Big Sky Country
As the name alludes, Montana has some of the most open, pristine land in the country. With two national parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, spotting big horn sheep, mountain goats, moose, wolves, bison and bears roaming among jagged, snow topped mountains and alpine meadows is an everyday occurrence. Not to mention, the sunrises and sunsets here are considered by many to be among the best in the world. Boasting over 700 miles of trails, Big Sky Country is a place of hikers’ dreams. This is the type of landscape that leaves you grasping to hold on to the moment, as you simultaneously reach for your camera.
Bighorn Sheep on Logan’s Pass
Nowhere is the rugged beauty of Montana more evident than Glacier National Park, also known as the Crown of the Continent. Here the northern Rockies run into Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, making it the world’s first International Peace Park. Some of the best sights in Montana can be seen on the park’s famous Going to the Sun Road. This is a 52-mile road that winds and traverses it’s way through the heart of the park. This is where a good camera will be worth its weight; photo opportunities abound here! Iceberg Lake is another major attraction in the park. Looking at this perfectly blue, serene lake that’s surrounded on three sides by huge cliffs really puts into perspective how big this place is. On the more leisurely side, many visitors say that Lake McDonald Lodge is the perfect place to take a glass of beer or wine, and head out onto the veranda to soak in the tranquility. The lodge is one of the best examples of a Swiss chalet in the United States and the rustic styling perfectly compliments the attitude of its surroundings.
Iceberg Lake
Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin Resort, connected by a chairlift, give you the “Biggest Skiing in America” Although notorious for their slopes, there is quite a variety of activities to choose from. Dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, golfing, and rejuvenating at the spa are all nice alternatives to exerting yourself on the slopes. These four-season resorts offer some of the best amenities and dining experiences in all of Montana. With Yellowstone only being 18 miles away, this is another destination that provides many different experiences tailored to your interests.
Sleigh Ride
As you can see, the natural beauty to be enjoyed here is something special. It’s not every day that you get to see the country as it appeared back in Lewis and Clark’s time. If you want to enjoy nature in it’s purest form, then a trip to Big Sky Country should definitely be in your future.
Explore Glacier National Park on your own private tour with Zephyr. You’ll spend the week devoted to gentle hikes that reveal inspiring beauty, picture taking along scenic drives, time to venture out on your own, and even a thrilling half day river rafting excursion. At night, you’ll lay your head down and rejuvenate in a comfortable national park lodge.
This guest post was contributed by Jordan Thorton, a big craft beer fan, and an outdoor enthusiast.
Photo Credit: Big Sky Country – Big Horn Sheep – Iceberg Lake – Sleigh Ride