Western Montana Winter Adventure

This way to winter. Just Play it Safe.

Adventure is on north of Yellowstone National Park, where there’s space to spread out and crisp mountain air to breathe in. Just winter wisely—know when to play it safe, and when to run wild.

Ski 400 inches of annual snow on some of the most sublime downhill and backcountry terrain on the planet. Yellowstone Country’s known for big-mountain skiing and small-town vibes a la no lift lines and affordable lift tickets. And that’s not all—dog sledding, Nordic skiing, sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Just want to take a walk in the woods? We’ve got a pair of snowshoes with your name on them. Yellowstone National Park is pure magic this time of year—steaming geysers, thermal pools, and sparkling snow.

Check into winter adventure at one of Yellowstone Country’s friendly basecamp towns bustling with lodging options, eateries, shops, breweries and distilleries. Just remember to travel responsibly, and be kind to your neighbor…on the chairlift, at the gas station, in the taproom.

Pack your mask, travel smart, and brace yourself for nature’s wild wonderland. Head north and you’ll find it.

A four-season destination inspired by the people, culture and landscapes of Montana, the new Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center blends the comfort of a mountain lodge with modern style at the gateway to Glacier National Park in Columbia Falls. A rich sense of exhilaration infuses every experience, from fly fishing on Whitefish Lake and backcountry adventures in Glacier National Park to championship golf and more. Looking for more information? Call us toll-free within the U.S. at 855-SEEGLACIER (855-733-4522).

Unique, cool, hip...serene, welcoming and replete with natural beauty - what are you looking for in your next vacation? Missoula, Montana has the unparalleled natural beauty and cultural vibrancy to make your experience unforgettable.

Nestled in the Northern Rockies of Montana, surrounded by seven wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. You can kayak, raft or tube through downtown or take a relaxing hike in 60,000 acres of wilderness minutes from your hotel. Missoula is known for its blue-ribbon trout fishing (made famous by A River Runs Through It) and spectacular natural beauty. The opportunities are limitless.

Missoula is also a regional destination for shopping and dining, with an abundance of shops, restaurants, cafes, and breweries to fit all budgets and palates. Known for its eclectic culture, visitors will find this arts and cultural hub filled with an endless array of entertainment.

Order your free Missoula Visitor Guide online at destinationmissoula.org or stop by our walk-in visitor center located at 101 E Main Street in Downtown Missoula.

The Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown is the ideal choice to experience all Missoula has to offer. Located in the heart of downtown in a gracious park-like setting along the Clark Fork River, this hotel is just steps from vibrant shopping, dining, live-music, outdoor recreation, festivals, farmers markets and more!

Missoula's largest full-service hotel has 198 newly refreshed guest rooms, including a 4th floor Executive Level, 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a park-like outdoor venue, a full-service restaurant and bar, a lobby bar, and a grab-and-go market featuring local favorites and espresso. With the best location and superior conference service, groups are guaranteed a distinctive Missoula experience. Complimentary features include an indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour business center, Wi-Fi, on-site guest parking (a rarity in downtown), airport and area-wide transportation. This a nonsmoking hotel with pet-friendly rooms.

Kandahar Lodge is a cozy, ski-in, ski-out mountain lodge located on Whitefish Mountain Resort. Enjoy Kandahar’s charming lobby complete with a crackling fireplace and vintage snug bar—the perfect spot to relax after a day on the slopes. Unwind in our Wellness Center featuring therapeutic massage and a fitness center with views of the mountain, plus a large outdoor Jacuzzi and steam room that allow guests to recharge for another day on the slopes.

Café Kandahar is a recipient of multiple James Beard Foundation Best Chef of the Northwest nominations and offers a memorable culinary experience. Paired with an award-winning wine list, the eclectic menu features elk, bison, lamb, mushrooms and salmon. A European-style continental breakfast is included with lodging.

Come ski, unwind and indulge in luxury at Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Ranked the No. 3 best ski resort in North America, Whitefish Mountain boasts more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain with 300 inches of annual snowfall.

Makers of Montana's iconic Cold Smoke® Scotch Ale, KettleHouse Brewing Co. has two brewery and taproom locations in and around Missoula. The newest location in Bonner is nestled on the banks of the Blackfoot River, offers stunning mountain views where wildlife sightings are not unusual, and is home to the KettleHouse Amphitheater, Montana’s premier music venue. The original KettleHouse location is a favorite hangout among locals and has been a Missoula staple for 25 years. Both KettleHouse taprooms host events and private parties and offer a variety of beers on tap, so there is always something for everyone.

KettleHouse’s mission is to match the quality of their beers to the quality of the Montana outdoor experience. Independently owned and innovating since 1995.

A visit to one of the KettleHouse taprooms is the perfect stop for those In Search of Cooler Times®

Missoula Taphouse
602 Myrtle St. Missoula, MT 59801

Bonner
605 Cold Smoke Ave. Bonner, MT 59823

Instagram: @kettlehouse
Facebook: facebook.com/kettlehousebrewingcompany

At Missoula International Airport, fly direct to Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake, San Francisco and Seattle or connect with thousands of destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines all offer flights into and out of Missoula. Airfares continue to drop as the airport expands services.

Seven rental car company courtesy counters—Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty—are located in the main passenger terminal directly across from baggage claim, making it easy for arriving passengers to grab their luggage and go. 

Hungry travelers have their choice of dining at Jedediah’s either before or after going through security. One location is located near baggage claim; find the other in the gate area. Also in the gate area, locally owned Liquid Planet serves up hot beverages and ready-to-go food.

