For the second consecutive year, the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) welcomed Montana legislators to Big Sky for a two-day familiarization (FAM) tour. The goal: to help lawmakers from across the state better understand the unique challenges and remarkable solutions that define our community.
Day One: Demystifying Big Sky
The tour began with a fireside chat aptly titled “Demystifying Big Sky.” In a casual, story-driven format, we shared Big Sky’s history, its humble beginnings, near-bankruptcies, and the grit and determination that carried us forward. Legislators heard firsthand how, despite being unincorporated, Big Sky has thrived by relying on self-determination and local problem-solving.
Day Two: On the Ground in Big Sky
The second day began with a critical conversation on wildfire preparedness, led by experts from Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics. Legislators also met with Cornerstone Management Services, a local construction company, to tour a state-of-the-art fire-safe home showcasing new building materials and design approaches that reduce wildfire risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).
From fire to transportation, the tour continued with a meeting alongside the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to examine the pressing challenges of the Highway 191 and MT 64 interchange. Legislators were surprised to learn that Highway 191 is the second-busiest road in Southwest Montana—trailing only Interstate 90 and busier than Interstate 15. This revelation underscored the urgency of infrastructure improvements on highway 191 to keep residents, the workforce and visitors safe.
The day also featured site visits to projects funded by Resort Tax, Big Sky’s 4% local sales tax that generates more than $23 million annually and is reinvested entirely within the community. Highlights included the Riverview and ColdSmoke workforce housing developments and the Canyon Water and Sewer District, both tangible examples of how local dollars address local needs.
The Bigger Picture: Big Sky’s Impact on Montana
The tour concluded with an eye-opening discussion on Big Sky’s statewide economic impact. While Big Sky represents nearly 5% of Montana’s GDP, it also has a taxable value greater than Bozeman, Billings, and Missoula combined. Legislators recognized the staggering significance of these figures—and the risk that events like a catastrophic wildfire would have on the state’s economy as a whole.
A Montana Town with Montana Challenges
Perhaps the most significant outcome of the FAM tour was the shift in perspectives. Legislators left with a clearer understanding that Big Sky, despite its high-profile second homes and tourism economy, faces the same challenges as any Montana town: retaining teachers and nurses, housing working families, and maintaining critical infrastructure.
By opening our doors and sharing our story, the Legislative FAM tour continues to build stronger connections, broaden understanding, and reinforce that Big Sky is not asking for special treatment—just recognition as a Montana community working hard to solve Montana problems.