Podcasts about Big Sky

WhoSusan Cross, Vice President of Operations at Aspen Skiing Company (and former Mountain Manager of Snowmass)Recorded onNovember 14, 2025 - which was well before I traveled to Snowmass and chased Cross around a bit in the pow. There she is tiny in the distance:About Aspen Skiing CompanyAspen Skiing Company (Skico) is part of something called Aspen One. Don't ask me what that is because even though they rolled it out two years ago I still have no idea what they're talking about. All I know or care about is that they own four ski areas and here is what I know about them:Don't be fooled by the scale of the map above - at 3,342 acres, Snowmass is larger than Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands combined. The monster 4,400-foot vert means these lifts are massively shrunken to fit the map - Snowmass operates three of the 10 longest chairlifts in America, and seven chairlifts over one mile long:You can't ski or ride a lift between the four mountains, but free shuttles connect them all. Aspen Mountain, Highlands, and Buttermilk are all bunched together near town, and Snowmass is a short drive (15 to 20 minutes if traffic is clear and dependent upon which base area you want to hit):Why I interviewed herAmerican ski areas will often re-use chairlifts or snowcats that other operators have outgrown. Aspen Mountain re-used a whole town.In 1879, Aspen the city didn't exist, and by 1890 more than 5,000 people lived there. They came for silver, not snow. In less than a decade they laid out the Victorian street grid of brick and wood-framed buildings using hand tools and horses, with the Roaring Fork River as their supply road.Aspen's population collapsed in the economic depressions of the 1890s and didn't rebound to 5,000 for 100 years. The 1940 Census counted 777 residents. That was 16 years before the first chairlift rose up Ajax, a perfect ski mountain above an intact but semi-abandoned town made pointless by history.It was an amazing coincidence, really. Americans would never build a ski town on purpose. That's where the parking lots go. But hey it all worked out: Aspen evolved into a ski town that offset its European walk-to-the-chairlifts sensibility with a hard-coded American refusal to expand the historic street grid in favor of protectionism and mansion-building. The contemporary result is one of the world's most expensive real estate markets cosplaying as a quaint ski town, a lively and walkable mixed-use community of the sort that we idealize but refuse to build more of. Aspen's population is now around 7,000, most of whom live there by benefit of longevity, subsidy, inheritance, or extreme wealth. The city's median household income is just over $50,000. The median home price is $9.5 million. Anyone clinging to the illusion that Aspen is an actual ski town should consider that it took 25 years to approve and build the Hero's chairlift. Imagine what the fellows who built this whole city in half a decade without the benefit of electricity or cement trucks or paved roads would make of that.The illusory city, however, is a dynamic separate from the skiing. Aspen, despite its somewhat dated lift fleet, remains one of America's best small ski mountains. But it is small, and, with no green terrain and barely any blues, the ski area lacks the substance and scale to draw tourists west of Summit County and Vail.Sister mountain Snowmass does that. And while Snowmass did not benefit from an already-built town at its base, it did benefit from not having one, in that the mountain could evolve with a purpose and speed that Ajax, boxed in by geography and politics, never could. Snowmass has built 13 new aerial lifts this century, including the two-station, mountain-redefining Elk Camp Gondola; the Village Express six-pack, which is the fourth-longest chairlift in America; and, in just the past two years, a considerably lengthened Coney high-speed quad and a new six-pack to replace the Elk Camp chairlift.I've focused on Aspen's story a bit over the years (including this 2021 podcast with former Skico CEO Mike Kaplan), but probably not enough. The four Aspen mountains are some of the most important in American skiing, even if visitation doesn't quite match their status as skiing word-association champion among non-skiers (more on that below). Aspen, a leader not just in skiing but in housing, the environment, and culture, carries narrative heft, and the company's status as favored property of Alterra part-owner Henry Crown hints at deeper influence than Skico likely takes credit for. Aspen, like Big Sky and Deer Valley and Sun Valley, is rapidly emerging as one of the new titans of American skiing, unleashing a modernization drive that should lead, as Cross says in our conversation, to an average of at least one new lift per year across the portfolio. Snowmass' 2023 U.S. Forest Service masterplan envisions a fully modern mountain with snowmaking to the summit. Necessary and exciting as that all is, forthcoming updates to the dated masterplans at Aspen Highlands (2013) and Buttermilk (2008), could, Skico officials tell me, offer a complete rethinking of what Aspen-Snowmass is and how the ski areas orbit one another as a unit.And they do need to rethink the whole package. Challenging Skico's pre-eminence in the Circle of American Ski Gods are many obstacles, including but not limited to: an address that's just a bit remote for Denver to bother with or tourists to comprehend; a rinky-dink airport that can't land a paper plane; an only-come-if-you-have-nine-houses rap on the affordability matrix; a toxic combination of one of America's most expensive season passes and most expensive walk-up lift tickets; and national pass partners who do a poor job making it clear that Aspen is not one ski area but four.A lot to overcome, but I think they'll figure it out. The skiing is too good not to. What we talked about“I thought I had found Heaven” upon arrival in Aspen; Aspen in the 1990s; $200 a month to live in Carbondale; “as soon as you go up on the lifts, the mountain hasn't changed”; when Skico purchased formerly independent Aspen Highlands; Highlands pre-detachable lifts; four ski areas working (and not), as one ski resort; why there is “minimal sharing” of employees between the four mountains; why “two winter seasons, and then I was going back to Boston” didn't quite work out; why “total guilt sets in” if Cross misses a day of skiing and how she “deliberately” makes “at least a couple of runs” happen every day of the winter and encourages everyone else to do the same; Long Shot in the morning; the four pods of Snowmass; why tourists tend to lock onto one section of the mountain; “a lot of people don't realize their lift ticket is good for the four mountains”; “there's plenty of room to spread out and have a blast” even at busy Snowmass; defining the four mountains without typecasting them; no seriously there are no green runs on Aspen Mountain; the new Elk Camp six-pack; why Elk Camp doesn't terminate at the top of Burnt Mountain; why Elk Camp doesn't have the fancy carriers that came with 2024's new Coney Express lift; why Snowmass opted not to add bubbles to its six-packs; how Coney Express changed how skiers use Snowmass; why Coney is a quad rather than a six; why skiers can't unload at the Coney Express mid-station (and couldn't load last season); how Coney ended up with a mid-station and two bends along the liftline; the hazards of bending chairlifts and lessons learned from Alta's Supreme debacle; why Snowmass replaced the Cirque Poma with a T-bar (and not a chairlift); which mountain purchased the old Poma; Aspen's history of selling lifts and how the old Elk Camp wound up at Powderhorn ski area; where Skico had considered moving the Elk Camp quad; “we want everybody to stay in business”; why Snowmass didn't sell or relocate the Coney Glade lift; prioritizing future chairlift upgrades; the debate over whether to replace Elk Camp or Alpine Springs first, and why Elk Camp won; “what we're trying to do is at least one lift a year across the four mountains”; a photobomb from my cat; why the relatively new Village Express lift is a replacement candidate and where that lift could move; why we're unlikely to see the proposed Burnt Mountain chairlift anytime soon; and the new megalift that could rise on Aspen Mountain this summer.What I got wrong* I said that Breck had “T-bars serving their high peaks,” which is incorrect. In fact, Breck runs chairlifts close to the summits of Peak 8 (Imperial Superchair, the highest chairlift in North America), and Peak 6 (Kensho Superchair). I was thinking, however, of the Horseshoe T-Bar, an incredible high-alpine machine that I rode recently (it lands below Imperial Superchair on Peak 8).* I said that Maverick Mountain, Montana, was running a “1960-something” Riblet double. The lift dates to 1969, and is slated for replacement by Aspen Mountain's old Gent's Ridge fixed-grip quad, which Skico removed in 2024.* I referred to the Sheer Bliss chairlift as “Super Bliss,” which I think was fallout from over-exposure to Breck, where 12 of the chairlifts are named [SOMETHING] Superchair or some similar name.Why you should ski Aspen-SnowmassWhy do we ski Colorado? In some ways, it's a dumb question. We ski Colorado because everyone skis Colorado: the state's resorts account for 20 to 25 percent of annual U.S. skier visits, inbounds skiable acreage, and detachable chairlifts. Colorado is so synonymous with skiing that the state basically is skiing from the point of view of the outside world, especially to non-skiers who, challenged to name a ski resort, would probably come up with Vail or Aspen.But among well-traveled skiers, Colorado is Taylor Swift. Talented, yes, but a bit too obvious and sell-your-kidneys expensive. There's a lot more music out there: Utah gets more snow, Idaho and Montana have fewer people, B.C.'s Powder Highway has both of those things. Europe is cheaper (well, everywhere is cheaper). Colorado is only home to 26 public, lift-served ski areas, and only two of the 10 largest in America. Only seven Colorado ski areas rank among the nation's 50 snowiest by average annual snowfall. Getting there is a hassle. That awful airport. That stupid road. So many Texans. So many New Yorkers. Alternate, Man!But we all go anyway. And here's why: Colorado ski areas claim 14 of the 20 highest base areas in North America, and 16 of the 20 highest summits. What that means is that, unlike in Tahoe or Park City or Idaho, it never rains. Temperatures rarely top freezing. That means the snow that falls stays, and stays nice. Even in a mediocre Rocky Mountain