The home was perfect. Through the lens of David R. Stoecklein, these cowboys--with their rich culture and . House was great, well stocked, pre-arrival/checkin/checkout all very organized. Before and after dinner, enhance your authentic Montana experience by pitching horseshoes and enjoying the extraordinary talents of a local banjo player and a cowboy poet. In-Room Record Player Coffee Service Contact Us Today Contact Us X Stay Connected 750 Lone Mountain Ranch Road, PO Box 160069 Big Sky, Montana 59716 1-800-514-46441-406-995-4644 1-406-995-4670 Reservations: Reservations@LoneMountainRanch.com Press Inquiries: Click Here For Press Inquiries Grab the saddles and hitch up the wagon for an evening you wont soon forget. We creatively reimagine and revive historic properties in beautiful regions across the Americas, honoring their past and creating soulful, beautifully designed places that we use as a base for exploring our natural surroundings. The cowboy cookout was the best meal of our trip. Located at the Zipline Adventure Park. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy. Adult: $75 . There are 27 historic log cabins on the property, ranging from 1 to 6 bedrooms. Nature & Wildlife Tours, Horseback Riding Tours, Gear Rentals. Depart Gardiner By: 6:30 PM. View All 2 Bedroom Homes | View All Moonlight Basin Rentals | View All Cowboy Heaven Cabins, Box of board gamesTri-fold memory foam mattress, Kitchen bagsDishwasher tabsDish soapSpongePaper towels (2 rolls)Foil, cling wrapCoffee filters (coffee not supplied)Toilet paper (2 rolls per bathroom)Kleenex (1 box per bathroom)Laundry soapCleaning solutionPantry items- basic spices onlyShampoo. Ages 3 and up! Covered Wagon Ranch is one of the oldest continuously operating ranches in this scenic canyon where the Gallatin River and Taylor Fork Creek meet. Gardiner, Montana. Here our guests enjoy great meals and historic cabins located in a canyon offers boundless breathtaking views for horseback riding, inner tubing, hiking and more. If you are planning a trip to Montana I highly recommend booking with them. Cache Creek Outfitters in Montana offers a wide variety of services to give guests a true Montana Experience. Very cozy home - beds are comfy. Get at the heart of Big Sky Country with 12 of its most unique, eclectic, and downright thrilling experiences. 0. please visit this page on the NPS website. Helpful Information Getting Here Lone Mountain Ranch is located in the scenic town of Big Sky, Montana, just 50 minutes drive from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). In the 1930s, the younger generation of Butlers opened the ranch to friends and guests visiting from back east. Wagon can have up to 25 guests - 10 on each side and 5 on the back. Copyright 2023 Big Sky Vacation Rentals. The offer is not valid for Fishing Bridge RV Park. Evening entertainment focused on Montana history and culture, including authentic Native American dances, story telling, and live country western music courtesy of local, Grammy nominated performers. This is not your standard-issue Big Sky Cowboy Cabin. At Cache Creek Outfitters we offer access to some of the most amazing trail ride sceneries in North America. Guests staying in homes will be picked up at the Wilderness Outpost. Christy showed compassion, patience, and true love for the horses. Fine lodging and dining, plus fly fishing, horseback riding, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, and much more. Enjoy western stories and songs with local entertainment. Welcome to Western Romance Company, Billings, Huntley, Montana. The Johnson Family has been living and working their alpine ranch since the 1930's. . The steak and salmon were delicious, but the atmosphere, view and ambiance is what made it extra special. From brand new beginner riders to experienced hands, they have a horse for you for the week. The cabin has everything you need, ultra modern appliances and rustic furniture to match the log cabin, gas fireplace and clean hot tub to enjoy the views of the mountains all around. Ski rack on deck, boot dryers in cabin under bench, Private hot tub 4-5 person- on front deck, - Charles B Michigan , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Kristine S Eden Prairie, MN , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Kurt V New York, NY , Posted: 09/08/2021, - mark w Minneapolis , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Michael B Orange County, CA , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Laurent G Cape Town , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Lauralyn Pestritto , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Ann B Eden Prairie, MN , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Simon