A skier joyously dancing down the powdery Meriwether Trail. A majestic moose poised on a ridge. A victorious ten-year-old who just mastered his first rail in Zero Gravity Park. These are among the many faces of Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana. Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit their favorite face of the resort, with an eye toward capturing part of $17,000 in prize money being offered in Moonlight Basin’s “Shoot the Moon” photography contest.

The Contest awards winners in four categories include Action (skiing, riding, snowshoeing, hiking, dog sledding, etc.); Family (capturing the essence of family interaction in this tremendous environment); Scenic (images that portray the raw beauty and distinctive landscape of this Big Sky retreat); and Social (shedding a lens on the fun to be found at Moonlight Basin.)

One grand prize winner will receive $5,000; first place winners in each category will be awarded $2,500 each; and runners-up in each of the four categories will receive $500. In addition to the prize money, Moonlight Basin’s “Shoot the Moon” contest winners will gain exposure through a photo exhibition and auction at the resort, promotional events, as well as via credits on Moonlight Basin’s website and in its marketing materials.

“Moonlight Basin has a long history of supporting the arts in Montana,” said Lee Poole, managing partner, Moonlight Basin. “We created ‘Shoot the Moon’ to foster photographic talent and provide a venue for artists to have their works published. Moonlight Basin’s dynamic resort life, spectacular scenery, and abundant wildlife all make great canvasses for stunning photos. We’re looking forward to seeing how artists capture these wonderful images,” said Poole.

“Shoot the Moon” is open to all amateur and professional photographers above the age of 13. Submitted photos must be taken onsite at Moonlight Basin, a four-season resort destination located in Big Sky, Montana. Photographers must enter a minimum of two images in one of more the categories. All prints must be submitted both digitally (minimum 3 MB) and mounted at 10″ x 20″. Deadline for entries is April 30, 2007. Submission details may be found at http://www.moonlightbasin.com. Questions and inquiries should be directed to shootthemoon AT moonlightbasin.com.

About Moonlight Basin:

Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana is a four-season resort company that has been nationally-recognized for its environmental stewardship and commitment to careful development and protection of some of the most magnificent forest lands in the Montana Rockies. Offering first class rental lodging and vacation homes, fine rustic dining, spa services, world-class skiing and other seasonal activities such as fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and rafting, Moonlight Basin is also known for providing an extraordinary level of guest service.

In 2003 Moonlight Basin created the first new ski destination resort to open in the U.S. in more than 20 years. In 2005, Moonlight Basin teamed with Big Sky Resort to offer the Lone Mountain joint ski pass, providing the biggest skiing in America: two interconnected trail networks covering over 5,500 acres of skiable terrain via 23 lifts. Also in 2005, Moonlight Basin broke ground on the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, an 18-hole, championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course slated to open in 2008.