Kallispell, MT- THINGS TO DO.

[molliesmaster]

Hey all,

The wife and I are finally taking our honeymoon and heading up to Kallispell in early March. We really want to get in and hike Glacier and see some sights. But I'm sure you more local guys know better than us. So any tips or ideas would be great.


Thanks

 

[muledhunter]

In March you might want to take your skis. Hit up big mountain.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Yep, go downhill skiing in Whitefish. You won't be able to see much of Glacier in early March- not many roads are actually plowed and open this time of year. Apgar should be open, and a few miles of going-to-the-sun road on the west side. There should be a few trails open to XC skiing and snowshoeing.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Drive around the lake. Take your time and maybe stop at Flathead Lake Brewing or Tamarack Brewing for a bite and a brew.

 

[kingfisher]

Going to the sun road(main road through the park) is usually closed due to snow up till June some/most years if I am not mistaken, so hiking is mostly out in Glacier. The North Fork of the Flathead river forms the Western boarder of the park. There is a remote tiny town up there called Polebride with a hostel, and a small store. That time of the year, you would likely have the hostel to your selves with the exception of the keeper(awesome guy). Can stay there cheap and do some cross country, or snowshoeing during the day. Good amount of flat lands into the park, so avalanche danger is nill. There are rental places for snowshoes/skis in kalispell, Im sure. The store in Polebridge has some great homemade goods. Or, you could look into snowshoeing into a forest service cabin. If your lucky I have ice fished lakes in MT in a tee shirt in April. That was cool. Also, Big Mountain/Whitefish Mountain Resort is my favorite for skiing/worth it if you ski. Good luck and pm me with questions.

 

[missjordan]

Don't forget to check out The Great Northern Brewing Company either in Whitefish! Would be a great place to stop for a cold one after tearing up Whitefish Mountain

 

[DaveC]

Beers at Kalispell Brewing downtown.
More beer and pizza at Moose's downtown.
Breakfast pasties at Sykes' downtown.
Pastries, bread, coffee at Ceres Bakery downtown.

If you downhill ski Whitefish Mtn or Blacktail should still be in good shape in early March. If you're a beginner Blacktail is cheaper and has just as good easy terrain.

Plenty of nordic skiing to be had. Trails up by Blacktail south of Kalispell, at Round Meadow north of Whitefish, at the golf course in Whitefish, and at Whitefish Mtn itself. The golf course has rentals and would be a good place to try it if you're new. In Kalispell Rocky Mountain Outfitter and Sportsman Ski Haus rent nordic gear.

On the west side of Glacier the road will be plowed to Lake McDonald Lodge. You can ski, snowshoes, and sometimes just walk the road for as far as you like from there. It's a nice easy nordic ski with great scenery.

Plenty more options if for instance you want to drive over to the east side of Glacier.

 

[mt100gr.]

Where are you visiting from? Wolf season is still open until the middle of the month!! If that sort of outdoor adventure will fly for a honeymoon activity.

My wife and I took our honeymoon to Yellowstone. In mid September!! The elk rut was quite impressive and all I could do was watch....the sacrifices we make....

 

[Terrapin]

I really enjoyed staying at the Isaac Walton Inn in Essex, played pool and x-country skiing. There is also a great BBQ restaurant in Columbia Falls.

 

[Lil dude]

To be blunt.........a honeymoon and the Flathead in March do not go together whatsoever..........in fact she may leave you there by the time its over. March is the only bad month in Montana, especially in the Flathead....no sun 20-40 degrees, clouds, rain, snow slush, roads haven't melted out, no green anywhere whatsoever......April would be better and May might just get her to move here!

If you do get some visibility head up the north fork to Polebridge and view the park from there, west glacier is just a cheesy park service tourist trap!

 

[molliesmaster]

Thanks for all the replies! We are coming from South Carolina, so trust me, we welcome the cold weather/snow with open arms.

And I wish I could get in a wolf hunt, but I don't think I'll have time to fly in a rifle.

She would kill me if we did not at least try to make it to Glacier park, so we will do our best and sounds like we will be renting snowshoes.

But thank you guys for all the great ideas. Keep them coming!

 

[Terrapin]

To be blunt.........a honeymoon and the Flathead in March do not go together whatsoever..........in fact she may leave you there by the time its over. March is the only bad month in Montana, especially in the Flathead....no sun 20-40 degrees, clouds, rain, snow slush, roads haven't melted out, no green anywhere whatsoever......April would be better and May might just get her to move here!

If you do get some visibility head up the north fork to Polebridge and view the park from there, west glacier is just a cheesy park service tourist trap!

I agree with this completely. February and March are absolutely dismal in northwest Montana and N Idaho. Low clouds, rotten gray snow, slush, 34 degrees and rain. The other ten months are much better. The best way to see glacier this time of year is while flying over it on your way to Hawaii.

 

[rileybassman]

I agree with this completely. February and March are absolutely dismal in northwest Montana and N Idaho. Low clouds, rotten gray snow, slush, 34 degrees and rain. The other ten months are much better. The best way to see glacier this time of year is while flying over it on your way to Hawaii.

Sounds like October-May in Seattle... Not as much snow here, but North and East of Seattle we get it off and on... I saw the sun yesterday - for the first time in almost 3 weeks (thats as far back as I can remember)