winter – like this one – Colorado is able to deliver a consistent and predictable trail footprint in a way that no other U.S. ski state can match. Add in an abundance of approachable, intermediate-oriented ski terrain, and it's clear why America's two largest ski area operators center their multi-mountain pass empires in Colorado.Which brings us back to the thing most skiers hate the most about Colorado skiing: other skiers. There are just so many of them. And they all planned the same vacation. For the same time.But there is a back door. Around half of Colorado's 12 to 14 million annual skier visits occur at just five ski areas: Vail Mountain, Breck, Keystone, Copper, and Steamboat – often but not always strictly in that order. Next comes Winter Park, then Beaver Creek. And all the way down at number eight for Colorado annual skier visits is Snowmass.Snowmass' 771,259 skier visits is still a lot of skier visits. But consider some additional stats: Snowmass is the third-largest ski area in Colorado and the 11th-largest in America. From a skier visits-to-skiable-acreage ratio, it comes in way below the state's other 2,000-plus-acre ski areas (save Telluride, which is even more remote than Aspen):Why is that? The map explains it: Snowmass, and Aspen in general, lost the I-70 sweepstakes. They're too far west, too far off the interstate (so is Steamboat, but at least they have a real airport).Snowmass is worth the extra drive time. I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is slow-going but gorgeous, and the 40 miles of Colorado 82 after the interstate turnoff barely qualify as mountain driving – four lanes most of the way, no tight turns, some congestion but only if you're arriving in the morning. A roundabout or two and there you are at Snowmass.And here's what that extra two hours of driving gets you: all the benefits of Colorado skiing absent most of its drawbacks. Goldilocks Mountain. Here you'll find the fourth-highest lift-served summit in American skiing, the second-tallest vertical drop, and a dizzying, dazzling modern lift fleet spinning 20 lifts, including 9 detachables and a gondola. You'll find glorious ever-cruisers, tree-dotted and infinite; long bumpers twisting off High Alpine; comically approachable green zones at the village and mid-mountain. If Campground double is open, you can sample Colorado skiing circa 1975, alone in the big empty lapping the long, slow lift. And since the Brobots hate Snowmass, the high-altitude Hanging Valley and Cirque Headwall expert zones are always empty.That's one of four mountains. Towering, no-greens-for-real Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands are as rugged and wicked as anything a Colorado chairlift can drop you onto. And Buttermilk is just delightful – 2,000 vertical feet of no-stress-with-the-9-year-old, with fast lifts back to the top all day long.Podcast NotesOn Sugarbush and Mad River GlenI always like to make this point for western partisans: there is eastern skiing that stacks up well against the average western ski experience. Most of it is in northern Vermont, and two of the best, terrain-wise, are Alterra-owned Sugarbush - home of the longest chairlift in the world - and co-op-owned Mad River Glen, which still spins the only single chair in the lower 48. Here's Sugarbush:Mad River Glen is right next door. Just keep going looker's right off Mt. Ellen:On pre-Skico HighlandsWhoa that's a lot of lifts. And they're almost all doubles and Pomas.On Joe HessionHession is founder and CEO of Snow Partners, which owns Mountain Creek ski area, the Big Snow indoor ski ramp in New Jersey, Snow Cloud resort-management software, the Snow Triple Play Pass, and the Terrain Based Learning concept that you see in beginner areas all over America. He's been on the pod a few times, and he's a huge fan of Susan's.On Timberline's wonky vertMeasuring vertical drop is a somewhat hazardous game. Potential asterisks include the clandestine inclusion of hike-up terrain (Aspen Highlands), ski-down terrain with no return lift access (Sunlight), or both (Arapahoe Basin). Generally, I refer to lift-served vert, meaning what you can ski down and ride back up without walking. But even that gets tricky, as in the case of Timberline Lodge, Oregon, home to the tallest vertical drop in American lift-served skiing. We have to get mighty creative with the definition of “lift” however, since Timberline includes a 557-vertical-foot lift-served gap between the top of the Summit chairlift (4,290 feet) and the bottom of the Jeff Flood high-speed quad (4,847 feet). This is the result of two historically separate ski areas combining in 2018:Timberline's masterplan calls for a gondola from the base of Summit up to the top of Jeff Flood:For now, skiers can ski all the way down, but have to ride back up to Timberline from the Summit base via shuttle. To further complicate the calculus here, the hyper-exposed Palmer high-speed summit quad rarely runs in winter, acting mostly as a summer workhorse for camp kids. When Palmer's not running, a snowcat will sometimes shuttle skiers close to the unload point.Anyway, that's the fine print annotating our biggest lift-served vertical drop list:On Big Sky's new lifts and pod-stickingSnowmass' recent lift upgrade splurges are impressive, but Big Sky has built an incredible 12 aerial lifts in the past decade, 11 of them brand-new. These are some of the most sophisticated lifts in the world and include two six-packs, two eight-packs, a tram, and two gondolas. This reverse chronology of Big Sky's active lifts doubles as a neat history of the mountain's evolution from striver importing other resorts' leftovers to one of the top ski areas on the continent:Big Sky still has some older chairs spinning along its margins, but plenty of tourists spend their entire vacation just lapping the out-of-base super lifts (according to on-the-ground staff). The only peer Big Sky has in the recent American lift upgrade game is Deer Valley, which has erected nearly a dozen aerial lifts in just the past two years to feed its mega-expansion.On the Ikon Pass site being confusing as to mountain accessI just find the classification of four separate and distinct ski areas as one “destination” confusing, especially for skiers who aren't familiar with the place:On the new Elk Camp chairliftThe upside of taking nine years to distribute this podcast is that I was able to go ride Snowmass' gorgeous new Elk Camp sixer:On my Superstar lift discussion with KillingtonOn Aspen's history of selling liftsI somewhat overstated Aspen's history of selling lifts to smaller mountains. It seemed like a lot, though these are the only ones I can find records of:However, given Skico's enormous number of retired Riblets (28, all but two of which were doubles), and the durability and ubiquity of these machines, I suspect that pieces – and perhaps wholes – of Aspen's retired chairlifts are scattered in boneyards across the West.On the small number of relocated detachable lifts Given that the world's first modern detachable chairlift debuted at Breckenridge 45 years ago, it's astonishing how few have been relocated. Only 19 U.S. detaches that started life within the U.S. are now operating elsewhere in the country, and only nine moved to a different ski area:On Powderhorn's West End chairThe number of relocated detachables is set to increase to 10 next year, when Powderhorn, Colorado repurposes Snowmass' old Elk Camp quad to replace this amazing, 7,000-foot-long double chair, a 1972 Heron-Poma machine:Elk Camp is already sitting in a pile beside the load station (Powderhorn officials tell me the carriers are also onsite, but elsewhere):Powderhorn's existing high-speed quad, the Flat Top Flyer, also came used, from Marble Mountain in Canada.On Snowmass' masterplan and the proposed Burnt Mountain liftSnowmass' most recent U.S. Forest Service masterplan, released in 2022, shows the approximate location of a future hypothetical Burnt Mountain chairlift (the left-most red dotted line below):Unfortunately, Cross and the rest of Skico's leadership seem fairly unenthusiastic about actually building this lift. Right now, skiers can hike from the top of Elk Camp chair to access this terrain.On Aspen's Nell-Bell ProposalOh man how freaking cool would it be to ride one chairlift from Aspen's base to the top of Bell? Cross and I discuss Aspen Mountain's Forest Service application to do exactly that, with a machine along roughly this line parallel to the gondola:The new detachable would replace two rarely-used chairs: the Nell fixed-grip quad and the Bell Mountain double chair, which, incredibly, dates to 1957 (with heavy modifications in the 1980s), making it the fourth-oldest standing chairlift in the nation (after Mt. Spokane's 1956 Vista Cruiser Riblet, Mad River Glen's 1946 American Steel & Wire single chair, and Boyne Mountain's Hemlock Riblet double, moved to Michigan in 1948 after starting life circa 1936 as America's first chairlift – a single standing at Sun Valley).I lucked out with a gondola wind hold when I was in Aspen a few weeks back, meaning Nell was spinning:Sadly, Bell was idle, but I skied the liftline and loaded up on photos:On the original Lift 1 at AspenBehold Lift 1 on Aspen Mountain, a 1946 American Steel & Wire single chair that rose 2,574 vertical feet along an 8,480-foot line in something like 35 or 40 minutes. Details on this lift's origin story and history vary, but commenters on Lift Blog suggest that towers from this lift ended up as part of Sunlight's Segundo double following its removal from Ajax in 1971. That Franken-lift, which also contained parts from Aspen's Lift 3 – which dated to 1954 and may have been a Poma or American Steel & Wire machine, but lived its 52-year Sunlight tenure as a Riblet – came down last summer to make way for a new-used triple – A-Basin's old Lenawee chair.On the Hero's expansionAt just 826 acres, Aspen Mountain is the most famous small ski area in the West. The reason, in part, for this notoriety: a quirky, lively treasure chest of a ski area that rockets straight up, hiding odd little terrain pockets in its fingers and folds. The 153-acre Hero's terrain, a byzantine scramble of high-altitude tree skiing opened just two years ago, fits into this Rocky Mountain minefield like a thousand-dollar bill in a millionaire's wallet. An obscene boost to an already near-perfect ski mountain, so good it's hard to believe the ski area existed so long without it.Here's a mellow section of Hero's:And a less-mellow one (adding to the challenge, this terrain is at 11,000 feet):The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

