Texans love the fierce, independent spirit, wide-open spaces, and natural beauty of Montana. The fourth-largest state has long been a favored vacation home setting for folks from North Texas, made even better last summer when American Airlines instituted daily nonstop seasonal flights to Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, the gateway to the area known as “Big Sky,” from May through September — prime time to get away from triple-digit heat.
But it’s winter now, time to be thinking of skiing, not summer. Alaska, American, Delta, and United all offer service that will get you to Bozeman (some involving ancillary airline flights.) With this and skiing on our mind, we’re taking a look at some stellar vacation properties in Big Sky, an unincorporated community I tapped local realtor Ania Bulis to provide a couple of examples of new construction in the area, to see what’s the latest look in mountain housing. They’re pretty swanky:
Photos courtesy of Big Sky Real Estate Co.
Bulis is a listing broker for a number of properties developed by the Big Sky Real Estate Company, including homes in the Big Sky Resort, Moonlight Basin, and Spanish Peaks Mountain Club areas. Though she’s lived on both coasts and traveled Europe, Asia, and South America, Big Sky is where Bulis settled, first working in marketing and journalism, then serving as director of the local chamber of commerce, and later establishing herself in the residential real estate business. She shared her perspective on the region’s appeal. “Big Sky is a paradise for the recreation-minded,” she said. “Winter offers snow sports such as skiing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, while summer has an abundance of activities from which to choose including hiking, biking, fly-fishing, and golf. It truly is a year-round destination that grows both in terms of amenities and cultural experience year over year.”
And what does the area she calls home have to offer? “New real estate opportunities in Big Sky include residences that offer the best of both worlds: easy ski access during the winter coupled with lakeside activities in the summer, complete with a beach and paddle boards,” Bulis noted. “The homes range in size from mountain contemporary cabins to large homes accented with wood and steel. Bunk rooms and ski rooms are the norms, as are the exceptional views toward the mountain peaks.”
And, speaking of that, here’s an example of a completed new property in the area, one of three residences underway known as Gambler Cabin/Silvertip Phase II, each a 3,961-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bath home on a .499 acre lot in the Moonlight Basin neighborhood and listed at $2.375 million represented by
Bulis. While there are plenty of homes in Big Sky done in the style of a rustic mountain lodge, this residence is thoroughly modern with sleek decor:
Here’s a look at the exterior earlier in the year:
And the area in winter:
The interior is done in a contemporary aesthetic. Here’s the kitchen with neutral tones, clean lines, and up-to-date accents:
This opens to living space:
The gas fireplace is a sophisticated focal point in the room:
But with tall windows under the vaulted ceiling:
All else plays second fiddle to the view of the magnificent skies here:
Here’s a look at a master bedroom with tall, built-in cabinetry that provide a serene, uncluttered feel to the furnishings:
The smokey tones, linear patterns, and clean aesthetic continue in the master bath:
Here’s a second bedroom and bath:
And the ubiquitous bunkroom:
Space efficient with more built-in storage and seating:
Snow activities generate lots of laundry. The utility room here has a nautical feel, narrow with a bench handy to sit upon while shucking boots and snow gear. Access to hiking, biking, and ski trails is close at hand:
And, here’s a look at artist’s renderings of more compact cabins under development in the Moonlight Basin area. The plan below,
Ulery’s Lake Cabins Floor Plan 2, is a two-bedroom, three-bath, 1,389-square-foot home. The main level has a master suite separated from the open living area by the entry way. The elevated rear deck expands the living space. The lower level houses a guest bedroom and bath and a media/bunkroom.
Modern, clean lines define the kitchen and dining area. Surfaces are durable and easy care: Naya Umi white gloss Japanese tiles, soapstone counters, and plank character grade white oak flooring. The kitchen appointments include full flush overlay flat panel cabinetry, Kohler sink, Moen faucet, and stainless steel Bosch refrigerator, electric range and vent hood, and Bosch dishwasher finished with cabinetry panel. Contemporary pendant lamps and track lighting accent the decor and illuminate the space.
The tall ceiling is covered in knotty pine. Natural-toned seating and large windows wrap the great room, made
hygge with a Morso wood stove.
Hello. I’m in very preliminary stages of what it will cost to build a small modern cabin (800-1400 sq ft).
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