Tag Archives: Whitefish Mountain Resort

Powder day.

Montana: Home to Light Snow & Deep Powder

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Montana is a pretty humble state. The people are low key, the mountain goats are composed and the communities are welcoming. All in all, it’s a cool crowd.

And while we know we’re fortunate in Big Sky Country, we also aren’t big on bragging. So instead we’re going to have someone else tell you how cool Montana is…so I chatted with pro skier and Warren Miller Entertainment athlete Tyler Ceccanti about opening weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort to get his take on skiing in Western Montana.

TT: Tyler, how was the snow at Whitefish Mountain Resort?
TC: It was the lightest snow I think I’ve ever skied.

TT: How would you describe opening weekend?
TC: Those were two of the best days of skiing I’ve had in a long time.

And for those of you who are looking for photographic proof of Tyler’s take on Montana, here are a few images from last weekend.

Hello Big Mountain.

Look at that SNOW.

Tyler shredding through “the lightest snow” he’s ever skied.

Powder day.

And for even more proof, check out the Daily Snow Reporter Video.

Want more winter?

Come play in the powder at Lookout Pass (one of my personal favorites), Lost Trail, Turner Mountain, Blacktail Mountain, Montana Snowbowl or Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Happy winter,
TT

Tyler Ceccanti (l) and Andy Mahre (r). Photo by Alex Obrien.

Warren Miller’s Flow State Hits Missoula: Tyler Ceccanti Shreds Whitefish

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It’s happening, people.

One of the greatest entertainment companies of all time will be showing their latest creation “Flow State” at the Wilma Theatre in downtown Missoula THIS Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m.

And as if that’s not enough, Tyler Ceccanti will be attending the premiere. Now, this messy-haired girl knows that many of you have probably not heard of Tyler. And that’s okay, because if you haven’t yet, you’ll be hearing a lot about him in the coming years.

An up-and-comer in the professional skiing world, Tyler has a featured segment from Japan in this year’s movie. And it’s awesome.

Tyler Ceccanti (l) and Andy Mahre (r). Photo by Alex Obrien.

Side note: Even if you’re not into skiing, shredding and tricks, you’ll want to come to the movie just to meet Tyler. In my experience, he is best described in one word: rad. In addition, he is adorable. The kind of adorable that is sweet, cute, personable and hardcore—all rolled up into one.

Hello, Tyler Ceccanti.
(photo from http://tyler-ceccanti.com/)

Prior to the movie’s premiere and as part of Missoula’s First Friday festivities, MSO Hub is hosting a winter photography showcase and autograph signing to kick off the weekend’s festivities, with work on display from Taylar Robbins, Mark Mesenko and Craig Moore. Tyler will also be on hand to talk skiing from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Following the festivities at the Hub, the Wilma Theatre will open its doors for the movie at 7 p.m., with the first 400 attendees receiving 2-for-1 passes to Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area. Plus, movie goers will get to visit with representatives from local area ski resorts (including Discovery Ski Area, Lost Trail Powder Mountain and Whitefish Mountain Resort). Attendees will also be entered to win lift tickets, ski & stay packages and gear from ski industry manufacturers.

Tickets for the film are available at The Trail Head and Rockin’ Rudy’s and are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation.

And for those of you haven’t heard, Whitefish Mountain Resort is opening for the season on Saturday! To help kick off the resort’s opening, Tyler will be shredding down the mountain we all love so much on December 8 – 9.  As part of his time there, all skiers are invited to meet Tyler at the Summit House on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for poster signings and photo opportunities.

 

Hope to see you at the premiere and on the slopes this weekend!
TT

Catching air at Lookout Pass last February. (Photo by Glacier Country Tourism)

Be a Winter Warrior (and win cool stuff)

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We’re saying it: Happy winter! While the first official day of winter isn’t until December 21, around these parts we get pumped for winter early. How pumped, you ask? Very pumped.

In fact, this year we’re so excited about winter that we’re celebrating it and spreading the good word about winter in Montana with our Winter Warrior campaign. (If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a gander at www.winterwarrior.glaciermt.com).

Catching air at Lookout Pass last February. (Photo by Glacier Country Tourism)

As part of the campaign, we’re encouraging folks near and far to sign up to become a Winter Warrior and to learn more about their favorite winter-geared activity of choice in Western Montana’s Glacier Country.

The best part, besides finding out all the info you need to shred, sled and play in Western Montana this winter, is that after you sign up you’re automatically entered into our weekly giveaways.  And boy howdy, we’ve got some good swag to give away!

Here’s a list of the goodness we’re giving away every week, all winter long. Drumroll, please…

Now that you’ve made it through this list (pretty sweet stuff, right?), be sure to head over and sign up to become a Winter Warrior.  After all, winter is rad.

And winter in Montana? Well, it’s even radder.