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Send a textThis week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale has a truly amazing discussion with business entrepreneur Karl Tyler. Karl had a dream from the time he was in 8th grade, he wanted to own a ranch and raise and sell the best cattle in the world. The problem was he did not have even remotely close to the money needed to buy a ranch let alone cattle. He headed to college to study animal sciences and found out he could not afford to stay in school unless he found a job. He got a job washing cars at a car dealership and with a lot of elbow grease, a can-do spirit and a big dream everything changed. He would later buy that dealership where he washed cars and then another dealership and another and another and, well, you just have to listen. It is an amazing story that will without a doubt inspire you. So, did he ever get that cattle ranch? Oh yeah and wait until you hear about the cattle that are on that ranch. They just might be the best in the world, In fact he is having two huge bull sales coming up on the March 6th at his ranch in Leadore, Idaho and on March 12that the Dillion Livestock Auction. If you are in the cattle business, then these sales are without a doubt a must for you to attend at least one of them either in person or online. And if you are needing some inspiration to make that big break happen for you, listen to this podcast right now!Links: Click here to learn about the Bull Sales on March 6th and March 12th.To see the sales catalogs for both bull sales and to learn all about the two bull sales and get all the contact information click here.Click here to attend the sale on the sixth online.To attend the bull sale on the 12th online click here.Click here to learn more about Karl's ranch in Leadore Idaho.Questions for the folks at Karl's Ranch? Click here to contact the Ranch.Your buddy Downrigger Dale would love to know where under the Big Sky you want to explore next. Afterall this is your Podcast too! Click here to email Rigger.Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Boise State basketball closes regular season with statement game at Colorado State on Saturday - does a win make the Broncos a legit contender heading into the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas next week, Bob previews the game with top storylines in Bronco Focus (priority No. 1: 3-point defense), weekend sports scene includes Big Sky basketball tournament, high school basketball state championships and AC Boise soccer, Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey and football coach Spencer Danielson speak before Idaho legislators Friday - what did they have to say, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State basketball closes regular season with statement game at Colorado State on Saturday - does a win make the Broncos a legit contender heading into the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas next week, Bob previews the game with top storylines in Bronco Focus (priority No. 1: 3-point defense), weekend sports scene includes Big Sky basketball tournament, high school basketball state championships and AC Boise soccer, Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey and football coach Spencer Danielson speak before Idaho legislators Friday - what did they have to say, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State basketball closes regular season with statement game at Colorado State on Saturday - does a win make the Broncos a legit contender heading into the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas next week, Bob previews the game with top storylines in Bronco Focus (priority No. 1: 3-point defense), weekend sports scene includes Big Sky basketball tournament, high school basketball state championships and AC Boise soccer, Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey and football coach Spencer Danielson speak before Idaho legislators Friday - what did they have to say, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sacramento State WBB HC, Aaron Kalloff joined the show to talk about the Hornets upcoming Big Sky tourney and much more.

