Podcasts about Big Sky

R&R is brought to you ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Bobcat Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We are back for our 9th season! We discuss the preseason accolades, the polls, and we also predict the finish for all 13 Big Sky teams. Go Cats!Intro music courtesy of Ugly Duckling

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez opens the show by recapping the Missoula Mavericks' Legion AA State Championship, as the Mavs captured the first three-peat in program history. Colter breaks down the championship run before shifting his focus to the latest Big Sky Conference football storylines and preseason outlooks heading into the 2026 season.Next, during Diamond Time, Colter continues the conversation on the Mavericks' historic championship, discussing the program's ninth Legion AA state title and what it means after previous bids for a three-peat fell just short. He also takes a look around Major League Baseball, breaking down some of the league's biggest storylines.Lastly, Colter brings back the Mo Club Minute, highlighting some of the unique sports memorabilia and historic artifacts found inside the legendary Missoula Club in downtown Missoula.

Brian, Dallas, and Marten return for the 2026 Idaho Vandal Football Season! Very special guest and frequent Tubs contributor Madison McCord joins the show!Thank you to our Patreons! The show would not be possible without you! www.patreon.com/tubsattheclub---Show Sponsors: Hughes River Expeditionswww.hughesriver.comSnake River Stampede Whiskyhttps://snakeriverstampede.com/shopping/srs-whiskey/

Jason from Big Sky Moon Joins the Show! full 939 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:07:31 +0000 0S0ni1NWHsmKTkbfKod8BzO0ExI2COtf society & culture John & Tammy: San Diego's Morning Show society & culture Jason from Big Sky Moon Joins the Show! Interviews, favorite moments, Tammy's College of Hollywood Knowledge and more. The official show-audio podcast of John & Tammy: San Diego's Morning Show on 103.7 KSON in San Diego. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Society & Culture https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=https%

On the second hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez and Sammy Akem are joined by Montana head coach Bobby Kennedy for this week's ESPN Roundtable. As part of their continued coverage from last weekend's Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane, the three discuss the Grizzlies' outlook for the 2026 season, Kennedy's coaching tree and the mentors who have influenced him, the changes he's implementing to Montana's practice structure, and his vision for the program entering his first season as head coach.Next, Colter compares Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson and Montana quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat, discussing which signal-caller has the edge heading into the 2026 season. He also shares thoughts from several Big Sky coaches, who weigh in on the two quarterbacks and offer their perspectives on one of the conference's most intriguing debates.

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez and Sammy Akem continue their coverage from Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane by sitting down with Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill and Montana State head coach Brent Vigen. The conversations cover the state of the conference, expectations for the upcoming 2026 season, Montana State's national title defense, and the biggest storylines heading into another year of Big Sky football. 

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen joins Colter Nuanez & Samuel Akem to discuss his team's pursuit of a second straight FCS title. 

Tom Wistricill, the commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, sat down with Colter Nuanez & Samuel Akem to discuss the state of the league, the way the TV schedule is determined, night games, national championships and mannequins. 

Big Sky Conference commissioner Tom Wistricill did a Q&A with media following his annual "State of the Big Sky" address at the Big Sky Kickoff media conference the end of July 2026. 

Montana head coach Bobby Kennedy joins Colter Nuanez & Samuel Akem to talk Joe Glenn, new rules, rising stars and expectations going into 2026 season, his first leading the Griz. 

Join Pitt Girl, Commish, Corn Correspondent Andy and Beth, along with our VP of Podcast Production, Arthur. We talk about the sold out $5,200 cruise from Tulsa to Memphis and other options offered, Lane Kiffin said he has given up social media and it's been refreshing (REFRESHING FOR WHO), also Lane Kiffin said we're all gonna die. We start a new company that helps with PR called Getting a Dog, the Big Sky has Nevada surrounded, couch burning commitment video, we applaud Jon Sumrall for getting pedicures, MAYO COUNTY wins Gaelic football for the first time in 75 years, then we're on to season previews in the SUPER SICKO SHAKING SPECULATION SEASON PREVIEW FORECAST: SSSSSPF aka the 5SPF this time with DICE ROLLS, we attempt to preview the Southland and SoCon, we have snippets of interviews with Tennessee Tech and The Citadel's coaches along with WR AJ Colombo from Western Carolina, we roll to see how do the dice see your season shaping out, the squirrels have returned and oh so much, much more!Join our Patreon for just $3 or $5 a month. https://www.patreon.com/cw/SickosCommitteeBuy some of our officially licensed merch here https://thesickoscommittee-shop.fourthwall.com/NEW SICKOS FC JERSEYS FOR SALE https://oliveandyork.com/products/sickos-fcCheck out our Linktree for all our discount codes https://linktr.ee/sickoscommitteeSubscribe to our blog at https://sickos-newsletter.beehiiv.com/Subscribe to our YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@sickoscommitteeDonate here to help with the West Virginia floods/tornados:http://www.parishhouse.org/donate.htmlhttps://communityengagement.wvu.edu/programs/dollars-for-disasterhttps://www.unitedwayofglu.com/donateSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez is joined live from Spokane by former Montana Grizzly wide receiver Sammy Akem as the two broadcast from Big Sky Kickoff. They break down the biggest storylines from around the conference, discuss preseason expectations for the 2026 season, and are briefly joined by Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill to talk about the upcoming season, the continued growth of the conference, and the excitement surrounding Big Sky football. 