D Montreal, Quebec, Canada , Posted: 09/08/2021, - Lisa A Jacksonville , Posted: 09/08/2021. We slept on comfortable mattresses and clean, new sleeping bags to the sounds of the horses's bells, wolves howling and owls hooting. Perched high on the Moonlight side of Lone Mountain, youre centrally and conveniently located to enjoy all that Big Sky has to offer and a scenic drive away from an incredible Yellowstone day trip. Stay tuned as we will have special cowboy cookouts available throughout the summer months and holidays. Some of the best cobbler around is served during the cookout. We had a seat at the table for the early days of Yellowstone Park, the formation of the town of Big Sky, the evolution of ranching and logging in the Northern Rockies and the preservation of this spectacular wilderness. and heard from a local that Cache Creek Outfitters could take us (including our sons, ages 8 and 11) on horseback WAY up into the mountains to fly fish at a remote lake. The Iron Horse and Pony Express lifts at Moonlight typically open early to mid December. Love the view, the fire pit, the comfy outdoor chairs. Were delighted to accommodate all dietary needs with special menus as requested. The 2-hour rides goes through woods, sagebrush flats, and meadows (following the trail used for the regular 2 hour horse ride) to the cookout site. You may also join the Paws Up waitlist here. They set up a custom trail ride and cowboy cookout for us. With enough notice and if the date is available, we can absolutely open a Cowboy Cookout for all of you to enjoy! The ranch is just three miles from the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Start with one of our packages, from Winter Discovery to Exploring Yellowstone to an Anglers Dream, then add any adventures you want to explore on our reservations page. . Useful. Take a sleigh ride to a beautiful cabin in the woods for a prime rib feast, musical entertainment, fun & laughter. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated with advance notice. We are so glad we did, because the ride was beautiful (through wooded trails, over babbling creeks, and through gorgeous fields of wildflowers), lunch (provided by Cache Creek) was wonderful, and fishing at a mountain lake was one of the most peaceful things I have ever done. True western living in Cowboy Heaven Cabins, Big Sky. From all-natural chicken, Angus prime rib, fresh corn and asparagus grilled over a campfire to simple, scrumptious classics like baked beans and fresh-fruit cobbler warmed in a Dutch oven, you wont walk away with an empty stomach. the Craig Thomas Visitor Center and the Chapel of the Transfiguration. Cache Creek is the creme de la creme of outfitters. Hay is present so be mindful of hay allergies. Four generations ago, each guest arrived here at Covered Wagon Ranch by way of stagecoach, and Model-T. Today, descendants of some of those families still come to our Montana dude ranch to experience the mythic beauty of the Old West, in a region that is very nearly the same as it was in 1925 when the guest ranch first opened. Step out your front door and onto the slopes from this luxurious newly transformed gem of a cabin. There is only one way to get to the chuckwagon camp, by our very own covered wagon ride that will be provided for the evening. Sleeps 5 in beds, 6 with pull out sofa. The Butlers built many of the existing lodgepole guest cabins and named the property the B-K Ranch. At Cache Creek, we offer a wide variety of trips, adventures, and guides, to ensure that we provide an enjoyable Montana experience for the whole family. Beds are good. The return ride is direct and takes about 30 minutes. We highly recommend this experience! Guests staying in homes will be picked up at the Wilderness Outpost. Posted By. Lot of 11 Linda Lael Miller PB Books . The horses will take good care of you, too. We came for 4 nights in June. Basecamp at Big Sky Resort Cozy cabin which is nicely decorated and great hot tub. We also have an upcoming reservation at 15 Derringer in February 2022 which we made months ago based on how much we loved the spot during our 2019 visit. By reservation only. Enjoyed our stay - the cAbin was cozy after a day of skiing. Cache Creek Outfitters features the only heated sleighs in the business, and our wagons are hand crafted for your comfort. You can ride out to Pleasant Valley on a horse or in a covered wagon. HERE. Address: 1300 Coombs Ln, Arlee, MT 59821 We offer fishing on all the major waters of Montana and Yellowstone National Park, with the most experienced and educated fishing guides around. Articles featuring Z5 Ranch Chuckwagon Dinners. All guests must have government issued ID. Free shipping for many