Bird Woman Falls is a glistening 419-foot waterfall, the tallest in Glacier. From West Glacier, take the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the top of Lake McDonald and the Bird Woman Falls Overlook. This view of the U-shaped Lake McDonald Valley is evidence of the prehistoric glaciers’ role in carving and sculpting the Park landscape.

A GLACIER ICON
Many Glacier: a stunning view of Grinnell Lake.

This is the day hike that has made photographers famous. Take Many Glacier Road from Babb to Many Glacier, then head south to the Grinnell Glacier trailhead. Hiking distances to the overlook vary, but from the trailhead it’s a 3.4-mile hike, gaining only 60 feet in elevation.

A MONTANA ICON
Smokejumpers — Montana heroes.

Each summer, about 400 smokejumpers are on duty with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The Smokejumper Center [LINK TO: www.fs.fed.us/fire/people/smokejumpers/missoula/center.html], where you can learn about this remarkable breed of firefighter, is a few miles west of Missoula.

A MONTANA ICON
The Kerr Dam overlook.

Kerr Dam is a thrilling experience. At 204 feet high, it’s 54 feet higher than Niagara Falls. A 1,000-foot boardwalk takes you directly above the thundering falls, where you’ll also take in an amazing canyon view. Tours available by appointment. Bring a picnic, or reserve a whitewater rafting trip nearby. To get there, head west from Polson on 7th Avenue, which will become Kerr Dam Road, then follow the signs. Don’t forget the camera.

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
A Park by any other name…

With one of North America’s most dramatic series of high mountain peaks, Glacier National Park is often referred to as the Crown of the Continent. Centuries earlier, Native tribes stood before long stretches of rocky hillsides (like the never-ending rock face later named The Chinese Wall) and called it The Backbone of the World. Of course, both names are as appropriate as ever, with views of pyramid peaks and ice-capped ridges that seem to go on forever.

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
A hefty Hereford.

Clearwater Junction, along Highway 200 at the base of the beautiful Seeley-Swan Valley, is where you’ll find one giant steer. He’s 15 feet high, 18 feet long, and … made of fiberglass.

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
Snow-eater.

Spring in Glacier Country warms up quickly, often thanks to “Chinooks” that sweep down from the mountains and melt the snow. “Chinook,” after all, is a Native American word for “snow-eater.”

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
A superior pine.

Glacier Country is where you’ll find Montana’s largest ponderosa pine, at 194 feet tall and 78 inches wide. It’s off Fish Creek Road, between Alberton and Superior on Interstate 90.

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT
Making a New Hampshire maple green with envy.

The western larch sheds its needles every fall in remarkable hues of gold and red, and grows new ones every spring. It can grow up to 200 feet tall and live some 400 years. Take a drive down the Seeley-Swan Valley (Highway 83) to get a glimpse of changing fall colors that rival New England’s famous landscapes.

BIKE TRIP
Bridges and tunnels make this cruise unlike any other.

The Hiawatha Rail Trail winds through 11 mountain tunnels and over nine steel trestle bridges on a gentle downhill slope. This easy 11-mile downhill is only a part of the full 46-mile trail that traverses the rugged Bitterroots between Montana and Idaho, with views of alpine lakes, river valleys and unbroken forests. From Missoula, put the bikes on the roof rack and take Interstate 90 west to the state line and Lookout Pass. Learn more at www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/activities/biking/hiawatha.html.

BIKE TRIP
Off-season, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to cars and open to you.

Rent a few mountain bikes in Kalispell on your way to the Park, then get in gear. Keep an eye out for harlequin ducks as you cruise the Going-to-the-Sun Road while it’s closed to vehicular traffic. Of course, keep your eyes on the road, too.

BIRD WATCHING
A birder’s paradise.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife survey found that Montana leads the nation with the largest percentage of bird watchers. Here, some of the species you can check off your list include the great blue heron, the harlequin duck and the osprey. For the best views, bring your binoculars to the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge (http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/leemetcalf/) down Highway 93 in the Bitterroot Valley. Or visit the Ninepipes Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/bisonrange/ninepipe) , also on 93, south of Ronan in the Mission Valley.

BIRD WATCHING
Ask any birder. The Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge is world-class.