On the second hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez and former Montana Grizzly wide receiver Sammy Akem continue their live coverage from Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane, breaking down the biggest storylines from around the conference and sharing their biggest takeaways from the event. The conversation then shifts to the NFL, where the two discuss several of the league's biggest storylines as training camps get underway, before wrapping up the hour with more discussion on Big Sky football, preseason expectations, and the teams and players to watch heading into the 2026 season.

Montana senior running back Eli Gillman sat down with Colter Nuanez & Samuel Akem to discuss his off-season, what motivates him, his pursuit of UM's career rushing record and his recent accolades. 

Taco & Caden Dowler, a pair of All-Big Sky captains for Montana State entering their final collegiate seasons, sat down with Colter Nuanez & Samuel Akem of Skyline Sports to discuss their jam-packed off-season including Taco's wedding + the resetting of the program's mindset in connection to a pursuit of a second straight national championship, the honor of wearing No. 41 and much more. 

Gearhead Perspective- Big Sky Raceweek with Dustyn Caudle

 On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez is joined by Brooks Nuanez for a wide-ranging football conversation. The two break down the biggest storylines heading into Big Sky Kickoff, discuss several intriguing NFL topics as training camps get underway, and share their thoughts on the outlook for both the Grizzlies and Bobcats entering the 2026 season. From the Big Sky Conference to the NFL, Colter and Brooks cover all the biggest football storylines in an entertaining hour of conversation. 

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez is joined by former Montana Grizzly wide receiver Sammy Akem for another edition of Inside the FCS. The two break down the biggest storylines from around the Football Championship Subdivision, discussing preseason expectations, teams to watch, and the latest developments as the 2026 season gets closer to kickoff.Next, Colter continues his coverage leading into Big Sky Kickoff weekend, breaking down the biggest storylines, expectations, and questions surrounding Montana, Montana State, and the rest of the conference heading into the upcoming season.

 On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez is joined by former co-host Ryan Tootell for a wide-ranging sports conversation. The two break down Ryan Fox's dramatic victory at The Open Championship, discuss the biggest storylines heading into Big Sky Kickoff, and dive into several fun NFL topics as training camp draws near. From college football to golf to the NFL, Colter and Ryan cover a little bit of everything in an entertaining hour of sports talk. 

To kick off the second hour of Nuanez Now, the man behind the glass Hayden Smith joins Colter Nuanez for a fun question-and-answer segment. Hayden puts Colter on the spot with one NFL question, asking which team is more likely to regress this season: the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots. The two break down both teams' outlooks and discuss why one may be in line for a bigger step backward in 2026.Later, Colter dives into the Big Sky Conference preseason polls and examines how much they really matter. Are preseason expectations a reliable predictor of success, or just another offseason talking point? Colter breaks down the rankings, what they say about the conference heading into fall camp, and why the games on the field will ultimately decide the story. Lastly, Colter wraps up the show with a quick edition of Diamond Time, looking back at This Day in History when Nolan Ryan recorded his 4,000th career strikeout. Colter reflects on Ryan's legendary longevity and dominance, explaining why his all-time record of 5,714 strikeouts remains one of the most untouchable achievements in professional sports. 

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez looks ahead to the start of the college football season by breaking down some of the biggest questions surrounding both Montana and Montana State as Big Sky Kickoff officially gets underway this week. Colter discusses the storylines he'll be watching closely as the Grizzlies and Bobcats prepare for fall camp and another highly anticipated season.Next, Colter welcomes Hellgate standout and future Montana Grizzly Parker Link for this week's Senior Spotlight. Link discusses his decision to commit to Montana, what made the Grizzlies the right fit, his goals as he prepares to join the program, and what he's looking forward to at the next level.To wrap up the hour, Colter runs through this week's Treasure State Stars, highlighting some of the top athletic performances from around Montana. This week's edition features several standout competitors from the Montana Mile and Montana 100, along with other athletes who made headlines across the state.

