Montana Resorts: Ski, Spa & Scenic Getaways

Relax in the outdoor swimming pool at Big Sky Resort

Located in southwestern Montana in Madison County, Big Sky Resort is a ski resort with a mountainside condo hotel featuring upscale suites, an outdoor swimming pool, and an array of amenities and activities.

Situated an hour south of Bozeman, the family-friendly resort offers a range of accommodations from cozy cabins and convenient condos to mountainside lodges and family homes, all of which have ample living spaces, modern amenities, and breathtaking mountain views. Several restaurants and bars provide a variety of cuisine and drinks, and the village is home to plenty of shops and other services. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, zip lining and mountain expeditions in the summer, and skiing, snowboarding, bungee trampolining, sleigh rides and dog-sledding in the winter.

Address: 50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716, Phone: 800-548-4486

Head to the rustic spa at the Rainbow Ranch Lodge

Set on the banks of Gallatin River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge is an upscale lodge with cozy accommodations, a rustic spa and inviting restaurant, and a tranquil pond. Situated 12 miles from Yellowstone National Park and a few more from the renowned ski slopes at Big Sky Resort, the resort features well-appointed guest rooms with wood-framed beds and plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms, living spaces with fireplaces, private decks with river or pond views.

Upgraded suites have sitting areas with pull-out sofas, en-suite bathrooms with soaking tubs, and all lodgings have flat-screen televisions with cable channels, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and complimentary wireless Internet. A delicious continental breakfast and home-baked cookies are served every day, a casual restaurant and bar serve lunch and dinner, and a beautifully manicured garden and terrace offer ideal spots for relaxing and soaking up the views.

Address: 42950 Gallatin Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, Phone: 406-995-4132

Soak in hot springs at Chico Hot Springs Resort

Nestled in the foothills of the Absaroka Mountain Range just north of Yellowstone National Park, Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is a historic resort is located in the heart of Paradise Valley that offers a quintessential Montana getaway.

Established in 1900 and listed on the National Historic Register, the year-round resort boasts a variety of comfortable accommodations, exceptional dining and live entertainment, upscale facilities, and an array of outdoor adventures and activities for the whole family. Western-style accommodations range from guest rooms in the historic main lodge to rustic cabins and chalets and large log cabin homes. Set on 152 acres of pristine mountain landscapes, the resort’s facilities include two family-friendly restaurants, two mineral swimming pools, a full service day spa, and wellness center, a Western saloon, and a modern conference and convention center.

Recreational and outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, river rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing, as well as trips to the nearby world-renowned Yellowstone National Park.

Address: 163 Chico Rd, Pray, MT 59065, Phone: 406-333-4933

Check into the family-friendly Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Surrounded by the rugged Rocky Mountains, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is a relaxed, family-friendly resort centered around several natural hot springs and just a mile away from the heart of downtown Fairmont Hot Springs.

The resort features modern, simply furnished guest rooms and suites with en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, living rooms with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and complimentary wireless Internet. Cozy cottages and cabins are available for families or groups of friends and have pull-out sofas.

Amenities at the resort include a naturally heated outdoor swimming pool filled with the waters from the geothermal hot springs, a full service spa and fitness center, eight restaurants and bars serving globally-inspired cuisine and drinks, three golf courses, a business center, and a dedicated ski area.

Go fly-fishing at the Gallatin River Lodge

Set on a sprawling ranch along the banks of the Gallatin River just a few miles from Lewis and Clark Park, the Gallatin River Lodge is a secluded, boutique luxury Bozeman hotel and upmarket fly-fishing lodge that promises a tranquil and relaxing getaway.

The elegant inn is beautifully decorated with custom Art & Crafts–style furniture and original western artworks and features stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, covered patios and breathtaking views.

The main lodge boasts a fully stocked library and lounge with a massive stone fireplace where guests can relax with a book, a five-star rustic-chic restaurant, and bar that serves award-winning cuisine and signature drinks, and offers guided fly-fishing and float trips in the trout-stocked pond for an additional fee.

