Top 10 Things To Do In Whitefish

Are you looking for a top 10 list of things to do in Whitefish? We have got a must-do best activities list for you. Of course, Don and I are here to give you any extra recommendations you may need too. But, this is a great summary to start with.

1) SPEND THE DAY ON WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN

Whitefish Montana Is A Winter Wonderland

If you’re staying at Glacier Bear Condo,  you’re already in an excellent launching point! First, Big Mountain has been welcoming skiers for 75 years. You couldn’t ask to choose a sweet alpine spot with trails bordered by vivid wildflowers, huckleberries, as well as interested mountain critters, right?   

Second, if you didn’t know, the elevation of Whitefish, Montana, is just over 3,000 feet.  Just so you know, many of our guests who have been in Colorado say Whitefish is much easier to adjust. 

Third, you can begin your summer (or winter day) on Whitefish Mountain by riding a chairlift or the gondola.  This is always one of our favorite events, especially in the summer. You’ll be treated to stunning sights above and below you of Glacier and the Flathead Valley. And, you will certainly see Montana’s large blue skies shown in the crystal waters of glacier-cut lakes. Certainly, the pristine colors will beckon you to explore even more. 

Be aware, during the summer months, the gondolas are very hot inside. We understand some kids may be more comfortable inside a more enclosed cabin. Subsequently, it can be a little like the inside of an easy bake oven for adults.  

Are you a mountain biker?  If you are, you can rent bikes at Whitefish Resort or downtown Whitefish too. The chairlifts are fitted with bike racks, so you can bike down the designated trails. Click HERE for Whitefish Resort Bike Rentals or try Glacier Cyclery & Nordic at 326 2nd St E in Whitefish. They’ll take good care of you. Ph# 406-862-6446.

Fat Tire Biking In Whitefish – Glacier Bear Condo

In the winter, visit them for a GREAT experience of renting a Fat Tire bike! Seriously, give it whirl. Take home the experience of trying something new. The crew at Glacier Cyclery & Nordic will get you set up with the right gear and give you some great recommendations of where to go! Click HERE for their rental info (skis & bikes)

Moreover, you can just get off at the top and grab at bite at the cafe on the summit. Following that, you can take a leisure stroll around the top, and talk to the Glacier National Park rangers who may be putting on a presentation.

When you’re ready, you can hike down, bike or just enjoy the chairlift back down again. The Danny On Trail is the most popular trail. Further, if you’re there in August, you’ll enjoy looking for and picking huckleberries on your way back down. Sometimes, you’ll see quite a few locals with their bags or buckets looking for their tasty prizes. 

But, are you looking for something zippier? Never fear, we’ve got you covered. Besides hiking down, try taking an alpine cart back down to base lodge? It’s always a fun little ride down. Kiddos can ride tandem with mom or dad too. Speaking of zippy, you can also enjoy a grand time on the zip lines located near the main lodge. If you need a little fun tubing time, tube slides may be open this year too. After all, you’re here to explore and find adventures right? Big Mountain is waiting with a full day of fun for you.  

Click HERE to learn more about Whitefish Resort

2) GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Glacier National Park’s Pristine Beauty Welcomes You Anytime of the Year

Obviously, the biggest attraction of the area is a visit to Glacier National Park. The Crown of the Continent welcomes you to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. With late snowfall, be sure to check if the road is open. It can open late in July if there’s been enough snow.

Don’t forget, you will need to get a vehicle reservation for this road (Unless you’re staying at our sister location inside Glacier). This is different than the National Park’s pass that gets you inside the park. The vehicle reservation system is separate and designed to help with crowds.  

Please be aware that Two Medicine and Many Glaciers is using the vehicle reservation system in 2023.  Click HERE for more information. 

Here, inside the park, you’ll be amazed at the extraordinary views of mountains, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife. With 700 miles of routes of exploring, hiking including Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, St. Mary, and also Two Medicine, you won’t be disappointed in where you go. In the winter months, you can snowshoe on many trails. Find your launching point at Apgar Village. 