This week on the pod, Seth and Josh welcome Ana Gasteyer! Ana talks about growing up in Washington, D.C., and the road trips and family adventures that shaped her childhood. She shares stories about cross-country drives in a VW Bug, visits to her aunts' Nebraska farm, trips to national parks, and traveling with her own family through New Mexico and West Texas. Plus, Ana discusses her current Broadway run in the Tony-nominated musical Shmigadoon! Watch this episode on the Family Trips YouTube or Spotify, or listen wherever you get your podcasts! Watch more Family Trips episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlqYOfxU_jQem4_NRJPM8_wLBrEEQ17B6 ------------------------- 00:00 Introduction with Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers 05:30 Guest: Ana Gasteyer talks Broadway Mishap: Fainting in Shmigadoon 14:18 Growing Up Three Blocks from the Capitol 17:11 Ulysses' High-Altitude Summer in a Senior Community 25:56 Academic Brother, Dog-Breeding Mom & Gassy Whippet 27:32 VW Bug Road Trips, Spinster Aunts & Nebraska Farm Life 31:56 Great American National Parks & Vista Point Parents 34:35 Clusterfunk Christmas & Holiday Movie Parodies 34:57 Sugar & Booze: Holiday Albums, Live Shows & Symphonies 39:16 New Mexico Field Trips: Caverns, White Sands & Marfa 52:06 Costco Christmas Houses, Puzzles & Game Nights 56:11 Skiing Comeback in Big Sky & Being a Vista Point Family 1:04:40 Dream Bike Trips & Selling Families on DC ------------------------- Support our sponsors: The Breadwinner From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment The Breadwinner. Straight from theaters, the must-see comedy of the summer is now available to watch at home on digital — to enjoy again and again.Grab your family and don't miss the comedy everyone is loving, with an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Get it now on Prime Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home. Rated PG. First Leaf Stop settling for wines that don't quite hit the mark. Head to https://TryFirstleaf.com/trips to sign up and you'll get fifty percent off your first box PLUS free shipping for an entire year. Hero Bread Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to ⁠https://hero.co and use code TRIPS at checkout. ------------------------- Family Trips is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Theme song written and performed by Jeff Tweedy. ------------------------- About the Show: Lifelong brothers Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers ask guests to relive childhood memories, unforgettable family trips, and other disasters! New Episodes of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers are available every Tuesday. ------------------------- Executive Producers: Rob Holysz, Jeph Porter, Natalie Holysz Creative Producer: Sam Skelton Coordinating Producer: Derek Johnson Video Editor: Josh Windisch Mix & Master: Josh Windisch Episode Artwork: Analise Jorgensen #familytrips #sethmeyers #joshmeyers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the second hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez goes football-heavy, breaking down the recently released Big Sky Conference preseason polls, the latest in-state recruiting news, and several other storylines surrounding Montana, Montana State, and the rest of the conference. With the season rapidly approaching, Colter shares his thoughts on where the Grizzlies and Bobcats stack up, discusses the biggest questions heading into fall camp, and looks at what to expect from the Big Sky in 2026.

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez opens the show by recapping a busy weekend in the sports world. He breaks down the British Open, where 39-year-old Ryan Fox captured the first major championship of his career, before turning his attention to the FIFA World Cup Final. Colter recaps Spain's dominant performance against Lionel Messi and Argentina, as Spain controlled much of the match before finally breaking through with a late goal to claim the World Cup title and deny Argentina a second consecutive championship.Next, Colter breaks down the Montana Mile and Montana 100, where all four races crowned new champions. He highlights an incredible finish in the women's 100 meters, where eighth-grader Iris Hancock sprinted to victory in 12.45 seconds, along with the other standout performances from one of Montana's premier track and field showcases.To wrap up the hour, Colter discusses one of the most remarkable moments in track and field history as Scotland's Josh Kerr breaks Hicham El Guerrouj's long-standing mile world record. Colter explains Kerr's "Project 222" training effort, which was built around the goal of running the mile in 222 seconds, and what the historic achievement means for the sport.

IT'S BACK - our favorite contest of the year: Touchdowns For Tickets and your chance to win a pair of 2026 Boise State football season tickets (listen to the show for chances to qualify every hour, Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks - six winners will be announced Wednesdays and Fridays) ... Bob dives into Boise State's defense in Bronco Focus, former Boise State/current Cleveland Browns safety Zion Washington joins the show three days before opening his first NFL training camp, Idaho State voted ahead of Idaho in Big Sky preseason media polls, is Fresno State the biggest game on the Broncos' schedule, thoughts on the World Cup, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IT'S BACK - our favorite contest of the year: Touchdowns For Tickets and your chance to win a pair of 2026 Boise State football season tickets (listen to the show for chances to qualify every hour, Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks - six winners will be announced Wednesdays and Fridays) ... Bob dives into Boise State's defense in Bronco Focus, former Boise State/current Cleveland Browns safety Zion Washington joins the show three days before opening his first NFL training camp, Idaho State voted ahead of Idaho in Big Sky preseason media polls, is Fresno State the biggest game on the Broncos' schedule, thoughts on the World Cup, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Recap: Head Gaskets, Hot Takes, and Facebook Marketplace MadnessWe are back in the garage after a slow stretch, and there's a lot to get into. Fro dives into his head-gasket saga on his son's Kia Optra — tensioner bolts, reverse threads, and all the import-motor headaches that came with it. They'll also catch up on Big Sky, hyping up Dustin's podium finish and pushing to finally get him on the show to tell the story firsthand.Short Circuit registration is open, so expect some strategy talk — steady 650 index runs versus going all-motor — plus a detour into whether "you vs you" entries should be capped at drag-and-drive events.On the build side, there's an update on the motorcycle tank that's been sitting in the shop forever, some AI-generated paint concepts for the crew's own cars, and more chatter about the wild Nivlak57 LS build now running turbos. There's also a roundup of people trying (and failing) to get AI to tune their cars.Bo explains why he skipped last week's cruise, the guys debate weekend plans between Mocan and Tulsa, and it all wraps up with a Facebook Marketplace segment full of questionable deals — including one build nobody can quite describe.

