By Jen Clancey DIGITAL PRODUCER
Editor’s note: a previous version of this story stated that One&Only Moonlight Basin would be the brand’s first location in North America. The story has been updated to state that One&Only Moonlight Basin is the brand’s first resort location in the U.S.
While the beauty of Big Sky may be familiar to those who live and have already visited the region, it’s now being recognized on a global scale. Following on the heels of Kéa Island, Greece, Moonlight Basin is the newest location—and the first in the U.S.—for One&Only Resorts, a limited collection of luxury resorts across the world.
In an effort to highlight the hilly meadows and rows of pine that characterize Moonlight Basin, construction crews, architects and designers have collaborated to create low-lying builds among the greenery. Kevin Germain, vice president of Moonlight Basin, believes that a commitment to preserving Montana views, collaborating with Montana teams and creating a positive employee experience is what makes this development unique.
“This particular site, to me, is the best of Moonlight and you’ll see that when we get out here,” Germain said, driving through the construction site at the far edge of Moonlight Basin. Germain’s work with Moonlight exceeds two decades. “And one of the things that we’ve really stressed at Moonlight overall in our planning is we want to see ridge tops and not rooftops.”
As the developer of the project, Lone Mountain Land Company is working with Olson Kundig, an architectural firm based out of Seattle, to design private residences and buildings that are modern in appearance, and synergistic with the landscape—as the pines grow higher in the area, the 90 rooftops will be obscured from view.
In the resort there will be 92 hotel keys across 73 guest rooms and suites, and 19 guest cabins. The area will also have 62 private homes and eight private estate lots. Highlighted amenities include a year-round heated pool, hot tubs and a full service spa. Six restaurants and bars will be available to guests, and a public-facing ski lodge will welcome Big Sky Resort skiers during the winter season via a gondola that will transport skiers from the Madison Base Area.
With a philosophy of immersion in the landscape and lifestyle, One&Only will implement year-round activities like fly-fishing, horseback riding and cross country skiing, relying on local knowledge to provide services. “That’s another thing we’re really good at with One&Only— is to realize that we don’t know everything about everything,” said Serge Ditesheim, general manager of One&Only Moonlight Basin. Ditesheim in particular, is excited for the mountain bike trails.
One&Only Moonlight Basin will employ about 350 employees at full capacity, though that number can fluctuate as seasonal business changes. The resort is not gambling the question of housing for its employees, and has purchased Buck’s T-4 to create a living community for their staff. The locally-loved restaurant will soon be reopened to the public under the name Buck’s Roadhouse.
Ditesheim believes it’s the little things, like high quality food, or a workout space alongside housing that make a difference in employee experience. “You know, there’s people that say, ‘that doesn’t move the needle,’” Ditesheim said. “I say yes. Yes it does.”
“As we develop Moonlight, we will continue supporting local families,” said Andy Allen, the director of construction for Moonlight. “That’s very important to me.”
Allen is proud that the mission is being met through employment of Montana workers in the building process. Bozeman-based Langlas & Associates serves as the primary contractor firm on the project, Allen said. “If we’re going to spend this kind of money, I’d rather just stay as local as we can right? To support our economy.”
Moonlight Basin will be the first alpine resort destination for One&Only, and Ditesheim is excited to bring guests a sense of fun and adventure. “We don’t have anything that is connected to the mountain and the nature quite like this, that’s a big game changer for us,” Ditesheim said.
From the deck of the One&Only ski lodge on a July afternoon, Lone Mountain fills the view, a pocket of snow still clinging to the North Summit Snowfield. Expected completion of the hotel is in June 2025, but crews are working to coincide the ski lodge and gondola’s opening with the Madison 8’s first chairlift trip in December 2024. Soon enough the deck will be filled with visitors.