To view current conditions, please check out Glacier National Park’s Webcams by visiting HERE.

For the Park’s shuttle schedule and information, click HERE.

3) HIKING & BIKING WHITEFISH TRAILS

With 12 trailheads covering more than 40 beautiful miles of northwestern Montana wild, the Whitefish Path is a great means to experience Whitefish in the summer. Walking, bike, or go through cedar groves, along breathtaking forgets, and to hidden lakes.

Despite your experience, you’ll find a path that works for you. If you want to stay near Whitefish, here are a few trail recommendations:

The Swift Creek Path is a wonderful choice for newbies and households with younger youngsters. The Swift Creek Loop is about 1.3 miles long, or go a little further to Smith Lake for a range of about 2.5 miles. Click HERE for more information. The northwest part of the trailhead is handicapped accessible and stroller friendly for those with smaller children.  

Danny On Route: The Danny On Memorial Hiking Trail is among Whitefish’s most popular treks. From the resort base to the top, it’s 3.8 miles, you can choose to take the breathtaking chairlift to the top.  Then, take the hike down while picking huckleberries as you go. While it’s an easy hike, it can also be a little long for very young children. Despite, being relatively easy if you’re picking berries, it can take a little longer to get down too.

Beaver Lakes Trailhead:  Off Hwy 93 North, and nearby, Beaver Lakes beckons with its forest access. Besides it’s easy access, it’s a great trail to enjoy nature.

Big Hill Trailhead:  Located just below Whitefish Mountain Resort, you can explore this trail all year long. The trail gives you access to 5.5 miles of the Whitefish Trail via Haskill Basin. However, in the winter months, you can cross-country ski on the groomed Nordic routes.

Whitefish Valley Lookout is a mid-level trail that is just under 3 miles long. It’s noted for its popular short trek and is scenic, but you’ll see plenty of people on the route. Granted, it’s easy to hike but if you want the quiet of Montana, go early. 

Before you head out to the trails or Glacier National Park, make sure you have bear spray with you and know the bear safety tips but, click HERE for more information on how to handle yourself if you encounter a bear. 

Whether you hike Glacier National Park or in nearby Whitefish, make sure you take your gear with you. At Glacier Bear Condo, we have backpacks, hiking poles and bear spray ready for you to take with you.

Click HERE to get a Whitefish Trail Map or

Click HERE for Hiking & Biking Map for Big Mountain.

4) SHOPPING & DINING

Downtown Whitefish, Montana

Explore the perfect mountain town called Whitefish. Our popular boutiques offer a great  selection for everything you want or need. During your visit, stop by downtown.  While we have shops for hiking and outdoor gear, we also have unique toys shops to bring home special gifts. Or, do you want an edgy new sweater and hat?  Of course, the Whitefish shops have some of the most creative local flair and national outdoor brands to satisfy whatever you need to bring home. 

Or, are you looking for a culinary experience? Certainly, we have the options for you too. For a morning boost pop into downtown and stop by Montana Coffee Traders, or Loula’s Café or Amazing Crepes. 

Of course, there are plenty of delicious culinary options for lunch or dinner. Call ahead to Ciao Mambo for an incredible Italian dinner. Additionally, you can saunter into Craggy Range, Piggyback BBQ for traditional American faire or BBQ. Or, do you want great microbrews and unique dishes with a big local kick, then try Bonsai Brewing Project.

MAKE  YOUR  DINING  UNIQUE

Black Sheep Private Dining Whitefish MT. Pamper Yourself at Glacier Bear Condo

For a tempting treasure to spoil yourself, reach out to Black Sheep Dining & Catering. You can either arrange for pre-made meals or bring their expert culinary chefs into Glacier Bear Condo’s kitchen to do all the cooking and cleaning up for you. From a 3, 4 or 8 course dinner, they will bring the incredible cuisine to you. This is a MUST to treat yourself. Click HERE to reach out to Chef Tim. Trust me. It’s worth make a night truly special.

5) Snowmobiling or ATV RIDEs

For a mountain fun good time and adrenaline rush, try a summer ATV ride or Winter

Snowmobiling Fun in Whitefish. Glacier Bear Condo.