We debate Leon Rice and the job he's doing this season as Boise State's basketball coach - the feelings are very much mixed, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to Rice and junior forward Andrew Meadow as the Broncos prepare to play at Colorado State on Saturday, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: DL Mikaio Edward (Central Washington) and Andrew Rheubottom (DeAnza), Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the league tournament in Downtown Boise - and his role on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, will Shaq show up in Boise to watch his son play for Sacramento State (he has a long history with Boise and the state of Idaho), Khalil Shakir gets new teammate as Bills sign WR D.J. MooreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We debate Leon Rice and the job he's doing this season as Boise State's basketball coach - the feelings are very much mixed, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to Rice and junior forward Andrew Meadow as the Broncos prepare to play at Colorado State on Saturday, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: DL Mikaio Edward (Central Washington) and Andrew Rheubottom (DeAnza), Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the league tournament in Downtown Boise - and his role on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, will Shaq show up in Boise to watch his son play for Sacramento State (he has a long history with Boise and the state of Idaho), Khalil Shakir gets new teammate as Bills sign WR D.J. MooreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Matt and Hannah talk about Hannah's recent trip to the FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, how Matt's liking driving his new Dodge Charger Scat Pack, and Hannah's new article on the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. Be sure to follow and subscribe to Hot Pursuit! on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen.You can also send us your comments, email us at HotPursuit@Bloomberg.net. And check out Hannah's columns and stories on Bloomberg.com and the Bloomberg Business App. Go there for car reviews, events, and stories that you won't find anywhere else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We debate Leon Rice and the job he's doing this season as Boise State's basketball coach - the feelings are very much mixed, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to Rice and junior forward Andrew Meadow as the Broncos prepare to play at Colorado State on Saturday, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: DL Mikaio Edward (Central Washington) and Andrew Rheubottom (DeAnza), Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the league tournament in Downtown Boise - and his role on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, will Shaq show up in Boise to watch his son play for Sacramento State (he has a long history with Boise and the state of Idaho), Khalil Shakir gets new teammate as Bills sign WR D.J. MooreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill - also a member of the NCAA Tournament men's selection committee - joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Big Sky Tournament (men's and women's) in Downtown Boise on Saturday through Wednesday. Idaho and Idaho State open the men's tournament with a Saturday night doubleheader. On Tuesday, Wistrcill leaves Boise for Indianapolis, where he'll help select the NCAA's 68-team field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill - also a member of the NCAA Tournament men's selection committee - joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Big Sky Tournament (men's and women's) in Downtown Boise on Saturday through Wednesday. Idaho and Idaho State open the men's tournament with a Saturday night doubleheader. On Tuesday, Wistrcill leaves Boise for Indianapolis, where he'll help select the NCAA's 68-team field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill - also a member of the NCAA Tournament men's selection committee - joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Big Sky Tournament (men's and women's) in Downtown Boise on Saturday through Wednesday. Idaho and Idaho State open the men's tournament with a Saturday night doubleheader. On Tuesday, Wistrcill leaves Boise for Indianapolis, where he'll help select the NCAA's 68-team field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 In the second hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez goes track and field-heavy, breaking down the results from last weekend's Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championships. He highlights the biggest storylines from the meet, including standout performances and record-breaking efforts. Colter features interviews with Karson Beitz, a Grizzlies walk-on turned Big Sky champion; Montana State senior Caroline Hawkes, who captured the 400m title; and freshman Callie Wilson, who broke the 200m program record in her first collegiate race, giving listeners an inside look at the athletes behind the headlines. 

In the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez goes hoops-heavy, breaking down the latest Big Sky Conference action. He recaps last night's matchups, including a tough 85-57 loss for the Montana Grizzlies to the Northern Colorado Bears, and lays out the full seeding picture for next weekend's men's and women's conference tournaments. Colter also announces all the upcoming bracket matchups, highlighting key games, potential storylines, and what fans should watch for as the postseason begins.Beyond the Big Sky, he continues his coverage of prep basketball across Montana, including his Class C spotlight, breaking down recent results and previewing the upcoming matchups in all the state tournaments, giving listeners a complete look at the high school hardwood action around the Treasure State.Next, Colter rolls through this week's list of Treasure State Stars, highlighting the top athletic performances from across Montana and celebrating standout moments from athletes at every level.Lastly, for the community spotlight segment, Colter sits down with Keri McHugh, COO of the YMCA, to talk about this year's Riverbank Run and how the event brings the community together.

