If there was any doubt that Big Sky skiers and snowboarders had a hankering for owning their own little slice of resort history, it was put to rest after incredibly successful fundraiser to benefit local non-profits.
After taking guests up the iconic Montana ski resort for 51 years, Big Sky retired the historic Explorer 2 chairlift and put 125 of the chairs up for sale.
“Chairs are genuine used chairs and have their own sets of blemishes, imperfections, and unique character.” -Big Sky
The chairs were snapped up in less than 30 minutes, raising $162,600 that was evenly distributed to Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Gallatin River Task Force, and Wellness in Action.
“For 51 years, Explorer’s 150 chairs carried skiers and snowboarders up 622 feet of vertical. Until March 2025, the Explorer chair remained in service as a living piece of the resort’s history.” -Big Sky
The removal of the Explorer 2 chairlift has made way for new the 10-person Explorer Gondola which is set to open in December 2025.
BIG SKY PRESS RELEASE:
Big Sky Resort is proud to announce the sale of 125 historic Explorer 2 chairs has raised a total of $162,600 for three local nonprofit organizations: Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Gallatin River Task Force, and Wellness in Action. Each organization will receive $54,200 in support of their ongoing community work.
The online sale, which launched on March 20, 2025, sold out in less than 30 minutes as supporters jumped at the opportunity to own a piece of Big Sky history. The Explorer 2 chairlift, retired on March 30 after 51 years of service, was one of the four original lifts that opened with the resort in 1973.
“We’re incredibly proud to see such a strong response from our community. These chairs have carried generations of skiers, and now they’ll live on in new ways—while making a lasting impact through the nonprofits that help sustain our community.” -Troy Nedved, President and COO of Big Sky Resort
Each nonprofit beneficiary provides vital resources to the Big Sky community.
“Wellness in Action is honored to be included in this outstanding event to mark Big Sky history. Thank you so much for supporting WIA and our work and mission to improve mental health for this amazing community.” –Allison Bradac, Executive director of Wellness in Action
“We’re honored to be part of this historic moment and deeply grateful to Big Sky Resort for including us. We look forward to applying these funds towards our work protecting and restoring the Gallatin River.” -Kristin Gardner, Chief executive and science officer of Gallatin River Task Force
“We’re so grateful to Big Sky Resort for including the Housing Trust in the Explorer Chair event, and so proud to be a part of such a unique piece of Big Sky history. The funds raised will help secure stable year-round housing for working Big Sky families.” -David O’Connor, Big Sky Community Housing Trust Executive Director of Big Sky Community Housing Trust
The new Explorer Gondola will debut in winter 2025, completing the resort’s base-to-summit lift network as part of the final chapter of the Big Sky 2025 vision. The gondola will unlock pedestrian access to the 11,166-foot summit of Lone Mountain during winter for the first time in the resort’s history.