About 24 miles south of Missoula on Highway 93, just north of Stevensville, the Metcalf is a birder’s delight. Look and listen for the great horned owl as you amble the handicapped-access trails.

BIRD WATCHING
The Ninepipes National Wildlife Refuge.

On Highway 93 south of Polson, and just north of St. Ignatius, you’ll find the Owl Research Institute and more than 200 species of birds. To learn more, visit www.owlinstitute.org, or call 406-644-3412.

BIRD WATCHING
Another birding hideaway in Glacier Country.

The Goat Creek Wildlife Trail, at the north end of the scenic Swan Valley, is a quiet place to check several birds off your list. Take Highway 83 south from Bigfork (www.bigfork.org).

DAY TRIP
Gardens, to train depot, to river trail, to beach. Doesn’t get much cooler than that.

This one in Whitefish has it all. Start at the beautiful Gallo Gardens by the historic Train Depot, a pleasant place to watch the trains come and go. Grab lunch in town, then make your way down the Whitefish River Trail, a paved bike and pedestrian trail that winds from Central Avenue to Whitefish Lake and the City Beach, taking in scenic overlooks and rest stops along the way. Learn more about Whitefish at www.whitefishchamber.com.

DAY TRIP
The Clark Fork River, come hill or high water.

Of Montana’s many rivers, the Clark Fork carries the greatest amount of water, followed by the Kootenai. In addition to beautiful fishing spots and whitewater gorges, you can cruise the Clark Fork River area along Interstate 90 for full-service RV facilities, views of towering cliffs, and trailheads for day hikes into the mountains above Trout Creek.

HIKING TRIP
Bass Creek to Bass Lake in the Bitterroots.

For a longer but manageable day hike, drive down Highway 93 from Missoula for about 23 miles, to Bass Creek Road. On the right, you’ll find the trailhead fairly close to town. The hike to Bass Lake (a beautiful sight) is about 17 miles roundtrip.

HIKING TRIP
Glacier Country’s backcountry areas are, in a word, huge.

Of Montana’s 10 National Forests, the largest is the Flathead (www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead). At 2.3 million acres, it’s about the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined. The 2 million-acre Lolo National Forest (www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo) is just as spectacular. In either area, there’s a lot to see—and a lot to learn, especially when it comes to safety. In fact, if you’re new to the backcountry, a great way to learn the ropes and enjoy Glacier Country’s treasures is to hire an experienced guide.

HIKING TRIP + FLOAT
The Clearwater River Canoe Trail.

The Clearwater is perfect for bird watchers who float. And floaters who watch birds, for that matter. The area is teeming with rare avian species, so don't forget your binoculars. (Bring life jackets, too; they’re required by law.) Located about four miles north of the town of Seeley Lake on the west side of Highway 83. Follow the winding dirt road a short distance to the canoe launch site. The canoe trail flows about three miles to where the Clearwater River enters Seeley Lake just north of the Forest Service ranger station. Take-out is at the ranger station. Learn more at www.seeleylakechamber.com.

HOT SPRINGS
Quinn’s new facilities are a romantic getaway.

Quinn’s scenic location on the Clark Fork River makes it a great launch pad for fly-fishing, floating and riverside horseback riding trips. Quinn’s features brand-new cabins, hot mineral pools, a restaurant, tavern and gift shop, and is conveniently located off Interstate 90 in (where else?) Paradise.

HOT SPRINGS
The historic Symes Hotel transports you to another time.

One of the West's last surviving grand resort hotels, Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Resort hearkens to a time when genteel city folk retreated to the mountains for the healing qualities of hot mineral springs. Symes features beautiful rooms, a gourmet restaurant, party facilities, wedding services, a salon and day spa with massage treatments, and yoga lessons—all tucked away at the foot of the Cabinet Mountains on Highway 28, between Highways 93 and 200.

HOT SPRINGS
Natural hot springs are hidden gems.

In general, secluded natural hot springs are closely guarded secrets, like great trout fisheries (try the Kootenai, just outside of Troy) or the best Bloody Mary (Snowbowl’s Last Run Inn, hands down). A good place to start is, naturally, the town of Hot Springs. Take Highway 28 west of Flathead Lake and watch carefully for the markers indicating public hot springs.

MONTANA CULTURE
Kalispell’s bastion of art and history.

