Springtime in Whitefish is one of our favorite times of the year. If you agree, you’re probably planning a vacation to the area! Below, we’ve put together a guide filled with the best things to do in Whitefish, MT in spring to help you have the perfect Spring vacation in Whitefish.
Hit the Trails!
There are tons of hiking trails in Whitefish that we think are perfect for spring. Not only can you avoid the heat of the summer months, and the crowds of people who flock to the most popular waterfalls and green forests, but you can break a sweat, burn some calories, and feel good about being active and healthy on vacation!
For those who want to start with an easy path with their kids or older adults who are not super keen on fitness, the Lion Mountain Trail is an easy way to start that provides a huge bang for your buck. You’ll be transported into the wilderness on this easy path that gives far-reaching views and immersion into the incredible pine forests.
Now that you are more comfortable with hiking, you can do a more moderate hike that will take a little longer. Try the Beaver Lake Loop. This fitness-inducing hike will get your heart pounding higher and take you to a higher elevation to get the best views around. Plus, you can take a detour to Beaver Lake to cool off once it gets hotter in the middle of the day.
Next, Danny on the National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular long-distance paths in Whitefish that will take you multiple hours, perfect for a cool spring day that breaks to some sunshine later in the day. Begin in the village and walk nearly 4 miles out to the end of the path, soaking in wildflower views, steep inclines, and lush greenery. Then, retrace your steps for a full 8 miles!
Head Out on the Mountain Bike Trails
Even if you are not a confident mountain biker yet, you will love the trail network here in Whitefish that provides beginners, intermediate riders, and advanced bikers with everything they could possibly want. The joy of mountain biking is going fast down dirt-laden paths as you gaze out over the incredible forest floor, wildflower meadows, and gravel trails—your heart will be racing!
Adrenaline junkies will love learning how to control their bike, whizz around the rocks, and safely guide themselves down the mountain. Make sure you wear a helmet and keep an eye out for hikers as you glide down the path to keep everyone happy and safe. If you need a bit of guidance, you can always hire a teacher or go to a pro-mountain biking spot to get a ‘crash’ course on how to ride your bike!
Whitefish Mountain Resort is one of the best spots to take your tread-heavy bike, featuring over 25 miles of cross-country mountain bike trails. One of the main reasons why people love Whitefish for mountain biking is the ‘flow’ that you get with the paths. Paths connect to one another, offering mountain bike riders the chance to connect between rivers, valleys, meadows, and forests.
And you will always have combinations and paths to take on your bike. The bike park offers nearly 2,400 feet of vertical drop, two lifts for you to use, 25+ miles of trails, 9 miles of cross-country and hiking trails, and even features more than ten difficult trails for expert riders.
Take a Brewery Tour
You can create your own brewery tour or have a company put it together for you. But no matter which one you choose, breweries are some of the best ways to find the best pour of beer, explore the countryside, learn more about the brewing process, and have a few drinks with your mates in the process. After all, you are on vacation!
We recommend going to Bonsai Brewing Project, one of the most popular breweries in the entire state. Bonsai Brewing is right in the heart of Whitish, MT, and offers a great spot for locals and tourists alike to come, hang out, sip on a beer, and learn more about the intense brewing process that creates favorites like KOLd cruSCH (a Kolsch style beer), Lil Blond Honey, Get It Together, and D’Haisy Age.
For food, we love the healthy vibe of the snacks here. You can get hummus and pita with pickled veggies, chips and salsa, or pasta salad with red pepper aioli and arugula to split with the table. If you want a hearty bowl, the burrito bowl or poke bowl with raw sushi-grade Ahi, ginger dressing, green onions, and fresh veggies pairs well with a light beer on a spring day.
Next, you can’t go to Whitefish without checking out Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company. ‘JJ’ Brewing calls themselves a no-nonsense brewery that churns out tasty IPAs, hefty stouts, and much more. They pride themselves on being a good neighbor, being a part of the community, and doing their best.
Jeremiah Johnson has tons of favorites that people love having in-store and also to purchase as packs to bring home. The Mountain Man Scotch Ale is great for a cold day, whereas the Hazy Pale Ale is perfect for a warmer spring day after a long hike. We also love Blonde Ale for an all-day drinking festivity, whereas the Citra IPA is perfect for fruit lovers who want to drink beer.
And if you want to make a full afternoon out of your trip to this brewery, you can order some food, share appetizers, and enjoy a few pints with your friends. We recommend ordering the beer queso, which is made with JJ blonde ale, cotija cheese, and smoked chorizo. For another starter, the tasty falafel bites or Bavarian pretzel with creamy and melted cheese, mustard, and honey butter can’t be beaten.