IT'S BACK - our favorite contest of the year: Touchdowns For Tickets and your chance to win a pair of 2026 Boise State football season tickets (listen to the show for chances to qualify every hour, Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks - six winners will be announced Wednesdays and Fridays) ... Bob dives into Boise State's defense in Bronco Focus, former Boise State/current Cleveland Browns safety Zion Washington joins the show three days before opening his first NFL training camp, Idaho State voted ahead of Idaho in Big Sky preseason media polls, is Fresno State the biggest game on the Broncos' schedule, thoughts on the World Cup, Weekend Winners & LosersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"If you can't manage $1,000, you can't manage a million."   In this raw, eye-opening episode, I bring you former WWE Champion, actor, and entrepreneur Raj Dhesi, better known to millions as Jinder Mahal. We shine a light on the brutal price he paid to go from being out of shape, drinking every day, and released from WWE to completely reinventing himself, earning Vince McMahon's trust, and becoming world champion. Raj exposes the lies behind overnight success, the danger of letting a company own your entire personal brand, and why earning more money means nothing if you never learn how to manage it. This is a wake-up call for anyone who knows they are capable of more but keeps waiting for the perfect moment.   Expect brutal truths on building discipline when nobody is watching, creating structure after your career changes, turning your name into an asset you actually own, and using investing to create real freedom instead of looking rich. Raj also takes us behind the scenes of working with The Rock, acting on ABC's Big Sky, nearly being fired by Vince McMahon, and making the sacrifices that transformed his body, career, and entire identity. The life you want may be possible, but the old version of you cannot come with you.  

On the second hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez unveils his preseason All Big Sky All-Conference team, breaking down his top selections from around the conference and highlighting several Montana standouts, including Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson and Montana running back Eli Gillman. Colter explains what makes each player deserving of recognition and what to expect from the Big Sky's top talent entering the upcoming season.Later, Colter shares an interview with one of the newest inductees into the Montana Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tim Rosenbach. Rosenbach reflects on his football career, the honor of being inducted, and the lasting impact the game has had on his life and the state of Montana.To wrap up the hour, Colter discusses the upcoming British Open, breaking down the field, the biggest storylines, and what to watch for as golf's oldest major championship gets underway.

Taylor Swift Today, one week later, with Lyla: the newlyweds have vanished into married life, the wild details are still trickling out, and we finally know how we'll see the dress. A Dior spokesperson confirmed that Taylor Swift herself will share the first official wedding photos on her own Instagram — no date yet, exactly the way she's controlled this story from day one. Plus the first sighting of Taylor since the wedding (a low-key Montana getaway with her new in-laws), the city reimbursement that settled the "who paid" debate, and a few late details that'll make you smile. Here's the week-later check-in.

Big Sky, White Rose, and Freemansburg brought the heat — fast runs, wild moments, and way too much racing to keep up with. That's hill climb season at its best.

Head out to Big Sky country with Randy, Caly, and Executive Director Wendy Swenson as they discuss badlands, battlefields, dinosaur bones, and other top things to do in a place full of endless horizons and rich Native American history—Southeast Montana. Plan your next trip to Southeast Montana at https://VisitSoutheastMontana.comSubscribe to RV Destinations Magazine at https://RVDestinationsMagazine.com and use code PODCAST20 to save 20% on your subscription today!

Looking for your next U.S. getaway? In this episode, Lisa sits down with Kim Lalande, founder and CEO of Key.co, to share five underrated destinations that are perfect for family vacations, group trips, and relaxing escapes. From the beaches of 30A and Cape Cod to the mountains of Big Sky and North Lake Tahoe, you'll discover inspiring places to visit along with tips for creating a seamless, luxury vacation experience.