products! Would be a tight fit for more than 4 during ski season/ not much closet/storage space. A blend of tanned leathers, solid wood furnishings, beautiful artwork and western mountain dcor give this home a true cowboy vibe. $135. Yellowstone National Park National Parks Cookout Horseback Riding Montana Cowboy Adventure Natural Landmarks Nature More information. Wagon Ride to Cookout Ride takes 30 - 45 minutes and goes through sagebrush flats (following the same road used for the stagecoach rides) to the cookout site. Very positive even in light of the cabin renovations not being finished (surprise!) In adding to your evening cowboy concert and chuckwagon dinner, you can also plan to take a horseback ride in the local area along the Pryor Creek stream in the afternoon before the evening events gets started. Guided and scenic through our 1,280 acres of Sonoran Desert. Through decades of experience, Cache Creek Outfitters has adapted to guest requests to offer as many exciting adventures as possible. Over the course of 30 years, the Schaaps established and refined a year-round guest experience that celebrated the good things in life - and the very best of Montana. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. At Cache Creek Outfitters, our array of experiences includes wading trips, walking trips, float trips, horseback fishing, horseback riding, sleigh rides, cowboy cookouts, special events and more. Please keep in mind this is subject to availability! 2023 THE LAST BEST BEEF LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Guests at the Ranch can make themselves truly at home. I myself never rode a horse and she took great care in helping us. Step out your front door and onto the slopes from this luxurious newly transformed gem of a cabin. $8.90 + $5.75 shipping. I spent a 4 hour ride with Melissa which was fabulous. Montana is the fourth largest state in the USA, and offers urban charm, outdoor adventure, curious history, and more. Choice of Bud Light, Coors Lite, Cabernet or Chardonnay with Dinner. and unpacking still ongoing as we arrived. The only warnings I have is that you be careful driving up to and from the cache Creek outfitters ranch because the road is steep and curvy. It's an experience like no other. Carolyn T. Clearwater, FL. Thanks so much my family had the best time. This evening activity and affair takes place just minutes from downtown Billings Montana. My family loved the cabin and the views from 11 Derringer. Come one, come all and join us for a Cowboy Cookout located in beautiful. Perched high on the Moonlight side of Lone Mountain, youre centrally and conveniently located to enjoy all that Big Sky has to offer and a scenic drive away from an incredible Yellowstone day trip. We visited Montana for the first time (not the last!) To accommodate al the children living on the Ranch then, the B-K Lodge was converted into a schoolhouse. We love the cabin's location and have found it very easy to deal with Big Sky Rentals both times. for children). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Big Sky Country Ser. Tours can be booked up to a combination of 28 riders. We are a collection of petite resorts connected by a road of sorts. more. : Montana Cowboy Daddy by Linda Ford (2016, Mass Market) at the best online prices at eBay! Montana Board of Outfitters #5278 / Permitted by the Gallatin National Forest Equal Oportunity Provider / Authorized Concenssioner YELL125-16. Dinner is served at 6:30PM. Only had to reach out and the team was very responsive. Horseback ride and cowboy cookout Find this Pin and more on Montanaby Emily Oubre Farque. What sets this cabin apart is the wooden deck perched at the front of the home. We met our wrangler, Ryan, at a trailhead and he was ready for us with the horses, a pack mule, and supplies for the entire day. Our 12 must-do experiences in Montana range from Native American survival courses to Mountain West safaris, winter yurt excursions to wagon wheel dinner parties. All Rights Reserved. Youll be guided by experienced wranglers who know the area and horses well. Renting from Big Sky Vacation Rentals was painless! Yellowstone National Park guided tour feat. A warm welcome at the timberframe dining hall. Box 165 Bell Pepper is vegetarian - vegans request no cheese upon reservation! Western Cookouts are held Monday and Friday evenings. Linda Lael Miller McKettricks Series Books Lot of 2 Cowboy Romance Novels. Each reservation will have their own table(s) which will be spaced apart from other guests. All guests, make this your Real Montana home. ), and Ryan managed to talk my son back onto the horse and convince ME it would be safe to go on. Our Services include Wading Trips, Horseback Trips, Fishing