Monthly Archives: January 2011

Winter is Shining

Ok, I’m going to admit it. Summer is my favorite season in Montana, followed closely by fall and then spring. Which means winter is not my favorite…

And it’s not that I don’t like snow, because I actually think it’s pretty great. I think the crux of the problem is that I like daylight and winter really cramps my style when it comes to that, what with the late light arrival in the morning and the early to bed sun at night.

But I’m happy to say days are getting longer and the sun is shining, making for one happy blond-haired Montana girl. And another thing that tickles my fancy? Montana does winter in style. No joke. There are so many events and activities happening throughout the region that I don’t even know where to focus my attention.

And for those of you that may be in the same boat as me, I’ve created “Tia’s Winter Picks” for the next few weeks to help us all keep our winter glow shining.

World Skijoring Championships, Whitefish
January 29 – 30 (AKA THIS WEEKEND)
-This spectator-friendly event combines two of Montana’s greatest loves: horses and skiing. If you aren’t planning to hit up Whitefish this weekend, you may want to reconsider. Check out the video here.

Photo by Chad Harder

Whitefish Winter Carnival, Whitefish
February 4 – 6
-Perhaps one of Whitefish’s most notable events, winter carnival includes a ball, hockey tournament, kiddie carnival, grand parade & fireworks display. Fun, fun, fun!
(PS: They had me at ball. Any reason to wear a gown is good enough for me).

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Missoula
February 11 – 20
-This is the largest cinema event in Montana and the premiere venue for non-fiction film in the American West. The festival provides a setting for filmmakers to premiere new work, showing around 125 films annually. The festival also has panel discussions, workshops, pitch sessions and parties.

Cabin Fever Days, The Canyon
February 11 – 13
-This community, family focused event is held in Martin City and includes lively events like barstool ski races, a mountain man competition, children’s carnival and live music at various venues throughout the canyon.

Doggie Skijoring, West Glacier
February 19
-A perfect bonding experience for you and your favorite pup! Head up to Glacier Outdoor Center and compete against fellow racers and compare your doggie-fueled power in their annual race.

Puppy power! Photo by Glacier Country Tourism

For more events happening around the region, visit our calendar of events.

Happy winter!
TT

Winter Blues – No Thank You

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I’m going to be straight with you…sometimes winter in Montana can be long. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic season, but every once in a while I find myself looking at the falling snow and dreaming of a time that will bring plenty of sunshine and open-toed shoes.

So it’s at times like these that I remind myself that winter is fun…because it REALLY is.

Within our little corner of paradise, you can go skiing or snowboarding at SIX ski areas. The icing on that cake? No lift lines, affordable lift tickets and untracked powder virtually every day. That basically rocks.

The backside at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

And while I dig snowboarding, I LOVE snowmobiling. There is nothing like it. It’s exhilarating, easy to do and it takes you to stunning places and locations deep in the heart of Montana. My tip: Rent your own sled. Sure, riding double is cute but you deserve to experience it atop your own machine.

Snowmobiling with the Rich Ranch in the Swan Mountains Range.

And lastly, this time of year lets me bundle up with my sugar and relax on a quiet sleigh ride behind a team of horses. Don’t mind if I do.

Hello, cowboy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some serious playing to do.
TT

Winter Storytime

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Last winter, I had the pleasure of going snowshoeing in Glacier National Park. Our group had spent the night in Whitefish, where we had breakfast before making our way toward Glacier. And as it sometimes happens, Whitefish was a bit cloudy and overcast on that particular day.

We were all worried that we weren’t going to be able to see the stunning snow-covered mountains that make up Glacier National Park. But to our delight, the more we traveled east, the more the clouds lifted.

After passing through West Glacier, we drove up the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Lake McDonald Lodge. With a quick look at the snow-covered lodge, we made our way down toward the lake. We strapped on our snowshoes and our group of five set out along the shore of Lake McDonald, gradually making our way north.

Since I was the “mom” of the group, I brought up the rear. And as I was meandering my way north following my companions, I saw an eagle soar overhead. What happened next amazed me…

The eagle very gracefully scooped a fish up out of the ice cold waters of Lake McDonald and landed briefly on the fresh white snow along the shoreline, leaving behind a perfect cast of his wings in the open position, imprinting each feather into the snow.

Although that happened over a year ago, that image has never left my mind and I think of it often. It reminds me that the world we live in, remains majestic, pristine and full of little miracles and moments that make life what it is.

My hope as life moves forward is that the image of those wings perfectly pressed into the snowy bank along Lake McDonald never leaves my mind.

Montana Media Coverage

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It’s been mayhem around here I tell you, mayhem!

But luckily for all of us (including this crazy-haired blond girl) it’s been the good kind of mayhem…or as we like to call it – “Media Mayhem.”

Over the last few months, Montana has garnered some stellar media coverage from several of our media colleagues and friends. And I can truthfully say, I enjoy reading each and every story. Thank you to the writers and publications that have been sharing our state with your readers…

And because we in turn want to share their stories, here are a few for your reading pleasure…

Montana
Delta Sky
“Located in the northwest corner of Montana is Glacier Country, a year-round tourist destination known for its abundant mountain chalets and ski resorts, blue-ribbon fishing and historic inns–and, not-to-be-missed, Glacier National Park.”

Winter Wonders in Western Montana
Spokesman-Review Awayfinder
“Winter is serious business in these parts…”

A skier at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Backpacking Through Glacier National Park: Bears, Berries and Bliss
Austin American-Statesman
“I’ve traipsed around my neighborhood wearing a backpack weighted with books. I’ve tested socks, trying to find a pair that’ll stop blisters from forming on long hikes. I’ve shopped for freeze-dried meals. At last, I’m about to embark on a six-day trek through the backcountry of Glacier National Park.”

Montana Mystique
Horizon Air
“The Northern Rockies tower above Western Montana, and deep valleys attest to massive ice fields that melted thousands of years ago, leaving the area dotted with crystalline-blue lakes.”

Glacier National Park

A Girlfriend Getaway in Glacier Country
www.gonomad.com
“At Latitude 48, a hip little bistro in Whitefish, Montana, I sat on a high-top stool overlooking an open kitchen. The kitchen was staffed by five hunky men doing their best to keep up with the orders coming in from the packed dining room.”

Kayaking the Clark Fork River.

Winter Travel Pleasures, Montana Style
www.highonadventure.com
“I had my first cheese burger in paradise, but it was in the depth of a Montana winter where it was served, far away from Jimmy Buffet and all of that tropical stuff.”

Happy reading.
TT