Samuel Akem joins Colter Nuanez LIVE from the Mo Club on June 18 to talk everything from the Big Sky Conference's nationally televised games to Eli Gillman's legacy with the Griz to the emergence of the Grizzly Football Players Association to the best quarterbacks outside of the state of Montana that play in the Big Sky Conference

Greg looks at the Big Sky from a stylistic and betting standpoint, examines the rosters of every team in the conference with Rob Donaldson of Underdog Fantasy, & Greg gives his projected order of finish for the Big Sky for the 2026-27 season! Podcast Highlights 2:42-Betting trends & styles of the Big Sky 17:59-Examination of every Big Sky roster with Rob Donaldson 48:27-Greg's projected order of finish for the Big Sky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take to bring a dinosaur back to life... sort of? In this episode of Panoramic Outdoors, Sheldon sits down with fossil restoration expert Lauren McClain, owner of Big Sky Fossils, to dive deep into the fascinating world of prehistoric bones, ancient creatures, and the painstaking art of fossil restoration. Lauren shares how she turned a passion for paleontology into a career, restoring fossils for museums, collectors, and educational exhibits across North America. From cleaning and rebuilding million-year-old specimens to piecing together ancient creatures like a giant 3D puzzle, Lauren gives us a behind-the-scenes look at a profession few people ever get to see. Along the way, Sheldon and Lauren discuss giant beavers, dinosaurs, fossil hunting, and some of the incredible creatures that once roamed the continent. Whether you're a hardcore fossil enthusiast or just someone who loves a good story from the natural world, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and plenty of laughs. Tune in and take a journey millions of years into the past with Sheldon and Lauren McClain of Big Sky Fossils. Thank you to our sponsors:  https://www.ihunterapp.com/  https://www.redneckhuntingcanada.com/ https://www.skre.ca   

On this episode of The Bluebloods, Zach McKinnell and Timothy Rosario from FCS Football Central on SI are joined by special guest former All-American Montana wide receiver Samuel Akem to discuss the projected over/under win totals for every team in the Big Sky ahead of the 2026 college football season. All this & more right here on The Bluebloods! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter welcomes Big Sky senior Blake Williams into the studio to discuss his standout performance at the Class AA State Track & Field Championships, his accomplishments as a multi-sport athlete, and his upcoming football career at Carroll College.The hour wraps up with Colter breaking down the NBA Playoffs, discussing the latest results, key storylines, and what to watch for as the postseason continues to unfold.

