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Where Families Gather in the world’s only private ski and golf community
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Yellowstone Club is permanently fixed for a mere 864 residential properties on over 13,500 scenic Yellowstone acres. Membership available by invitation only.
By Edward F. Pazdur, Chairman & CEO
Tom Weiskopf, who designed the golf course, describes it as the most scenic
course you will ever play. There are 2,000 acres of trails, 12 lifts, and 400 inches of premium powder each year; and a vertical drop of over 2,800 feet. |
Big Sky, Montana: "Yellowstone Club is unique," said Founder Tim Blixseth, "because Mother Nature has made it possible for us to couple a spectacular golf course and 400 inches of premium powder, each year, on 13,500 breath-taking acres. It's a dream come true for golfers, skiers, retirees, and second home owners.
"It's also a one-of-a-kind place where families really get together as cohesive units," said Blixseth. "It's where they play, laugh, and enjoy one another. It's a precious time with a lifetime of memories."
Yellowstone Club (YC), founded in 2000, is the world's largest and only private ski and golf residential community. YC's 13,500 scenic acres occupy all of two mountains, named Pioneer and Eglise, near the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park in Montana. It's pricey, private and luxurious.
We Are In No Hurry
"We have a current membership of over 300," said Blixseth, "and when 864 properties are sold, there will be no more. That's only 864 residential properties on over 13,500 acres. We are in no hurry. We are not velocity driven.
"If twenty new members join within one month, so be it. If twenty join within one year, so be it. Quality counts, not quantity," he said. "We offer state-of-the-art amenities, an extraordinary Kids' Camp, ultra-gourmet and casual dining, rustic design themes, a grand Clubhouse, a magnificent 130,000 square-foot Lodge with 21 luxury condos, restaurants and shops, a great variety of homes and homesite options and a world-class Yellowstone JetCenter in nearby Bozeman," said Blixseth.
First Tee Elevation:
Eight Thousand Feet!
It took golf course designer and PGA Tour superstar, Tom Weiskopf, four years to build YC's course because of weather, soil, rocks, and access to certain areas. Backtracking efforts to get materials into place, at an elevation of 7,500, was challenging. Weiskopf proudly recalls that awesome view when he and Tim Blixseth stood on the 1st tee and saw the entire 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and part of the 4th hole. "Gosh, the first tee is over 8,000 feet in elevation.
"You'll find the 9th hole interesting. It has two fairways approaching two greens on the same hole. The fairways are divided by bunkers in the middle and have different elevations. You have a high fairway on the left and a low fairway on the right. The left fairway is narrow and makes it more challenging to hit, but it rewards you with an easier shot to the green.
"It's a very nice members' course," he said, "by not being overly long, not overly difficult, and with a lot of opportunities to make pars and birdies."
"A whole lot depends on your definition of not overly," I joshed.
"Yes," he laughed, "but the purpose of golf at YC is the satisfaction and enjoyment of club members and their guests. The bunkering is traditional, greens vary in size and the contours are modest. I have added some risk-reward factors as well," said Weiskopf.
Why Skiers Will Love Yellowstone
"YC has over 60 private powder trails that drop 2,700 vertical feet over more than 2,200 acres of skiable terrain," boasts Hank Kashiwa, the 1962 US National Ski Racing Champion, 1972 Olympics Champion, and 1975 World Pro Skiing Champion. He is now YC's engaging vice president of marketing.
YC currently has 60 ski runs, of which 15 percent are designed for beginners, 55 percent for intermediate and 30 percent for expert skiers. Top elevation is 9,860 feet.
"Another seven ski lifts will be added to the seven now in operation," said Kashiwa, "plus more ski-in/ski-out sites and 1,800 more acres of skiable terrain before the end of this decade to eventually provide over 4,000 skiable acres.
"We have our own staff of ski instructors, mountain guides, professional ski patrols, and best of all," added Kashiwa, "you'll find less than 100 skiers on a typical day and no ski lift tickets are required."
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The kids will soon have their own space, a state-of-the-art Kids’ Camp with nannies, a kitchen and movie theater. |
Yellowstone JetCenter
Jet setters are invited to use YC's JetCenter located at nearby Gallatin Field's Executive Terminal in Bozeman, Montana. It's a short, scenic drive of 50 miles to YC in Big Sky, Montana, from Bozeman.
The JetCenter offers a pilot's lounge, a passenger's lounge, weather/flight planning rooms, 'snooze rooms,' and private showers.
It also provides concierge services, wireless Internet access, fuel, interior and exterior cleaning, heated hangars, lavatory, oxygen and nitrogen servicing, a heated de-icing truck, rental cars, and factory-trained technicians for all types of aircraft.
For more information you may phone toll free 800-700-5381, or e-mail info@ysjet.com, or visit the web site: yellowstonejets.com.
A Superstar Honcho At The Helm
YC Founder Tim Blixseth proudly announced his coup, the employment of Dieter Huckestein as president and CEO of Yellowstone Club and Yellowstone Club World on March 8, 2006. His quiet demeanor and vast global responsibilities at the Hilton Corporation is a perfect match for the growing Blixseth global recreational/residential empire.
Huckestein managed Hilton's giant portfolio of over 400 full-service hotels that produced over $5 billion in revenue. His awesome experience assures YC members of an efficient execution of Blixseth's promises and commitments.
Many Home Opportunity Options
"Take your pick," says Charlie Callander, vice president of sales. "There's something for everyone. Ski-in/ski-out homesites are priced from $1.25 million; on-mountain chalets from $3.9 million; view homesites from $800,000; lodges from $3.5 million; private ranches from $8 million; and single family, custom residences from $2.85 million. Our cabins, intended for use by overflow guests or residents' special needs, are not for sale.
