GOING GREEN UNDER THE BIG SKY
Outriders Present is committed to the Whitefish community and is thrilled to roll out our green initiatives for Under the Big Sky Festival. Please read more about our efforts and how you can help us make the event—and our community—sustainable for years to come.
Recycling, Composting, & Material Recovery
Under the Big Sky wants to challenge conventional behavior around material waste. Through a partnership with Citizens for a Better Flathead and their WasteNot Project, our team will be collecting, sorting, and recovering materials for reuse, recycling, and organics composting. Do your part by depositing your waste correctly in one of our three-stream recovery stations, and use the QR code at each station to learn more about what is and is not recyclable locally:
- iPhone: Simply point your camera at the QR code
- Android: Download a free QR code app and follow the instructions
Additionally, each vendor and sponsor will be given a guide to decrease their waste impacts to align with local material recovery infrastructure.
Hydration
There is a free water refill station located in the middle of the festival for you to stay hydrated in the summer heat. Please bring your own empty reusable bottle under 24 ounces and fill ‘er up!
In partnership with Path Water, there will be no plastic water bottles sold on site. If you leave your bottle at home, we will be selling water in reusable (and infinitely recyclable) aluminum bottles.
Water Resources
Water resources in Montana are under threat, and Under the Big Sky is supporting local watersheds to ensure healthy and sustainable ecosystems. We will be making a 200,000 gallon donation to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s (BEF) Prickly Pear Creek Flow Restoration Project near Helena, about 200 miles from Big Mountain Ranch. We hope to raise awareness about this critical resource and continue to find opportunities to grow this initiative!
Transportation
Alternative transportation is strongly encouraged! Shuttles, ride shares (Uber/Lyft), carpool, and biking will all be available at the event:
- We are offering shuttles running between the festival and Depot Park in Whitefish through the duration of the event. Uber and Lyft are also available in the area, as well as local transportation options, which can be found here.
- You can find detailed parking instructions for all forms of transportation here. If you are driving, carpooling saves money and reduces our emissions!
- We will have secure places to lock up your bicycle in both of our parking lots. The total trip from Whitefish is only 3.2 miles to the ranch, so roughly a 15-minute bike ride. Save money and work on those summer body goals!
Energy
If your phone is drained, charge up without feeling down. Oscillation Transia will be providing a solar-powered charging station onsite that will get you and your phone back on track!
As 2019 will be the first ever Under the Big Sky Festival, we will be tracking our carbon emissions to understand how we can further decrease our environmental impacts and support local clean energy efforts.
Attendee Engagement
Flathead County is a stunning corner of our country, and it is worth protecting. We are excited to learn how we can continue improving our event and how we can address local environmental resources. Come find our friends at Climate Smart Glacier Country, give them your thoughts on our sustainability efforts, and learn how you can continue supporting community efforts after our weekend together!
VIP Tickets:
- 21+ only
- VIP Parking
- VIP Viewing Areas (main stage pit access)
- VIP Barn and Beer Garden
- Upgraded Restrooms
Group VIP Tickets:
- 21+ only
- 15 VIP passes
- VIP parking
- VIP access (viewing areas, barn, beer garden)
- Upgraded Restrooms
- Private tent/lounge
- Shuttle transport to/from Whitefish
- Catered menu (custom curation available)
- Host/Server
Alcohol not included with VIP or Group VIP.
Getting Here
Glacier Park International Airport is only 15 minutes away and offers direct flights from major cities.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder arrives twice-daily at the historic Whitefish Railway Depot from Chicago and Minneapolis to the east and Portland and Seattle from the west.
Driving from any direction takes you through some of the most scenic landscapes in the country.
Shuttles
Under the Big Sky is happy to provide shuttles in Whitefish. Shuttles will be running from 11 AM until Midnight on both days of the festival, July 13 & 14. They will be running continuously throughout the day and available on a first come, first serve basis. Please plan accordingly and note that travel and pick up/drop off times will vary each day.
The shuttle locations are:
Depot Park
510 Railway St, Whitefish, MT 59937
Ski Lodge
3889 Big Mountain Rd
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact howdy@underthebigskyfest.com.
Lodging
Bigfork, MT
Bridge Street Cottages – 32.8 miles – 45 min.
Flathead Lake Resort – 36.9 miles – 50 min.
Flathead Lake Suites – 3 7.6 miles – 52 min.
The Islander Inn – 37.4 miles – 52 min
Marina Cay – 32.3 miles – 45 min
Timbers Motel Travelodge by Wyndham – 32.6 miles – 45 min
Swan River Inn – 32.5 miles – 44 min
Columbia Falls, MT
Glacier Basecamp Lodge – 8.7 miles – 16 min.
Meadow Lake Resort – 4.8 miles – 10 min.
The Reclusive Moose Cabins -16.5 miles – 27 min.
Silverwolf Log Chalet Resort – 17.5 miles – 27 min.
Smoky Bear Ranch – 16.4 miles – 26 min.
Travel Inn – Glacier – 8.8 miles – 16 min.
Coram, MT
Evergreen Motel – 16.5 miles – 28 min.
Under Canvas Glacier – 18.1 miles – 28 min.
10% off July 12, 13, 14, or 15 with code: UTBS
Hungry Horse, MT
Mini Golden Inns Motel – 13.5 miles – 24 min.
Historic Tamarack Lodge & Cabins – 15.0 miles – 26 min.
Timber Wolf Resort – 14.0 miles – 23 min.
Check out rates at multiple hotels in Kalispell courtesy of Discover Kalispell:
www.
Kalispell, MT
Aero Inn – 18.9 miles – 33 min.
America’s Best Value Inn – 15.9 miles – 25 min.
Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn And Suites – 25.8 miles – 39 min.
Blue And White Motel – 17.2 miles – 28 min.
Country Inn & Suites – 9.1 miles – 15 min.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites – 18.7 miles – 32 min.
FairBridge Inn & Suites – 18.4 miles – 32 min.
Glacier Ridge Suites – 16.6 miles – 26 min.
Greenwood Village Inn & Suites – 16.7 miles – 27 min.
FairBridge Inn & Suites – 18.4 miles – 32 min.
Hampton Inn – 18.9 miles – 28 min.
Hilton Garden Inn – 19.0 miles – 33 min.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites – 15.4 miles – 23 min.
Homewood Suites by Hilton – 15.8 miles – 25 min.
Kalispell Grand Hotel – 17.7 miles – 28 min.
Motel 6 – 18.7 miles – 32 min.
My Place Hotel – 16.3 miles – 25 min.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham – 16.2 miles – 25 min.
Quality Inn Big Sky – 18.1 miles – 29 min.
Red Lion Hotel – 17.6 miles – 30 min.
SpringHill Suits by Marriott – 15.7 miles – 24 min.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott – 4.5 miles – 11 min.
Super 8 by Wyndham – 18.4 miles – 32 min.
Travelodge by Wyndham – 17.8 miles – 28 min.
Somers, MT
Somer’s Bay Log Cabin lodging – 27.4 miles – 42 min.
West Glacier, MT
Glacier Guides Lodging – 21.8 miles – 35 min.
Whitefish, MT [Low Availability]
Grouse Mountain Lodge – 4.7 miles – 10 min.
Camping
Is there camping on site?
Unfortunately there is no on site camping at Under the Big Sky this year, but there are plenty of lodging and camping options in the area right here.
Can I leave my car overnight in the parking lot?
While we don’t encourage you to park overnight, the safety of our fans is our number one priority and we will not be towing any vehicles. Remember that there are plenty of shuttles, taxis, and ride share options to and from the event.
For additional camping and/or RV options, please follow the below links to make a reservation, request a permit, or get more information on various campsites within the area.
Getting Around
Once in Whitefish, getting around is easy. Ride a bike, take a free ride on the S.N.O.W. Bus, or grab a local taxi, Uber, or Lyft. For festival attendees staying at Whitefish Mountain Resort, shuttles will make regular trips between the resort and Big Mountain Ranch. The ranch is located just 3.2 miles from downtown Whitefish.