Address: 9105 Thorpe Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718, Phone: 406-388-0148

Go horseback riding at Grey Cliffs Ranch

Spread over 5,200 acres in the magnificent Madison Valley in Montana, Grey Cliffs Ranch is a sportsman's paradise with blue-ribbon trout-stocked fishing ponds, hiking, and horseback riding, among other outdoor pursuits.

Just a short drive from Bozeman, the luxurious 8,000-square-foot post-and-beam lodge features five deluxe suites with mid-west mountain-style décor, en-suite bathrooms, and modern amenities to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free stay.

A gourmet breakfast is served every morning, as well as a picnic-style packed lunch and refined dinners, and an array of activities await outdoor lovers from hiking or horseback riding through the rolling hills and tree-lined canyons of the Rocky Mountains to fly-fishing for Blue Ribbon trout in one of three stocked ponds, or visiting Yellowstone, which is just a two-hour drive away.

Address: 1915 Lakota Drive, Three Forks, MT 59752, Phone: 406-285-6512

Play tennis and work out at Grouse Mountain Lodge

Set just 14 miles from Glacier National Park opposite the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, Grouse Mountain Lodge is a refined mountain lodge that offers traditional and comfortably furnished accommodations with modern amenities, gourmet cuisine, and an array of upscale facilities to enjoy.

The resort features well-appointed guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen televisions with cable channels, and complimentary wireless Internet, and deluxe suites with sitting areas, wet bars, and additional sleeping lofts.

Guests have access to an indoor swimming pool and full service spa with two hot tubs, a fully equipped fitness center and tennis courts, and an area shuttle, which provides free rides. A cozy restaurant with a stone fireplace, elegant lounge, and full service bar serve gourmet cuisine, and an extensive list of fine wines, and spirits from around the world.

Address: 2 Fairway Drive, Whitefish, MT 59937, Phone: 406-862-3000

Check into Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch where A River Runs Through It was filmed

Set on a million-acre wilderness north of Yellowstone National Park, Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch is a deluxe dude ranch that offers an exclusive Montana experience. Renowned for appearing in parts of the epic Brad Pitt movie, A River Runs Through It, the ranch is set along the banks of the Boulder River, which provides some of the best fly-fishing in the region.

Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, guided trips to nearby gold mines and ghost towns, and wildlife watching. The ranch features luxurious accommodations at the Eagle’s Nest Lodge, which is perched at the top of a 300-foot cliff and boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and meals are served buffet-style with two outdoor cookouts per week.

Address: 4188 Main Boulder Rd, McLeod, MT 59052, Phone: 406-932-5791

Enjoy ski-in access at the Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort

The Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort is luxury alpine-style ski-in mountain lodge based at the Whitefish Mountain Resort that offers an elegant retreat with an array of upscale amenities.

Located seven miles from the town of Whitefish, the resort features stylishly appointed guest rooms with pine and leather furnishings, en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers and soaking tubs, granite countertops, and modern conveniences such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Upgraded lofts and suites have kitchens, and complimentary wireless Internet is available throughout the property.

A delicious continental breakfast is served every morning, and guests have access to a year-round outdoor hot tub and an exercise room with massage services. An upscale restaurant and bar serve globally-inspired cuisine and libations, and a free local shuttle offers rides around the resort and into town.

Address: 624, 3824 Big Mountain Rd, Whitefish, MT 59937, Phone: 406-862-6098

Have dinner at the cozy pub at Lone Mountain Ranch

Set on a sprawling, secluded ranch dating back to 1915, Lone Mountain Ranch is an upscale resort with rustic accommodations, a seasonal farm-to-table restaurant and a cozy pub, and a variety of activities.

Located 32 miles from Yellowstone National Park, the ranch is surrounded by beautiful trees and features rustic one to six-bedroom cabins with chic, ranch-style décor, living rooms with fireplaces or wood-burning/gas stoves and sofa-beds for extra guests, en-suite bathrooms with claw-foot tubs, and private porches with gorgeous views. Two cabins have full kitchens for self-catering purposes, and one large cottage can sleep up to 18 people and has a hot tub and a washer/dryer.

Activities on the ranch include hiking, horseback riding, and fly-fishing, and yoga, skiing, massages and guided tours to Yellowstone National Park can be arranged.

Address: 750 Lone Mountain Ranch Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, Phone: 406-995-4644