Yellowstone Airport’s Modern terminal building and amenities help boost local economy
Yellowstone Airport sits at the western edge of the world’s first national park, which welcomes more than four million visitors each year. As the popularity of Yellowstone National Park and the region’s other outdoor adventures, resorts and communities continue to grow, so has the need to update and expand the seasonal airport in West Yellowstone, Montana, to better serve local residents and tourists.
Yellowstone Airport (WYS), owned and operated by the Montana Department of Transportation, recently completed a multi-year, $46 million construction project, which includes a new terminal building that’s updated with two gates, an indoor baggage claim and other modern amenities to help meet the area’s growth for years to come.
Encore Electric in Montana served as the electrical contractor, powering the new 35,000 sq. ft. terminal building and putting a spotlight on this small yet vital airport. Partnering with general contractor Martel Construction, Inc., the Encore Electric team safely delivered the project’s electrical work on time and on budget to provide an 800-amp service with a 500-kilowatt generator, along with upgrades to meet TSA safety and security requirements. If needed, the generator can provide back-up power to Yellowstone Airport’s terminal for several days, as well as to the neighboring Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting facility, thus ensuring the safety and continuity of the site’s services and operations.
“It’s great to be part of the transformation of the airport, which supports the local economy and community,” said Michael Finch, Superintendent for Encore Electric, who oversaw the project. “We also helped make the facility more comfortable for passengers, as well as airport staff who now have a new terminal with offices, a breakroom and more space to do their work and serve customers.”
Travis Kabalin, Senior Project Manager, Martel Construction, Inc. added: “Martel Construction was pleased to have Encore Electric on the Yellowstone Airport project. Finding sophisticated subcontractors to work and go the extra mile on remote project sites is not always easy. Encore Electric responded and was a critical part of the project team. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Encore Electric after this successful project.”
Since the late 1930s, the one-runway airport has seasonally served the area’s tourists and residents. The former terminal building was nearly 60 years old, with an outdoor baggage claim, cramped waiting area, no air conditioning, and no restrooms available after security clearance. The new terminal addressed all those needs and more than doubles the area of the former building. Today, the airport is typically open from May to October with one or two flights daily that serve nearly 20,000 passengers annually.
The Encore Electric Montana team started working on the project in April 2023, with about five employees on the job site at any given time. The new terminal was completed in May 2025, with an official ribbon-cutting the following month.
Encore Electric experts tackled several technical and design challenges in powering the terminal building, which features all-wood framing and a tongue-and-groove-finished SIP Panel ceiling system. “To maintain the terminal’s clean, aesthetic appearance, we needed to hide the electrical conduit, which was tougher to do with the ceiling design,” Finch said. “We ran about 18,000 feet of conduit underground versus above to help address this challenge. What’s also unique about the project is the 68 or so different types of light fixtures we used throughout the terminal to illuminate various areas.”
Encore Electric helped light up historic elements of the old Yellowstone Airport terminal that were preserved in the new building. For example, behind the ticket counter, visitors will find old bricks from the former building and the iconic Yellowstone Airport outdoor sign – all newly lit – that now greets passengers inside the new terminal. The airport’s old beacon from the 1930s is now perched atop the bar inside the terminal and surrounded with LED lights to make it a focal point.
Per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, the construction project also needed to ensure at least 60 percent of the materials used were made in the U.S. – a guideline that Encore Electric surpassed.
Beyond any design and regulatory requirements, the Encore Electric team also faced and remained safe in challenging weather conditions, including winter snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures. The summers brought frequent afternoon thunderstorms, meaning Encore Electric halted any underground conduit work for the team’s safety. The team also maintained situational awareness at all times, including when finding wolf footprints in the snow, spotting grizzly bears, or watching the bison which roamed nearby. “We worked safely through all the elements and our team took care getting to and from the work site,” Finch said. “We put in the extra time we needed to stay on schedule and do the highest-quality work.”
Want to learn more about Encore Electric in Montana and our full suite of services? Contact us at 406-995-2849 or click here: www.encoreelectric.com/montana-electrical-contractor/
