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MSU Teton County Extension
PO Box 130 * 1 Main Ave S., Courthouse
Choteau, MT 59422
406-466-2491 Office * 406-590-2492 Cell
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First, there may be snow, but even if there isn’t snow, the
weather forecast for the week of the conference has daytime highs in the 50s
and evening temperatures at or below freezing.
When the sun sets, it gets cool quickly in the mountains. We recommend packing warm coats, lots of
layers and at least one pair of jeans to keep the chill out. It is not an unreasonable idea to pack winter
gloves. I have only been to Big Sky
twice, once in mid-May and once in mid-September and there was snow both times!
Speaking of snow, Big Sky Resort was built with the winter sport of skiing
in mind. While the lifts won’t be
operating yet at Big Sky, it is important to know that a ski resort has certain
features. One such feature are the
stairs that connect different buildings on the mountain. The grates are built with ski boots in mind.
They are metal grates, so that snow can be scraped off ski boots before
entering buildings. While these stairs do
not damage ski boots, they will not be so kind on a pair of heels. We recommend that you have at least
one pair of very comfortable and durable shoes (not heels) to wear
outdoors. Flats may be the footwear of
choice for this conference!
Since the resort is on a mountain, it is worthwhile
to mention that the elevation at Big Sky is about 7000 feet above sea level and
the peak is 11,000 feet above sea level.
MSU Extension has hosted other events at Big Sky Resort and people have
noted the symptoms of mild altitude
sickness. Often, people with
altitude sickness have noted being tired, having headaches and feeling
drained. There are some things you can do to prevent feeling down while you are
high on the mountain at Big Sky. First,
stay well hydrated. Drinking lots of water can really help, as can avoiding
alcohol (though there are stores with a nice wine selection at Big Sky).
Potassium is said to help alleviate the affects as well, so stocking up on
bananas or other foods rich in potassium could be beneficial.
If you intend to buy some bananas while at Big Sky, there is
one grocery store, but it is
important to note that it is seven miles from the resort. For most people, this
distance is not practical to walk, especially given the mountainous terrain. Other
supplies are available in the limited number of stores seven miles from the
resort or at the deli right at the resort; however, purchasing items like phone
charging cords would most likely require a trip into Bozeman. Bozeman is about an hour away (two hours
round trip) on windy mountain roads. Even if you remembered your cord and your phone is
fully charged, there will not be continuous cell coverage in route from Bozeman
to Big Sky Resort. If you are planning
to use a map that depends on cell coverage, it might be worthwhile to print or
take a screen shot of the map or review the route. There are landmarks the locals call the ‘meadow’, which is a flat
area with some buildings and stores and the ‘mountain’, where the resort is
located.
If you are flying, it is important to note that the airport is not actually in
Bozeman. The airport is just west of
Bozeman. Bozeman would be about a
fifteen minute trip the opposite direction from the Big Sky Resort. Even though it would be out of the way, if
you realized you forgot something you need and would like to purchase, it would
be best to head into Bozeman, rather than plan to get it at either the
meadow or the mountain. If you planned
to rent a vehicle at the airport, it would be good to call ahead this week to
make sure there are plenty of vehicles in the fleets at the rental
companies. Generally there are vehicles
available, but we are in the “shoulder season” between summer tourists and
winter travelers.
Yellowstone
had quite a summer
tourist season this year, as you may have heard. Hopefully, you will be able to enjoy the park
on either end of your stay, but you may also get to see some wildlife right at
the resort. We recommend you avoid walking alone outdoors away from the resort, especially after dark. If you see wildlife, make good choices, and certainly do not feed them,
pet them, or take them to safety. Get
yourself to safety instead!
While you travel, remember to keep well hydrated. If you are driving, stay focused on the task of
driving. Avoid distractions and please
wear your seat belt. Remember, no matter how you travel, take
routine, planned breaks to get up and walk around to minimize the chance of
developing blood clots. Of course, if
you take my advice on staying hydrated, it will help force you into walking to
the lavatory to balance your fluids – a two-fold benefit of drinking lots of
water!
We are looking forward to your safe arrival and pleasant
stay in Big Sky Resort. We hope the tips we’ve offered you will help
you enjoy your stay and keep you comfortable so you can Discover, Engage and Connect while in
Montana!
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