Things To Do
From Downtown Whitefish:
– Head east on 2nd St/E Second St
– Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Columbia Ave
– Turn left onto 10th St
– Turn right onto Park Ave
– Turn left onto Voerman Rd
– GA Parking will be on your left
From Columbia Falls:
– Head west on Hwy 2
– Continue straight onto MT-40 W
– Turn right onto Dillon Rd
– Dillon Rd turns left and becomes Voerman Rd
– GA Parking is located on your right
From Glacier Park International Airport:
– Turn left (North) onto US-2 E
– Turn left onto MT-40 W
– Turn right onto Dillon Rd
– Dillon Rd turns left and becomes Voerman Rd
– GA Parking is located on your right
From Kalispell:
– From Hwy 93, head north and make a right on Hwy 40
– From Hwy 2, head north and make a left on Hwy 40
– Turn north onto Dillon Rd
– Dillon Rd turns left and becomes Voerman Rd
– GA Parking is located on your right
From Bigfork:
– Head north on MT-35 W
– Turn right onto Montana Hwy 206
– Turn left onto US-2
– Continue straight onto MT-40 W
– Turn right onto Dillon Rd
– Dillon Rd turns left and becomes Voerman Rd
– GA Parking is located on your right
RIDE SHARE, BUS DROP OFF/PICK UP, & VIP PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
From Whitefish:
– Head east on 2nd St/E Second St
– Turn right onto E Edgewood Dr
– Follow Edgewood Dr until you see signs for the Parking Lot & Drop Off on your right
From Columbia Falls:
– Head west on US-2 W
– Turn right onto Halfmoon Rd
– Halfmoon Rd becomes E Edgewood Dr
– Continue onto E Edgewood Dr
– Follow Edgewood Dr until you see signs for the Parking Lot & Drop Off on your left
From Glacier Park International Airport:
– Head north on US-2 E
– Continue straight onto Halfmoon Rd
– Halfmoon Rd becomes E Edgewood Dr
– Continue onto E Edgewood Dr
– Follow Edgewood Dr until you see signs for the Parking Lot & Drop Off on your left
From Kalispell:
– From Hwy 93, head north and turn right on Hwy 40
– From Hwy 2, head north
– Continue straight onto Halfmoon Rd
– Halfmoon Rd becomes E Edgewood Dr
– Continue onto E Edgewood Dr
– Follow Edgewood Dr until you see signs for the Parking Lot & Drop Off on your left
From Bigfork:
– Head north on Hwy 35
– Turn right onto Montana Hwy 206
– Turn left onto US-2
– Turn right onto Halfmoon Rd
– Halfmoon Rd becomes E Edgewood Dr
– Continue onto E Edgewood Dr
– Follow Edgewood Dr until you see signs for the Parking Lot & Drop Off on your left
What Can I Bring?
We want to ensure that your time at the ranch is comfortable and safe. Here’s what you can bring:
- Cell phones
- Bug Spray
- Non-professional cameras
- Medium backpacks/purses (18x13x8 or smaller)
- Blankets/towels
- Sunscreen (contents to be checked at entry, limited to 4oz)
- Sealed gum
- Sealed chapstick
- Sealed lipstick
- Sealed eyedrops
- Sealed makeup
- Empty 24oz (or less reusable water bottle)
Heavily Encouraged:
- GoPros (w/o sticks)
- Sunglasses
- Good times
Prohibited items:
- Pets
- Onsite RV parking
- Totems
- Hula hoops
- Drugs / drug paraphernalia
- CamelBaks / bladders (water stations provided + one empty 24oz (or less) empty reusable water bottles (Please make sure your bottle is EMPTY to expedite entry into the festival)
- Large backpacks (under 18x13x8 inches OK)
- Glass bottles or containers
- Outside food / drink
- Weapons of any kind
- Laser pointers
- Selfie sticks
- Audio recording devices
- Professional photo / video cameras
- Drones
- Umbrellas (parasols ok)
- Makeup (sealed makeup OK)
- Chalk, markers, sharpies
- Chains / chain wallets
- Stickers / flyers / solicitations
- Cleated shoes