The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast still has a podcast. Get new episodes the moment they're live by subscribing to the email newsletter:WhoJohn Kelly, CEO of Taos Ski Valley, New MexicoRecorded onNovember 13, 2025About Taos Ski ValleyClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: Louis Bacon (since December 2013)Located in: Taos Ski Valley, New MexicoYear founded: 1955Pass affiliations:* Ikon Pass – 7 days, no blackouts* Ikon Base Pass – 5 days, holiday blackouts* Ikon Session Pass – 1-4 days, holiday blackouts* Mountain Collective – 2 days, no blackouts* Ski New Mexico True Pass – 2 days, holiday blackoutsBase elevation: 9,350 feetSummit elevation: 12,450 feet lift-served, 12,481 hike-toVertical drop: 3,100 feet lift-served, 3,131 hike-to.Skiable acres: 1,294 (some hike-to)Average annual snowfall: 300 inches claimed on website; calculated 36-year average using data sourced from Taos' 2010 master development plan, Ski New Mexico tallies, and media reports is 233 inches. The 10-year average falls to 166 inches. Here's the year-by-year breakdown:Trail count: 110 (24% beginner, 25% intermediate, 51% expert)Lift count: 13 (1 pulse gondola, 2 high-speed quads, 2 fixed-grip quads, 4 triples, 1 double, 3 carpets)Why I interviewed himLet's start with a superficially troubling number: Taos' long, steady decline in average annual skier visits:That doesn't look so good, especially when laid alongside the long-term increase in national skier visits:Taos not only declined in the context of national skier visits, but also among its peers. In winter 1983-84, Taos drew more skiers (241,000) than Telluride (132,460), Big Sky (136,000), Jackson Hole (177,000), Whitefish (I'm lacking an estimate for that winter, but the ski area then known as “Big Mountain” logged 209,000 skiers in 1980-81 and 170,581 in 1985-86). Taos (dark blue line below), continued to out-duel this group through about the mid-90s before falling off a cliff:So what happened? 1995 Taos, a freeride mecca before freeride was cool, should have been perfectly suited to flourish in a cultural moment when skiers began demanding more interesting terrain than the groomed superhighways that had become the industry's default setting. Sure, Taos was remote and a bit harder to access than, say, Keystone or Park City, but so were Jackson and Whitefish and Big Sky and Telluride. A partial explanation: Taos stopped modernizing. After replacing the Lift 2 double with a fixed-grip quad in 1994, Taos didn't install another new chairlift for 19 years. The first detachable didn't arrive until 2018. The resort banned snowboards until 2008. Meanwhile, Big Sky laced a tram to the summit of Lone Peak in 1995 and started pushing detachable quads up the mountain; the first high-speed quads arrived at Telluride in 1986 and Whitefish in 1989.It's not a perfect narrative – while Jackson Hole rolled out its short Sublette detach in the mid-90s, the mountain didn't install an upper-mountain high-speed chairlift until Casper in 2012. Skier visits went up and up and up all that time, probably due in large part to aggressive improvements at the Jackson Hole airport.Maybe, though, it's as simple as this: banger snow years descended upon Taos – and New Mexico in general – from the late ‘80s through mid-‘90s. It's little surprise that attendance ups-and-downs largely mirror snowfall patterns:But, as the corresponding trendlines show, Taos' skier visits have not declined at the same rate as the mountain's average annual snowfall. And while Jackson's long-term average snowfall has remained relatively constant, attendance has crept steadily upward. Attendance spiked at both mountains when the 2018-19 season brought both plentiful snow and the introduction of the Ikon Pass:Unfortunately, Taos stopped reporting skier visits after the Covid-shortened 2019-20 season, so we have less concrete insight into whether the mountain's recent investments in a reconfigured beginner area and a second detachable on the backside have insulated it from two historically poor snow years. This is why it's nice to have basic visitation data, and why I'm pushing the ski industry to again publicize annual attendance for ski areas occupying public lands (since going live with a chart of 2,406 years of skier visit data for 97 ski areas with 10 or more years of attendance available, I'm up to 2,822 years across 108 ski areas, and I have a total of 3,802 years of data across 184 active U.S. ski areas for which I could find at least one year of attendance).We do know this: Taos doesn't want to return to the world of 300,000-plus skier visits. Somewhere between 250,000 and 275,000 is the “right number for the experience we want Taos to have,” Kelly tells us on the pod. Meaning: fewer skiers spread via a modern lift network is a better business than 364,000 skiers funneling onto double chairs. This flips the busiest-equals-best narrative that made skier-visit counts a 20th-century bragging point. I've heard the same logic articulated by the leaders of Killington, Waterville Valley, and other ski areas that have created a better business even with fewer skiers on their mountains. Jackson Hole, too, halted its relentless upward surge – that 2020-21 dip was deliberate, as the mountain exited Ikon Base and implemented a reservation system.This approach makes sense to me. With U.S. skier visits surging (until this year) and an Ikon or Epic pass in every pocket, no one wants to brag about being busy anymore. Space is the new volume. Social media can still transform one bad liftline into an eternal meme, but at least most skiers on the ground will have a better day most of the time than they probably would have 30 years ago.What doesn't make sense to me is why, in a less-is-more era, ski area operators have suddenly decided that skier visits should be guarded like Fort Knox. If fewer skiers is a good thing and a stated goal, why hide the numbers? The resorts ought to just say “Hey we've deliberately reduced our annual skier count from 300,000 to 250,000 [or whatever] to create a better mountain for you.” Instead, this secrecy around volume just looks cagey - if national skier visit numbers are up, then why should skiers just believe ski areas when they say “trust us, it's better now,” and offer no data to support it? Perception is reality, and today's skiing zeitgeist, as channeled by social media, tells us that American skiers perceive busier mountains today than they did a decade ago.But I'm getting off track. Since Louis Bacon bought Taos in 2013, he's funded an almost-complete renovation of what had become America's most decrepit destination ski resort. I don't think any mountain operating on U.S. Forest Service lands has more completely remade itself in the past decade (rapidly changing Big Sky, Deer Valley, and Powder Mountain operate on private property). Glimmering new but reset to 1970s volume, Taos is beautifully positioned to tap a skiing public that's burned-out on Colorado and Utah crowds but accustomed to modern lifts and snowmaking.What we talked aboutTaos as a family ski mountain; last winter's Chair 7 upgrade and custom terminals; owner Louis Bacon's mission to “improve everything without changing a thing”; why Taos changed from Skytrac to parent company Leitner-Poma for its newer lifts; Taos' great base-area reorganization; the story behind the Free Tacos run; a green run from the top of every lift other than the fierce Kachina triple; Taos' massive evolution since 2015; whether the mountain is committed to long-term independence; the founding Blake family's legacy and presence at Taos today; executing rapid development on Forest Service land; [VIDEO BONUS: Cat photobombing]; running Taos with the context of having worked at also-independent Telluride; becoming a skier growing up in Nashville, Tennessee; Telluride's evolution from semi-affordable to gigantic housing puzzle; employee housing at Taos; the logic behind the proposed base-to-base gondola and navigating local opposition; thoughts on the evolution of lifts 2 and 8; preserving parts of the hike-to ski experience; Taos' evolution after the Kachina Peak lift; lift 7A; the Minnesotas glades from the masterplan; avalanche mitigation; old-school boot-packing; parking lot evolutions; an ideal annual skier visit number and why that number is below historic highs; and getting to Taos.What I got wrong* When we discuss the wood-paneled terminals on Taos' new Lift 7, I ask if they're thematically related to the “wood RFID gates.” This is a reference to an earlier conversation that I cut, about Taos finally installing RFID for the 2025-26 ski season (the gates carry a wood theme). * I said that the trees skier's left of the Pioneer chair were not a named run, but they in fact are, and “Free Tacos” has a pretty awesome story behind it.* I accidentally asked Kelly to, “lay out the housing landscape for Telluride” but meant to say “Taos.” I didn't catch this in real time, but Kelly – who spent several years at Telluride before moving to Taos in 2015 – caught it and course-corrected.Questions I wished I'd askedTaos' 2010 USFS masterplan proposed a 7,045-foot-long, 2,363-vertical-foot detach quad that would have run parallel to Lift 1 to the top of Lift 2:We did, however, discuss the proposed 545-vertical-foot, 991-foot-long Ridge Lift off of Lift 8, and why Taos nixed that machine from its latest MDP:Why you should (or shouldn't) ski TaosTaos, like Jackson Hole or Snowbird or Palisades Tahoe, has a toughguy reputation. The place ripples with hike-to chutes and glades. To calm visitors shocked by the vertical bump run rocketing skyward beneath Chair 1, Taos to erected this base-area sign decades ago:The sign refers to the infamous Al's Run, which typically ripples with moguls, but was closed on my last visit, in March 2025 (Lift 1 was open):Taos certainly has plenty of nasty. The terrain ripping off the Kachina Peak triple is among the steepest inbounds terrain I'm aware of in America. But what shocked me about the place was how approachable it was for my then-8-year-old son, a solid but very intermediate skier. Every chair other than Kachina offers a top-to-bottom green – and some mostly mellow blues – making Taos one of the better family mountains in America.A lot of the solid-black terrain sits above the lifts, and requires a short, easy hike. If you've ever humped up Catherine's at Alta or Spanky's Ladder on Blackcomb, the ascent off of Lift 2 over to Highline Ridge or West Basin Ridge isn't much longer, and it flattens out considerably after the short incline. Unlike East Wall at A-Basin or Highlands Bowl at Aspen Highlands, this is hike-up terrain that's approachable for people who (like me), live at sea level and only like going up the mountain on machines. The runs are steep, and solo missions are discouraged, but the easy-in and proximity to lifts means a strong skier could reasonably expect to tuck a half-dozen hike-up laps into an afternoon. Here I am huffing and puffing right off Chair 2:Dang those trees are steep even right off the jump. Crunch crunch crunch:Go up a bit higher, and things get Lord of The Rings pretty fast:Taos' only real buyer-beware statistic is its insane base elevation of 9,350 feet, which makes everything, especially sleep, a bit more challenging. That altitude is actually a bit lower than the bases at Copper (9,712) or Breck (9,600). I start to have trouble functioning around 8,000 feet, which is the Vail (8,120), Snowmass (8,110), Snowbird (7,760), and Mammoth (7,953) range. So maybe see how you do at one of those burners before leveling up above 9,000 feet. Or at least arrive knowing that Taos will try punching you in the face. Hydrate and lay off the beer bongs for a day or two. You'll be fine.Podcast NotesOn Stadeli liftsWe've got 16 of these guys left across 10 U.S. ski areas, including Lift 7A at Taos:On the character of old chairliftsI wrote last year that U.S. ski lifts' overall design aesthetic has deteriorated with the decline in number of manufacturers and a tacit emphasis on technology over beauty.And I love old Riblets and Halls and Yans, but sentimentalism that locks skiing in a time capsule ultimately stalls long-term growth and invites disaster-by-disintegration. Rather than fight to live in a museum, I've adopted a quest mentality to ride as many of these dinosaurs as I can before they go extinct:On Taos' base-area fliparoundOn Taos' current masterplanHere's the conceptual overview of Taos' 2021 U.S. Forest Service master development plan:The major unrealized part of this is the base-to-base gondola - here's the most recent plan for that lift:On “class A avalanche mountains” with more than 200 slidepathsKelly mentioned that Taos' more than 200 slidepaths earn it the designation of a Class A avalanche mountain. I of course went looking for a list of U.S. ski areas so classified, and of course did not find one. In a rare exercise in self-restraint, however, I also did not create one. A quick Google search suggests that that such a list would include Alta, Kirkwood, and Stevens Pass alongside Taos. I would also assume that Alpine Meadows, Palisades, Mammoth, Snowbird, Big Sky, Silverton, and Crested Butte are among the most avy prone. That is not a complete list or an attempt at one so please don't write that I “forgot about” some particularly avalanche-prone mountain that I'm not trying very hard to remember.On The Storm's first Taos podcastThe 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

