SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS always seem to have three distinct themes: cars, beer, and soda pop. They’re the thread that runs from thirty-second spot to thirty-second spot, giving a degree of coherence to what for some can be a confusing couple of hours in front of the TV (Neutral Zone Infraction what? Hand me another Pig-in-a-Blanket and let me know when the next commercial break is).
This year was no different. The highly anticipated ads were dominated by car companies, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi, wooing us with pithy one-liners, clever plots, and shots of driving the open road and cracking open cold ones.
But another Super Bowl theme popped up this year too. From ziplining to bungee trampolines, it was clear that the newest American craze is something we’ve know about for a long time in Big Sky: Basecamp Adventure.
For the past five years, Big Sky guests have gone to our Basecamp to try their hand at ziplines, bungee trampolines, laser tag, paintball, tubing, and high ropes. They’re what we call Basecamp Adventures, and they’ve blown up at the resort, becoming some of the most popular mountain activities.
Now, they’re sweeping the nation, one Super Bowl commercial at a time.
There was the Accura commercial with Jerry Seinfeld, whose ultimate bribe for getting the first Accura NSX was a zipline through New York.
And the Geico commercial featuring Maxwell the Pig zipping through the trees in a brisk wintery mountain climate – he’s clearly visited Big Sky.
And the baby on the make-shift playground bungee trampoline, using his spring to steal Doritos from his older brother.
The Chevy Sonic even dabbled in bungee adventures.
And if the Super Bowl commercials weren’t enough, this Basecamp Adventure obsession seems to be sweeping Hollywood as well. The trailer for the new Reese Witherspoon movie, This Means War? A full-on paintball scene.
And as I watched all this, I couldn't help but refer back to my experiences at Big Sky. If Reese Witherspoon, Jerry Seinfeld, and Maxwell the pig are doing it, it must be cool. And from what I can tell, it all started in Montana.
- Greer
Check out Big Sky's own trendsetting adventures:
