On February 17th, 2025, at 6:11pm, Gallatin County 911 Dispatch received a call reporting a missing person who had been snowmobiling in the Taylor’s Fork area near Big Sky. The caller reported that they were snowmobiling with a family member who had gotten stuck in a lower basin area. The caller thought their family member had made it out but then was unable to find them. After a couple of hours of searching and not locating the other snowmobile, the caller contacted Gallatin County 911 Dispatch to seek assistance. The Big Sky section of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) was activated.

The missing person eventually contacted 911, which provided coordinates to their location. GCSSAR teams met at Sage Creek Trailhead, where the missing party had originally left from. One Team left on snowmobiles to look for the missing person while another stood by in case there were other needs. At about 8:43pm, searchers located the missing person, who was all right without any injuries. GCSSAR members escorted them safely back to the trailhead.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind all who recreate in the backcountry that not only is it a good practice to go with another person but also make sure to plan how you are going to keep in contact with each other in areas without cellular service such as a two-way radio, or GPS messaging device.