Come See Where Adventure Lives
In a land shaped by space and sky, the views are forever. From the eastern plains to the skytop peaks and mile-high valleys of the Rocky Mountains, Montana sets a stage of sweeping proportions for the Gateway to the Legendary West—Billings, Montana.

The city of Billings is located in south central Montana, within easy driving distance of Yellowstone National Park. Nestled in the fertile valley of the Yellowstone River and framed on three sides by scenic mountain ranges, Billings encompasses approximately 30 square miles of plain and mountain geography. What makes Billings such a great place to live? Location? Job Opportunities? Most often it comes down to one thing—people. When the Billings Gazette asked readers to answer that question they received many responses containing many reasons. Here are two letters highlighting two of those reasons:

BILLINGS' PEOPLE ARE THE GREATEST!

ACCESSIBILITY MEANS A LOT.

About Billings
Welcome to Billings, Montana, a place where residents enjoy all of the amenities of the big city without compromising that small town feel. With nearby shopping and entertainment-combined with a bustling healthcare industry-Billings offers a variety of unique opportunities. Visit any local store and you'll notice the one-on-one personal attention and old-fashioned service that you've come to expect from a place that has earned the nickname, “The Magic City.”

Billings has come a long way from the original trading post and stage station called Coulson. Today, the city boasts itself as one of the most current regional air, rail and truck transportation hubs in the United States. And while the area has made great strides in commercial development, the values and ethics of the residents here remain the same. In fact, it isn't uncommon to see neighbors helping other neighbors and residents pitching in to better the city, whether it's helping in the efforts to keep the Yellowstone River clean, or donating time and energy to aiding others in need.

Just a short drive outside of Billings offers residents plenty of outdoor opportunities from fly fishing, hunting and rock climbing to skiing at Red Lodge Mountain and experiencing some of the most beautiful national parks in the nation-including Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton national parks.

Visitors and residents alike can appreciate the natural attraction to the city, which is surrounded by spectacular views of the Rimrocks, a 200-foot sandstone cliff, and broad views of four mountain ranges, including the Beartooths to the southwest, the Crazy Mountains to the west, the Pryor Range to the southeast and the Snowies to the north.

Climate
Billings offers the best of all worlds with its subtle climate, and its spectacular change of seasons. The mild temperatures and dry, sunny climate make the Big Sky Country the perfect place to live and work. Humidity is low year-round and the average snowfall is about 57 inches per year, enough to create plenty of skiing powder on the mountain ridges. In February and March you'll experience warm Chinook winds, which produce Spring-like conditions during these winter months. Summer days are usually warm with a clear blue sky that makes this area so well known. Autumn brings a typical Indian summer with mild days and cool nights.

Transportation
Travel is easy and convenient in Billings with several major airlines with regular flights from Billings Logan International Airport to hubs in Denver, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis. Commuter airplanes are also available for trips throughout Montana and to Seattle, Portland, Bismark and Spokane.

The MET Transit System, the local bus line, allows travelers, tourists and residents the freedom and flexibility from all corners of the town. With Interstate Highways 90 and 94, residents can travel by auto or bus to the upper Midwest and Northwest.

Healthcare
Billings offers a wide variety of healthcare options that attract patients from near and far. From hospitals and health centers to specialists and clinics, it's no surprise that the city is the regional health care hub for the northern Rocky Mountains. Patients can rest easy knowing that the “medical corridor” is within easy reach.

St. Vincent Hospital and Health Center, located in Billings and founded over 100 years ago, has won multiple awards for healthcare through the years, including the title of top 100 hospitals for cardiology and orthopedics in the United States awarded by HCIA.

Deaconess Billings Clinic, a not-for-profit, community-owned and governed hospital offers residents emergency, surgical, obstetric and walk-in facilities.

For more information about healthcare in Billings, visit www.billingsclinic.com or www.billingsgazette.net.

Education
Education takes a high priority in Billings with approximately 24 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. The area has traditionally scored well above the national average in Iowa and SAT scores. Billings also houses Montana State University-Billings, a four-year state college that offers certificates, associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of different areas. The main campus is 100 acres and contains five colleges.

Also located within Billings is Rocky Mountain College, a private, four-year liberal arts college with a suburban setting. Recently named a “Best Value” college by US News & World Report, Rocky Mountain College offers both associate and bachelor's degrees.

Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks
You don't have to travel far to experience the beauty and majesty of the area. Yellowstone National Park is a short drive outside of Billings over the Beartooth Pass, one of the most scenic highways in America. The park is famous for its numerous geysers-including the famous Old Faithful-and it's many hot springs and fumaroles. The lush forests house a unique variety of animals including elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep, moose, grizzly bears and black bears.

Just a short drive outside of Billings allows you to explore the unique geology and habitat of Glacier National Park. With more than one million acres of wildlife, the park offers magnificent views of the local mountain peaks, waterfalls, glaciers and crystal clear blue lakes.

For more information on these parks, visit www.glacieradventure.com and www.yellowstone.net.

History, Museums and Culture
Take a trip back in time as you visit some of Eastern Montana's most notable historic sites and museums. Relive the 1876 battle between Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the Native American tribes at the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Hardin. Visit Pictograph Cave State Park and learn about the artifacts and pictographs that tell the story of prehistoric hunters. Experience the legend of Buffalo Bill at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center 90 miles south of Billings. See the Yellowstone Art Museum, which features a large permanent collection of western and contemporary art. Another area of interest is the Western Heritage Center, a regional museum that highlights the life and culture of the Yellowstone River Valley.

Billings is also a hot spot for culture and entertainment. Billings Studio Theater, located on the north border of the Rocky Mountain College Campus and below the scenic Rimrocks, offers entertainment ranging from a five show Mainstage Season to two Rocky Mountain College productions annually and a children's theater called The Growing Stage. The Alberta Bair Theater also offers a variety of arts events and educational programs that explore the diverse cultures of the region and serve as a platform for local cultural and civic groups to meet and perform. Another source of entertainment is the Billings Symphony with its annual Symphony in the Park, holiday performances and regularly scheduled concerts.

For more information about local attractions, visit the Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.billingschamber.com.