Trips, Sleigh Rides, Hunting Trips, Cowboy Cookouts and more. at picnic tables or gather around the campfire to savor the all-you-can-eat meal while taking in the stunning view of Montana's big sky. With meals and activities included in most vacation packages, youre free to come and go and relax as you please. A true taste of Montana!!! P.O. The horses are still talking about what a great group you had! Fine lodging and dining, plus fly fishing, horseback riding, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, and much more. We can help you custom tailor your best Montana experience. Cool 1. Big Sky, MT Verified - Update Listing A local favorite since 1982 - a unique Montana experience. The view under the bed in the master was particularly unsettling as it looked like the area had not been acquainted with a vacuum in quite a while. Big Sky, MT Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Save Phenyon 15 18 Amazing cowboy cookout! 1-406-995-4670, Get the latest updates on special promotions, get exclusive access to upcoming experiences and more, For rates and availability call 800-514-4644 or email reservations@lonemountainranch.com. Age 6 and older. View Cabins. He was so knowledgeable about the animals, plants, mountains, horses.everything! 750 Lone Mountain Ranch Road, PO Box 160069. Historic Montana guest ranch located between Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone Park. The cookout is located on a pristine, very secluded lake in the woods. serving for adults, 6 oz. Horse-drawn wagon rides and meet and greet with ranch residents horses, cows, goats, sheep, chicks and bunnies! There is no ski access until the lifts open or after lifts close. And if all this is not enough, youll find your boots tappin to old western songs sung by our singin cowboy. Reach out! For more information about Interagency passes, Old West Dinner Cookout Roosevelt Dates & Rates for 2023. The best-selling memoir Confessions of a Kamikaze Cowboy tells the fascinating story of actor Dirk Benedict's journey from the big sky country of Montana to the hustle and hype of Hollywood. Whether youre chasing wild water adventures in the warm summer months or looking for a one-of-a-kind slope side experience, Moonlight Basin Cowboy Heaven Cabins promise an authentic Big Sky Montana vacation in cowboy style! Huntley, Montana residents have spent endless hours being entertained with game play since our casino opened in 2011. Book Online or Call To Book At 888-915-2787 And Speak With A Local Big Sky Expert. Horse-drawn wagon rides and meet and greet with ranch residents - horses, cows, goats, sheep, chicks and bunnies! Enjoy excellent ski-in/ski-out to the Powder River ski run, accessing all of Big Sky's skiable terrain via the Iron Horse and Pony Express lifts. Join us for a Big Sky Montana sunset, a one hour scenic horseback ride, and sizzling steaks with one of the best ranching families around. The other is to be prepared to ride a horse that will be walking up and down some steep trails at times. Here our guests enjoy great meals and historic cabins located in a canyon offers boundless breathtaking . Step off the back deck of your Big Sky Montana rental cabin onto the Gambler ski access trail. Description. And we found it equally adorable this time. Our family (6 adults) went with Ryan on a 1/2 day trail ride on 8/7/13. Ever since we homesteaded in 1915, our story has had one consistent thread: warm and welcoming hospitality to all. Join us at Covered Wagon Ranch for scenic and safe Montana horseback riding. We will seat each party on different sides of the wagon facing outwards. All Rights Reserved. Russell Museum. The process to rent was easy- lots of photos and a good sense of what to expect once we arrived! Take a walk back through time to get a sense of our roots and the Real Montana you'll find when you get here. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We believe that Cache Creek Outfitters is the most complete outfitting service in the industry. Steps are provided to assist with getting on your horse. 31. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Fil out the form below to send this property to a friend. On your mobile device? Copyright 2023 Big Sky Vacation Rentals. Both bathroom sinks drained very, very slowly; the rugs looked/felt like they could use a good cleaning; the duvet in the master was thin, felt worn and a once-over with a Lysol wipe revealed a bit of dust/dirt as did the decorative pillows. The cabin was super cute and the views were amazing! This 880 sq ft cozy cabin sleeps five guests comfortably in an en-suite master and queen bunk room and is an ideal base for families, couples or a group of friends to explore Big Sky. We came to Montana for the first time on a family vacation and our experience here really topped the cake. Since the cookout begins at dusk, this can be a perfect time to watch wildlife in the Roosevelt area. Please click on the link below to check available dates and book your reservation! ADULTS $65 CHILDREN $35 Adult entre choice: Steak or Chicken True western living in Cowboy Heaven Cabins, Big Sky. We dont mind saying it: theres no place better for a Montana guest ranch experience than here at Covered Wagon Ranch! Authentic sleigh rides in the winter and wagon rides in the summer to our timber frame dining hall. Our Executive Chef oversees all menus, from breakfast and lunch at the restaurant, the saloon and historic sleigh ride dinners. We offer select casino games on-site to give our guests a fun dining experience. Copyright 2023 MacDonald's Ranch - All Rights Reserved. We called Charlie, who got back to us and set up even though he was on an overnight trip with another group. Excellent food company and a unique wagon ride. Dudes rode horses, panned for gold, fished, trapped, collected wildflowers and enjoyed meals cooked by campfire. Begin with a 1 hour guided horseback ride followed by a sunset dinner, bonfire, and entertainment! The meal was as good as the gourmet meal we had at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge the night before. Ryan was great! Authentic Montana ranch dinner including locally sourced Bison Sirloin Steak, hot seasonal potatoes, and seasonal vegetables, followed by a delicious artisan huckleberry crisp. A pack string in Yellowstone Park heading towards the promised land. Sleigh Rides & Cowboy Cookouts Enjoy a prime rib and salmon feast at our backcountry location. Las mejores ofertas para Taza de ciervo Big Sky Carvers con astas caf naranja taza de cermica Diane Whitehead estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! More information Horseback ride and cowboy cookout Find this Pin and more on Montanaby Emily Oubre Farque. . Arriving at a camp site of vast beauty to find our lovely tents awaiting, our wine bar set up and hors d'oeuvres quickly served was heavenly. When we return to Big Sky next time we will definitely book a longer trip. Never had to check in or out. Maybe that will slow down as time goes by. Otherwise you will be charged the prevailing standard rate. For guests of all ages relax on a 30-minute horse or mule drawn hayride followed by a sunset dinner, bonfire, and entertainment! The ranch has a deep history as one ofthe oldest continually operating ranches in the Big Skyand surrounding region. We invite you to join us. Per Guest. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Come one, come all and join us for a Cowboy Cookout located in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona! No weight limits, must be able to take 3 steps up to get on wagon. You may have come here as a city slicker, but youll go back as a regular cowpoke! To continue on to Paws Up reservations click Price is per guest. To ride a horse a person must be at least 8 years old, 48 inches tall and weigh under 240 lbs, and understand English. We appreciate your interest in The Resort at Paws Up. You cannot be pregnant for this tour. Newscaster Chet Huntley (seen here), golf legend Arnold Palmer, executives from the Chrysler Corporation, Connoco and others took inspiration from the Ranch, entertained visitors and used this scenic landscape as their office. A true home-away-from-home. Big Skys premier farm-to-table fine dining experience is located right on the Ranch at the Horn & Cantle Restaurant. Lone Mountain Ranch is located in the scenic town of Big Sky, Montana, just 50 minutes drive from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). As a licensed fishing outfitter in the State of Montana, priority permit holder in the Gallatin National Forest and concession holder Yell125-16. The ranch has a deep history as one of the oldest continually operating ranches in the Big Sky and surrounding region. Happy Pappy's Cowboy Cookout is an evening event for all individuals and people who want to be entertained, fed a gourmet cowboy dinner and enjoy old wholesome country music with cultural activities. Book Online or Call To Book At 888-915-2787 And Speak With A Local Big Sky Expert. Gates of the Mountains boat tour. Thanks so much for spending your vacation with Cache Creek Outfitters. Reservations are required and space is limited. Funny. Save huge when you book a Rafting/Zipline package! Wyoming 82190. Ride takes 30 45 minutes and goes through sagebrush flats (following the same road used for the stagecoach rides) to the cookout site. It was fantastic! Ask them anything about ranch life in Western