The Hockaday Museum of Art (www.hockadaymuseum.org), housed in the historic Carnegie Library Building, features exhibitions focusing on the art of Montana and the artists of Glacier National Park. It’s located in downtown Kalispell, two blocks east of Main Street, on the corner of Second Avenue East and Third Street. Rotating exhibits showcase nationally renowned and emerging artists alongside the permanent exhibition, “Crown of the Continent: Glacier National Park Gallery.” The kids will love the Discovery Gallery’s hands-on activities. Also, don’t miss the Central School Museum (www.yourmuseum.com), or the Conrad Mansion, a beautifully preserved, pre-1900s estate (www.conradmansion.com).

MONTANA CULTURE
How Missoula Children’s Theater made itself world-famous.

The Missoula Children’s Theater group tours schools around the world each year, encouraging some 50,000 kids to try the stage. Back at home, the new theater runs top-name musicals and plays all year, enriching Missoula’s cultural offerings. Learn more at www.mctinc.org.

MONTANA CULTURE
How the arts have immortalized Glacier Country.

Joseph Kinsey Howard, in his 1943 book Montana: High, Wide and Handsome, wrote: “Montana is a remote hinterland about as well-known to the average eastern seaboard citizen as … West Africa.” Visitors get to know Glacier Country a little better at cultural destinations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (www.elkfoundation.org) in Missoula, the Daly Mansion (www.dalymansion.org) in Hamilton, and the Hockaday Museum (www.hockadaymuseum.org) in Kalispell.

MOUNTAIN TOWN
At the base of five valleys, Missoula offers no shortage of adventure.

One way to make your Missoula stay even better is to get out of Missoula. Throw the mountain bikes on the roof rack (you’ll look right at home here), and drive north on Van Buren, which becomes Rattlesnake Drive, about six miles to the Rattlesnake Wilderness trailhead. Then, simply pick a trail. They’re all long, and each one offers views you’ll never forget. By the way, don’t worry—there are no rattlers up there. Visit www.missoulacvb.org to learn more.

MOUNTAIN TOWN
Whitefish has it all.

In the summer, boats skim across Whitefish Lake, families play at City Beach, and hikers explore the backcountry. In winter months, downhillers enjoy Big Mountain’s laid-back vibe and thousands of acres of varied terrain, while cross-country enthusiasts explore the Nordic Center or Grouse Mountain Lodge’s trails. And, any time of year, visitors amble downtown for great shopping, authentic antiquing, brewery tours, and bustling nighlife hotspots. In short, it’s a classic mountain town, right here in Glacier Country. Visit www.whitefishchamber.com to learn more.

MOUNTAIN TOWN
In Kalispell, the only difficult decision is what to do first.

Kalispell is one of Glacier Country’s cultural hubs, and a great recreational launch pad. Prime examples of Montana’s rich history and abundant outdoor adventure lie in every direction. Spend the morning at the Hockaday Museum or the Central School Museum. Then head east into Glacier National Park for lunch and an afternoon of incredible views. Get started by getting to know Kalispell, at www.kalispellchamber.com.

MUST-SEE
Four can’t-miss spots in the Bitterroot Valley

1. The Daly Mansion. In Hamilton, 43 miles south of Missoula, a Montana Copper King built a huge house (and pretty much a whole town). Take Marcus Street east to Eastside Highway. Entrance is west of mile marker two. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2. Ravalli County Museum. See some of the West’s finest art, from Charles Russell’s rugged cowboy scenes to Thomas Kincaid’s dramatic landscapes. Downtown Hamilton on State Street, a block south of Main.

3. Blodgett Canyon Overlook. It’s an easy 40-minute hike to this spectacular sight. From Hamilton, drive west on Main into the foothills of the Bitterroots, and follow the signs to the trailhead. Waterfalls are seven miles in; look for climbers on the granite walls.

4. The Bitterroot River. The Bitterroot is quintessential Montana. Rent a kickboat or raft on your way down to Darby, about 60 miles south of Missoula on Highway 93. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

MUST-SEE
Don’t miss this perfect view. And don’t forget your camera.

