In the northern Rocky Mountains, next to Glacier National Park, Whitefish is surrounded by many lakes and scenic rivers. Though it’s located in northern Montana, Whitefish is protected from extreme climate changes because it sits in a valley, making it an ideal spot for recreation. Whitefish offers a quaint western town ambiance, with hotels, motels, inns and vacation rentals as well as the luxury of resorts and lodges.
Winter Activities in Whitefish
Downhill skiing is big in Whitefish. The town boasts a ski resort on its outskirts – Whitefish Mountain Resort. The ski resort offers varied terrain and abundant snow. With 3,000 acres and 94 marked trails, Whitefish Mountain Resort also features a vertical drop of 2,353 feet and an average snowfall of 300 inches. Three high-speed quads, two quad chairlifts and five triple chairs take skiers and boarders up the uncrowded slopes.
Whitefish offers more winter activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Snowshoeing is available in the surrounding mountains and national forest. There are many groomed cross-country ski trails around Whitefish as well as in Glacier National Park. Ice skating is available on Whitefish Lake or on the city rink. Glide through the woods and backcountry on a dog sled or horse-drawn sleigh.
Whitefish Winter Events
Early January brings the Flathead Sled Dog Days in Olney, 20 miles north of Whitefish. A record 34 teams participated in the annual races held January 8-9, 2011. Mushers from more than five different western U.S. states and Canada compete in three categories: a 40-mile, 12-dog race; an 18-mile, 8-dog race; and a 4-mile, 4-dog race. Spectators not only experience the thrill of dog sled racing but can also cross-country ski or snowshoe near the course.
The Whitefish Winter Skijoring Championships are held each year at the end of January. This year the World Skijoring Championships take place January 29-30 at the Whitefish Municipal Airport. A horse and rider pull a skier around a horseshoe-shaped, 800-foot-long course over jumps and around slalom gates at high speed. Prizes are awarded for open, sport and novice divisions as well as a long-jump competition.
The Whitefish Winter Carnival offers outdoor and indoor events, a parade and fireworks in early February. This year’s 52nd annual event, February 4-6, features a ball, art walk, international hockey tournament, kiddie carnival, penguin plunge, beer barter and snow-skate jam competition as well as a torchlight parade and fireworks display. The mostly free celebrations include Norse gods, evil Yeti snowmen and winter carnival royalty.
Lodging in Whitefish
Visitors have many lodging options in Whitefish – hotels, motels, inns, guest ranches, vacation rentals, lodges and resorts. Hotels, motels and inns are found in Whitefish. Guest ranches are located outside of Whitefish within easy access of the town’s amenities and services. Vacation and condominium rentals are available year-round both in and outside of Whitefish.
Lodges and resorts offer all-inclusive accommodation packages. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a full-service resort with deluxe accommodations. It includes a fine-dining restaurant, full-service spa and ski package deals. The Whitefish Mountain Resort offers a variety of on-mountain lodging properties, including condominiums near the slopes and a ski-in European-style lodge. Grouse Mountain Lodge, near Whitefish and Glacier National Park, offers upscale accommodations, resort facilities and multiple restaurants.
Travel to Whitefish, Montana
It’s easy to get to Whitefish. Many airlines fly into Whitefish Municipal Airport (the closest major airport to a mountain town) from Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Take Amtrak’s Empire Builder from Seattle or Portland, Chicago or Minneapolis to the historical Whitefish Train Depot. Or drive through some of the most scenic landscapes to Whitefish on Highway 93 past Flathead Lake and Kalispell, Montana.
Whitefish, Montana, offers unlimited winter recreation – from downhill skiing and snowboarding to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, dog sledding and sleigh riding. The town’s ambiance includes a covered sidewalk main street, cultural arts center, historic depot museum and public library, as well as quality restaurants, shopping and night life. Lodging is available in hotels, motels, inns, vacation rentals, lodges and resorts.
For more winter ski vacation options in the Northwest, try Stevens Pass, Washington; Big Sky, Montana; Sun Valley, Idaho; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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