Question: In which city in the United States can you relax on a sandy beach, wakeboard, snowboard, enjoy professional theater, and drive to a pristine national park in less than 30 minutes? Answer: Whitefish, Montana!
the perfect location
If the combination of a lake town and a ski town intrigues you, add the proximity to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, an upscale, service-oriented resort and a location in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Northwest, and your interest is sure. be chopped Whitefish is truly an outdoor recreation paradise brimming with an active community culture.
The city is at the north end of the Flathead Valley and sits below Whitefish Mountain (about 7 miles from downtown to the parking lot) and next to Whitefish Lake, which extends 7 miles below the ridges. dappled mountain tamarack. It’s a community plagued by dirty Ford F-350s and polished Mercedes M-Class SUVs alike, both of which are capable of hauling themselves to the slopes in a snowy rush. It’s a unique mix of rural reality and admirable elegance, with a lot of Montana: and that’s a recipe for fun.
To do
This is the easy part. For starters, the city beach is just a few blocks from the center of town and offers a beautiful sandy beach (a rarity in typically rocky mountain lakes) with a swimming area, boat launch, and a park-like setting with grills and gazebos. Whitefish State Park offers another lakefront base for a day of waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and swimming.
When you’re done partying at the lake, stop by one of the area’s great restaurants to recharge before heading up Whitefish Mountain to ride the lift and enjoy stunning views of the valley below. Whitefish Resort operates year-round, and when the snow melts, you can ride the elevator to the top for breathtaking mountain bike rides and hikes.
In the fall, the area transforms into a hunting mecca and part of the town disappears in camouflage, coming out to harvest the rich supply of white-tailed deer, elk, and the occasional randomly drawn elk. The numerous river basins of the North, South, and Middle Forks of the Flathead, the Whitefish River, and the Stillwater River, a low human population, and thousands of acres of nearby protected national parks make the area an ideal breeding ground for big game hunting. .
falling for fall
If you’re planning a vacation to Montana this year, don’t discount Fall in Flathead. Yes, it’s too cold to wakeboard and no, there’s still no snow to ski, but fall plays host to some of nature’s most memorable moments. Sometime in late September each year, the Tamaracks change color, turning the woods around town into a stunning mix of yellows and greens, accented, of course, by the traditional reds of fall. That said, it’s hard to find a more picturesque setting for rainbow fly fishing or grouse bow hunting.
The great thing about Whitefish is its diverse offering of distractions: if you’re not kitted out from head to toe in Patagonia or if you’re not particularly inclined to lace up those hiking boots, the town itself can keep you entertained with its collection of local art galleries. , great food , professional theater and a nightlife that, despite its obvious yearning to transcend into a metropolitan-style venue, remains solidly Montana. The city is also set to host its first festival this October, an event that will feature locally brewed lagers, sausages, log sawing and barrel tossing contests, sauerkraut and polka dancing.
Where to stay to play
A great place to stay to experience all that Whitefish has to offer is Crestwood Retreat, a private residence in the heart of Whitefish that is close to the lake, ski slope, theater and downtown restaurants. One of those little-known local secrets, the retreat is remodeled with natural wood and stone accents and offers luxurious private accommodations whose backyard opens onto a serene lawn. For more information visit http://www.lodginginmontana.com
The verdict: For fall fun, few destinations offer the beauty and life that Whitefish enjoy.
