Word from the Resorts: Dec. 9

Big Sky Resort

By Chelsi Moy BIG SKY RESORT PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

There are many unsung heroes in our community—people doing extraordinary things out of the public spotlight. Big Sky Resort would like to recognize two types of these heroes: educators and military men and women.

Military Appreciation weekend starts Dec. 9. Big Sky Resort is offering lodging specials to military service men and women starting Friday, and free daily lift tickets to active and retired military with valid identification on Saturday and Sunday. Military families will receive half off daily lift ticket window rates on Dec. 10 and 11.

The following weekend is Educators Appreciation weekend. Teachers and administrators staying at the resort will receive free lift tickets Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18. Those educators not staying at the resort will receive half off the window rate on daily lift tickets on Saturday and Sunday, as will their immediate family members. Educators must present valid identification for the specials to apply.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Big Sky Resort would like to remind skiers and snowboarders about Carving for Cans, this year on a weekend—Sunday, Dec. 11. We’re offering a $39 ticket to anyone who donates 20 cans of food. We’re not accepting turkeys this year (as in the past) because Big Sky Resort would like to stock the food banks shelves with nonperishable foods.

Holiday spirit is in full swing at Big Sky Resort. It’s been snowing and Powder Seeker is open! We’re pleased to give back to those who give so much. Come on out!

Visit bigskyresort.com for more information.

Lone Mountain Ranch

By Nicole Campbell LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gear up for an exciting winter season here at Lone Mountain Ranch, starting with our annual open house on Dec. 13. We’re excited to share with you our new and improved cabins, Saloon and dining room renovations. Blending historic charm with a touch of new age décor, we believe the cabins are sure to excite and we would love to welcome your input, too! Doors open 5–8 p.m. with refreshments and light appetizers available in our Outdoor Shop and dining room. Take a holiday tour through the cabins, visit the Saloon for a hot cider, and enjoy some tasty appetizers brought to you from our new chef, Eric Gruber.

Looking for a perfect gift for that special someone? Enjoy Christmas shopping in our retail shop, now open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Items for sale include locally handcrafted jewelry, pottery, ornaments and ski gear—not to mention unbeatable sale prices on classic and skate skis.

Live entertainment in the Saloon is back and better than ever. Enjoy entertainers Bruce Anfinson, Tom Georges, Ric Stienke, Julie Rox and Christoph Bayr on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings this winter. Hit the trails and afterwards warm yourself with a specialty cocktail and live music from one of these fabulous musicians.

For more information, call (406) 995-4644 or email reservations@lonemountainranch.com.

Bridger Bowl

Bridger Bowl received 4 inches of new snow the night of Dec. 5, before a cold snap gripped southwest Montana for much of the week. However, temps were expected to rise to near freezing for the ski area’s Dec. 9 opening day.

Bridger rolled out a new website for the 2016-2017 season, to accommodate its new online store and keep up-to-date with current design styles, according to Marketing Director Doug Wales. New products on the website include a Young Adult Season Pass for 19-24 year olds, and a Senior Midweek Season Pass for ages 70-79.

The ski area has also begun a two-year construction project on the Saddle Peak Lodge, where the snow sports program will move and additional pass holder lockers will be available for the 2017-2018 season. – Tyler Allen

Visit bridgerbowl.com for more information.

Grand Targhee Resort

By Jennie White GRAND TARGHEE MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

With 7 inches of new snow, a 49-inch base, and 109 inches of snow for the season, skiers lined up at 6 a.m. to get the first chair of the season on Dec 1. The Grand Targhee “Snow Globe” is now officially open for the 2016-2017 winter season. With all systems go, Mary’s opened for the first time this season on Dec. 2. Wyoming’s only snowcat skiing will open on Dec. 10.

The Trap Bar and Grill has a jam-packed music calendar where you can catch Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, 86, One Ton Pig, Sweet Thursday, and Papa Chan Trio during the next couple of weeks. Fat bike season is officially here and we’re kicking off the first race of the season on Dec. 10. Make sure to mark your calendar for our night fat bike race on Jan. 21.

If you’re looking tune up your off-trail skiing and riding, then our “Knowledge is Powder” camp is for you. The first camp kicks off Dec. 16, and includes three days of coaching, video analysis, social events, lift tickets, cat skiing and professional instruction.

A new season brings new changes and additions to Grand Targhee Resort. Construction on the new Blackfoot Quad chairlift began last spring and now it’s time to celebrate. Dedication of the new Blackfoot lift is scheduled for Dec.17. It’s time to get out and enjoy your turns. We’ll see you on the mountain!

Visit grandtarghee.com for more information.

Jackson Hole

By David Johnson MARKETING AT JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Following a brief delay, Jackson Hole opened Thursday, Dec. 1. By Dec. 3., four chairlifts—Apres Vous, Teewinot, Teton and Casper—were spinning, giving guests and locals a lot of acreage to be excited about!

Mother Nature has done her part too. The week preceding opening day we received almost 3 feet of new snow, colder temperatures and optimal working conditions for on-mountain employees to get the ball rolling for opening day. Another storm moved in for the resort’s first weekend open, dumping 23 inches of snow on JHMR.

This is a great time to begin planning a visit to Jackson Hole. We’ve got a great Ski Free Christmas promotion going on over the upcoming holidays and with all terrain expected to be open by Dec. 17, it will be a time you won’t want to miss! As part of the Ski Free Christmas, if you begin your holiday on or before Dec. 23, you will earn two ski days at JHMR for free when you book a six-night minimum lodging and lift package with Jackson Hole Central Reservations. We’ve got a fantastic lineup of holiday events going on in Teton Village for families of all ages as well.

On the horizon in January is our favorite promotion, the Golden Ticket. From Jan. 9-31, JHMR will offer season pass holders from any resort worldwide 40 percent off lift tickets here in Teton Village. Bring your season pass from your home mountain and we’ll discount your lift ticket. Come out and ski the big one!

For questions about promotions or lift operations, visit jacksonhole.com.