Lady of the Lake Boat Cruise
Another fun thing to do on a cool spring evening is to take a sunset cruise on Whitefish Lake. There is no better way to admire the beauty of the lake and see the land from a different perspective than to head out on a sunset cruise with your partner, friends, or family. Contact us to plan your trip for you. This reputable company offers a 1.5-hour cruise, captain, beautiful scenery, beverages, and champagne.
One of the most popular boat tours is the Lady of the Lake Boat Cruise, located on the eastern shore of Whitefish Lake. You can easily get here by foot, bike, or car, less than 1.5 miles away from Wisconsin Avenue. We recommend having dinner at the Boat Club Lodge after your adventure tour on the water.
Order the boat club chips, steamed mussels with apple-wood smoked bacon, and pan-seared beef tenderloin tips with mixed greens and warm camembert cheese to split the table. This healthy and tasty dinner is the perfect way to end a fun spring day.
Golfing
The last activity that we think is the best to do in the spring months is grabbing your clubs, dressing the part, and going golfing with your mates. No matter if you have a set of clubs that you brought with you on vacation, or you have never used a nine iron before, going golfing at one of the many golf clubs in Whitefish is a fun way to see the sights, have fun with your friends, and try something new.
If you can only go to one place to golf in Whitefish, we recommend spending a day at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club. This protein and exquisite golf club features two courses, the North Course and South Course, that you can choose between during your stay. We love the variety and the large landscape that offers incredible views of the lake, lush greenery, and dense pine forests.
For just $81 during the peak season, you can play the full 18 holes and secure your tee time. Plus, if you come to Whitefish during the early spring months, it costs just $63 for the full 18 holes—what a bargain! You can also rent a cart for $46 and clubs for $45, which is honestly a great deal for how expensive golfing can be as a hobby or sport.
If you are staying in Whitefish for an entire season, it might be the best bet to get a senior membership for just $421 for the entire season. If you play golf more than a few times, this is well worth the money! And we think that golfing in Whitefish is one of the best places to do it, featuring the manicured gardens, lake view, and convenient location right on the edge of the lake.
After you have spent a few afternoons at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, there might be other spots you want to check out. The Iron Horse Golf Club is a fun spot to visit to avoid crowds of people, whereas the Meadow Lake Golf Resort in Columbia Falls, Northern Pines Golf Club in Kalispell, and Village Greens Golf Course in Kalispell are good for a day trip out of Whitefish.
After spending a few hours at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, it might be time to pack in the clubs, have a drink, and chat with your mates about her game. Luckily, the club offers a restaurant right on the water that offers a lounge area and dining room for a post-game treat. Order the tuna tartare with fresh ginger, smoked trout, and Thai mussels as appetizers in the casual lounge area.
Events
Not only are there fun activities for you to do with your friends here any time of the year, but there are spring-only events that we think are must-attend if you are coming here during the warm spring months.
Spring Brewfest
We know that you might like beer—that is why you took a brewery tour and tasted the best craft beer in the entire state. Head to the Spring Brew Fest on Saturday, March 30th, from 1 to 5 pm at Whitefish Mountain Resort to taste some of the best beer in the entire state, enjoy food from the local two food trucks, and hang out with your mates. You can celebrate over 20 breweries in Whitefish and the surrounding areas, pair a craft beer pours perfectly with tasty food, and enjoy the pristine weather. Get here any time after 1 pm and pay just $30 to get deals on drinks and tasty meals.
Live Music at the Boat Club Bar
Another fun event to check out during your spring vacay in Whitefish is going to the Boat Club Bar to listen to live music every single week. They get a great plethora of local and nation-renowned artists who can get people singing in the restaurant, up and out of their seats, and staying for hours and hours listening to the upbeat tunes.
Corn Cup Slopestyle
Are you a ski or snowboard fan? If so, make sure you grab tickets to the Corn Cup Slopestyle by Toyota at the Season Terrain Park event, which will provide you with an up-close and personal view of the best athletes in the area.
Stay with Us at I Love Whitefish
There are so many fun things to do in Whitefish, MT, aren’t there? You can see why people flock here from all over the world to explore the great outdoors, have fun with their friends, go shopping, sip on tasty beer, and enjoy the pristine spring weather. But the real question is, where do you stay during your trip here?
We think that working with us at I Love Whitefish is the easiest, and fastest, way for you to find the ideal accommodation option for your entire group. No matter if you want a large house with a private pool, or you are more in the mood for an intimate home with one bedroom to share with your partner, we have it all.
Contact us today to get started. We do all of the hard work for you, so you can just sit back, relax, and get ready for your vacation. We are there with you every step of the way, providing you with up-to-date information, correspondence, and email notifications to keep you abreast with the status of your reservation.