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AT 9AM SHARP yesterday, cheers rang throughout the Mountain Village: Big Sky’s first chair had loaded and was heading up the mountain for the first turns of the season. It was Thanksgiving Day, the slopes were open, and there was a lot to be thankful for. One snowboarder rocked a Turkey costume, and skiers let our cheers as their skis hit groomed snow for the first time in seven months.
In Big Sky, Thanksgiving traditions tend not to revolve around lying on the couch, watching the football game until the Turkey is ready to carve for an early 4pm dinner. Instead, families head to the slopes to work up their appetite for a feast they’ll eat well after the slopes close at 4pm. The mood is extra celebratory, as skiers give thanks for their blessings in life and the start of another ski season.
Since moving to Big Sky I’ve adopted this tradition as well, and yesterday I joined our community for turns on Tippy’s Tumble before finally sitting down to a home-cooked meal at 7:30pm. As our Thanksgiving crew went around the table, each sharing what he was thankful for, a common thread emerged as each person mentioned the wonderful place we live in. Whether we were thankful for friends, family, or good health, we all also counted one of our biggest blessing as living in Big Sky – a small community with a giant ski mountain, ready for another winter season.
- Greer
