| The opening of the Moonlight Basin Ski Resort on the north face of
Lone Peak in Big Sky marked the first opening of a destination ski area in over
20 years. Now in its second season, Moonlight Basin offers skiers and
snowboarders 2,000 acres of terrain served by 5 lifts, including Montana's only
high-speed, six-passenger chair. The new Lone Tree quad pushes the resort's
lift served vertical to 2,070 feet and adds over 25 new runs for a total of
76 runs for the 2004-2005 season. Hike-to terrain above the treeline accesses
some of the most breath-taking chutes in the region and pushes Moonlight Basin's
total vertical drop to 3,850 feet. The Moonlight Basin Ski Resort is the latest
phase of development stemming from a purchase of 25,000 acres from a subsidiary
of Burlington Northern Railroad by two Montana natives, Lee Poole and Joe Vujovich
and their Fort Lauderdale-based partner, Keith Brown, 12 years ago.
Development of the area has been done with conservation in mind, using
wildlife experts and other environmental consultants in the planning process.
Currently, over half of the parcel has been placed into conservation easements,
and plans to provide permanent protection to additional acres are being considered.
Lone Peak, home of the famed Big Sky Resort, typically receives over 400 inches
of snow annually, and Moonlight Basin’s north facing aspect promises lighter,
drier powder throughout the year. The five lifts access 76 mapped trails, along
with the hike-to Headwaters area and Deepwater Wild Area, offering skiers an
additional 1,780 vertical feet of expert terrain. Future expansion plans include
3,500 acres and 12 lifts, positioning Moonlight as an attractive addition to
Montana’s ski areas. The Cowboy Heaven Cabins and the Saddle Ridge Condominiums
provide visitors with ski-in, ski-out lodging that showcases Montana hospitality.
The Moonlight Lodge is home to the elegant Timbers restaurant,
along with a ticket office, concierge service, deli, cocktail lounge, spa, shops,
gallery, real estate office, lodging check-ins, preferred parking, swimming,
ice skating, and the Moonlight Gold Club. The Madison area at the bottom of
the Six Shooter lift also offers skiers a sundeck and an outdoor barbeque. The
Pony Express Lodge offers day and evening childcare, day use lockers, ticket
sales, and breakfast and lunch menus. Together with breath-taking scenery and
exciting terrain, visitors are welcomed by unmatched friendliness and customer
service. In addition to optional valet parking and other amenities, Mountain
Guides are available for mountain tours and answer any questions you may have
about Moonlight Basin and the surrounding area. A complimentary Tour of the
mountain is available to all first-time visitors at Moonlight Basin. Skiing
is not the only activity making Moonlight Basin unique. Visitors can also enjoy
spa treatments, a health club, dogsledding, snowshoe tours, ice-skating, and
swimming in a heated outdoor pool. A concierge service is available to arrange
a variety of local activities, including tours of Yellowstone National Park,
fly fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain bike tours, guided hiking tours and
rock climbing. |
