At the base of the majestic Mission Mountains on the Flathead Indian Reservation, St. Ignatius is home to the St. Ignatius Mission. A National Historic Site, the mission was built in 1891 by American Indians and Jesuit missionaries. Adorning the mission's walls and ceiling are 58 hand-painted murals by Brother Joseph Carignano—a self-taught artist who worked as the mission cook and handyman years ago. Also nearby: Three Chiefs Cultural Center, the Mission Mountains Wilderness, stellar rock climbing, McDonald Lake and the Bison Range.
Salish Name: Snyel̓mn
Meaning: “Place Where Something is Surrounded”
Western Montana’s backcountry draws people year-round, but winter is when it shows its depth. Deep snow, long approaches and wide...
Read more
Winter doesn’t slow things down in Western Montana—it gives us new ways to gather. Snowy landscapes set the stage for...
Read more
Winter in Western Montana is more than just snow adventures—it’s also time for slowing down, exploring welcoming mountain towns, or...
Read more
Western Montana is always changing, shaped by the people who live here and the places they create. This year brings...
Read more