Snowmobiling ride. Get off the regular path and see the peaks and scenery at a higher altitude. You’ll get into the forests and see the beauty of Northwest Montana and views of our pristine mountain ranges. If you’re lucky, you may get a great peak at some amazing wildlife.

Click HERE to visit Northwest Montana Adventures. They provide great gear to keep you cozy warm and protected on your journey. Call 406-881-2525 for reservations

6) BROWSE THROUGH FLATHEAD LAKE & BIG FORK 

With nearly 200 square miles of water and 180 miles of coastline, Flathead Lake is a

Tubing and Boating at Flathead Lake Near Big Fork, MT

huge freshwater water adventure. You can drive around the lake, stopping at the small towns like Big Fork or Polson or, visit Montana State Parks along the way too. In the summertime, you can stop at all the Flathead cherry orchards with their roadside fruit stands. 

Also, be sure to leave time in Big Fork for some great food. Their restaurants are definitely worth it, and you’ll find the nicest folks to welcome you in for a meal. Click HERE for a list.

Go kayaking, fishing, boating, stand-up paddle boarding, or hiking. Be sure to bring your camera in the winter months and photograph the lake as well as the mountains. Wintertime in this area is simply stunning.  Wild Horse Island is the biggest island in Flathead Lake and is a residence to wild animals as well as, yes, horses. Accessible only using boat, this remote island is wonderful for picnicking, easy hiking and swimming.

Stop by Flathead Lake Winery and get a taste of our local wines and learn how the area is growing some delicious grapes for local wine. Visit HERE for more info or, you can call 406-253-9641 for more information on this Polson gem. 

7)  Whitefish Farmer’s Market

If the lure of local produce, freshly baked products, and handmade things isn’t enough,

Photo Courtesy of Glacier County Tourism

Whitefish Farmer’s Market will welcome you to summer in Montana. The Whitefish Farmer’s Market is held on Tuesday evenings between 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Open in May through September so come, meet and help sustain our neighborhood farmers, bakers, craftsmens. Go to Whitefish Midtown Farmer’s Market at Depot Park and you’ll get a real taste of Montana.

8)  Whitefish Winter Carnival

The Whitefish Winter Carnival: A celebration of winter, skijoring, a carnival, a penguin plunge, a delicious pie social, king and queen coronation and a great winter carnival 

9)  Under the Big Sky Music Festival

Under the Big Sky Music and Arts Festival: Set on a 350-acre ranch, enjoy live music, great food, and a fun atmosphere. And, don’t miss out on this great summer event. This year’s event will be held July 14th 15th & 16th with headliners Hank Williams Jr and Zach Bryan.  

10)  HuckleBerry Days 

Huckleberry Days Arts Festival: Do you want to celebrate a berry in grand style? Of course, you do.  This is a grand festival, with over 100 artists and vendors, and located downtown, at Depot Park.

Of course, you need great lodging in Whitefish, right?  Are you still looking for a hotel in Whitefish? Of course, the best place is Glacier Bear Condo on Whitefish Mountain. Are we biased, yes but, we also have the best guest reviews on Google, Airbnb and VRBO.

WOULD YOU RATHER STAY INSIDE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK?

Of course, we can help with that. First, Glacier Bear Condo is about 40-45 minutes to Glacier National Park  BUT, did you know we also have a sister location inside the Park at Apgar Village?  We do!

Glacier Bear Cabin Inside Glacier National Park

Glacier Bear Cabin is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin with on-site kayaks, paddle boards, mountain bikes and e-bikes on-site for guests to use anytime during your stay.  Click HERE to visit our sister website. 

Road And Tunnel With Valley View Glacier National Park – West Glacier MT

Furthermore, it also gives you access to the Going To The Sun Road anytime during your stay. We’ll share access information 24 hours before you arrive at the cabin.

If you would like more information, please visit our sister website at https://glacierbearcabin.com If you would like to book both and split your time, please email us for a special quote at don@glacierbearcabin.com