As Big Sky expands and develops, it is fitting to look back at the first vision for resort development, under the renowned news anchor and native Montanan, Chet Huntley.

Big Sky Resort, tucked among the wild peaks of southwest Montana, began in 1973 with NBC News anchor Chet Huntley’s dream of “if you build it, they will come.” And, come they did, bringing visitors, second homeowners and a growing year round community of families and businesses.

Today, Big Sky is thriving and Chet Huntley would be well pleased.

“My father was a third generation Montanan who loved his home state with a passion. He was determined to help revitalize its economy with clean industry. When he saw Lone Mountain and the beauty that lay in every direction, he knew he had found what he could built a dream on.” –Sharon Huntley Kahn, Chet’s daughter.

Homesteads to Huntley celebrates the people like the Crail family who put down roots in what is now the meadow area of Big Sky, raising sheep and cattle, and others after them who operated dude ranches. It also celebrates the talented, hard working people who built Big Sky Resort fulfilling Chet Huntley’s dream.

© 2017 Sharon Huntley Kahn. You do not need permission to watch this film if your use is for private, non-commercial, educational purposes. If you would like to use this film for any other purpose please fill out the online request here.

Visit www.bigskychamber.com for additional information about Big Sky, Montana.

Visit www.bscomt.org for additional information about the historic Crail Ranch.

Photos courtesy of Historic Crail Ranch and the Huntley Family archives.