On this episode of The Bluebloods, Zach McKinnell is joined by Timothy Rosario from FCS Football Central on SI to preview the Big Sky entering the 2026 college football season. In the first part of the official Big Sky preview, the two discuss the biggest storylines across the conference. Does Montana State Have The Talent To Be An All-Time Great Team? Are There Any Concerns For Montana Under Head Coach Bobby Kennedy? Should UC Davis Be Considered The No. 2 Team In The Big Sky? What Are The Biggest Questions Surrounding Northern Arizona and Idaho State? Which Middle-Of-The-Pack Big Sky Teams Could Emerge As Contenders In 2026? All this & more right here on The Bluebloods! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Magic in the Room, Chris Province, Hannah Bratterud, and Luke Freeman reflect on six years of conversations and explore a foundational leadership question: why leadership is ultimately an inside game. Drawing on personal growth, facilitation experiences, and organizational leadership lessons, they argue that effective leadership cannot be reduced to frameworks, checklists, or techniques alone, but instead depends on the ongoing work of self-awareness, discernment, courage, and wisdom. They explore the relationship between courage and conviction, the importance of responding rather than reacting, and the role of personal development in creating positive impact for teams, organizations, and communities. The episode presents leadership as a lifelong practice of leading oneself first, emphasizing that meaningful change begins not with external systems, but with the internal work of becoming more intentional, hopeful, and aligned with one's values. Credits: This episode of Magic in the Room was recorded remotely in Bixby, Oklahoma, and Big Sky, Montana. Music by Evan Grim. Find his music on Apple Music.

