Taunya Fagan Bozeman Real Estate Blog: Bozeman Montana Real Estate Listings

Have you ever imagined  driving a team of sled dogs? Spirit of the North sled dog trips at Big Sky, Montana's Moonlight Basin Resort allows you to do so...

And, it's not as hard as you may think because the dogs know the trail; you just need to keep your balance, apply drag or brakes, and move your body like a skier.

The Huskies used for these eight mile trips come from Montana's sled dog racer Jessie Royer's vast kennel of Alaska-Siberian mixed dogs (greyhound and other breeds mixed in).

As we (five-year old boy included) helped hitch the teams up, these lean, work-loving canines began yipping, then yapping, and finally jumping and howling, filling the air to a fever-pitch of canine cacophony.

My husband drove ours and as soon as he released the brake the dogs shot down the hill and away into the trees, hot on the trail of the lead team.

Over hills and hummocks we raced, never sure what was around the next bend in the trees...exciting, exhilirating...and the vistas of the snow-covered Madison Mountain Range and the northwest side of Big Sky's Lone Peak...well, you'll just have to try it for yourself!

According to the International Federation of Sleddog Sports, "sled dog activities may have existed for almost as long as the relationship between dogs and humans, in the regions where snow was a seasonal probability."

In the 1920's gold miners returning to New England brought sled dog racing where its popularity soared.

And into the 1930's, sled dogs were the primary means for the Post Office to reach remote places to deliver Alaska's mail.

For information on Montana Sled dog trips, make the call (406) 955-3424

Taunya Fagan Prudential Big Sky Montana Real Estate,

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The 13,400 acre, private golf and ski enclave, Yellowstone Club (YC) sale to CrossHarbor Capital is finalized at a price of $115 million, according to Yellowstone Mountain Club's CB Richard Ellis. The Big Sky, Montana bankruptcy sale was finalized August 5, 2009, ending a long battle for control between Sam Byrne and Edra Blixseth.

The many Yellowstone Club real estate and Montana luxury home choices include large homesites on which to build your own, custom luxury estate; on-the-mountain chalets; single-family custom homes; private ranches, or condos in either The Enclave or at Sunrise Ridge. Many of this Yellowstone Club real estate offers golf course property or ski and snowboard access, too.

Dine at one of three rustic Yellowstone Mountain Club lodges; choose the Rainbow Lodge with its own outdoor, heated pool and views of Lone Peak; the Warren Miller Lodge at the base, offering the most elegant mountain dining in Montana; or the Timberline Café, right off the main lift for a quick, gourmet lunch before skiing undiscovered powder in the back-side trees.

The YC maintains a 24-hour professional security staff, public safety and traffic staff, Fire Department, and EMT - Emergency Medical Team.

At Pioneer Mountain's base, the 143,000-square-foot Warren Miller Lodge includes over 20 elegant condos; grand dining room; comfortable lounge; ski shop: retail and office space; business center; world-class spa; exercise room; casual café with games, TV,  tables, and bar; and teen center.

The Yellowstone Club boasts more than 2,700 vertical feet of skiing, 60 skiing and snowboarding trails, children's instruction area, Magic Carpet kids' lift, terrain snow park with rollers, jumps, rails, boxes and more, and all on the 2,200 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, boasting an over 300 inch average annual snowfall.

Taunya Fagan Prudential Big Sky, Montana Real Estate, Bozeman, MT

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Ushering in a new era for the Yellowstone Mountain Club, Sam Byrne's Boston-based Crossharbor Capital has won control of Big Sky, Montana's Yellowstone Club with a bid of $115 million.

Judge Ralph Kirscher ok'd the bid, which includes Sam Byrne's commitment to inject up to $75 million into the Club, with $19 million dedicated to pay unsecured creditors, most of whom are regional business owners.

The Yellowstone Club is a private 13,600 acre ski and golf community in Big Sky, MT.

Our son is progressing fast, skiing the Magic Carpet Hill as well as skiing Blue slopes and Green slopes between his papa's legs.

No fun here...

The Montana snow was excellent, the Montana sun couldn't have been brighter, the big Montana sky clearer...the camaraderie better.

Tremendous views and the Tetons (not shown) are often visible on these very clear days... just a bit too many alto stratus clouds this day...

Members of the exclusive Big Sky, Montana Yellowstone Club recently came together and reached out in a big way to the Big Sky, Montana community, donating over $100,000 to The Big Sky LIFT Fund, a relief fund created to assist Big Sky families in these tough financial times.

Those eligible for the one-time Big Sky LIFT grant, must live or work in the Big Sky Resort Area Tax District.

Basically, it appears you could apply if you can demonstrate a reasonable financial need. You may be able to qualify if you have been adversely affected by the economy: for instance, you lost your job, you cannot pay your rent, medical or work-related bills. Grants are available up to $1,000 for Big Sky individuals and $2,500 for Big Sky, MT families only.

Helena-based "Montana Community Foundation" will administrate the Big Sky LIFT fund and reviewing of applications will be done by a local group of Big Sky, Montana residents. You will need to supply: 2007 tax return, and, if related, a letter of job termination and any other documents that would help demonstrate your need.

For more information on the application guidelines and rules, contact MCF at 406-443-8313. To print out the application, go to: http://www.mtcf.org/pdfs/App_LIFT_Print.pdf

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Taunya Fagan For Big Sky Real Estate For Sale - Montana Real Estate

It may not seem like a big deal, but when a small ski town without a decently-sized grocery store finally gets a decently-sized grocery store, it's news! The main stay Country Market, in Big Sky, MT, after being closed for the last two weeks for renovations and expansion, will reopen, Monday, December 22, 2008. With the added 2000 sf to the Big Sky commercial building, Big Sky, MT residents and summer and wintertime visitors won't have to drive the 30 miles back to Bozeman for their special foods and wine; the new Country Market has a whole lot more now!

Speaking of food, December 19th was the second annual "Turkey for a Ticket" day at Moonlight Basin Ski Area, Big Sky, Montana: a turkey or 15 nonperishable food items got you a free ski pass for the day as part of the Moonlight Basin ski resort's second annual Gallatin Valley Food Bank drive. The effort yielded over 3.5 tons of food and ~150 turkeys!

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Taunya Fagan Big Sky Montana Real Estate - Big Sky Montana Ski Homes

From Moonlight Basin to the Yellowstone Club, most of the Big Sky, Montana ski resort concerns have been fixed for the winter and it's snowing here in southwest Montana. The skis are sharp, the bodies are willing, and 2-4 inches of snow are forecast for this evening; Big Sky's skiing and snowboarding season is here.

Even the Yellowstone Club is back in business, which means work through the winter for its many employees. Because of a Loan by Boston's CrossHarbor Capital of $20 Million, the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana will survive winter 2008-2009. Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Montana, Ralph B. Kirscher, Esquire, approved short-term financing Wed., November 27, 2008 that will allow the exclusive Yellowstone Club, Big Sky, MT, to keep its doors open through the Big Sky, Montana 2008-2009 ski season.

Judge Kirscher, said he will let CrossHarbor Capital of Boston, Massachusetts lend the Yellowstone Mountain Club $20 million at 15% interest, enough to pay its 600 or so employees through the winter, all of which means the Big Sky economy should remain busy and fairly vibrant through Spring 2009. The Yellowstone Club's debts hover around $400 million, with about 77% of that owed to a Credit Suisse-managed investor group.

The Butte, Montana judge was unconcerned, to the chagrin of Credit Suisse, that the ruling would give Cross Harbor additional control over the Club, which is not what Credit Suisse was hoping for. Judge Kirscher wrote that even if the true value of the Yellowstone Club's "assets is only half" of what it claims, "Credit Suisse is still over-secured."

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Taunya Fagan Big Sky Homes - Big Sky Montana Real Estate

Two financial entities are battling for control of Big Sky, Montana's Yellowstone Club, which boasts memberships by some of the world's wealthiest...

Both Credit Suisse and CrossHarbor Capital with financial help offered by some Club members, are battling for control of Edra Blixseth's bankrupt Big Sky, Montana Yellowstone Mountain Club:

Credit Suisse, failing in its attempt to setup a seven-figure loan plan, argues that because it's owed over $300M by the Club it should maintain control and is trying to block a financing deal from Boston-based CrossHarbor Capital, which has offered $20 million to maintain the club through the winter skiing and snowboarding season. Some Club members, siding with CrossHarbor Capital and Sam Byrne, showed up for the Tuesday, November 25th court proceedings, agreeing to inject an additional $5 million into Cross Harbor Capital's plan.

Credit Suisse, with substantially more owed it and carrying more weight into the court room as primary creditor, is in a parlous state because if the judge sides with CrossHarbor's plan, Credit Suisse will lose its primary creditor status, which means it wouldn't be paid first, if and when the Yellowstone Club is solvent again.

In a sort of "geometric strategy," Credit Suisse offered to continue financing the club into the first week of
December 2008, hoping it may be able to scrape up enough cash to gain control, possibly close, and sell the Yellowstone Club...

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Yellowstone Club Real Estate  - Yellowstone Club Homes

The Yellowstone Club, filed for bankruptcy Monday, November 10, 2008 after its inability to secure financing arrangements with its creditors and bondholders.

Yellowstone Club spokesman, Bill Keegan said the Yellowstone Club filed Chapter 11 for protection in Montana federal bankruptcy court to protect the Club and its members.

Two months ago the Club, as it is called in the area, had announced it would begin new growth in conjunction with Arizona-based Discovery Land Company, but the recent national financial collapse forestalled this method.

