing up in Big Sky before Lone Peak High School existed?
PB: It was a different time. Back then, all of us went to high school in Bozeman, so there was a long commute every day. I wanted to stay in Bozeman as much as I could, so I joined just about every extracurricular activity I could—speech and debate, tennis, wrestling, Business Professionals of America and the marketing club. I stayed with my uncle whenever I had practices or activities after school. Looking back, those experiences helped me build relationships, stay engaged and gave me a chance to be part of both the Bozeman and Big Sky communities.
EBS: When did you take over the family business, and what prompted you to come back?
PB: I left for Boston College to get some perspective on the world and raced on the ski team there. After college, I worked at Moonlight Basin during its development and later with Simms Fishing Products. Coming back to Blue Ribbon was about continuing the legacy in a meaningful way. It was a chance to give back to the community while building on the quality our company has been known for.
EBS: Give us a brief overview of the services Blue Ribbon Builders offers.
PB: We act as a full lifecycle partner for custom homes, not just the builder. That starts with extensive preconstruction services to help clients navigate the complexity of building in Big Sky, continues through construction, and extends beyond completion with our service department. We like to say we’re our clients’ builder for life.
EBS: Can you tell us about the team that makes your work possible?
PB: Our people are what set us apart. We self-perform all of our carpentry, work with many of the same trade partners we’ve had for decades, and stay personally involved in every project. Our carpenters, field crews and longtime trade partners are the reason we’ve been able to build lasting relationships with clients and deliver consistent quality for generations.
EBS: You mentioned earlier that you’d like to continue your family’s legacy here while also giving back to your community. How does your company and team engage with the local Big Sky community?
PB: Big Sky isn’t just where we build, it’s our home. Members of our team participate in Adopt-a-Highway, support local events, volunteer our time and skills, and look for ways to make a lasting impact through construction projects that benefit the community. We always try to give back not just financially, but by using our expertise as builders.
EBS: Do you see growth for Blue Ribbon Builders in the future?
PB: Absolutely, but we’re intentional about it. Growth isn’t about getting bigger—it’s about improving the experience we provide through stronger planning, expanded services and continuing to deliver the quality our clients expect while building projects that will last for generations.
EBS: What’s the best thing you’ve found about working in the Big Sky community?
PB: The relationships. We’ve now built for second generations of families, and we’re working with second generations of many of our trade partners. Those long-term relationships are incredibly rewarding and are just as important as the homes themselves.
EBS: What’s some of the best business advice you’ve ever received?
PB: Take care of your relationships and your reputation. Quality lasts forever, and so do strong relationships.
EBS: What’s your perfect Big Sky day? I’m sure you have many since you’ve lived here for most of your life.
PB: Well, that’s funny you mentioned “many”. I like to call it the Montana Trifecta. In the spring, if you can ski in the morning, golf or mountain bike in the afternoon, then finish the day fishing or rafting, that’s about as good as it gets.
EBS: What legacy do you hope to leave in Big Sky and with Blue Ribbon Builders?
PB: I’d like to continue the family legacy and eventually pass the business to the next generation. The relationships we’ve built—with our employees, our trade partners, our clients and the community—are what matter most. I’d like to see those relationships continue for generations to come.
