Category: Essex

Western Montana often conjures up images of cowboys, dude ranches, the Wild West and horseback rides through alpine forests and sweeping mountain valleys. For those looking to take the reins on their own cowboy or cowgirl adventure, Glacier Country can deliver. Our region is chock-full of resorts and ranches that have harnessed Montana’s history and packaged it for your pleasure. Grab your cowboy hat and saddle up in Western Montana.

[caption id="attachment_7205" align="aligncenter" width="5760"] Hop in your car and prepare for epic views of Glacier National Park…and don’t worry, there are plenty of places to pull over and capture the moment.[/caption]

Winter in Western Montana is pure magic, and that’s because we don’t just know how to play in the snow, we know how to stay in the snow. Our secret? Cozy. Get snug fireside in one of our luxury lodges, cabins or chalets. Staying in Glacier Country is part of the beauty of playing in Glacier Country, and warm western hospitality is our specialty. You’d be hard pressed to find a more authentic Montana winter getaway experience than what you’ll discover here. We’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite spots to get your cozy on.

Road trips are often equated with summertime, or at least with the warmer months (and by warmer we mean no threat of snowy road conditions). But here’s the thing: we recreate outdoors all year here in Western Montana, so we’re always on the road driving from one ski hill, Nordic paradise or snowmobile trail to another, and we’re here to tell you this—the winter panoramas from the pavement here are pretty magical, and the stops along the way are, too. 

We’re going to come right out and say it: we love food. And you already know how much we love Montana. So it goes without saying that eating in Montana is, well, very high on our list of favorites. We get it: when you think about Glacier Country, food isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Let us assure you, however, that Big Sky Country’s culinary contributions are unexpectedly phenomenal.

We’re going to come right out and say it: we’re carnivores at heart. When we think of all the things we love about Western Montana (the list is long), savoring a juicy, perfectly cooked, locally raised steak is way up near the top of the list. It’s not just a mouthwateringly delicious meal, it’s a full Montana experience. Raising cattle is a way of life here. It’s a livelihood infused with a rich history of agricultural pride, cowboy culture and—most importantly—a high regard for the land and the livestock. We love everything about a Montana steakhouse, and we’re pretty confident you will, too.