With an eye for fashion and a hankering for fun, Big Sky resident of six years, Erica Schweitzer, created a boutique that is indeed fashionable and fun loving.

Hiking in Heels answers the question that Schweitzer poses, “Can a girl go hiking because we’re here in Montana and still be a girly girl and dress up,” with a resounding, “Yes.”
And so Hiking in Heels caters to that girl who wants and can be “outdoorsy and still dress up,” Schweitzer says.

This self-described fashion boutique and beauty lounge has customers longing to rummage through the clothes and make up from the second they walk in the door.

From organic cotton clothing to all natural skin care, to a comfy purple sofa (not for sale) parked in a corner of the shop, Hiking in Heels is welcoming and different, a word which Schweitzer uses to describe her store and its niche.

“I’ve deliberately tried not to make this like the other businesses in town. Big Sky is big enough for everyone to have their own place and you won’t find the clothing I sell at The Willow or The Root,” she says.

“I just thought there was a gap for someone who likes to shop for things outside of Patagonia,” she said rationally.

And the upside has been all the positive comments she’s received along the way. “A lot of people have come in and said, ‘Finally a place I can find something cute and affordable that’s different.’”
With a desire to cater to the locals, Schweitzer will be offering off season specials. She hopes that people will just “come in and hang out” on the couch.

In addition to clothing lines such as BB Dakota and Isabella Mini Bell jeans another one-of-a-kind offering that does separate her store from the others is the skin care and massage services provided.
A former lead esthetician at Moonlight Spa, Schweitzer has made a small treatment room at the back of the store.

“All my friends want to get skin care and facials, but the prices at the resort are, well, resort prices,” says Schweitzer. “I wanted to offer something that locals could easily afford.”

With a sixty minute facial offered at $60 and a 90 minute facial going for $120, Schweitzer does offer a good rate. There are peels for $125 and a “lunchtime express peel” for $85.

While she does not give massages, she has therapists who will work in her treatment room giving a sixty minute massage for $80. There is also waxing, lash and brow tinting and manicures and pedicures. And- drum roll please- Hiking in Heels even has spray tanning for a mere $35.

Then there is the make up which, truth be told, is Schweitzer’s passion. As such, she has studied make up for film in Los Angeles as well as bridal make up. She has done make up for models in runway shows for Modern Bride Magazine and is hoping to apply her skills to brides in Big Sky who want that extra glow on their wedding day.

If girls are looking for a night out that’s different, Schweitzer will host a party and give a group make up lesson. A two-hour hands on lesson includes a 15% discount on the recommended make up. In keeping with her green theme, Schweitzer has soy candles and natural skin care products.
Finally, there are the heels. Fun and funky, the store carries a nice selection of shoes. There is also a lingerie rack with teddies and camisoles.

The store’s location in the West Fork Plaza (3090 Pine Drive Suite 6) has been remodeled with care by Schweitzer and painted in “eco-friendly” paints. The wooden floors are done in green wood and all of the store’s hangers are wooden so they can be re-used. On closer inspection the hangers each carry hand-written sayings, carefully crafted by Schweitzer.

Hiking in Heels is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, Schweitzer is flexible with her hours and generous with her time.
“If someone wants to come in early for a facial before the store opens, I’m happy to do that. All they have to do is give me a call,” she says.

And for those who’d like to make that call, book a girls’ night or just get more information about this trendy store, please call Hiking in Heels at: 993-2779 or visit the website: www.hiking-in-heels.com.