It isn’t hard to find inspiration just about everywhere you look when you make time to enjoy a well-deserved journey to Whitefish, Montana in the fall or wintertime. This inviting vacation destination is truly a spectacular place for outdoor adventurers to leave stress behind and focus on vacation fun in all seasons. That said, fall and winter come with beautiful changing colors, fresh snowfall to look forward to, and opportunities to embrace the best of it all whether you’re one for leaf peeping or skiing. Small-town charm and outdoor fun go hand-in-hand in Whitefish in the fall and winter and the fact that you’ll enjoy seamless access to places like Glacier National Park only makes the getaway that much more alluring!
When you’re not out enjoying the stunning landscapes, you’ll have options to stay in town during your fall and winter stay where you’re sure to encounter plenty of delicious dining stops, a vibrant arts scene, and boutique shops when a bit of retail therapy would go a long way toward the fun. No matter how you spend your time, the beauty of traveling to Whitefish any time of year really starts with the fact that It’s a place on the map where visitors can easily tailor every day of their stay to a personal sense of travel style. When you’re heading here in the fall or winter, the following guide is a good place to start when you want to expand your itinerary to include as much fun as possible!
When fall rolls around in Whitefish, Montana, those who are visiting and locals alike will be delighted by the seasonal atmosphere of tranquility that’s impossible to miss. The rush of summer travelers has typically slowed down drastically, leaving wide open spaces for exploring in its wake. For those who want to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors during their getaway, fall is a fantastic time of year to dress in layers and plan on lingering in the open air.
September travelers will see daily highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s while those who come to Whitefish in October will see those numbers drop to daily highs in the mid-50s and evening lows in the 30s. By November, that crisp fall air can be counted on with daily highs in the 40s and lows dipping down into the 20s. When you don’t have to contend with soaring summer temperatures or the frigid cold of winter, you can make a fall journey your ideal time to plan trips to Glacier National Park. This time of year you’ll have more room to maneuver around major landmarks and you’ll find the trails less populated with visitors too.
Many travelers who set out to explore new destinations in the fall do so in hopes of being able to admire some of the best changing colors of the season. Whitefish, Montana is no exception to that rule, and when you’re here this time of year, you can count on enjoying a myriad of hues across the lush terrain.
This area is packed with groves of golden aspen trees which take on truly gorgeous coloration in the fall. The local tamarack trees are also iconic when it comes to boasting beautiful and bold hues of gold and yellow in the autumn around this area. When you’re looking to expand your fall leaf peeping fun, nearby destinations like the Jewel Basin in the Flathead National Forest offer up terrific overlooks that provide sweeping views out over the Flathead Valley’s changing seasonal colors.
Spanning more than 15,000 acres of terrain, the Jewel Basin has no shortage in the way of options for hiking your way through fall fun and keeping your eyes open for colorful moments to capture on camera as you go along. Of course, Glacier National Park is brimming over with gorgeous places to make the most of fall colors and this time of year, it’s not hard to see why the park has earned its nickname “Crown of the Continent.”
If you prefer to enjoy your leaf peeping on two wheels, biking your way along the Going-to-the-Sun Road through the park is a perfect way to enjoy your surroundings at your own preferred pace. Lone Pine State Park is another great place to add to your leaf peeping must-visit list when you want to make sure you hit all the best vantage points around. That said, you won’t want to miss out on time savoring the sights of the changing colors at Whitefish Lake either when fall travel plans bring you this way.
It’s hard to imagine anything more refreshing or fun than time on the hiking trails in and around Whitefish in the fall when temperatures are ideal, and the scenery is endlessly inviting. It’s a wonderful season to enjoy wildlife watching, bring binoculars along your route for birding, or simply settle in at your own pace and savor your surroundings.
While the many alpine ridges, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and damp rainforests found within the parameters of Glacier National Park are certainly appealing, you’ll find routes to relish this time of year that sit just outside the park as well and are equally exciting. One of them happens to be Glacier View Mountain. When you make plans to trek here, you’ll want to set your sights on the Demers Ridge Trail which spans 5 miles and enjoys an elevation gain of 2,700 feet in total.
The trailhead sits just outside the western border of Glacier National Park and while the trek is challenging, the reward lies in the views from the summit. From here, you’ll be able to take in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park as well as the Livingston Range. You’ll need to overcome wooded ridges and grassy meadows to get here, but it’s definitely worth the effort every step of the way.
Just be sure to be smart about packing for a fall hike in and around Whitefish, Montana because even with the cooler temperatures, you want to be prepared for any scenario on the trails. To hike safe and comfortably in the fall, it’s recommended that outdoor adventurers pack a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat as well. Having a way to access GPS is a must and always letting someone know where you’re going before you head out is always important. In this area of Montana, it’s essential to carry bear spray on you at all times.