Montana or what to expect when you visit Lone Mountain. No weight limits, must be able to take 3 steps up to get on wagon. The return ride is direct and takes about 30 minutes. Helena city tour featuring the Montana State Capitol Building. Z5 Ranch in Arlee hosts old-fashioned Montana chuckwagon dinners, complete with horse-drawn wagon rides, traditional Native American music and performances, delicious food, and cowboy poetry. Theres no substitute for the feeling you get when you head into the mountains on horseback. Please confirm the date is not available first! Guests staying in tents will be picked up at their camp Dining Pavilion. Reservations Department. In fact, most guests are return visitors and their families returning year after year. 4 were here. Enjoy a prime rib and salmon feast at our backcountry location. Kids and adults alike will love finding these beautiful gemstones and fossils in our panning sluice mine. Take a walk back through time to get a sense of our roots and the Real Montana youll find when you get here. Total time: 3.5 hours. This recently upgraded cabin is refined and elegant throughout boasting beautiful furnishings, a stone fireplace, custom wood cabinetry, high-end appliances in the eat-in kitchen and sophisticated amenities all round. After World War II, the Ranch took on new purposes. Later, the ranch became home to a logging operation, and dozens of families took up residence in the old cabins and temporary tar paper houses. Youll find all the comforts of home here, from kitchen amenities, board games and books to plush linens and upscale bathrooms. Fil out the form below to send this property to a friend. Open the same hours of YAA. We had an amazing experience. $9.95 + $4.35 shipping. You can expect Cache Creek Outfitters to provide you with gentle horses and dependable wranglers who have knowledge of the wildlife, flowers and mountains that surround us. Maximum of 2 drinks per adult, age 21 and older. However, we also felt the cabin looked more careworn and a bit tired. Authentic sleigh rides in the winter and wagon rides in the summer to our timber frame dining hall. This evening activity and affair takes place just minutes from downtown Billings Montana. Big Sky, MT Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Save michele5261 Williamsburg, Virginia 56 32 Cowboy Cookout Review of Cache Creek Outfitters Reviewed July 11, 2019 via mobile We booked the cowboy cookout several months in advance based partly on the great reviews from TripAdvisor. Cache creek outfitters get it right in every way. Enjoy a few hands of video poker or keno while you dine at Cowboys. Upon arrival you will explore the grounds and petting zoo before we whisk you off on your leisurely ride! Sit back, relax and take in the joy of watching Montanas famous Big Sky play host to the rolling hills, gorgeous backdrop and local wildlife that call Paws Up Ranch home.The finest offerings are prepared before your eyes. At Cache Creek Outfitters we specialize in custom fishing adventures for any level angler, from beginner to professional. SAMPLE COWBOY COOKOUT MENU - POTENTIAL FOR VARIATIONS (Can accommodate vegetarians upon request) Steak and Chicken . No riding experience needed! You must show your pass at check-in to receive the discount on your site only. For the little buckaroos there is the choice of 100% beef Hebrew National Hot Dog or Chicken Breast served with mac n cheese, sides, and smores! Cache Creek Outfitters features the only heated sleighs in the business, and our wagons are hand crafted for your comfort. This is a must do if you're in the Bozeman/Big Sky area. Had a great vacation, will definetly stay again. The horses were fat and shiny with good care and appropriate to their riders. Horseback riding, world class fishing, hiking,inner tubing, roping, rec hall, kids program and more. Incredibly lovely spot, nicely appointed, wonderful decor and feel, so cozy. We can host large groups up to 60 individuals. Included in our [], 750 Lone Mountain Ranch Road, PO Box 160069 Travel by horse-drawn hay wagon, or on horseback (additional charge) and relax while enjoying the spectacular view of the Aspen groves and Hebgen lake below. Children 2 and under are free if they share from adult's plate and ride on a lap. Our online booking calendar reflects the most-updated availability for the summer season. The food was simply delicious, the staff was kind and the musicians really set the festive mood. Our highly qualified guides put the enjoyment, safety, and success of our clients as their first priority. In the early 1970s, the Ranch became headquarters for a group of influential figures and investors planning and developing the town of Big Sky.