Rewilding the Swan Valley
A half-century after the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge was officially designated to preserve this ecologically rich chunk of northwest Montana, local stakeholders have worked to restore its natural state
Review: ‘Holding Fire’
The recently published memoir is Bryce Andrews’s third book and has been nominated for the 2023 Reading the West Book Awards
A History of Healing at Alameda’s Hot Springs
After launching in the 1930s, the spa-motel that pipes mineral-rich geothermal water into private pools has endured both the booms and the busts in Hot Springs, a tiny community on the Flathead Indian Reservation where the population never exceeded more than 800 people
20 Years of Brewing Beer in Bigfork
As one of Montana’s oldest breweries passes the two-decade mark, its owners rewind through the years that forged them into a lakefront staple
Rural Refuge, Urban Woods
With a fleet of 10 refurbished vintage campers and a postage stamp of property on the doorstep of Glacier National Park, a local couple has created a retro basecamp for visitors and stay-cationers alike
The Glamor of a Guest House
Architecturally designed by Travis Denman of Denman Construction in Whitefish, the final product is an airy lakeside cabin that melds into the trees and the surrounding serenity
Cold, Dark and Lonesome
In 1960, a Montana-raised airline pilot on reserve duty crashed a Navy fighter jet in the darkest depths of Flathead Lake in a case that remains cloaked in mystery. Investigators initially said the crash was the result of unauthorized pilot error, and while new evidence has restored the Marine’s honor, neither his body nor the plane were ever recovered.
Fleur’s Jambon Sandwich
This simple French sandwich is one of Whitefish’s most coveted lunch items
Sweetheart of the Hell’s Half-acre Rodeo
In 1939, Shorty and Mary Mad Plume organized a homegrown rodeo in Browning as a community celebration. After a 21-year hiatus, the eldest Mad Plume daughter has revived the event to preserve and promote the Blackfeet culture of Indian rodeo.
Spring Can’t-Miss Events
Shake off your cabin fever and take part in one of the many exciting events happening in the Flathead Valley this spring
The Last Best Boulderers
In 2023, Gus Cox climbed to the top of Montana’s competitive youth bouldering circuit with a perfect score in the Last Best Bouldering Series. He did it with a little help from his friends and family.
Expanding Childcare Access
Since the Child Care Initiative launched three years ago, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce officials have helped multiple providers expand services while focus attention to career recruitment
Nurture Through Nature
The Flathead Valley is home to a suite of educational programs, camps, and outdoor activities that help connect kids with nature
A Northwest Montana Museum Guide
Dotted across the Flathead Valley are myriad museums dedicated to art, history and more