The Summit House at Big Mountain in Whitefish affords truly stunning sights. First take the gondola to the summit for first tracks. Then, after a morning of skiing, enjoy great food, some people-watching, and complete 360-views so distant you’ll swear you’re seeing the Yukon. (Note: The Summit House is closed for the summer of 2007. Visit www.bigmtn.com for details.)

MUST-SEE
Sunrise at St. Mary Lake is picture perfect.

Before dawn, drive northward on the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the southern tip of St. Mary Lake, past the St. Mary Falls trailhead to the Sun Point Nature Trail. Walk less than a mile to the overlook, and experience sunrise over the lake. An inspiring way to start your day.

MUST-SEE
The Weeping Wall: roll those windows up.

The Weeping Wall is a man-made feature along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road, near Logan Pass. See it in June or July, when high snowmelt will have the wall weeping more than ever, and you’ll have to roll up the car windows to stay dry.

MUST-SEE
The Swinging Bridge across the Kootenai River.

The narrow bridge’s ropes and trestles span the Kootenai River just below the falls, which were the setting for the action film “The River Wild.” Take Highway 2 eastward from Libby. A forest trail leads from the highway parking lot to the Swinging Bridge, winding through the trees and offering great river views along the way. It makes for an easy hike with a great reward at the end.

MUST-SEE
Why is Missoula such a popular place?

Outside Magazine consistently ranks Missoula as the number-one town for outdoor recreation (click here to learn more) [LINK TO: outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200109/200109towns_14.adp] Why? We think it might have something to do with the hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, kayaking, rafting, fishing, canoeing, swimming, climbing, wildlife viewing, trail running, trail riding, bird watching, downhill skiing, and snowboarding—all just minutes from town, if not in town itself. Tour Missoula at www.missoulacvb.org.

MUST-SEE
Chief Mountain at sunrise.

Chief Mountain is located about four miles north of Junction 17 and Highway 89, east of Glacier National Park. Get here before sunrise for a sight unlike any other. If you do nothing else all day (which is a perfectly acceptable choice here in Glacier Country), you’ll still call it a perfect day.

MUST SEE
The view of the Swan Range from Lindbergh Lake.

The Seeley-Swan Valley is for lake lovers, and one of the best places to see it is from a boat in the middle of Lindbergh Lake. Go further down the valley for some great trout fishing in Seeley Lake. Conveniently, the Seeley-Swan is also home to several top-notch lodges, too, like the Double Arrow.

MUST-SEE
The Bob is beautiful music.

The huge Bob Marshall Wilderness, known as the “crown jewel of the wilderness system” and home to countless camping spots, secluded trails and endless vistas, was named after the conservation pioneer who worked to preserve 5.4 million acres of wildlands. When asked, “How much wilderness does America need?” Marshall reportedly replied, “How many Brahms symphonies do we need?”

MUST-SEE
Snowbowl, the locals’ favorite.

Just 20 minutes north of Missoula is some of the finest downhill skiing anywhere, at Snowbowl (www.montanasnowbowl.com). Just don’t count on any of the glitz that world-class skiing usually attracts. Instead, count on great burgers, oven-fired pizzas, famous bloody marys, ski-bikes for rent, and, oh yeah, 2,600 feet of serious vertical. Head west of town to Grant Creek Road, take a right and follow the Subarus.

ONLY IN MONTANA
The mix of Americana at the Miracle of America Museum.

Did you ever think you’d find “The Smithsonian of the West” a mile or so south of Polson, Montana? Stop by anytime and enjoy this eclectic mix of period machines, century-old homesteads, antique cars and an amazing old-fashioned snowmobile. We guarantee you won’t find anything like it anywhere. Drive south on Highway 93 from Polson and keep on the lookout for the red, white and blue signs. And don’t miss the Flathead Historical Museum, also in Polson.

ONLY IN MONTANA
Get to know a few Montana heroes at the Smokejumper Visitor Center.

Located right in the middle of Glacier Country, the Smokejumper Visitor Center is a great stop on just about any western Montana road trip. From Missoula drive west on Broadway past the airport, and there you are. Spend a few hours learning about what it takes to be called a hero in Montana. To learn more, click here. [LINK TO: www.fs.fed.us/fire/people/smokejumpers/missoula/center.html.]

ONLY IN MONTANA
The Race to the Sky dogsled event.