In Missouri River Country, less always means more—because less traffic, less noise and less stress means more time for authentic Montana experiences. The frontier lives on in our expansive landscape and small-town charm, and social distance comes naturally because open space is our greatest commodity. It harbors unique landforms and seemingly endless night skies, where stargazers can experience the darkest skies and brightest cosmos in the lower 48.

This unspoiled land offers an unbeatable getaway for those who truly enjoy the outdoors. Antelope, elk, turkey and other game keep hunters busy while anglers go casting in rivers, lakes and reservoirs such as Fort Peck Reservoir, boasting more miles of shoreline than the California coast. Hunt for prehistoric discoveries with a real dinosaur dig, or visit a museum on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Your options are endless in the land of more room to roam—travel safe and come see for yourself.

The Pine Lodge, located in the charming town of Whitefish, is the ideal home base for your winter vacation! Featuring 76 hotel rooms ranging from Standard Rooms to Executive Suites, we are known for our family-friendly nature and easy access to Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Resort. Enjoy our ski package, the White Glove Experience. This is included with every winter reservation and contains amenities such as a complimentary ski van to/from Whitefish Mountain Resort, the use of boot dryers, and the ability to beat the lines and purchase lift tickets directly at the Front Desk. We also provide you with a number of ways to relax and have fun right on property! From roasting s’mores over our fire pits or exploring with our snowshoe rentals, to soaking in our indoor/outdoor heated pool and hot tub, The Pine Lodge is the perfect place to stay for your winter getaway!

Open year-round, Quinn's Hot Springs Resort is nestled in a majestic canyon on the Clark Fork River in Sanders County on State Highway 135. We have a full-service restaurant, tavern, gift and coffee shop, six natural hot springs pools, massage and 83 rentals. All lodging is new since 2001 forward and includes standard and luxury accommodations with options for both couples and families or groups. Our Luxury River-View Cabins are the ultimate experience in relaxation and comfort with stunning river and mountain views. Quinn's Paradise Hall Event Center opened in 2015 and is a great location for weddings, business events, celebrations and more. Quinn's River Lodge opened in November of 2017 and offers luxury rooms with views of Quinn's Canyon and the Clark Fork River.

Southgate Mall is your most convenient and best Missoula shopping destination. With more than 100 stores and 10,000 brands, you'll find something for everyone in the family and for every occasion. The largest mall in Western Montana, Southgate Mall stores offer women's apparel, shoes, children's and teens' clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, home decor, electronics and more. Browse department stores, specialty shops and boutiques. When you're ready for a break, pick from some of the most popular Missoula dining options, all under the same roof.

With tax-free shopping, Southgate Mall is home to: AMC-9 Dine-In Theater, Athleta, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cost Plus World Market, Dillard's, Gap, H&M, JCPenney, Lucky's Market and many more.

Guest Services Center: Wheelchair, Motorized Scooter and Stroller Rentals, Griz Tix Outlet, Lost and Found, 24-hour Mall Security, Employment Opportunities, Visitor and Tourism Information, City Bus and Taxi Cab Information, Mountain Line Bus Passes, Tour Operator 'Check-in'

Activities: Shopping, Dining, Kids' Play Area, KidX Klub, Community Events

Like every well-kept secret, winter in Montana's Bitterroot Valley rewards adventure seekers looking for a destination that hasn't yet been discovered. The small towns and big adventures that draw travelers in the summer come alive under a mantle of fresh snow, with crisp mountain air transforming a simple snowshoe hike into an exhilarating undertaking while also making your dinner taste more delicious, your local microbrew more refreshing and your bed is that much cozier after a day at play in the Bitterroot Valley. Along the 96-mile-long Bitterroot Valley, travelers will find eight communities-each with their own distinct Montana charm, culinary experiences and accommodation offerings-miles of trails to explore, downhill and cross country ski areas, the snow-covered Continental Divide and exhilarating adventures, all waiting to be explored.

Out here, space is in our nature. Flowing rivers, prairies and badlands make up the big landscape of Southeast Montana with each mile as unique as the last.

Visit state parks with dinosaur fossils just below the surface waiting to be found while following the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Kayak the waters of the Yellowstone River or Bighorn Lake for views worthy of that perfect Instagram moment. And don’t forget about the cities and small towns. Stop in Billings, known as Montana’s Trailhead, for shopping and dining galore and explore the Montana Brew Trail, the only walkable brewery trail in the state, located in historic downtown. Get off the Interstate and see why western hospitality is still alive out here while learning about each town’s history with the locals over a drink.

You’re going to need a big getaway, so plan ahead, and visit SafeOutHereMT.com to order a free travel guide, download maps and road trip itineraries. We can’t wait to see you out here.

This Winter, Keep Montana Safe and the West Wild

In Southwest Montana there’s plenty of adventure to be had this winter while keeping safety in your sights. From a laid-back ramble in the wintry woods by snowshoe or cross-country skis, to a power packed snowmobiling excursion, to downhill skiing and snowboarding at a mom-and-pop ski hill, there’s plenty of winter fun to be had here.

Southwest Montana’s ski areas all offer authentic Montana skiing with no crowds, and they’re conveniently located within close proximity to hot springs. There’s no better way to end a snow day than with a soak in the soothing mineral waters of these heavenly geothermal pools. Warm your spirits this winter in Southwest Montana, and travel with care.