RESORT COMMUNITIES TURN TO ADVENTURE SPORTS TO LURE NEW RESIDENTS
In Big Sky, Mont., Moonlight Basin is a veritable outdoor playground all year round. One of the biggest draws for home buyers in the 25,000-acre community is skiing. The community has sold 400 homesites, condos and homes with ski-in, ski-out access to the adjacent Big Sky Resort and its 300 pistes threading 5,850 acres of skiable terrain.
Kurt and Lynn Kelley, who live in Texas, bought a second home to use primarily as a ski residence. “We like this mountain because it’s very challenging if you’re an advanced skier and it’s not typically busy,” Mr. Kelley said. “It’s like Colorado was 25 years ago. More big animals and fewer people.”
In summer, the Kelleys play the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. “It’s a difficult course, but it has spectacular views with lots of wildlife spotting, including moose, eagles, bears and the occasional wolverine,” Mr. Kelley said.
“Also, members’ dogs are allowed to join them while they play; it’s such a friendly community,” added Ms. Kelley, who has also taken fly-fishing lessons through the community’s Moonlight Outfitters.
The couple owns one of the condominiums, which start at a little under $2 million, while vacant lots are priced from $3.4 million and single-family homes are on sale for $7.5 million. New One&Only branded residences range from 3,700 square feet to 5,700 square feet, and — due to their size and architectural features, and the privileges homeowners get at One&Only properties worldwide — start at $9 million. Club memberships with golf require a $150,000 deposit and annual dues of $16,500.
“We pretty much have all the animals you would find in Yellowstone National Park with the exception of buffalo,” said Greg Wagner, assistant general manager at Moonlight Basin. He added that 17,000 acres of the development is protected by a conservation easement.
Mr. Wagner said that in winter, snow tubing, ice skating, fat-tire biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are popular among residents. During warmer months, golf, archery, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, mountain biking and a 15-station clay-shooting course keep residents busy.
“We often hear from our homeowners that there are so many activities they can share with their children and grandchildren,” he said. “There really is something for everyone, in every season.”
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