BSSEF, Big Sky Resort, BSCO join forces to host free cross-country skiing event Feb. 10 at Big Sky Nordic Center
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Ready to howl or not, the Big Sky community is invited to a Nordic skiing event under the full moon at the Big Sky Golf Course on Monday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event is hosted jointly by Big Sky Ski Education Foundation, Big Sky Resort and Big Sky Community Organization, who agreed to make the event free without the added pressure of being a fundraiser like so many Big Sky events. Registration is not required.
Liz McRae, vice chair of BSCO and supporter of the BSSEF Nordic program, said BSCO is trying to get back to its roots and connect face-to-face with the community. She expects the event to be a unique, casual way for the three local organizations to come together, and hopes to see similar night skiing events in the future.
“Just the joy of skiing under the moonlight,” McRae told EBS in a phone call. “… Just get a little moonlight on your face and ski, and just do it for the magic of it, nothing else.”
Anna Fake, BSSEF Nordic director, emphasized in an email to EBS that it’s not a race: it’s just a casual ski—or a walk or snowshoe outing, if that’s more appealing—and an opportunity to connect outdoors under the full moon. It’s loosely based on Big Sky’s unofficial full moon tradition of skiing the “Poop Chute” along the Middle Fork of the Gallatin River between Big Sky Resort and Town Center.
“Everyone talks about the full moon Poop Chute, or getting out on our long cold nights up here so we thought it would be really fun to put together a very casual full moon ski this winter. We chatted with BSCO and BSR and decided to send it,” Fake wrote.
Ski rentals will be available for $15 at the Nordic Center, which will remain open as a warming hut if weather bites. In addition, each organization is responsible for a dessert, hot cocoa and soup table spread around the golf course.
“We hope that this brings our community together and reminds us to look around at this special place and enjoy these Nordic trails,” Fake wrote. “In an alpine-heavy ski town it’s special to shine some light on the Nordic world.”
McRae said in her 22 years in Big Sky, she doesn’t remember seeing an official event quite like this. Typically, it’s just small groups on independent moonlit adventures.
Denise Wade, manager of Big Sky Resort’s Nordic Center and longtime advocate for the sport’s local growth, told EBS she hopes to see people who have never experienced snowy trails under the full moon, which she called beautiful and magical. For her, the event is about celebrating Big Sky’s access to outdoor recreation.
Just get a little moonlight on your face and ski, and just do it for the magic of it, nothing else
Liz McRae, BSCO board member and BSSEF Nordic supporter
When Fake proposed the idea, Wade recalled responding immediately, “I’m in,” especially excited about the accessibility of a free event.
“We’re in a Nordic community where we’re really trying to get all the different pieces and parts in Big Sky to do a unifying type of event,” Wade said. “We’re all working toward the same goal on winter trails and access, and stuff like that. And keeping good quality skiing alive and well in Big Sky.”
Wade hopes the event doesn’t intimidate anyone, as walking and snowshoeing are options for non-skiers and everyone is free to move at their own pace. Warm beverages and food only sweeten the deal.
“I certainly hope it becomes an annual thing, and it grows each year,” she said.
