The Big Sky Chapter of SWMMBA, also known as The Trail Dogs, was established in 2020 to provide strong local leadership and advocacy for mountain biking within the Big Sky community. The Trail Dogs focus on maintaining well-loved routes, while simultaneously working hard to build thrilling new flow and tech trails in the Big Sky region.
With over 75 members, a passionate and engaged Board of Directors, and access to hundreds of miles of trail, the Big Sky Chapter plays a key role in nurturing and expanding the mountain biking scene in Southwest Montana.
Ways to get involved
The Trail Dogs provide a variety of ways to get involved with the work we do around the community. Stay up to date with all that’s going on by joining The Trail Dogs newsletter!
Trail Days
The Events Calendar and Social Media are the best way to get the most up to date info about trail days!
Mountain To Meadow Trail Days - plan to meet at the Huff’s Trek trailhead; look for the white box trailer and Hank the Dog.
May 23rd 11am to 4pm
May 27th 5pm to 8pm
May 28th 5pm to 8pm
June 7th 8am to 12:30pm - National Trails Day in collaboration with Big Sky Community Organization. Meet at the Big Sky Community Park. We will be working on the new Uplands Flow trail.
Hank (red heeler) and Buck (black and white doggie)
Donate
Every donation—big or small—helps make our work possible.
As a community-supported group, The Trail Dogs rely on your generosity to build new trails, purchase tools for maintenance, host community events, feed our amazing volunteers, and much more.
If you’re interested in sponsoring The Trail Dogs or want to learn more about how your support can make an impact, please reach out to our president, Kevin Daily: kevin.daily@southwestmontanamba.org
Events
National Trails Day - June 7th 8am to 12:30pm
In collaboration with Big Sky Community Organization, we will be doing trail work on the new Uplands Flow Trail! Meet at the Big Sky Community Park at 8am, with lunch to follow around 12:30pm. Please register for this event at this link.
Summer Bike Bash at Copper City - May 31st, 9am
Come kick off the summer bike season at the Copper City Trails. There will be clinics from Ride the Earth, races and challenges from Trailforks, bike service course from 406 Service and so much more! Join us at Bridger Brewing in Three Forks after the event for the Lager Fest!
Summer Kickoff Party - Big Sky Community Park Pump Track - Time TBD
Montana Enduro Kick Off at Helenduro - June 28th
Join us at the first race of the summer Montana Enduro series on June 28th at the Helenduro. We’ll be hanging out with regional mountain bike associations to show our support of local trail workers! Stop by our tent for a hot dog and our world famous Trail Dog Sauce.
Board of Directors
The Big Sky Chapter is led by a dedicated local Board of Directors who prioritize trail maintenance, new trail construction, and host community engagement events like local fundraisers and group rides. They collaborate closely with local land managers to ensure Big Sky’s trails are in top condition for everyone exploring Big Sky. The President of The Trail Dogs serves on SWMMBA’s Executive Board, representing TTD within the larger organization.
These individuals spend a lot of time making sure that the Big Sky trails have the TLC they need. If you see them on the trails, thank them for their hard work!
President
Kevin Daily
Originally from Buffalo, NY, Kevin saved up for his first mountain bike in 1988, purchasing a Schwinn Sierra with friction thumb shifters and a rigid fork. The neighbor kids made fun of this weird bike with fat tires and a flat handlebar. But for Kevin, an obsession was born.
Being there for the early days and growing with the sport of MTB has given Kevin a unique and rich perspective that he brings to the Trail Dogs.
In college at Nevada, Kevin XC and Downhill raced on the UNR cycling team. After time in Tahoe, Kevin moved to the storied bike town of Bellingham, Washington before finally landing in his current home of Big Sky in 2007.
Along with his amazing wife Jodi, Kevin is the owner of Montana Backcountry Adventures, operating the Shedhorn Grill and Montana Dinner Yurt restaurants, and the original founder of the Bell Lake Yurt backcountry ski hut in the Tobacco Root Mountains.
As an active community member, Kevin has served in many voluntary roles, including for the BSOA Board, the BSCO Trails Committee, Big Sky Search and Rescue, and the Big Sky Public Education Support Fund.
As a member of the Trail Dogs, Kevin is passionate for the creation and support of a world class trail network in Big Sky. And he is absolutely aware that his days of keeping up with his sons Frank and Sam on the ski slope or the bike trail are running out!
Vice President
Wes Hoecker
Wes began his mountain biking journey at a young age with a Gary Fisher Wahoo he bought on layaway; he’s been chasing that passion ever since. Not long after, he was building trails in his own backyard, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of riding.
A Big Sky local for the past 13 years, Wes is a small business owner and has proudly served on The Trail Dogs board for the last two years. For him, nothing beats time on a bike and he is excited to share that stoke with everyone on the trails. Wes sees Big Sky’s potential to become a true mountain bike mecca, and he’s committed to building and fostering the kind of community that will make it happen.
Trails Director
Max Erpenbach
Hailing from the Black Hills of South Dakota, Max has called Big Sky home for the past 13 years. As a Professional Ski and Bike Patroller at Big Sky Resort, he’s deeply rooted in the local outdoor community—and he's been bringing that same energy to The Trail Dogs board since 2020.