Boise State basketball hosts San Diego State on Tuesday night - it could be the final Mountain West event for many Bronco fans, what was your favorite moment of the Mountain West era and did you get what you wanted during a 15-year run in the league, Bob previews Boise State-San Diego State in Bronco Focus, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Akeem Wright, following top NCAA storylines - can a team from the West (Arizona?) finally win a national basketball title and what are our expectations for the Big Sky tournament in Downtown Boise, what are the Seahawks planning to do at running back (George Holani is signed, but the Super Bowl MVP is not)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tommy Evans is joined live in-studio by filmmaker Elijah Sullivan and composer Desan Sullivan ahead of the Montana Premiere screening of The Hole Story at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula.Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival in the American West and is presented by the Big Sky Film Institute. The festival brings filmmakers and audiences together for a packed slate of screenings, conversations, and community events in the heart of downtown Missoula. BSDFF is an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival.The Hole Story (2024) is a mystery-driven documentary that begins when a massive, illegal hole is discovered carved deep into the side of Mount Shasta. What starts as a local curiosity quickly unfolds into a larger examination of myth, obsession, and the stories communities tell themselves when confronted with the unexplainable. Blending original investigation, archival material, and an evocative original score, the film explores how folklore, secrecy, and belief collide — and what happens when truth proves harder to uncover than legend.

Mike Smith sits down live in-studio with documentary directors Emily Schuman and Dave Schuman ahead of the World Premiere screening of The Baker's Hotline at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula. Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival in the American West and is presented by the Big Sky Film Institute, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for a packed slate of screenings, conversations, and community events in the heart of downtown Missoula. BSDFF is an Academy Award®-qualifying festival.The film itself, The Baker's Hotline (2026, 13 min), follows the dedicated team at King Arthur Flour in Vermont as they run a hotline for baking emergencies. From home bakers to professional kitchens, callers reach out with questions, crises, and last-minute baking challenges. Through intimate, often humorous, and sometimes touching exchanges, the film captures the humanity, patience, and creativity of the hotline specialists, revealing how a shared love of baking connects people across the country.World Premiere info: The Baker's Hotline, Screening at the Wilma, Friday, Feb 20th @ 5:30 pm and Saturday, Feb 21st @ 12:30 pm

Parker Peddicord is joined live in-studio by Missoula-based filmmaker Jordan Hoffmaster, director and producer of Something to Hold, ahead of the film's World Premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival in the American West and is presented by the Big Sky Film Institute, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for a packed slate of screenings, conversations, and community events in the heart of downtown Missoula. BSDFF is an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival.The film itself, Something to Hold (2025, 27 min), follows a Montana mountaineering artist during the final summer of a decade-long project to draw every named glacier in the state. Set in the wilds of Montana, the short documentary reflects on time spent in the wilderness and bears witness to awe-inspiring landscapes, exploring human connection to nature through art, memory, and stewardship.World Premiere info: Something to Hold — Wilma Theatre, Sunday, Feb. 22 @ 1:00 PM (Big Sky Documentary Film Festival).

 Colter Nuanez is joined by filmmaker Scott Diener, director of Big Sky Falling, ahead of the film's premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival in the American West. Presented by the Big Sky Film Institute, the festival brings filmmakers and audiences together for a dynamic week of screenings, conversations, and community events in the heart of downtown Missoula. BSDFF is also an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival.Big Sky Falling (2026, 92 min) revisits the mid-2000s drug and murder scandal that rocked Montana State University and stunned the Bozeman community. Through exclusive interviews, investigative audio, and newly uncovered records, the film explores the complex intersection of college athletics, race, recruiting practices, and accountability — nearly 20 years after the events unfolded. More than a true-crime story, the documentary examines systemic blind spots and asks difficult questions about justice, memory, and redemption.Festival Screening Info: Big Sky Falling — Wilma Theatre, Sunday @ 2:30 PM (Big Sky Documentary Film Festival).

THE CROSSROADS is a gripping, family-centered mystery for both loyal fans and newcomers. Readers love Joe Pickett—a likeable, dogged hero who always tries to do the right thing—and this time, his three daughters share the spotlight. Set against the fierce beauty of the modern West, where energy empires, cartels, and powerful families vie for control of the land, Box delivers a timely, emotionally charged thriller about family, loyalty, and the cost of standing for what's right in a world where corruption runs deep.At the heart of C.J. Box's appeal is his creation of game warden, Joe Pickett, an unlikely hero who has nonetheless become one of the most beloved protagonists in contemporary crime fiction. Joe is not a hard-drinking big-city detective or a noir antihero; he's a polite, hard-working game warden in rural Wyoming, a family man who “lives paycheck to paycheck” and is deeply fond of his wife and daughters (no brooding lone wolf clichés here). He's human and fallible – he sometimes screws up, doubts himself, or gets in over his head – but he always tries to do the right thing. That said, he's encountered some very grisly scenes and insane villains. And game wardens are unique because they can legitimately be involved in just about every major event or situation that involves the outdoors and the rough edges of the rural new west.C. J. Box is the #1 New York Times of twenty-six Joe Pickett novels, eight stand-alone novels, and a story collection. He has won the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and two Barry awards, as well as the French Prix Calibre .38, the Western Heritage Award for Literature, and two Spur Awards. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He has been executive producer on shows based on his books, including ABC TV's Big Sky and Joe Pickett on Paramount+.#cjbox#speakingofwriterspodcast#authorpodcast#joepickett#bookpodcast