Ensconced in Montana's Madison Range mountains, between the Gallatin and Madison Rivers, the gated, 13,400 acre Montana ski and golf resort opened in 1999, and holds memberships for former cycling great, Greg Lemond, Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, and former Vice President, Dan Quayle.

"We felt this step was necessary to address short-term liquidity constraints and preserve Yellowstone Club's long-term future," Yellowstone Club CEO, Edra Blixseth said.

Taunya Fagan Montana Real Estate News

Regularly in the top North American skiing and North America snowboarding rankings, Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana has claimed the number 9 spot on Skinet's Top Ten Resorts for Challenging Terrain: 2008-2009.

Big Sky Resort is often considered one of America's top ten ski resorts in some category, be it challenging terrain, or simply BEST ski resort. The Big Sky Ski Resort has modern lifts to transport skiers and snowboarders up the slopes of regal Lone Mountain, Andesite Mountain, and Flat Iron Mountain, dropping skiers and snowboarders off for 4,350 vertical feet of down.

Big Sky, Montana, once a highly seasonal, "company town" is now a year-round, small-town, recreational destination town, home to more than 1250 residents, over 350 Chamber members, and four ski resorts.

Big Sky's small-town, big-time skiing atmosphere is great for hard-core and family snowboarding and skiing. Only 45 miles from Bozeman, Montana, it's an easy drive from Gallatin Airport to the slopes.

Montana Skiing & Montana Snowboarding: Come and experience yet another Montana adventure...

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Taunya Fagan Montana Real Estate - Montana Ski Homes

Begun in 1993, the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation (BSSEF) offers recreational and competitive ski programs for Big Sky, Bozeman and West Yellowstone children. Your children will be able to ski the uncrowded and friendly slopes of two of North America's finest ski resorts, Big Sky and Lone Mountain.

The BSSEF mission is to "provide the opportunity for kids to become great skiers while promoting good sportsmanship, healthy competitiveness, sound technical skills, and an appreciation for the great sport of skiing and mountain living."

BSSEF programs cater to every skill level for kids from 5 to 17 years old. Programs include:

1. Youth Ski League YSL - 5 to 11 year olds, Saturdays. Students learn fundamental skiing techniques, have fun on obstacle courses, participate in fun ski games, and learn beginning ski racing.
2. Nordic Program students in grades 3 to 8 Tuesdays and Thursdays after school at Lone Mountain Ranch. For kids looking to learn basic Nordic skills.
3. Buddy Werner Program - 12 year olds and under, Saturdays and Sundays. For kids interested in elevating their ski racing skills.
4. Freeride Program - 11 to 17 year olds. Kids learn to ski at a higher level. Includes developing leadership, steep terrain, deep snow, avalanche,
terrain park, and powder skills.
5. Development Team - racers 13 and over. Offers full-day trainings, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12pm to 4pm and on weekends.

This year's Christmas Camp is for everyone and is slated for December 27, 2008  through January 2, 2009.

BSSEF offers discounted lift tickets, go to the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation website for more information or call BSSEF's Jeremy Ueland, program director at 579-7005.

Don't forget that Bozeman's Bridger Ski Foundation Ski Swap is November 7th through 9th in Bozeman at the Gallatin County fairgrounds!

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Learn about Big Sky, Montana        Big Sky Montana Ski Resort

September 2, 2008 - Edra Blixseth, who recently won control of Big Sky, Montana's Yellowstone Club, and Sam Byrne, another major owner, have hired the Arizona-based Discovery Land Company. led by Michael Meldman, to manage the private golf and ski club in an effort to build infrastructure and improve amenities; finish construction projects postponed or delayed; and begin land planning and development projects, adding 450 residential, condo, and townhome residences in the coming months.

Included in these endeavors are a Family Village adjacent to the Warren Miller Lodge, additional ski facilities on Eglise Mountain, completing the previously planned golf clubhouse, building a luxury spa, finishing the ice rink planned above the parking structure adjacent to the Warren Miller Lodge, creating a baseball field, and improving programs such as fly fishing, camping, and wakeboarding.

Acording to Edra Blixseth:

Today marks a historic milestone for Yellowstone Club as we embark on the next phase of Club enhancements and infrastructure development that will fulfill The Yellowstone Club's original vision and provide our members, their families and guest with and unmatched Montana outdoor lifestyle.

I am delighted to be working with Michael Meldman and Discovery, which I know shares our vision and has the experience and creativity to enhance the mountain living and recreation lifestyle and amenities for our members and their families. This venture will help secure our position as the world’s most exclusive skiing, golf and outdoor recreation community.

Sam Byrne, of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, stated:

We are extremely pleased to have a partner like Discovery Land Company bring its world-renown[d] expertise in developing premier living and lifestyle communities. This is great news for current and future club members and their families and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with Michael and his management team...

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