February’s Race to the Sky is one of Montana's premier winter events. This dogsled race starts near Helena and continues across Montana's scenic winter country for 350 miles, finishing near Missoula. The Seeley-Swan Valley is a great place to see it come through. Catch it at the Seeley Lake Community Center in Seeley Lake, then come back to the Lincoln Community Hall for the awards ceremony. Includes children's games and events, a celebrity mush, and the mutt pull (exactly what it sounds like). Visit www.racetothesky.org or call 406-881-3647 to learn more.

ONLY IN MONTANA
Glacier Country’s deep lakes were carved by, well, glaciers.

Montana’s deepest lakes are right here in Glacier Country. Tally Lake is 500 feet deep. Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald is close behind at 470. And Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the West, is where the military does sonar testing, at a cool 390 feet.

ONLY IN MONTANA
Walk in the treetops. Literally.

Big Mountain's Walk in the Treetops (north of Whitefish) offers a rare bird's-eye view of life in the canopy. The 800-foot-long boardwalk is linked from tree to tree as high as 70 feet above the forest floor. Tucked in the legendary forest at the edge of Glacier National Park, this half-day experience places you in the heart of closely interconnected ecosystems from a completely unique perspective.

OVERNIGHTER
Cougar Peak Lookout Cabin is a secluded getaway with views.

Enjoy long-distance views by day and star-filled skies by night, at this four-person Forest Service cabin. From Thompson Falls, take Highway 200 northwest for 10 miles. The cabin is tucked away near Road 403, a short 150-foot hike from the road. Collect your firewood locally (and please obey all Forest Service regulations for burning). Open between early July and early October, for a $30 usage fee. Reserve your night at www.reserveUSA.com. [INSERT LINK]

ROAD TRIP
Heart Lake. An alpine gem.

From Missoula, take I-90 west to Trout Creek Road. Turn left and enjoy the scenic ride to the switchback, about an eight-mile roundtrip. This cool alpine lake is a secluded spot, perfect for camping.

ROAD TRIP
The Going-to-the-Sun Road. Believe the hype.

This unforgettable drive is everything you’ve heard. This 52-mile traverse of Glacier National Park crosses the Continental Divide over Logan Pass at 6,646 feet. From Kalispell, head east on Highway 2, turn left at the Park entrance into West Glacier, and follow the signs to the Going-to-the-Sun Road. ALTERNATE: See the road's sights from the comfort of an open-roofed historic Red Bus on an east-to-west trip from St. Mary.

ROAD TRIP
Beyond Glacier is a little place called Duck Lake. Enjoy.

Monster rainbow trout and perfect views of the gorgeous Rocky Mountain Front await you at Duck Lake. After an eastward jaunt on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, push a little further into the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Duck Lake is about 34 miles north of Browning on Highway 464 or 10 miles north of St. Mary.

ROAD TRIP
A weekend on the Clark Fork River.

Pick the right summer weekend and you’ll get a full taste of everything the Clark Fork has to offer. Drive the scenic Highway 200 to catch the Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival. Find great solitary fishing on the lower Clark Fork. Visit the Old Jailhouse Museum in Thompson Falls. Or go antiquing in towns throughout the region. There’s even a place called Paradise. (Figures.)

ROAD TRIP
The Looking Glass Highway is a nice little secret. For now.

The Looking Glass Highway (Highway 49), along Glacier National Park’s east border, is another often overlooked route that offers tremendous views of the park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Pick the right time of day (how about sunrise?) and you may just have it all to yourself.

ROAD TRIP + DAY HIKE
Holland Falls and Holland Lake.

If you’re a lake person, the Swan Valley should be on your itinerary. To see the beautiful Holland Falls, first get to Holland Lake Road (Highway 83 east from Kalispell; or, from Missoula, take Highway 200 east to Clearwater Junction, then go 36 miles north to Holland Lake Road). The falls are about a mile and a half up the trail; Upper Holland Lake is about five miles further. Overall, it’s a very manageable 12-mile roundtrip.

ROAD TRIP + WILDLIFE WATCH
The Jim Girard Memorial Grove.

The Girard is a free-flow discovery, meaning you explore it much like you would a hike into the mountains. Here, you’ll find the largest tamarack larch in the world, trees that are some 600 years old, and an abundance of wildlife, including moose, elk, bald eagles and ospreys. Located on Boy Scout Road about three miles west of Highway 83 and the town of Seeley Lake. Cross the bridge at the outlet of Seeley Lake. Learn more at www.seeleylakechamber.com.

