Add These Activities for Your Montana Bucket List

sunset in Montana's Paradise Valley during winter

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Wintertime in Montana

Montana Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in winter

Every bit I write this, wintertime has finally arrived in Montana. And I am not mad about it 1 bit! After a balmy start to the season, in a calendar week'southward time we went from l degrees to -20 in southwest Montana. Anybody around these parts is pretty excited about all that fresh snow on the slopes.

Are you planning a visit to Montana in the winter months? Never fear, the state doesn't close down when the seasons alter. Not a skier? That's okay! There's withal a beautiful world – not to mention, those famous big skies – out there to explore, with a piffling preparation.

Snowshoeing in Yellowstone National Park during winter
Cheque out those vintage snowshoes! (And the puffy jacket I recommend in my gear guide, below…)

Information technology would take a lifetime to experience all of the things to do in winter in Montana. Inspired by this list from the Peachy Falls Tribune, I'm writing downwardly my own bucket listing of Montana winter activities, organized by region.

I will update this post as I am able to scratch things off my to do listing or discover new activities to add. Note that some of the events listed were postponed due to the pandemic – hither's hoping they are able to render in winter 2021/2022.

Winter in Montana reminds you of that old adage – there is no such affair as bad weather, just bad clothes. Check out my gear guide at the end of this post to help you take a warm and prophylactic visit.

Primal Montana

Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, Montana
  • Ride a train across the Hi-Line from Havre to Glacier National Park.
  • Or, have a ride to the Due north Pole on the Charlie Russell Chew Choo. Lewistown takes its Christmas celebrations very seriously!
  • Experience the almanac Christmas singalong (and the famous Montana mermaids) at the Sip 'n Dip Lounge in Great Falls.
  • Find your favorite local craft beer. (Just be warned, Montana has the second almost breweries per capita of whatsoever state… and then this might take awhile.)
  • Cozy upwardly for a tasting menu meal you won't forget at one of Montana's succulent fine dining destinations. I recommend the One thousand Union Hotel in Fort Benton.
  • Acquire about the Corps of Discovery at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Heart in Great Falls.

Glacier Country

Montana Coffee Traders in Columbia Falls, Montana
  • Picket a canis familiaris sledding competition. Cheer on the teams competing in Race to the Sky, Montana'south 300-mile sled dog race held each February in Lincoln.
  • Come across the Garden of I Thousand Buddhas nether a blanket of snowfall, located north of Missoula.
  • Notice your favorite local java shop. My pick in Glacier Country: Montana Java Traders, of course.
  • Watch Christmas In Montana, the Hallmark motion picture about, well, Christmas in Montana. It features a financial planner from LA who is sent to save a ranch in Bigfork… but finds love instead. Get the DVD for yourself, here!
  • Stay in a red caboose at the Izaak Walton Inn. Then, explore Glacier National Park in winter. Going-to-the-Lord's day Road is closed but in that location's nonetheless plenty to encounter.
  • Attend the World Skijoring Invitational held in Whitefish every January.
  • Watch A River Runs Through It and Legends of the Fall, two of the almost iconic Montana-based movies.
  • Detect some alive music or theater at The Wilma Theater in Missoula.
  • Decide which ski boondocks is your favorite – Bozeman, Big Sky, Ruddy Lodge, or Glacier Country'southward Whitefish?

Missouri River Land

Bison in winter
  • See the northern lights. It is possible to see the northern lights in Montana – with the right conditions weather condition and a whole lot of luck. (The terminal forecast for northern lights in the U.S. ended up being a bosom.)
  • Rent a winter cabin. Become ice line-fishing. Ride a snowmobile.
  • Visit Republic of malta's Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station.
  • Go winter wildlife watching for bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and hundreds of species of birds at the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Book a weekend retreat at Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs.

Southeast Montana

Funny frozen snow pants during winter in Montana
  • Enjoy the ZooLights at ZooMontana in Billings. This unique park is dedicated to the conservation of animals that alive in Montana and elsewhere on the 45th parallel.
  • Bundle up and walk the Billings brew trail.
  • Go back in fourth dimension during a visit to Montana's first dinosaur museum, the Carter County Museum, in Ekalaka.
  • Finish for a libation at The Historic Montana Bar, which dates back to 1908. It is one of the all-time preserved western watering holes in Montana.
  • Line-fishing is a year-circular sport. End by Tongue River Reservoir State Park for a take chances to grab crappie, walleye, bass and northern pike.
  • Visit Makoshika Country Park during the off-flavor. This is Montana'due south largest land park, known for its fossils and jaw-dropping badlands.

Southwest Montana

Snowy bison laying down in Yellowstone National Park during winter
  • Stock upwards on Christmas gifts (or treat yourself) at the Patagonia outlet in Dillon.
  • In Oct, attend a ghost walk at Bannack State Park. Bannack was the kickoff territorial upper-case letter of Montana, and today is a well preserved ghost boondocks.
  • Go water ice skating in an outdoor rink.
  • Eat a pasty in Butte. This classic miners' food is a perfect winter meal.
  • Visit the state capitol in Helena to sentinel the Montana Legislature in session. While you are there, tour the Montana Historical Society or Original Governor's Mansion to acquire more near the Treasure State'southward heritage.
  • Visit the Fairmont Resort's indoor and outdoor hot springs.
  • Attend one of the region'south MANY Christmas strolls.