Montana State's women claimed its first Big Sky Conference outdoor track and field championship since 2003 with a resounding win in Portland, Oregon that helped MSU beat five-time defending champion Northern Arizona by 53 points. MSU freshman Tilde Bjerager, the meet's Most Value and Most Outstanding Athlete, along with senior sprinter Carolyn Hawks and junior thrower Sydney Brewster joined Colter Nuanez to recap the historic win.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9 Have you ever looked up at the sky and felt both small and strangely held? In this episode, Dr. Alison explores Psalm 8 and the healing power of wonder. We'll look at how awe quiets the anxious ego, helps the nervous system soften, and reminds us that being small does not mean being insignificant. We explore: *Why awe helps interrupt anxiety and overcontrol *The difference between humility and self-erasure *How wonder restores your sense of belovedness *Why childlike faith begins with receiving, not striving Go Deeper: Episode 142: Digital Detox—Surprising Insights from 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks & Amish Farmers Featuring Carlos Whittaker Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.‍ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez breaks down Montana State's impressive performance at the 2026 Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championships and what the Bobcats' dominant showing says about the overall strength and momentum of the program. Colter also discusses Aaron Rai capturing his first major championship victory and becoming the first English golfer to win the PGA Championship in more than 100 years. Plus, Colter dives into the latest NBA Playoff action, including a disappointing Game 7 home loss for the Detroit Pistons against Cleveland.

On the first hour of Nuanez Now, Colter Nuanez discusses the latest additions to Big Sky basketball as both the men's and women's programs announce new coaching hires. Colter breaks down what KC McGowan brings to the men's side and what Vanessa Welsh could mean for the future of the women's program, while also covering several other coaching positions being filled across the state as programs gear up for the upcoming season. He also recaps Thursday's results from the PGA Championship.Next, on The Deep Ball, Samuel Akem and Keenan Curran catch up with former Griz receiver Keelan White to discuss his transition from American football to the Canadian Football League and the adjustments that come with playing professionally in Canada.Lastly, Colter sits down with Montana star running back Eli Gillman to talk about the youth camps he'll be hosting around the state of Montana this summer and his continued efforts to give back to local communities.

Meet Justin Townsend; from walking on to the Griz football team to multiple business, he's always had a drive and determination when it comes to work. After deciding to plant roots in Missoula, he saw a need for easy to manage storage units for a variety of uses and Big Sky Box was born. Hear his story and his approach to all things business.Check out Big Sky Box: https://bigskybox.com/

Biathlon bronze medalist Kari Swenson was on a training run near Big Sky, Montana in the summer of 1984 when she encountered two men with malicious intentions. Kari had just made history with her biathlon relay team when she was abducted and held captive for 18 hours by two self-proclaimed survivalists who wanted to make her a “wife”. Father-son duo Don and Dan Nichols were the monsters who not only abducted Kari but also murdered her friend who was trying to rescue her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur Moreira discussed his successful 2025-26 season where his team won 29 games, including the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships, earning an NCAA tournament berth for the first time in a decade. As the first Brazilian head coach in NCAA Division I basketball, Arthur shared his coaching philosophy focusing on relationship-building with players, individualized development through varied coaching approaches, and a simple, adaptable offensive system that emphasizes transition play and player decision-making.Moreira detailed his defensive strategies including peel switching and tagging-up concepts, while emphasizing the importance of practice over play in player development, drawing from his international coaching experience in Brazil. Arthur discussed his team's focus on transition offense, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and player movement. He discussed his offensive system emphasizing the importance of keeping offenses simple while adapting to personnel. Arthur also discussed how his program's strong community support in Moscow, Idaho helped retain players and create a family environment, particularly benefiting international players from Brazil.