TRIBAL TRADITIONS
How Native American culture shapes Glacier Country.

One tribe called themselves selish, now known as Salish, which is a word meaning “people.”

WILDLIFE WATCH
One of the few great places to view bighorn sheep.

Rams used to roam throughout the West, but today they can only be seen in a few areas. A little spot just outside of Thompson Falls is one of them. The Koo Koo Sint Viewing Area’s interpretive signs describe their habitat. Peak viewing is October through December, when 70 to 100 head may be grazing in the mountain meadow just off Highway 200.

WILDLIFE WATCH
The moose are back, and they’re underwater.

Although moose were once thought to be extinct throughout Montana except in Yellowstone National Park, there are actually an estimated 8,000 across the state. Interestingly, a moose can keep its head underwater for three minutes. The Bob Marshall Wilderness is a likely place to spot moose on your trip to Glacier County.

WILDLIFE WATCH
The unforgettable National Bison Range.

The only wildlife viewing of its kind. More than 18,000 acres of Palouse Prairie, forests, wetlands and streams provide a wide range of habitats for elk, deer, pronghorn, black bear, coyote, and, of course, about 400 bison. More than 200 species of birds also call the range home, including eagles, hawks, meadowlarks, bluebirds, ducks, and geese. The Bison Range is located off Highway 212 at Moiese. Take Highway 93 south of Kalispell/Polson, to Ronan. To learn more, visit www.fws.gov/bisonrange/nbr.

WILDLIFE WATCH
Psychic goats?

To predict Montana’s unpredictable weather, keep your eyes on mountain goats. If they remain high in the mountains, chances are the weather will be nice for a while. The lower they come, the better chance of a storm. Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is the place to see them.

WILDLIFE WATCH
If it looks like a goat, it isn’t a goat.

Mountain goats are not related to goats at all, but instead to antelope. The pronghorn antelope, on the other hand, is not an antelope, but instead … you guessed it. A goat. Get to know Montana’s wildlife a little better at the National Bison Range in Moiese (www.fws.gov/bisonrange/nbr), where 18,000 acres are home to game of every stripe, including the pronghorn, the fastest animal in North America.

WILDLIFE WATCH
Is Glacier Country crowded? Only if you’re an eagle.

The Rocky Mountain Front, east of Glacier National Park, leads the nation in the most golden eagle sightings in a single day. It is along their migration route. Explore the Front after traversing Glacier National Park west-to-east on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

WINTER BLAST
Glacier National Park is a winter playground.

If some of Glacier National Park’s roads are closed, that usually means the snow is high. There’s no better time to load the car up with skis and snowshoes, park at one of the entrances, strap on your gear and head down the trail. The Resort at Glacier (www.theresortatglacier.com), on Highway 89 in St. Mary, is a great place to start. Ask there for maps into the Park.

WINTER BLAST
Whitefish, where Montana got first tracks.

Big Mountain, in Whitefish, was the first commercial ski resort in Montana, opening in 1947. The hardcore skiers who originally wanted to call it “Hellroaring” settled for a run with that memorable name. Learn more about Big Mountain and great lodging destinations in Whitefish at www.whitefishchamber.org.

WINTER BLAST
In Glacier Country, skiing isn’t the only reason winter comes alive.

There’s Missoula’s February Frost Fever Festival (snow football, snow volleyball, snow softball). Then there’s Bigfork’s Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day at Woods Bay. And don’t forget skijoring, the Scandinavian sport in which a horse and rider pull a skier through an obstacle course. Catch that, along with aerial snowmobile demos and furniture racing, at the Whitefish Winter Fest.

WINTER BLAST
Whitefish is a cross-country skiing mecca.

The Glacier Nordic Center’s groomed, lighted trails, and a vast system of trails at Big Mountain Resort, combine to make Whitefish a prime cross-country skiing destination. Stay a few nights at the luxurious Grouse Mountain Lodge (www.grousemountainlodge.com) just a few miles west of town, where you can warm up after an afternoon on the trails out back. Visit www.bigmtn.com to learn more about the area’s cross-country skiing.