Yellowstone State

Snowy day on Main Street in downtown Livingston, Montana
  • Book an take a chance with the several sled dog outfitters around the state, including Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures in Large Sky and Spirit of the Due north in West Yellowstone.
  • Volume a relaxing retreat at Sage Lodge. Go away from it all at this rustic and refined getaway in the Paradise Valley.
  • Soak in as many hot springs equally possible, including Chico Hot Springs or Yellowstone's Boiling River in Yellowstone Country.
  • Learn how to ice climb. Montana Alpine Guides offers classes for all skill levels in Hyalite Canyon, but outside of Bozeman.
  • Drive to Cooke City, the long way. Visit i of the most isolated communities in the USA. For a practiced eight months of the yr, the just way in and out of Cooke Urban center is through Yellowstone's Lamar Valley and out the park'south northern entrance.
  • Experience the rivalry of a Montana/Montana State Cat-Griz football game.
  • Swallow a few cinnamon (or blueberry) rolls from Wheat Montana.
  • Feel the peaceful side of Yellowstone National Park. Desire to avoid the crowds? Visit Yellowstone during the winter. Gardiner's northern archway stays open twelvemonth round, which provides access to Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, and everything in between. At that place are many cross country ski or snowshoeing trails to choose from. A winter visit to the Old True-blue Snow Lodge is high on my bucket list. Kids (and the young at heart) tin can earn the elusive snowflake patch by completing the Winter Junior Ranger workbook.
  • Binge watch every flavor of Yellowstone. Beth and Rip forever.
  • Hike Bozeman's G trail in the snow.
  • Cutting your own Christmas Tree from i of Montana's National Forests.

What to Pack When Visiting Montana in Winter

A safe and fun winter circuit in Montana starts with packing right. Below is a listing of essential winter gear. Of form, if you plan on skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing or other winter adventuring, you lot will need additional gear.

Outdoors:

Necessary gear for winter in Montana
  • Daypack for carrying the essentials – I have one similar to this from Osprey.
  • Reusable water bottle. Anybody loves a expert Nalgene or Yeti.
  • Quick-dry towels that fold downwards small, for visits to hot springs. Bring a couple gallon ziplock numberless for those wet swimsuits, likewise.
  • A bully Yellowstone or Glacier trail guide.
  • National Parks Almanac Pass – but $80 gets you access to thousands of federally-managed public lands across the country. What a deal.
  • A big stash of Hot Hands. (Plenty said.)

Car Travel:

What to pack in your car during winter travel in Montana
  • A dependable flashlight.
  • Portable phone battery.
  • Windshield scraper.
  • A shovel, if you need to dig out of snow.
  • Water, blankets and snacks (plus a roadside emergency kit like this one) in instance you get stuck somewhere. (It happens.)
  • If you don't take a rugged vehicle, you might desire to consider renting a vehicle with AWD or 4WD then you tin can enjoy the snow without stressing.

Apps:

Favorite apps for traveling in Montana
  • Plan alee with lodging. In this age of social distancing, Airbnb is useful to find cozy cabins and more all around the state. (If you are new to Airbnb, click here for $40+ off your first stay.)
  • If you're camping or RVing, my favorite app to scope out campgrounds is Allstays.
  • Speaking of safety, be sure to check weather weather before you venture out. PassWarrior is a Montana-specific app that provides real time updates on route weather around the land. I like MyRadar for checking which fashion a storm is moving.
  • Download the complimentary Yellowstone NPS app to access an interactive map on the get – and see when six of the about pop geysers in the park will erupt next.
  • Don't forget to download a few hours' worth of binge-worthy podcasts to listen to when you lot hitting areas with no cell service!

Winter Clothing:

Favorite winter clothing for winter in Montana
  • Sunglasses for that snowfall glare. You lot Need Goodrs, they inverse my life.
  • A warm base layer. I live in these North Face lined leggings – one pair has lasted me five years! Smartwool makes great base layer tops.
  • If you plan to exist out in the elements quite a chip, pack some snow pants merely in case. You never know when you might need an extra layer.
  • When information technology comes to warm winter jackets, I am firmly on team Patagonia. My go-to is this puffy parka.
  • Thick socks, like these ones from Smartwool.
  • Footwear is a very personal decision. While I honey my classic Bean Boots for xc% of all situations, for adventuring in serious snowfall, you can't get incorrect with Sorel.
  • Gloves. I've had a pair similar to these from The Due north Face for years.
  • You need a beanie, and so why non arrive a fun one?

What's On Your Wintertime in Montana Bucket Listing?

Are you planning a winter trip to Montana? Did I exit your favorite Large Heaven Country destination off this list? Let me know in the comments or connect with me on Instagram! Thanks for reading!