A Local's Guide To Whitefish, Montana
Updated August 2024
When I started this blog in 2016, the very first article I published was a guide to exploring the resort town of Whitefish, Montana. It felt like a fitting way to jumpstart my journey of sharing travel tips and city guides, as Whitefish is a destination this Montana girl knows like the back of her hand. Fast forward 6 years and the popular-yet-quiet ski town (which hasn’t changed all that much in the past few decades) has evolved from a relatively under-the-radar escape to a highly-sought after destination (along with the rest of The Last Best Place). With many of you planning trips to Glacier National Park and the surrounding area, it felt like it was time to update this guide.
Situated twenty-six miles from the west entrance of Glacier, Whitefish is a year-round mountain playground, offering 300 acres of world-class skiing in the winter and countless types of outdoor recreation in the summer, all set against the backdrop of small-town charm and jaw-dropping natural beauty. It’s the type of town where your day can seamlessly go from hiking grassy slopes to window shopping high-end art galleries, or where the foodie in you can enjoy a fresh açaí bowl in the morning, sip on a local ginger brew in the afternoon and finish with a classic Montana bison burger at night. In almost every aspect of Whitefish, the traditional local scene is very much alive and well, just now alongside a new wave of youthful startups offering a fresh perspective - beautifully balanced yet true to its roots.
Explore the endless hiking and biking trails. Take a morning spin class. Cruise the gorgeous 7-mile long glacial lake. Sample local libations at a downtown distillery. Discover your inner cowboy on a trail ride. Tee it up on championship golf courses. Experience world-class fly fishing with a local guide. From my lifelong tried-and-true favorites to new discoveries, below are my recommendations for first-time visits and annual arrivals alike.