Boise State basketball hosts San Diego State on Tuesday night - it could be the final Mountain West event for many Bronco fans, what was your favorite moment of the Mountain West era and did you get what you wanted during a 15-year run in the league, Bob previews Boise State-San Diego State in Bronco Focus, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Akeem Wright, following top NCAA storylines - can a team from the West (Arizona?) finally win a national basketball title and what are our expectations for the Big Sky tournament in Downtown Boise, what are the Seahawks planning to do at running back (George Holani is signed, but the Super Bowl MVP is not)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State basketball hosts San Diego State on Tuesday night - it could be the final Mountain West event for many Bronco fans, what was your favorite moment of the Mountain West era and did you get what you wanted during a 15-year run in the league, Bob previews Boise State-San Diego State in Bronco Focus, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Akeem Wright, following top NCAA storylines - can a team from the West (Arizona?) finally win a national basketball title and what are our expectations for the Big Sky tournament in Downtown Boise, what are the Seahawks planning to do at running back (George Holani is signed, but the Super Bowl MVP is not)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman have returned from the frigid motorsport party that is F.A.T. ICE RACE 2026 held in Big Sky, MT and they have stories! Rare cars were slid (and in some cases, crashed), race cars went slowly, rev limiters were hit, rally cars rallied, and the beats banged.   We tell you who was there, what happened, the cars we want to bring for next year, and what it's like learning to drift in front of 2000 people.   Then we answer Patreon questions including:   BMW 230i coupe for a fun used buy?   Past content we screwed up   Which Italian design studio we'd most want to work with   Are white wheels ever good?   Ford's new cheap EV truck idea   Best used supercar   Will the car market soften in 20 years?   Do we like aesthetic special editions?   And more!       Recorded March 2, 2026   SHOW NOTES   DeleteMe Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/TIRE and use promo code TIRE at checkout.   Truewerk Get 15% off your first order at https://www.TRUEWERK.com with code TIRE.   New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/   Want your question answered? To listen to the episode the day it's recorded? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast   Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! For a 10% discount on your first case go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST       #cars #comedy #podcast   Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtire https://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman     Click here for the most honest car reviews out there: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Tyler Reddick is officially on a HEATER.Three races. Three wins. The first 3-for-3 start in NASCAR history - and now the real question is… can he just win them all?In this episode of Stacking Pennies, Corey LaJoie and Ryan Flores break down Tyler Reddick's dominant performance at COTA (Circuit of The Americas), what makes road course racing different in NASCAR, and why right-foot braking might be the secret weapon separating the best from the rest.We dive deep into:Reddick's historic start to the NASCAR seasonCOTA race breakdown (Cup + O'Reilly's)The SVG vs Reddick horsepower debateWhy mechanical grip matters more than peak horsepowerDario Franchitti's return at 52 years oldFord's driver development concernsEli Tomac's 8th Daytona Supercross win — and the trophy that knocked his tooth outSnow racing in Big Sky, MontanaPhoenix Raceway preview (tire wear + strategy)F1 season kickoff and Cadillac's debutFrom NASCAR Cup Series strategy to Supercross chaos to Formula 1 storylines, this week had everything.Gasoline. Rubber. Victory. Let's stack ‘em.Follow: @coreylajoie @skipflores @_stackingpenniesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rrcatcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zack and Thorny discuss the seeding and the Cats chances in Boise. Go Cats!Intro music courtesy of Ugly Duckling

The Vikings clinch the Big Sky title and #1 seed in conf tournament...Miami OH AD barks back at Bruce Pearl...who are you leery of filling out your bracket...ESPN's Jeff Borzello joins the Ticker to discuss best teams going into Champ Week, one bid conferences and Dana Altman's future in Eugene.

In this week's Akem's Analysis, I'm giving my thoughts about Bobby Kennedy's spring press conference and what we may have learned from what he had to say! The combine was this weekend. Who are some of the FCS players who bettered their draft stock? The NCAA is nearing some rule changes for the 2026 season, and penalties are being discussed for coaches who sign transfers outside of the window. What does that mean going forward? All of this and more in this week's Akem's Analysis. Stay tuned for the entire episode. Like and comment your thoughts down below! SUBSCRIBE BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!! 0:00 - Intro 2:27 - Bobby Kennedy Spring Press Conference 17:45 - FCS Combine Results27:05 - NCAA Penalties & Rule Changes36:06 - How NIL Has Affected The Draft42:47 - 10 CFP Commandments?48:23 - Is The NFL Scamming Consumers? 55:13 - Final Thoughts57:04 - End

Idaho vs. Eastern Washington College Basketball Pick Prediction by Tony T. Idaho vs. Eastern Washington Profiles Idaho at Eastern Washington 9PM ET— Idaho has a record of 16-13 overall and 8-8 in the Big Sky with road losses against Idaho St, Northern Colorado, Montana St, Montana as well as Portland St. Road wins against Weber St, Northern Arizona and Sacramento St. Eastern Washington is 12-17 this year and 10-6 in the Big Sky with home wins against Montana, Sacramento St, Idaho St, Weber St as well as Northern Colorado. Home losses against Montana St and Portland St.

Send a textThis week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast you host Downrigger Dale talks with the Head of the Communication and Education Division for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Greg Lemon. Greg and Rigger talked all about the big changes that are coming from the FWP on March 1st. What are those changes? Well, the best way to find out all about them is to watch the podcast right here. But here are a few highlights. Rigger and Greg go over a bunch of hunting regulation changes you really need to know about. But probably the biggest change is a new program called the FWP License Ambassador Program. That will replace the very successful program that has been around for a VERY long time which was called the License Provider Program. That was the system whereby local sporting goods stores could sell you a fishing license, hunting license, and conservation license right there in their store. So why change something that has been very successful? Unfortunately, FWP did not have a choice. The technology that was used to interface with FWP's internal licensing system had gotten so old that most of the stores that had them were not working or barely working and they could not be replaced because the manufacturer stopped making it. In fact, there aren't even any parts that can be bought to fix existing systems. On top of that there was no way for any new stores to be able to sell licenses. As Greg put it during the podcast, “something had to change”. So, what is a License Ambassador? Ok, we have given enough spoilers for one article you will need to watch the Podcast. Ok, one more little one, the new License Ambassadors at your local sporting goods store will also allow you to get things from the FWP that you were not able to get from the old system. So, listen or watch this podcast right now and find out all about it!Links:To get more info about the License Ambassador Program click here.To see a map and a list of where you can find a License Ambassadors simply click here.Questions for Greg Lemon? Click here.Don't forget this podcast is indeed YOUR podcast so click here and tell Rigger where under the Big Sky you what to explore next!Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen to explore two very different sides of the superyacht world. After cruising the Society Islands on board 48-metre Oceanfast yacht Big Sky, Holly shares a first-hand account of navigating French Polynesia by yacht – from the dramatic peaks of Moorea and encounters with humpback whales to the practical realities of reaching and chartering in one of the most remote destinations on earth. The pair discuss how it compares to expedition hotspots such as Antarctica and the Galápagos, and whether the South Pacific truly lives up to its “trip of a lifetime” reputation. The conversation then shifts to the state of the market, where the pair break down five of the biggest stories shaping 2026 so far.This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico & Co, a Genoa-based, family-owned refit yard with more than 200 years of maritime heritage, renowned for its full-service refit expertise on large yachts, delivered through highly specialised in-house teams.Stories discussed:Palm Beach debutshttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/yachts-palm-beach-international-boat-show-2026Lürssen 109m O3 on sea trialshttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/lurssen-superyacht-project-shackleton-icecap-o3-sea-t…Oceanco 93m Draak becomes support vessel for 111m Leviathanhttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/draak-ex-tranquility-yacht-oceanco-rebuild-leviathanAbeking & Rasmussen confirms 100m+ new buildhttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/abeking-and-rasmussen-100m-plus-new-build-superyachtTurquoise Yachts launches 88m flagshiphttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/turquoise-yachts-flagship-superyacht-vento-angelique-…Benetti double launch: B.Now 67M hybrid yachtshttps://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/benetti-hybrid-bnow-67-two-superyacht-launchesBOATPro: https://boatint.com/3qwSubscribe: https://boatint.com/3qxContact us: podcast@boatinternationalmedia.com

