The Big Sky, Montana real estate market is booming. With second homes nearly impossible to find under the five hundred thousand dollar mark, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge/Halfway Inn has created a new alternative for the second home owner/vacationer, the cooperative. The concept of a cooperative is quite different than that of a condominium or a timeshare. Besides a month a year vacation time and building equity, cooperative members share in the co-op's profits at year's end. The cooperative allows investors to own a piece of Big Sky for substantially less than a real estate investment without any additional costs, such as homeowners and association fees, property maintenance or housekeeping hassles while obtaining a year-end return on investment - all while enjoying the amenities of the Rainbow Ranch Lodge vacation getaway.

When the Rainbow Ranch Lodge divided into two companies in September 2006, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge and the Halfway Inn, it became the first cooperative hotel in Montana. The existing company, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge, will maintain the Rainbow Ranch Restaurant and all administrative aspects of the property. The new company, the Halfway Inn, will hold all the hotel rooms.

The Halfway Inn, which is named after the original hotel started on the property in the mid 1920s, will be a hotel cooperative. Thus, each of the twenty-one rooms of the lodge is for sale individually with prices starting at $250,000. Members/owners will hold the equity of their purchased room, receive an equal share of year end profits, and be entitled to one month a year lodging (in any increment).

"I was presented with the idea a few years ago by a regular guest," said Proprietor Patrick Hurd, "and after considerable interest from other guests we put things in motion. I am exited about this project. Several of our past guests have expressed interest in investing in Big Sky, but spending a million dollars for a second home where they may spend only a few weeks a year just doesn't make sense to them. Subsequently I am hoping that with only twenty-one rooms and such a large return-guest base that we will end up with twenty-one members that I know and that are investing because of both their love of Big Sky and their experiences here at the -RR. It will be a wining investment for all in involved, especially with the addition of the upcoming spa."

An invitation for membership
If you're interested and would like to speak with Patrick please contact him at 800-937-4132. To have a complete information packet mailed to you contact Turi at 406-581-7681 or click here to view information online.

Will the Rainbow Ranch that I know and love change with the addition of the Halfway Inn Cooperative?
No, not at all. To members and hotel guests the Rainbow Ranch will operate as it always has with no visible changes in daily service, amenities, or management.

Why should I invest in the Halfway Inn Cooperative?
The Halfway Inn combines the luxury of ownership and the economic virtue of investing in Big Sky, Montana without the hassles of upkeep or the added expenses of individual real estate or condo developments. Halfway Inn members invest in the Co-op because they desire a first-class and hassle-free vacation with the security and potential return of a business investment.

How many owners/members will the Halfway Inn Cooperative have?
Twenty-one. Each member will own one of the twenty-one rooms of the Halfway Inn.

To see more FAQs and additional information on the co-op download a complete information packet or contact Turi or 406-581-7681 to have one mailed to you.