Bonus: When you order your Winter Warrior packet, we’ll send you one of these cool stickers.

Happy shredding,
TT

Hello beautiful forest.

Dear Summer: Bring It On

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It’s official. With the opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (June 19) and the official first day of summer (June 20), summer is here. And this girl is STOKED. Like hardcore, can hardly wait, super excited for each and every thing that summer has to offer stoked.

Bugs? They don’t bother me. (Okay, they do a little which is why someone invented bug spray). Hot days? Love ‘em. (It’s a dry heat after all). Long daylight hours? Don’t mind if I do. (This blondie loves the sunshine. And yes, I lather up with SPF).

To kick off summer, I wanted to share some of the most epic summer activities and events that can be found in Montana during the next few months. May I present to you “Tia’s Terrific Montana Travel Summer List of Pure Fun” or “TTMTSLPF.”

Glacier National Park
Some of my earliest memories are of visiting and exploring Glacier National Park with my family. Back then, it was a magical place filled with bears, waterfalls, giant lodges and ice cold lakes. Today, I’m really happy to tell you that it’s still a magical place. If you haven’t been, it’s a destination that should definitely be on your list of places to explore. My recommendations? Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, take a Sun Tour (where you’ll learn about the park from the perspective of the Blackfeet Indians), hike to Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicine and sit by the fire at Many Glacier Hotel. And most importantly, just get lost in the nature, beauty, power and history of the park.

Hiking to Avalanche Lake with the baby sister.

Clearwater Canoe Trail
Hands down, this is one of my favorite activities for summertime. Located a short drive north (about four miles) of Seeley Lake, this trail meanders its way through a willow marsh before flowing into the north end of Seeley Lake. My recommendation? Paddle this in the early morning hours and soak in the stillness and peacefulness of the trail.

Ah...

River City Roots Festival
This festival is Missoula at its best. It’s a two-day FREE festival with incredible art and live music in the heart of downtown Missoula. Plus, if you have little ones there is plenty of entertainment and activities to keep everyone in your family entertained.

Zip Lining at Whitefish Mountain Resort
A visit to the zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort is a MUST. It combines beautiful views with short hikes and speed with giggles and shrieks. Two words to describe it: Pure fun.

Families that zip line together, stay together. (Or something like that).

Lake and River Lounging
In the summer, you have to lounge. And there are plenty of river and lakes in Western Montana that provide prime lounging opportunities. My recommendations? Get your lounge on at Whitefish Lake, Noxon Rapids Reservoir, Lake Como, Seeley Lake, Johnsrud State Park on the Blackfoot River and Flathead Lake.

Bike the Hiawatha
Last summer, my brother and I headed to the Route of the Hiawatha to ride its 15-mile trail through tunnels and across steel trestles. And it was awesome.

Hello beautiful forest.

Eat Ice Cream
This is perhaps the golden rule of summer. Best places to get a scoop (or seven): Big Dipper in Missoula; Sweet Peaks in Whitefish, Bigfork and Kalispell; Eddy’s Cafe in Apgar Village; and St. Mary Cafe in St. Mary (best paired with their pie). My recommendation? Be sure to try the huckleberry ice cream.

Big Dipper in Missoula.

Happy, happy summer.
TT

PS: For more summertime fun, check out these 101 Things To Do.

Meet your huckleberry at Lookout Pass.

Montana Now Serving: Winter

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Your order is ready.

Oh what’s that, you didn’t order fluffy white powder, sunny blue skies, cute towns, affordable lift tickets and some sweet travel deals? Not to worry, I put the order in for you. (You’re welcome). The catch? You’ve got to come to Western Montana to pick it up.

Here’s what’s waiting for you, RIGHT NOW, in Glacier Country…

Six Ski Areas
With nearly 7,000 acres of terrain between six ski areas (including Whitefish Mountain Resort, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, Montana Snowbowl, Blacktail Mountain and Turner Mountain), you have plenty of room to roam. Plus, we guarantee there are untracked lines waiting just for you.

Meet your huckleberry at Lookout Pass.

Travel Deals
 $99 room rate, Grouse Mountain Lodge
The crew at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish is currently offering $99 room rates. Call the lodge at 406.892.2525 and ask for the “Northern Friends Special.” Sidenote: You don’t have to be Canadian to receive this rate, you just have to say those three magic words.

Soak in Paradise
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort (literally located in Paradise, Montana) is offering a Ski, Soak & Stay special for $136.50. The package (for two) is good for double occupancy at Quinn’s, use of the hot mineral pools and breakfast at Harwood House Restaurant. Plus, show your lodging confirmation at Lookout Pass and receive 30% off lift tickets.

