However, when it comes to truly getting away, few locations offer the remoteness of the northern Rocky Mountains. States like Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana are home to some of the most beautiful, mountainous vacation homes in the US.

Some of these are incredibly luxurious, offering private helicopter tours and drop-offs to properties that feature their own slopes, spas, and home theaters. Other locations are nothing more than camping grounds with hookups for RVs and other amenities for those looking to rough it.

Montana is home to Yellowstone National Park, which is perhaps the most iconic park in North America.

Ample information can be found for those looking to delve into Yellowstone to see attractions like the Old Faithful geyser and Grand Prismatic spring. Though everyone should visit Yellowstone at some point in their life, this list will focus on Glacier National Park as well as two other lesser-known locations in Montana.

For those looking for something in between ultra-chic and a roll-up sleeping bag, take a look at our top Montana destinations when it comes to getting snowed in on purpose.

Whitefish

Whitefish Ski Resort, Montana. Photo by Jim Harris@jamesharris_photography

As one of the world’s most famous ski resort towns, Whitefish won’t be short on breathtaking views, fresh powder, or cabins ready to host a snow-in. Two major lodging locations are the Hidden Moose Lodge and the Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Hidden Moose Lodge is a ski resort that doesn’t sacrifice its homey feel for luxury—it’s got both. The architecture reflects the local history of frontier log-cabins, but the inside reminds visitors that they’re at one of the country’s finest ski lodges.

In fact, USA Today recently named the Hidden Moose Lodge as the finest ski hotel in the US, while National Geographic named Whitefish as one of the Top 25 Ski Towns in the World.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is one of the area’s most luxurious offerings. Depending on the season, promotions are offered that make this destination more affordable. It’s ideal for those interested in hitting the slopes, and hospitality workers at both lodges in Whitefish will be happy to connect visitors with ski passes, shuttles, and other amenities.

Whitefish is an ideal getaway because it offers access to the nearby Glacier National Park as well as Flathead Lake, both of which include winter activities. Most importantly, Whitefish has a free shuttle bus that runs from most lodges to the Whitefish Mountain Resort where you can hit the local casino for some fun or enjoy a nice meal at one of the many restaurants.

For those exhausted by days on the slopes or hiking through the mountains, staying in is one of the best parts of a winter getaway. It’s cold outside, but inside, the wi-fi offered at Whitefish means the sky’s the limit. Board games may be a classic, but reliable wi-fi means that those in the mood for a card game can take advantage of online casino bonuses and will have plenty of options when it comes to staying in and keeping warm by the fire.

Glacier National Park

McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park. Image by skeeze from Pixabay.

Located nearby Whitefish, any visitor to Montana shouldn’t miss Glacier National Park. No matter the time of year, this park delivers on breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences.

However, in keeping with this list, it’s recommended that visitors check out the park during the winter season. Local rangers offer snowshoe tours of the park’s most interesting areas, which include the iconic Lake McDonald.

At Lake McDonald, visitors can glide along the shoreline before heading to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Going-to-the-Sun Road is perhaps the park’s most famous attraction. It’s also the only road that crosses fully through Glacier National Park.

During the winter months, snow piles up on the road—up to 80 feet of it. This means the snow stays during the coldest winter months until it can be plowed. Temporary and off-road ski trails are available for those looking to hit the road despite the drifts of snow.

There isn’t any lodging offered in the park aside from camping areas, so visitors will need to head home to get some shut-eye (unless traveling with an RV).

Darby

Unlike Whitefish and Glacier National Park, Darby, Montana is a sleepy town. In fact, only 720 residents were recorded in the 2010 census. However, despite this town’s sleepy nature, there are more than a few reputable private lodges available.

Though they come with a pretty price tag, the lodges in Darby provide the scenic, romantic Montana winter getaway that could lead to a veritable snow-in. Nestled in the Bitterroot Mountains, the valley town is covered with towering pines that leave the air rich with cedar fragrance.

Triple Creek Ranch is a particularly unforgettable getaway that features twelve separate cabins. Each of these cabins has a fully functional fireplace, and a private cooking crew is available to provide contemporary cuisines for all three main meals.

Guests at Triple Creek Ranch also have access to a variety of exciting wintertime activities. These include materials and transportation for sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

The ranch even provides guests a chance to try out ‘skijoring’, which is a sport that involves horses pulling skiers behind them. The horses keep a comfortable pace as they draw the skier through meadows and cleared forest trails. Apparently, the sport feels like a mix of traditional skiing and waterskiing.

For those just passing through on a classic RV trip, Darby is a great location to stop for a day or two. Located along the Continental Divide, the town offers some breathtaking views—but the locals know the best-kept secrets.

Local watering holes, like Lost Horse, as well as nature trails like those near the local rodeo grounds, provide more than a sneak-peek into outback Rocky Mountain living. Darby provides a look into American culture that can be experienced firsthand—though they do also have a Pioneer Memorial Museum for those looking to learn a little.

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