Montana dude ranch vacation: Flathead Lake Lodge

On my very first morning of a week-long dude ranch stay at Flathead Lake Lodge in western Montana, I sat down to breakfast in the historic lodge dining room and couldn’t find a spoon. I looked about, but the wait staff was busy, so I turned to a fellow guest…a veteran of many summers at the dude ranch. “Oh, just start checking the drawers,” she said, pointing to a cabinet. “I think they’re in the … [Read more...]

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Lookout Pass Ski Area: Idaho skiing with kids

There are only two ski resorts where kids can span two states while on the slopes, that we know of: Heavenly in Tahoe, which straddles Nevada and California, and Lookout Pass, which encompasses both Idaho and Montana. Skiing Lookout Pass is a friendly, low-stress affair: unlike large ski resorts, this hometown resort in Wallace, Idaho is very accessible, affordable, and welcoming. Located … [Read more...]

5 Western mountain lodges for family summer stays

We love mountain lodges! Whether your family enjoys hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or just swimming in a cool mountain lake, a stay at one of the following Western mountain lodges for families will provide much needed summer time R&R. 1. Lodge at Suttle Lake, Central Oregon: Whereas much of Central Oregon is surrounded by high desert, the small town of Sisters is located in the heart … [Read more...]

Kennedy Park, Helena MT

If you've road tripped through Montana on a summer family vacation, you know that while beautiful, the state of Montana is vast...and often empty. Pit stops are sometimes scarce, which makes Kennedy Park (located on Harrison Avenue) in the heart of East Helena all the more attractive. We loved the wide space of grass (the boys dug the soccer ball out of the car), the picnic areas, and the … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 10): Big Sky High Ropes Course

Before we started our session on the High Ropes Course at Big Sky Resort, I wasn't sure whether it would be too challenging for my kids (ages 11 and 8)...and myself! The apparatus--a maze of ropes, logs, planks, and even tires suspended in the high alpine air--was certainly intimidating! But from the moment I saw Calvin and Nate shimmy up the rope ladder to enter the array of elevated challenges, … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 9): Zipline and Bungee Trampoline!

We were all excited to wake up at the Big Sky Resort's Summit Hotel and get going with an activity-packed day…without getting in our car for a change! We grabbed a quick bite to eat in the Mountain Mall, then arrived at BaseCamp (located right next door on the plaza) for our first two activities of the day. If you're a guest at Big Sky Resort (or a day guest), you're going to want to spend … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 8): Big Sky Resort’s Summit Hotel

After driving from Glacier National Park to Boulder Hot Springs, we were more than happy to end Day 7 and enjoy Day 8-9 at the Summit Hotel at The Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana, our home base for family fun and a little R&R before continuing on to Yellowstone. I cannot say enough good things about Big Sky Resort in general and the Summit in particular. If you have kids in tow (or even … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 7): Boulder Hot Springs

31 Hot Springs Road Boulder, MT On Day 7, we said goodbye to Glacier and the Many Glacier Hotel and drove south to Big Sky, Montana, with a midway stopover in Boulder. Boulder Hot Springs Inn and Spa is located almost mid-way between Butte and Helena just off Interstate 15 in Boulder. Sitting on almost 300 acres, it's in a very pretty location, and the geothermal waters are wonderful. We … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 6): Logan Pass, Glacier National Park

Day 6 was our last full day at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. For today's featured pit stop, we decided to hike from Logan's Pass to Hidden Lake. We drove the approximate 21 miles back to the St. Mary Visitor Center Park Entrance, then another few to the Logan Pass Visitor Center at the peak of the famed Going to the Sun Road (en route, we stopped to let a black bear cross the … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 5): Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise

Day 5 found us lucky enough to wake up once again at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. We spent the morning hiking nearby trails, then boarded Chief Two Guns for a Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise offered by the Glacier Park Boat Company. What a great way to combine sightseeing, a guided tour, hiking, and boating! We departed from the dock of the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake … [Read more...]