Newsman Chet Huntley and his consortium developed Big Sky Resort in the early 1970s. Since then, it has grown to become a year-round, world-class recreation area with “the Biggest Skiing in America,” four ski resorts, and a vibrant community around them. Located on the meadows of the West Fork in the Gallatin Canyon, this area was, early on, a microcosm of pioneer hardiness and activity characteristic of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Throughout its early history, one finds Native Americans, trappers, miners, loggers, cowboys, and ranchers. Some of their ventures failed and some succeeded as the land and weather allowed. The most successful ventures were the dude ranches that introduced the pleasures that remain today―hunting, fishing, trail rides, touring Yellowstone Park, and even skiing. Outdoor adventure in an authentic American Western setting was, and is, Big Sky.

about the authors…

Dr. Jeff Strickler is a retired pediatrician and author of several books about the Big Sky area. Dr. Anne Marie Mistretta was the superintendent of Ophir School in Big Sky and is a member of the Historic Crail Ranch board. Through photographs contributed by the Historic Crail Ranch Conservators and descendants of other early pioneers, they have created an image of Big Sky before the resorts, an image of the true American West.