When you’re not making the most of the great outdoors during your fall trip to Whitefish, you’ll find the in-town fun abounds too! Whitefish hosts a variety of fun festivals and events year-round and fall is no exception. If you head this way in September, you’ll find you’re right on time to enjoy the annual Whitefish Songwriter Festival. This three-day experience brings songwriters together from across North America to write, play, and get inspired.
The festival incorporates more than 30 shows across town giving visitors a wide variety of options to choose from when it’s time to enjoy a great performance. Between September and October, the Great Northwest Oktoberfest is celebrated in Whitefish. This is a Bavarian-style festival inspired by the celebrations in Munich and is typically hosted at Depot Park. You can count on having access to amazing German food, beer, dancing, and music when you participate.
It’s a family-friendly experience that has something for everyone to enjoy from polka bands and traditional Volkmarch to stein-holding contests too. Whitefish Gallery Nights also graces the annual calendar each October in Whitefish and is a must for those who are looking for added inspiration during their stay. During this event, local galleries stay open on select nights so visitors can enjoy longer hours of admiring the work of regional artists. While the browsing is fun, you’ll also have a chance to speak with the artists about their creative works and if you find something you love, most of the art on display is available to purchase too.
In the wintertime, Whitefish transforms into a little piece of snowy paradise for those with a heart for snowboarding, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing alike. If you’re someone who is always looking for places where the fresh powder falls in abundance during the winter season, your trip to Whitefish won’t disappoint.
That’s because at places like Whitefish Mountain Resort, visitors can look forward to an average annual snowfall total of 226 inches! Typically, you’ll see around 61 annual snowfall days here too. That’s a lot of snow to go around which means those who love to ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, or sled their way through a stay will have endless options to do exactly that.
Many wintertime visitors come this way to add unique cold-weather activities to their list as well like booking a place on a dog-sledding adventure in the Stillwater State Forest or snowshoeing through Glacier National Park. If you’re up for a real thrill this winter, you could consider trying your skills at ice climbing up Bad Rock Canyon alongside a local guide.
If you have a passion for skiing, quality time spent at Whitefish Mountain Resort is a must. This is without a doubt considered one of the top ski resorts in the state with good reason. Boasting 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, you’ll find Whitefish Mountain Resort always provides a spacious and inviting place to learn new skills or hone the ski abilities you already have in place. It’s situated just 15 minutes from downtown Whitefish, making it easy to access at any time. While the holidays are typically busier here, the resort is loved for its overall laid-back vibe.
Another fun and family-friendly activity to add to your itinerary this winter in Whitefish is snowshoeing. This is a great activity for adventurers of all ages because you can really go at your own pace and stop as needed to admire the views too. The Big Mountain Trails are ideal when you want to mix and match easy and intermediate routes with access to overlooks for great landscape viewing and photos. There are even convenient parking options at the Big Mountain Trailhead when you’re bringing all your own gear along for the adventure. For gentle snowshoeing trails, be sure to check out the Round Meadow area over in the Flathead National Forest. If you don’t have all the gear you need to snowshoe at either location, the team over at Sportsman & Ski Haus can set you up with quality rentals for the day at a refreshingly reasonable rate.
When you love cross-country skiing, you’ll quickly discover that Whitefish, Montana is a haven of opportunity for this activity as well. The Big Mountain Trails that you used for snowshoeing are also open for Cross-Country skiing adventures as they’re managed by the Glacier Nordic Club in town. You’ll also want to consider heading over to the Glacier Nordic Center where you can purchase a day pass, rent, skis, and explore! The trails are meticulously maintained and there’s no foot traffic to worry about when you’re here.
If you’re someone who loves to bike year-round, fat tire biking is a popular winter activity across Whitefish. These bikes are designed to handle the rugged and snowy terrain and if you need to rent one for your stay, the team at Glacier Cyclery has you covered. They can also recommend great routes in the area when you want to expand on your cycling fun.
If you need to warm up after time on the snowy trails and slopes, an afternoon exploring downtown Whitefish in the winter is always a fun way to spend the day. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of boutique shops specializing in everything from jewelry, apparel, and hand-crafted goods to gourmet foods and more. Downtown also houses a number of delicious eateries to check out when cravings come calling or you just need to pop into a coffee shop to enjoy a warm beverage.
Each February, Whitefish treats its locals and visitors alike to a vibrant and fun event known as the Whitefish Winter Carnival! This annual gathering is always highly anticipated and is filled with whimsical performances, fun winter-themed food and beverages, live music, and even a yeti or two. It’s a quirky weekend hosted downtown that’s designed to shake off the cold of winter and focus on community fun instead.
Your trip to Whitefish should be unforgettable and when you book your accommodations through I Love Whitefish, you’ll find that begins with elevated standards of luxury, comfort, and style with every reservation. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting Whitefish winter rentals and how we can help you create a one-of-a-kind adventure in Montana this year.