In this week's Akem's Analysis, I'm looking at the FCS teams with the most star power, NDSU's petition to be eligible for the CFP and the MWC championship, and the specifics of Sac State's deal with the MAC. I'm talking about all of this and more in this week's Akem's Analysis. Like and comment your thoughts down below! SUBSCRIBE BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!! 0:00 -  Intro 2:21 - Most Star Power in the FCS14:10 - NDSU Seeking Petition For CFP/MWC Championship Eligibility 22:52 - Sac State Giving Up A Lot To Join MAC31:39 - Rule Changes Coming In CFB? 37:36 - Top FCS Draft Prospects in 202646:37 - Elibigility Lawsuits in CFB51:53 - Final Thoughts54:05 - EndFollow My Socials: Twitter/X:https://x.com/s_akem18?s=21INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s_akem18?igsh=NWp2Njdta216OTZq&utm_source=qrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samuelakem18?_t=8kcXTSonq6E&_r=1

Mike Smith sits is joined live in-studio by Bill Payne (Little Feat co-founder, keyboardist, singer/songwriter) and documentary director Jesse Lauter ahead of the World Premiere screening of Little Feat: The Documentary at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula.Now in its 23rd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (BSDFF) is the largest nonfiction film festival the American west and is presented by the Big Sky Film Institute, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for a packed slate of screenings, conversations, and community events in the heart of downtown Missoula. BSDFF is an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival.The film itself, Little Feat: The Documentary (2026, 137 min), is narrated by Jeff Bridges and dives deep into the of one of America's most influential (and often lesser-known) bands. Featuring never-before-seen footage and stories from friends and collaborators (including Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello among others, and members of the Doobie Brothers, Phish, and the Grateful Dead), the documentary fluidly traces Little Feat's remarkable musical legacy and the wide reach of their influence across generations and genres. World Premiere info: 'Little Feat: The Documentary' Wilma Theatre, Saturday, Feb. 21 @ 6:00 PM (Big Sky Documentary Film Festival). 

Montana associate head coach Chris Cobb joined Colter Nuanez to talk about roster building, coaching in the Big Sky in the modern era and the stretch run for the Griz with five games in conference play remaining before the league tournament in Boise.

Montana State women's basketball associate head coach Ryan Johnson has been in the Big Sky Conference for almost 20 years. He shares his thoughts on the league with Colter Nuanez.

Director Johanna Gustin joins Mike Smith (with BSDFF's Nick Davis) to talk about her world-premiere short I Think About Birds—a sharply funny, uneasy journey through the algorithmic rabbit hole of online dating coaches, contrasted with surprisingly romantic bird behavior and the real emotional risks of intimacy. The conversation touches on “desktop documentary” filmmaking, pulling hours of material from YouTube, and how online spaces can quietly shape the way we think about relationships.I Think About Birds screens Thu, Feb 19 at 6:00 PM at the ZACC and Sat, Feb 21 at 12:30 PM at the Wilma, and is available to stream Feb 22–26, 2026. 

Filmmaker John Wilson (creator of HBO's How To with John Wilson) joins Tommy Evans on Trail 103.3's Trail Lunchbox for a conversation that starts with a snowstorm detour in Deer Lodge and ends at the literal foundation of New York City.Wilson's new feature The History of Concrete follows his attempt to make a documentary about the world's most overlooked material—until the film industry reality sets in. After taking a class on how to write and sell a Hallmark movie, he tries applying that formula to a movie about concrete… and his plan begins to crack—both figuratively and (in true John Wilson fashion) surprisingly literally.Montana Premiere: Thu, Feb 19 at 5:00 PM at the MCT, followed by a Q&A with director John Wilson. More info and tickets at bigskyfilmfest.org.

Megan Peta Hill isn't "up and coming." She's already here — and Hollywood keeps casting her for a reason. From The Flash, Riverdale, Supernatural, The X-Files, Big Sky, and Kung Fu to the upcoming Prime Video thriller 56 Days (Feb 18th), Megan Peta Hill has built one of the most quietly dominant résumés in television. In this breakdown, we dive into: Her role as Shyla in Prime Video's 56 Days Working alongside Dove Cameron, Avan Jogia, Karla Souza, and Dorian Missick Her film performances in Apex (with Bruce Willis), We Are Zombies, Boot Camp Her massive voice-over presence in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, UFC 4, NFL 21, Cats & Dogs 3, Persona (HBO Max) She's worked with Atomic Monster, appeared across CW, ABC, FOX, CBC, and continues expanding into film, streaming, and gaming. This isn't luck. This is range, discipline, and Hollywood-level consistency. If you care about serious actors building real careers — not just viral fame — this is one you should be watching closely. Subscribe for more deep dives into actors Hollywood keeps betting on.

From the 23rd annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, we sit down with director Caron Creighton and former Wood Street resident John Janosko to talk about Wood Street—a 2026, 100-minute documentary following two unhoused men turned organizers, John and LaMonté, as they build community power in West Oakland in the face of displacement, addiction, and a failing social system. We talk about how the Wood Street Commons formed, what mutual aid and organizing looked like day-to-day, and why Caron chose to center unhoused voices as the experts of their own experience.World Premiere screening: MCT — Wed, Feb 18 @ 5:00 PM (see full schedule at bigskyfilmfest.org).--> Get involved: woodstreetcommons.orgTrail 103.3 is proud to once again be a media partner of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival—a week of powerful, story-driven cinema and community conversation right here in Missoula. Each year, Big Sky brings filmmakers, subjects, and audiences together for screenings, Q&As, and events that spotlight documentaries from around the world—stories that challenge, connect, and deepen our understanding of the people and places around us.

Trail 103.3 is proud to once again be a media partner of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula — and this week we're welcoming filmmakers, directors, and special guests into the Trail studio for quick conversations about the films lighting up the festival.In this episode, Mike Smith sits down with Peter Nauffts (archival producer) to talk about Sun Ra: Do the Impossible — the American Masters documentary spotlighting the poet, philosopher, Egyptologist, bandleader, and jazz visionary Sun Ra, and his ever-evolving ensemble, the Sun Ra Arkestra. The film traces how Sun Ra built a singular musical and spiritual vision of Afrofuturism, blending ancient Egypt, interstellar metaphors, and boundary-pushing free-form jazz. Peter also breaks down what archival producing actually looks like today (the sifting, the treasure-hunting, the format headaches, and the magic of finding the right shot), plus why Sun Ra's work still feels like it's broadcasting from the future.Film info (Big Sky Doc Fest): Sun Ra: Do the Impossible (84 min) — Director/Producer: Christine Turner. Montana Premiere — Screening at the ZACC: Wed, Feb. 18 @ 8:30 PM, followed by a conversation between MTPR's Bryan Ramirez and Peter Nauffts. 