Max is the longest-serving member of our board, and he leads by example when it comes to commitment and passion for the trails. For him, Trail Dogs isn’t just about hot dogs and post-ride beers (though those are great); it’s about building and maintaining world-class trails, collaborating with the community, and sharing the stoke for riding in Big Sky.
If you catch Max out on the trail, give him a shout and a big thank you—chances are, he’s helped make that ride possible.
Email: max@southwestmontanamba.org
Grant Writer and Development Director
Hannah Waterbury
With a background in outdoor education and youth programming, Hannah brings a deep commitment to community and a strong sense of place. As the Executive Director of the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, she supports local nonprofit partners in addressing the evolving needs of the Big Sky community. Hannah has extensive experience in grant writing, event planning, fundraising, and program development. Originally from Maryland, she holds a Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University.
Since moving to Big Sky in 2018, Hannah has been grateful to live and work in a vibrant mountain town—and is excited to support local trail access and stewardship through her role on the board.
Secretary
Jeremy Mitchell
Jeremy was first introduced to Big Sky during a medical school rotation at Big Sky Resort back in 2007; it didn’t take long for the mountains to leave their mark. A graduate of MSU Bozeman (though a self-proclaimed Bridger rat during his college years), Jeremy made the move to Big Sky in 2015 and has been an active part of the community ever since.
Today, Jeremy wears many hats: part-time school bus driver, part-time ski patroller, and nearly full-time ER physician right here in Big Sky. He mostly sticks to XC trails, but makes a point to ride the resort downhill lines at least once a year—just to keep his edge. This is Jeremy’s first year on The Trail Dogs board, and he’s excited to help support the trails and riders that make this place so special.
Treasurer
Jenny Heglund
Jenny’s mountain biking journey began with a rainbow Huffy she got for her 7th birthday. After years of “borrowing” her mom’s Rockhopper, she finally got her own Stumpjumper around 2001—and she hasn’t looked back since.
Endurance rides are where her heart is, with the Butte 50 and The Biggie already notched on her biking belt. A Big Sky resident for the past five years, Jenny was drawn in by the smell of hot dogs, the allure of Trail Dogs t-shirts, and the mission to build a stronger mountain bike community. She’s stoked to be joining the Trail Dogs board this year and is excited to help shape the future of riding in Big Sky.
Marketing and Events Director
Kelsey Lefley
Kelsey first visited Big Sky when she was just 9 years old—and she’s been dreaming of living here ever since. Now, after five years of calling Big Sky home, she’s thrilled to be serving her first year on The Trail Dogs board.
Originally drawn to Big Sky for its winters, Kelsey has since become a regular on the local trails during the summer months. Whether she’s out on her bike or hitting the trail for a run with her dog, she feels incredibly lucky to have world-class access literally in her backyard. Kelsey is passionate about protecting, enhancing, and continuing to develop these trails for the whole community.
This summer, she’s especially excited to get more people involved with The Trail Dogs. Whether it’s showing up for a trail day, attending an event, donating to a project, reading the newsletter, or repping some Trail Dogs merch, Kelsey is eager to share the many ways the community can support and engage with the work The Trail Dogs are doing.
Outreach and Engagement Director
Nelson VanTassel
Originally from eastern Colorado, Nelson has been living the mountain life as a ski patroller in Big Sky for the past few years—and when the snow melts, he swaps his skis for two wheels.
Nelson really likes bikes—and maybe mowing down a few hot dogs after a ride—but what he loves most is hitting the trails with friends and being part of a passionate outdoor community. Now in his first year on The Trail Dogs board, he’s excited to help further develop Big Sky’s incredible trail system and grow the mountain biking culture that makes this place so special.
Easements Coordinator
Jeff MacPherson
Jeff moved to Big Sky in 2005 for the outdoor recreation—and it hasn’t disappointed. A lifelong mountain biker, he’s enjoyed watching—and being a part of—the evolution of the mountain bike scene in Big Sky over the years.
He’s worked as a ski patroller at Big Sky Resort for nearly 15 years and brings with him valuable experience in land management, permitting, and trail easements. Combined with a strong track record of collaboration with local community organizations, Jeff is a key asset to The Trail Dogs as they work to expand and protect trail access across the area.
Joining the board in the spring of 2025 felt like a natural step for someone so passionate about the sport and lifestyle. Jeff is excited to continue advocating for trail development and help shape the future of mountain biking in Big Sky. And yes—he’s absolutely here for the hot dogs, too.
Operations Coordinator
Mac chapin
Mac has spent his whole life immersed in the outdoors. Growing up on the coast of Maine, he filled his days surfing, fishing, and camping. In his early 20s, he became a raft guide and whitewater kayak instructor; blending work with adventure; it was around then that mountain biking entered the mix.
He cut his teeth riding the rugged terrain of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley and the remote trails of northwestern Maine, where biking was hard work but always rewarding. After moving to Big Sky 19 years ago, life got busy with guiding, teaching, starting a business, and raising a family, leaving little time for bikes. That changed in 2019, when mountain biking became a way for Mac to stay active and spend quality time with his family.
Now, in his first summer on The Trail Dogs board, Mac is passionate about building and maintaining trails not just for today’s riders, but for generations to come. He’s proud to be part of a team working to create a lasting mountain biking legacy in Big Sky.