Seasons
Spring
Spring time in Montana is pretty quiet while the snow is melting and the days are starting to get longer, but there is still plenty to do and see. Do some sight-seeing, take a ride to Polebridge where the drive will take you along incredible views into Glacier National Park and it’s beautiful landscapes. You will likely see some wildlife if the timing is right. Also, a drive to Eureka is a nice half-day getaway. In early spring you can still get in a few trips down the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort or even some cross-country skiing in the park or Flathead National Forest. Explore the first 11.5 miles of Glacier National Park (until the park officially opens), hike to Avalanche Lake, Apgar Lookout, or check out Lake McDonald. Mountain biking on the bike trails around Apgar or on the Camas Road is great in March and April as well.
Summer
Summer in Northwestern Montana is everyone’s favorite time of year; warm days, cool nights and lots of adventure! Glacier National Park is our main attraction, of course, for the panoramic views of mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers – all a hiker’s paradise with over 700 miles of trails and many species of wildlife. On a hot day, enjoy white water rafting down the Flathead River or take a trip to Hungry Horse Reservoir, for some boating or swimming. Enjoy a cruise on Flathead Lake or let the kids zip down the waterslides at Big Sky Waterpark. If you like bicycling, you can start your morning off by biking the bike trails inside the park. If downhill mountain biking is more your style, then make a trip to Whitefish Mountain Resort and ride more than 30 miles of lift accessible downhill trails and cross-country mountain bike trails. Ready to jump in the saddle and do some horseback riding? Visit Swan Mountain Outfitters for a guided tour from a half day ride or make it a whole day inside of Glacier National Park. Want to catch your own dinner and cook out on the grill, there are plenty of rivers and lakes accessible from land or boat for fly fishing and rod & reel fishing. For all you golfers, enjoy some time at one of our many golf courses close by, especially Meadow Lake Golf Course in Columbia Falls or Glacier View Golf Course at the entrance to the park. Want a night out on the town for some good Montana fun? Take a trip to Columbia Falls and experience the thriving farmers market on Thursday nights @ The Coop with live local bands and terrific food. The Brash Rodeo Tour is our local weekly rodeo at the Blue Moon in Columbia Falls. Our local cowboys and cowgirls come together to compete in bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, and many other rodeo events. Your Glacier Country vacation would not be complete without experiencing our famous huckleberries and the many delicious desserts that are made from them!
Winter
As the freshly fallen snow blankets the valley, the majestic views of the mountains take on a whole new view and many different adventures await. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding at the Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, or go for a slower pace and do some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in Glacier National Park, Izaak Walton Inn, or throughout the Flathead Valley. Do some snowmobiling on groomed trails or enjoy the crisp clean air ice fishing or ice skating on many small and easily accessed lakes. Enjoy indoor ice skating at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish or Woodland Ice Center in Kalispell. Travel at the speed of dog and go on a dog sledding adventure – the favorite trail is referred to as an “Eskimo roller coaster.” When the temperature drops, it’s time to bundle up and glide across Montana’s snow blanketed landscape with your family on a horse drawn sleigh ride. When it’s time to warm up and relax, head South on Hwy 93 for about a 1 ¾ hour drive, to Historic Symes Hot Springs & Mineral Baths, one of Montana’s hidden treasures that is considered one of the world’s best mineral waters. Soak in the hot outdoor mineral pool and relax. Spend the day outside in our winter wonderland and then relax at one of our premier cabins.
Fall
Fall is the time to enjoy the beautiful view of bright colors while the leaves are changing, the western larch trees are coming to life with their glow and it’s a great time to visit Glacier National Park while the roads are slowing down, and the trails are less active. Enjoy a ride up the North Fork Road or a trip to Many Glacier to do some sightseeing and wildlife watching, especially for the illusive grizzly bears before they go into hibernation for the winter. Hiking, biking and camping is still very active this time of year. Go for a four- wheeler ride around our numerous logging roads or find a favorite fishing spot to do some fishing. Fall is the time to go on a guided fishing trip or a guided hunt for elk, whitetail and mule deer, or black bear. Go to Whitefish Mountain Resort and ride the chair lift to the top to see the fall foliage covering the miles and miles of mountains that the eye can see or take a zip on the zip lines and see the view underneath you as you fly by. Whatever kind of adventure you are looking for, you can find it right here in Montana!