"Or, you might be interested in our 53,000 square-foot wood mansion, now under construction and priced at $155 million," surmised Callander. "Design work on our imposing Clubhouse has been completed and we've started construction. It will be every bit as spectacular as our Warren Miller Lodge."
A magnificent 130,000 square-foot Lodge has been built and named after ski icon Warren Miller, now retired. |
Never A Dull Moment
Yellowstone Club is fun. Bill Griffon, vice president of operations and general manager, says fabulous golf, skiing and trout fishing experiences are a gimme."What's more important," said Griffon, "will be our state-of-the-art Kids' Camp.
"The kids will have their own nannies, their own movie theater, and their own kitchen in which to make their own hot dogs and hamburgers. We've changed it from a baby-sitting service to a truly youth services program.
"Parents can now have all the free time they need to do what they want, whenever they want, knowing their children are happy, safe, and under professional care," vaunted Griffon.
"Sure, we have international celebrities here and they could be a distraction. However, celebrity status gets deposited at the gate and picked up upon departure. Privacy prevails here and it's appreciated by everyone, especially celebrities," said Griffon.
Membership Available By Invitation Only.
For additional information about Yellowstone Club membership and its amenities, please phone toll free (888) 700-7748 or visit yellowstoneclub.com.
Why an invitation to Tim Blixseth's birthday gala is society's hottest ticket.
Tim at home in Tamarindo
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Guests poolside at Tim’s house |
Massage hut |
Piano Bar anchored
near the restaurant |
Costalegre, Mexico: You may ask, why give a birthday party for three days, let alone one that's thousands of miles away. You'll understand only if you know Tim Blixseth's flair for life. "I try to do it every year," said Blixseth. "It's a gathering of very eclectic friends and associates from the world of music and business."
"Of all the eminent, world-wide, properties in your portfolio," I asked, "why did you chose your Tamarindo Resort in Mexico for your 57th birthday [April 28] this year?"
"Because," he laughed, "Tamarindo is about as close to heaven as I think I may get."
And for good reason. Tamarindo is in Mexico's jungle, on the beach just north of Puerto Vallarta. It's small, luxurious, and intimate with 5-star service; sumptuous, oceanside villas with private pools and saunas facing the beach wherein you can laze about; sleep in; go barefoot everywhere all day; get a massage in a beach hut; enjoy great golf; hear and smell the ocean; eat creative Mexican food; and mingle with celebrities.
Blixseth's love of music inspired him to write and record "Heart of America" with a 90 piece orchestra that was performed on October 19, 2005 on NBC's Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. "It's a song that embodies the best this country has to give," said Blixseth.
The only downside after Blixseth's birthday party, shared by all of his guests was: three days was not nearly long enough.
Tim singing |
David Foster |
Tim singing with Eric Bonet |
Chorus girls dancing |
Tim with Eric Dickerson |
Carolyn and Fred
Wheeler |
Bruce Erickson and Gail MacNaughton |
Melanie and Charlie
Callander |
Hank Kashiwa and
Corinne Richardson |
General Manager
Alex Moya |
Fireworks display |
Watching the fireworks |
Tim Blixseth: A Distinguished Philanthropist
Tim Blixseth, Rosalynn Carter, former President Jimmy Carter,
and Jessica Kircher, spending the day building the 1,000th
Habitat for Humanity home in the delta area of the hurricanes. |
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The Pledge 2005: Blixseth appeared on NBC-TV’s Today Show in 2005, following Katrina, and pledged to build 1,000 homes and provide $100 million to help Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry, devoted to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness for families in need.
The Result 2007: On May 21, 2007, Blixseth reappeared on the Today Show and reported 1,002 homes built; plus over $140 million and counting had been raised to date. He started the fund with a personal donation of $2 million.
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The Perfect Ten Destinations
1. Big Sky, Montana: Yellowstone Club, the world’s only private golf and ski community on two mountains with 2,200 skiable acres and 11 ski lifts, together with a championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf.
2. Paris, France: Experience the lifestyle of French aristocracy at an incredibly restored chateau built on 1,200 acres in 1290, located 25 miles southeast of Paris. It offers suites, indoor pools, Turkish baths, and a huge array of amenities.
3. On Mexico’s Costalegre, Mexico: El Tamarindo, the area’s most luxurious resort is located (three hours) south of Puerto Vallarta, situated on 2,040 acres of lush, unspoiled, tropical forest and fronted by over two miles of beach, golf, a spa, and thatched-roof bungalows.
4. Palm Springs, California: The Oasis, a 647-acre enclave under construction and forthcoming is an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, a spa, an equestrian center, a lake for water sports and homesites.
5. St. Andrews, Scotland: Saint Andrews International Golf Club, adjacent to historic St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf. Enjoy traditional stone cottages and a planned 18-hole course designed by Tom Weiskopf. There will be 80 bedrooms and a small clubhouse.
6. Cody, Wyoming: Experience the “Old West” while visiting this working ranch on 3,248 acres, with two private lakes, in the heart of Buffalo Bill country, offering horseback riding, fishing, and hiking.
7. Planes, Boats and Things.
8. Tahiti: ?
9. Turks & Caicos Islands: Private island with a magnificent, new ten-bedroom estate; marina; spa; and swimming grotto.
10. A permanently secret location.
For more information, phone toll free: (877) YCW-7700; or e-mail ycwmembership@ycwemail.com, or you may visit www.yellowstoneclubworld.com.
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