Winter Fun
 Seeley Lake’s Double Arrow Lodge is offering a Winter Fun package that includes lodging (for two), breakfast and dinner, as well as complimentary use of cross-country skis and snowshoes. Plus, snowmobile rentals are available in the town of Seeley Lake with more than 350 miles of accessible groomed trails nearby.

Glacier National Park
 While it still seems like kind of an (awesome) secret, Glacier National Park is open year-round. Which means that now is a serene time to explore the park.

My suggestion? Take a drive to Apgar Village inside the park’s west entrance and stand at the southern shore of Lake McDonald. The site is truly spectacular. And if you’ve got time on your hands, drive up the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Lake McDonald Lodge (be sure to pack your snowshoes) and have yourself a walk along the shore. Or, if cross-country skiing is more your style, try one of the trails that parallel the road.

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. Photo courtesy: Glacier National Park Fund.

So…see you soon?
TT

Bonus info: The long-term forecast for March is projecting more snow. Good thing this girl is back in the snowboarding saddle.

My gramps.

Montana: We’ve Got Good Eats

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When this messy-haired blond girl was growing up, we lived one mile down the road from my grandparents and our family owned store, where my grandpa was constantly (and boy do I mean constantly) cooking food for whoever happened to be around. And since it was was a store, there were always people around to taste his cooking.

My gramps.

My grandpa had two catch phrases: one was “Have a happy day.” and the other was “Want to taste something good?” And when we heard the latter, we knew there was something delicious simmering on the stove for us in the backroom.

While fine dining may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Montana, we truly have some amazing chefs serving up mouth-watering dishes. And because I love food (thank you for that grandpa) and sharing special places with you, I need to introduce you to Cafe Kandahar (located at Whitefish Mountain Resort) and its delectable dishes. Have a gander.

Louisiana Shrimp.

Alaskan Salmon (so yummy).

The lamb was literally cooked to perfection.

Montana-raised Kobe Beef...it's what's for dinner.

Hello warm chocolate tort cake.

Not to play favorites, but this huckleberry dessert was perfection.

To which I now must ask you, want to taste something good?
TT

It was a beautiful inversion day.

Whitefish, Montana: Pretty Prettiness

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While the view from my office is typically pretty standard (hallway, door, windows and people cruising past), last weekend it was simply awesome.

I traveled north to the charming mountain town of Whitefish for Winter Carnival, the Black Star Beer Barter and some sweet shredding at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

And this, my friends, was the view from my “Office for A Day.”

The view into Glacier National Park from the summit at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

So many choices...

It was a beautiful inversion day.

Man, I love that office.
TT

ggg-fb-landing

Great Glacier Giveaway

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I have to tell you something. It’s something I’ve been itching to spill the beans to you on for weeks and now I can finally shout it from the mountaintops: Glacier Country Tourism is GIVING AWAY a trip to Montana!

As a girl who’s been in love with Montana for years, giving away a trip to Western Montana tickles me pink. It makes me excited for you to come and experience Big Sky Country, where you’ll be able to “fly with joy” down the zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort, hike a beautiful trail in Glacier National Park and marvel in the stunning beauty that is the Crown of the Continent.

But it’s more than that. I’m excited because I get to share a place that I love so much with you. And for this messy-haired blond girl, it doesn’t get much better than that. (Cheesy, but true).

Here’s the scoop on how to enter: Great Glacier Giveaway

Hope to see you in Montana soon,
TT

The morning commute in Missoula. Photo by Taylar Robbins.

Snow Day!

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Happy Friday from Montana! As you may have heard, Western Montana has been being hit with EPIC snowfall. And I don’t use the word epic lightly.

I’m talking about the kind of snowfall that had Lost Trail Powder Mountain receiving 50″ in the last 48 hours, Montana Snowbowl welcoming 26″ in the last 48 hours, Lookout Pass Ski Area garnering 22″ in the last 48 hours, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area welcoming 13″ in the last 48 hours, Whitefish Mountain Resort recording 7″ in the last 48 hours and Turner Mountain Ski Area accumulating 20″ this week.

But instead of telling you, I’d rather show you.

Morning in Missoula.

Fresh powder at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Photo by Brian Schott.

The morning commute in Missoula. Photo by Taylar Robbins.

The Apgar Lookout webcam in Glacier National Park.

Mike Hardisty riding at Lookout Pass. Photo courtesy Lookout Pass.

Happy winter!
TT

PS: If you’re ready to come play in the snow on your winter toy of choice, check out these travel deals from local Montana businesses.

The Whiskey Barn at Glacier Distilling Company.

Good Eats in Montana

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This is what I’ve been doing the last two days.

Homemade cookies=a sweet dinner

The Whiskey Barn at Glacier Distilling Company.

Good morning, Good Medicine Lodge.

Homemade goodies from San-Suz-Ed RV and B&B. Yes, please.

Eating delicious goodies, treats and meals made in the heart of Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better go hike it out.

xoxo,
TT