KALISPELL MONTANA

estled among the mountains of northwest Montana is the town of Kalispell. Best described as unassuming, with the perfect amount of friendly hospitality that’s come to be associated with the American West, Kalispell is a place that knows how to winter. And with 1.4 annual metres of snowfall that cover the surrounding mountains—including Glacier National Park—they better.

In the West, winter is firmly associated with downhill skiing, and for good reason. Here, snow comes early and regularly as storms dump fresh powder on the Whitefish, Salish and Swan mountains.

As the hub of northwest Montana, Kalispell is within easy reach of two downhill ski areas—blacktail Mountain Ski Area and Whitefish Mountain Resort. A worldclass destination, Whitefish Mountain Resort is 35 kilometres from Kalispell and boasts 360-degree views of Glacier National

NPark, the Flathead Valley and Flathead Lake. It also has 1,200+ hectares of terrain, 111 marked trails, massive amounts of bowl and tree skiing and four terrain parks. Meanwhile, 44 kilometres to the south of Kalispell is Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

With panoramic views of Flathead Lake, Blacktail Mountain is an upside-down ski resort (the lodge and parking are at the top of the mountain) that encompasses 400 hectares and has 25 trails for mixed experience levels.

While downhill skiing is high on the list of things to do for many visitors, there’s so much more to do off the slopes in this unfiltered mountain town.

Going-to-the-sun Road and soak up the park in a time of year that not many visitors experience. Apgar Village, located just inside the park’s entrance, is open and is a great spot to take in the winter view of Lake Mcdonald and the snowy Livingston Range.