Glacier News
The crown jewel of Montana is Glacier National Park, a large and beautiful park that rivals any of the other great national parks of America’s West. The park and the nearby town of Whitefish offer abundant outdoor activities for groups, which can take a leisurely ride up Going to the Sun Road or choose a more adventurous float trip or paddling adventure along the area’s waterways.
New developments this year are also making it easier for groups to stay overnight in or near the park. Concessioner Glacier Park has added two new hotels to its roster of Glacier-area properties. Just outside the park’s east entrance, St. Mary Lodge and Resort, is a 115-room property with lodge-style accommodations spread across six buildings.
On the other side of the park in Whitefish, Glacier Park Inc. has finished renovating Grouse Mountain Lodge, a 145-room, four-season resort. This full-service resort is adjacent to two golf courses and a cross-country-skiing area, and makes an ideal jumping-off point for groups touring the park.
www.glacierparkinc.com
A Tram to the Top
The Big Sky Resort is known as Montana’s premier skiing destination, and it buzzes with activity throughout the winter. In warmer months, though, the area promises visitors outdoor activities and beautiful mountain vistas.
This summer, the resort opened the Lone Peak Expedition Tram. The ride takes visitors in gondolas to the top of the 11,166-foot summit that overlooks the property. From that high vantage point, guests can see two national parks, three states and several mountain ranges.
On the way up and down the mountain, visitors also get glimpses of the wildlife that lives on the mountain, which includes numerous billy and nanny goats. Groups can opt to take guided tours, with experts escorting them to the top of the peak and then back down. More active visitors can ride up on the tram and then hike their way back down the mountain for an invigorating natural experience.
www.bigskyresort.com
