TL;DR
Big Sky Resort's sale of 125 Explorer 2 chairs raises $162,600 for three local nonprofits, showcasing community support and marking the end of the historic lift's 51-year service.
Big Sky Resort's Chair Sale Raises Funds for Local Nonprofits
Big Sky Resort in Montana has successfully raised $162,600 through the sale of 125 chairs from its retiring Explorer 2 lift. The funds will be distributed equally among three local nonprofit organisations: Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Gallatin River Task Force, and Wellness in Action, with each receiving $54,200.
The online sale, which took place on March 20, 2025, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the community. All chairs were sold within 30 minutes, demonstrating strong local support for both the resort and the benefiting organisations. The Explorer 2 chairlift, which had been in operation for 51 years since the resort's opening in 1973, was retired on March 30.
Troy Nedved, president and COO of Big Sky Resort, expressed pride in the community's response, noting that the chairs represent a significant part of the resort's history. The sale not only allows skiers to own a piece of this history but also contributes to important local causes.
