Living Big Sky

One ski trip is all it took to get Kevin Chartier hooked on the Montana lifestyle. His wife Jennifer soon joined in his enthusiasm for Big Sky Country, and they knew it would be the perfect place to raise their 2-year-old son, Santiago. Kevin is ditching his suit, and the corporate life in downtown Pittsburg, for his dream job as a ski patroller for the Yellowstone Club. So, Kevin and his family are looking for a new home in nearby Gallatin Gateway, Montana. With a budget between $700,000 and $750,000, the Chartiers are hoping to find a home with easy access to nearby trails, with enough space for a home office for Jennifer, and a big garage for the snowy Montana winters. Finding a house to fit their needs may not be a problem, but will the wildlife right outside their front door be too close for comfort?

Tyler Kirk is bringing his family, wife Maggie and baby Landry, back to his Montana roots, where they can't wait to take advantage of Big Sky Country's great outdoors. They're narrowing their house search to the Missoula area, near Tyler's family, and his new job as a construction manager. Coming from southern California, the Kirks are hoping to get a whole lot of house with their $650,000 budget in Montana. They're looking for a home with lots of land, an open floor plan, and a workshop for Tyler. While local real estate agent, Travis McLean Leitch, finds some amazing houses for Tyler and Maggie, the commute might put a damper in their enthusiasm.

Sacha and Chad Troutwine have a baby on the way, and they're ready to move miles away from the big city of L.A. to raise their new family in Big Sky Country. Luckily, Sacha's cousin Trecie Wheat Hughes is a real estate agent in Montana, so she's guiding them in their search for the perfect family home. Having grown up in Alaska and Missouri, Sacha and Chad developed a love of the outdoors and animals at a young age. In fact, part of their Big Sky dream involves creating an animal sanctuary. So they'll need a property with lots of space for their growing family, human and animal. With a budget of $2.5 - 3.5 million, Sacha and Chad are confident they'll find their dream home in Montana. While every home they visit is chock full of the rustic Montana charm they love, finding a property where they can also house livestock proves to be a bigger challenge than expected.

One ski trip and Andrew Arthur was hooked on the resort town of Big Sky, Montana. So when he met his wife, Christy, during their residency in orthopediac surgery, he knew one day his family would find a place there. Now these orthopedic surgeons are moving from Minnesota to Big Sky, so they can get away from their hectic schedules and spend quality family time with their twins, Callie and Campbell. With a budget of $600,000 to $800,000, they're hoping for something that's ski-in/ski-out, but the further up the mountain, the more expensive the real estate. Will they find something close to the resort – or will they be willing to drive to get a bigger place for family and friends? But the one must-have – bunkbeds for the kids.

Best friends Melanie Knobel and Trecie Wheat Hughes went their separate ways after high school in Texas: Melanie to New York City and Trecie to gorgeous Livingston, Montana. After the Knobel family spent a dream vacation with Trecie in her new home town, they're pulling up the stakes in Staten Island and putting down roots in Big Sky Country. The Knobel family of five is psyched to get away from the big city crowds to enjoy horseback riding, fishing and other adventures in Montana's wide open spaces. Retired firefighter Tommy Knobel wants lots of space for his East Coast family to visit, while Melanie wants to step out the back door to fish and play. With a budget of $750,000 and since Trecie's also a real estate agent, they'll tour everything from a custom home on a creek and a fixer upper on the Yellowstone River to a piece of land with an amazing view where they can build their dream home. But which one will they choose?

Benjamin Randall is looking to expand his ski business, and what bettar place to do it than in Big Sky country! So he and his girlfriend, Megan Belida, are leaving southern California for a fresh start in southwest Montana. Ben, an avid skier and pilot in training, fell in love with everything Montana, and Megan can't wait to take advantage of Montana's outdoorsy lifestyle, especially Montana's premiere fishing rivers. With a budget of $500,000 to $1,000,000, they're looking for a home with beautiful Montana views, and plenty of space. But while Ben is all about the acreage, Megan wants a kitchen fit for a cook. Will they choose a sprawling Montana property where Ben can put his pilot's license to use, or sacrifice some acreage for a better price?

For Wisconsin natives Wendy and Travis Gavinski, the decision to purchase a second home in Montana meant more snow, outdoor fun, and a perfect place to grow Wendy's burgeoning business in snow gear. And what better place than Montana to test her gear! The Gavinskis also want their kids, Kylie and Max, to experience the outdoors in a way only Montana has to offer. For the Gavinski family, a property with direct access to the outdoors is paramount. They're looking for a log cabin style home big enough for the whole family, with easy access to riding trails, a view of the mountains, and a separate out building to store all of their toys. Travis is into the idea of a fixer-upper or a new build, while Wendy is confident she can make the most out of any property.

City folks Neal and Valarie Andrews are saying bye-bye to Brooklyn, and hello to Bozeman. After visiting Neal's sister in Bozeman, they knew it was the perfect place to raise their two sons, Dax and Emmett, away from the hustle and bustle of New York. So the Andrews are packing up their pint-sized apartment and moving across the country. While Neal, an outdoor enthusiast, is excited to ice climb, hike, and experience everything Montana, Val is a little more apprehensive about the wildlife that surrounds these activities. What they can agree on is their excitement over all of the extra space they'll have in their new Montana home, including finally being able to have a backyard.

Native Montanan Lindsey has convinced her husband, Jim, to sell their condo in downtown Chicago and head west. Now that their son Connor is two, they want to move to a scenic area with plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking and skiing. With a budget up to $700,000, the family is hoping to find the perfect property that highlights Montana's beauty and charm.

Justin and Megan Murray are trading in the ocean view of Dover, New Hampshire, for their own slice of paradise in Big Sky Country. Megan, a native of Missoula, traded in her cowboy boots and moved out east with Justin. Four years and two children later, Megan and Justin are craving the simplicity and wilderness of Montana. So they're taking their kids, Hazel and Warren, out west to get back to Megan's roots and find the perfect adventure-lover's paradise! With a budget of $700,000, the Murrays are looking for a fixer-upper big enough for the whole family, close to skiing and hiking and on a property with a gorgeous scenic view. In Big Sky Country, there's no shortage of beautiful views.