Crosscut closes deal to buy Trapper’s Cabin Ranch south of Big Sky

By Melissa Loveridge; Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Crosscut Mountain Sports Center last week closed on a deal to buy the historic 640-acre Trapper’s Cabin Ranch south of Big Sky, with plans to create year-round outdoor programs serving groups including veterans and at-risk youth while maintaining trails and facilities on the land.

“Our current offerings (in Bridger Canyon) make for these great after-work skis or Saturday morning family mountain biking,” said Jenn Adams, the communications director at Crosscut. “One of our visions with Trapper’s Canyon Ranch is to take the adventure between people and nature to the next level, to provide a little bit more of an immersive Montana experience.”

Crosscut, a nonprofit that owns and maintains a trail system and Nordic ski area in Bridger Canyon, closed on the deal with the longtime owners of the property, the Martin family, on April 30. The Martins have owned the property since purchasing it from Dr. Caroline McGill, a co-founder of the Museum of the Rockies, in the 1960s.

Give Big to Crosscut's Youth Programming

Give Big Gallatin Valley is coming up on May 6 - 7th. During this day long giving celebration, Crosscut is raising funds to help keep the cost of our youth programming accessible to community members.

Here are some ways you can get involved and invest in creating more smiles at Crosscut:

Donate. Please pitch in what you can. Each and every donation is greatly appreciated and put to good use!

Sponsor a Match Challenge: Join super cool humans like our Blue Coat Ambassadors, Alpenglow Family Dentistry and CLB Architects by sponsoring a donor matching ‘challenge’. Support Crosscut and motivate donors, whose donation is doubled during the challenge!

Share and share alike. Online days of giving are successful because of YOU. Help us grow our network by spreading the news with your network and ask your friends to do the same.

Be socially (media) active. Use your social media networks: post on Facebook, tweet about Give Big Gallatin Valley, and share your love for Crosscut and your other passions, whether it’s education, health care, the environment, or the arts. Ask others to do the same! Healthy peer pressure here.

Many hands make light(er) work. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank you.

Humbled to be Part of Our Community

Crosscut is a part of so many Bozemanites’ day-to-day routines. We are grateful to be your mountain recreation center, one that is welcoming to all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were in the midst of hosting the NCAA Championships which abruptly ended as we pondered “now what?” with so many of you. The Crosscut team knew that we had a unique opportunity to be there for the community that has been there for us, day after day.

Spring News at Crosscut!

So much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to. Read about our winter season wrap up, summer program offerings and plans to expand into the Taylor Fork. Find the updates here. And, PS — remember Crosscut when it’s time to Give Big so we can continue developing our youth programming!

Crosscut is hiring an Educator for Summer Programs!

Crosscut Mountain Sports Center is seeking to hire enthusiastic educators for our Summer Education Program team. Our program strives to provide an inclusive and accessible opportunity for children to explore and learn about the natural world. Additionally, we work to provide an educational experience, learning through exploration and hands-on activities. This job is very active and requires instructors to be comfortable hiking with a backpack and able to be outside with students for 6+ hours.

Ski the (virtual) Birkie at Crosscut!

In Bozeman but want to ski the Birkie? Here’s a course to ski at Crosscut. No course markings so bring the map to be prepared for the most fun. Skier policies, including trail etiquette apply.

For details relating to the Virtual Birkie, go here. Now get out there and have some fun!

FREE, Live & Online Avalanche Awareness Discussions

The Friends of the Avalanche Center will offer FREE 1-hr Avalanche Awareness Talks in partnership with Crosscut Mountain Sports Center. The talks will be live, ONLINE events. One class is geared toward adults and one is geared toward high school students. See below for details. Topics covered include: avalanche terrain recognition, the effect weather has on avalanche hazard, the development of the mountain snowpack, decision making skills, and basic search and rescue procedures. For more information, please contact friendsofgnfac@gmail.com.

Two Chances to Know Before You Go:

Wednesday March 24th at 6pm - For Adults

Join Zoom Meeting: "Know Before You Go" Avalanche Awareness Talk
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86441561955?pwd=b21WbXFKRTdWNUc1THlKZ3dGL0RIZz09
Meeting ID: 864 4156 1955
Passcode: 423950

Monday March 29th at 6pm PM - For High School Students
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86583484231?pwd=RmdLL042VUJVZU9zRlZiMWxhTkJUZz09

Sunday Trail Closures - 2/21/21

On Sunday, the Biathlon program participants are hosting a training event which will lead to trail closures near the range and Jane’s Gate. See the map below for details and plan your route accordingly. Closures begin at 8am, last throughout the day, and will also be marked on the trails.

From Lots B & C - access to outer trails via Crosscut return and Five Rings. From Lot A, access outer trails from Crosscut Return and Five Rings above the pumphouse.

Please respect trail closures and signage so we can host safe and high quality events for our youth and adult biathletes. Thanks!