From the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, we sit down in the Trail 103.3 studios with filmmaker Pete Sillen, who brings two rare music documentaries to Big Sky: Speed Racer: Welcome to the World of Vic Chesnutt and Benjamin Smoke (co-directed with Jem Cohen).Pete shares how he first discovered the power of Vic Chesnutt's songwriting in Athens, Georgia, how a chance connection through Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) helped lead to filming during the recording of West of Rome, and why these two films — tied by friendship, influence, and the Georgia music scene — create a unique “conversation” when screened together.We also talk about documentary filmmaking in a fast-changing era, why human-scale storytelling matters more than ever, and what Pete's working on next — including his Sundance-premiered film Love Machina.Screening + Q&A (Missoula):

From the 23rd Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, we sit down in the Trail 103.3 studios with filmmaker and subject Sam Soliman to talk about his short documentary Almost American — a deeply personal story that also reflects the larger national conversation around immigration, DACA, and belonging in the United States.Sam shares how a leadership grant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania sparked the project, why travel restrictions under DACA shaped the journey, and what it's like to document your own life while living the story in real time. We also hear from members of the film team about shaping the film through multiple cuts and what it meant to premiere at Big Sky.Plus, Sam talks about his mental-health-focused streetwear brand Hood Hippie: Love Yourself and the mission behind building community through creativity.Film: Almost American Festival: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (Missoula, MT) Year: 2025 Runtime: 15 minutes Country: USA World PremiereDirectors: Saritha Rothermel, Samuel Soliman Producers: Adrian Selkowitz, Baktash AhadiScreenings & Showtimes (ZACC – Missoula)Monday, February 16 @ 5:30 PMTuesday, February 17 @ 1:30 PMFriday, February 20 @ 4:00 PM

This week: Mercury trines Jupiter, and it's a good time to open up your mind and let everything spill out. An Aquarius New Moon Solar Eclipse is the first eclipse in that sign since 2018, and it is time for a change. Venus and Jupiter bring a peaceful moment in a busy week. And the Sun enters peaceful Pisces just a couple of days before the transit that astrologers have been talking about for ages, the Saturn-Neptune conjunction at zero degrees Aries. It's another busy week in the Big Sky, so we will have to wait and answer a listener question next week! Plus: Building a dream, an inverted funnel, and shifting borders! Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April's mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation! Timestamps [1:37] Mercury trine Jupiter (Feb. 16, 1:31 pm PST) at 15°53' Pisces and Cancer. The Sabian symbol for Mercury is 16 Pisces, The flow of inspiration. Jupiter's Sabian symbol is 16 Cancer, A man before a square with a manuscript roll before him. Make a conscious effort to stay curious, open, and inspired. [4:04] Moon Report! Aquarius New Moon Solar Eclipse (Feb. 17, 4:01 am PST) at 28°49' Aquarius, at 29 Aquarius, A butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. Today also marks Chinese New Year and the year of the Fire Horse! Courage, clarity, and willingness to move forward will be our guides in the year ahead. [9:07] This is the New Moon in a Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC) that unfolds over the coming three years. The First Quarter Moon (first action point) of this LPFC is on Nov 17, 2026 (25°8' Aquarius). The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (awareness point) is on Aug 17, 2027 (24°11') Aquarius. The Last Quarter Moon (last action phase) is on May 16, 2028, at 26°5' Aquarius. [11:06] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. The Moon in Aquarius makes its New Moon conjunction with the Sun (Feb. 17, 4:01 am PST). It's VOC for 2 hours 8 minutes, then enters Pisces (6:09 am PST). Meditate on how you can contribute to the betterment of all. [11:57] The Moon in Pisces sextiles Uranus in Taurus (Feb. 19, 7:23 am PST). It's VOC for 4 hours 16 minutes, then enters Aries (11:39 am PST). Gather the courage to speak your mind. [12:51] The Moon in Aries sextiles Mars in Aquarius (Feb. 21, 3:11 am PST). It's VOC for 12 hours and 20 minutes, then enters Taurus (3:31 pm PST). Sweat out your frustrations. [14:15] Sun enters Pisces (Feb. 18, 7:52 am PST). The Sabian symbol for the Sun's ingress into Pisces is 1 Pisces, A public market. The Sun will stay in Pisces until March 20, 2026. The invitation is to participate in the world with sensitivity and intention. [17:50] Saturn conjoins Neptune (Feb. 20, 8:54 am PST) at 0°45' Aries. The Sabian symbol for this degree, 1 Aries, is A woman rises out of the water, a seal rises and embraces her. This conjunction takes place on a world point, so its effects tend to show up not just personally, but collectively. Saturn and Neptune come together about every 36 years, and when they do, we see the dissolution of borders and structures, leaks and scandals, major spiritual or creative shifts. What we commit to now will shape an entirely new reality. [21:12] Venus trine Jupiter (Feb. 22, 12:02 pm PST) at 15°31' Pisces and Cancer. Venus' Sabian symbol is 16 Pisces, The flow of inspiration. Jupiter's Sabian symbol is 16 Cancer, A man before a square with a manuscript roll before him. The real gift of this transit is contentment, the kind that comes from really knowing yourself and choosing pleasure with intention. [24:06] Unfortunately, there was too much to cover in this week's sky for a Listener Question. Keep those questions coming in, though! Leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend! [24:48] A tribute to this week's donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April's special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

The 23rd Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is underway in Missoula. The annual event celebrates nonfiction films and creators from around the world – including right here in Montana. MTPR's Austin Amestoy sat down with the filmmakers behind “Big Sky Falling,” a film about a web of Montana State University student athletes connected to a killing and drug dealing ring.

BREAKING: Illinois Football has named longtime Montana head coach Bobby Hauck as its new defensive coordinator, replacing Aaron Henry and bringing decades of experience to Champaign. Hauck, one of the winningest coaches in Big Sky history, recently stepped down at Montana before making the move to the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Tristan Thomas joins the conversation to break down the latest with Illini basketball as the team continues its push through conference play. He also discusses standout performances and storylines from the local high school basketball scene.