Fledgling environmental groups opposed the development on the grounds that it was being built in a pristine ecosystem sandwiched between a national park and a wilderness area.They were concerned about air and water quality, wildlife habitat, scenery, and congestion.It is reasonable to assume that, had these environmental groups had the clout of their counterparts who ten years later stopped a similar resort closer to Yellowstone’s boundary, they would have stopped Big Sky, too.The covenants allowed it to capitalize on the amenities by ensuring that future development at Big Sky would blend with the area’s natural surroundings long after the property had been transferred to others.Because potential buyers knew that all other landowners had to adhere to rules protecting the area’s natural surroundings, they were willing to pay a premium for the land.