Paging Dick Clark

We all know that Bozeman is a really fun town. But when it comes to New Year’s Eve, ol’ Boz Angeles just doesn’t live up to the fame. But if you decide to stick around for New Year’s (presumably to ski every day), here are the top five ways to usher in 2008:

5! Hit the Bars. When we went to print, the only bar downtown doing anything special was The Zebra Cocktail Lounge, which will be hosting a “Psychedelic” New Year’s party complete with the Doors Legacy Band (an awesome Doors cover band I saw live at Bite of Bozeman this summer—the Lizard King lives!). Sixties attire gets you a discounted entry. Plonk and the Rockin’ R will have DJs. And a few of the other bars (317, etc.) will have party favors.

4! Book a Room at Chico Hot Springs. Heck, book a cabin with a bunch of your friends and throw a party. The Saddle Tramps will be throwing down some country-western beats at the Chico Saloon. Plus there’s the pool, and it’s beautiful. Sounds like a good way to ring in the New Year, especially if you are "matched up" and partying with a bunch of coupled friends.

3! Crash a House Party. Or go all out and host one yourself. Be sure to stock the fridge with cheap champagne (Albertson's carries tiny bottles of Frickin' A...er, Freixenet), and buy some cheesy party hats and noisemakers.

2! Rent a Forest Service Cabin. You can get all romantic by renting a small one (say, Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout) and then snowshoeing, hiking, or driving in with your sweetie and toasting the New Year in total seclusion. Or you can rent a big one, perhaps Battle Ridge, with a bunch of friends and party in total privacy (so you don’t have to worry about the friend who always gets drunk and naked). For more information and to rent cabins, check out recreation.gov.

1! Head to Big Sky. The party there is always fun. There’s an awesome fireworks show at midnight at Huntley Lodge, courtesy of the Big Sky Chamber. Really, seeing fireworks and your breath simultaneously is an amazing thing. Whiskey Jack’s is the place to be, and it will be packed, so get your tickets early to see Melvin Seal and the JGB. Opening the show will be the Hooligans of Bozeman. The $30 tickets are available by phone (995-8072) and go on sale December 10. Get them early because Whiskey Jack’s only holds 350 sweaty drunks.