Month: April 2020

Posted on

Take a Journey to Paws Up with Two New Short Films

Point your lens in any direction the next time you visit The Resort at Paws Up, and you’re likely to capture a stunning scene. It’s just that beautiful. But when seen through the eyes of an exceptional filmmaker, the majesty of Montana truly comes to life. Two new short films will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget: Ranch. Island. Resort. by Dan Goldberg and Across the Blackfoot by Stuart Thurlkill.

Ranch. Island. Resort. 

From fog-draped hillsides and a single canoeist plying calm waters to the gentle swirl of whiskey and nightfall setting on a quiet sliver of land, Goldberg’s contemplative video reveals the raw beauty of The Resort in all its glory. “We wanted to capture that serene, kind of ethereal, relaxing feeling Paws Up generates. Whenever I visit, as we land in Missoula, I feel my blood pressure dropping. I wanted this to come across in the video,” Goldberg said.

One scene stands out and demands your attention. “I knew I had to capture the bison as they were running at sunset. It’s a brief moment, but with the dust and the light filtering through, it’s pretty spectacular,” he said. And there’s stunning fly-fishing footage as well that takes the viewer underwater to catch a glimpse of a rainbow trout wiggling away after a catch-and-release. Yet as a former sous chef, Goldberg is a food photographer at heart: “We shot this epic dinner party at the Island Lodge with Executive Chef Sunny Jin. He did a full-on surf and turf thing with seafood paella, tomahawk steaks and desserts—it was chuck wagon dinner meets massive seafood spread.” In all, it’s only two minutes long, but this mini epic film manages to capture the total Paws Up experience.  Watch Ranch. Island. Resort. 

Across the Blackfoot

Allow yourself to be transported back in time to 150 years ago in Thurlkill’s latest opus for Paws Up, Across the Blackfoot. This minute-and-a-half-long film captures the heart and soul of what makes Paws Up a cherished slice of Montana. The vision of steely-eyed wranglers running a herd of horses down to the Blackfoot River and across its churning rapids feels so real because it simply is.

“We shot everything in 4K with all kinds of angles—we had two drones working and a body cam on a wrangler, an underwater camera, some super slo-mo stuff—we even put our iPhones to use,” Thurlkill said.

Because they were filming animals, there was an element of serendipity to it all. “We knew where the horses should cross, and then jump up to the other bank,” Thurlkill said. But editor/assistant Annie Lambiasse, shooting from the water’s edge, got a surprise when the thundering herd unexpectedly broke her way. The result was a very startled camerawoman, but also another great shot that added a moment rarely, if ever, seen on film.

Watch Across the Blackfoot.

Posted on

10 Reasons Paws Up Feels Like Your Own Private National Park

With 37,000 acres of pristine and undeveloped land, 100 miles of trails and 10 miles of the Blackfoot River, Paws Up may not be a national park, but it sure feels like one. Our Montana landscape is big enough for everyone to rush outside to enjoy it. In fact, you may even see more bison than bipeds. You’ll find ample opportunities to soak in the sun and drink in the fresh air. Here are 10 reasons why Paws Up feels like your own national park.

1. Knee-buckling views

From Yellowstone to Glacier and beyond, national parks share one thing in common: iconic and expansive landscapes that are simply unforgettable. The 37,000 acres at Paws Up qualify, big-time.   

2. Wildlife in abundant supply

Whether it’s hundreds of wild elk, herds of deer, a grizzly bear chewing on huckleberries or an eagle feasting on a creek-side snack, Paws Up teems with the hustle and bustle of local wildlife. 

 

3. Watery wonderlands

Few rivers are as revered, as canoe-friendly, as scenic and as full of trout as the Blackfoot River, which cuts through mile after mile of Paws Up. The Island Lodge at Salmon Lake and the Lake House at Seeley Lake further expand water recreation possibilities.  

 

4. Trees for all seasons

Coniferous trees dominate much of the landscape, with Douglas firs towering 80 feet skyward and shading alongside Ponderosa pines and western larch, whose needles actually take on a golden hue each fall.  

 

5. Trails that transcend the ordinary

After spending time on trails through nature’s living room, it’s hard not to be inspired in one way or another. Whether striking out on foot or on horseback, communing with the wilderness begins right off of your back deck.   

 

6. Accommodations rising to the spectacular

After the last s’more has come off the campfire, friends and families can return to accommodations that are every bit as distinctive as the best of the national park lodges and quite a bit more luxurious.   

7. A historical perspective

National parks typically have a story to tell. At Paws Up, at first blush it’s about cattle—the rich history of cowboys and ranching is everywhere. But it’s also easy to imagine yourself following in the footsteps or paddle strokes of Meriwether Lewis as he explored this region in 1806.  

 

8. Knowledgeable folks serving your needs

From camping butlers who provide insight into local flora, fauna and the Blackfoot River to a Wilderness Workshop leader demonstrating primitive skills unchanged for hundreds of years, you’ll sense an ongoing reverence for the land.   

9. Long lines of cars. Well, maybe not.

Okay, so Paws Up isn’t totally like a national park. Because here, the only cars you’re likely to encounter are the Lexus luxury SUVs that guests get to use during their stay. This is a place of natural beauty you won’t be sharing with more than about a few hundred other guests. Ever.  

10. Easy access to Montana’s wilderness

Creating your very own national park experience doesn’t take an act of Congress—just a call to The Resort at Paws Up Reservations at 877-580-6343.

Posted on

The Newest Addition to the Paws Up Collection Is Coming Soon

It’s finally coming: the newest addition to the Paws Up Collection. Hidden among the trees, the green o sits on the densely timbered southern edge of the expansive 37,000-acre Paws Up Ranch.

The adult-centric green o resort features 12 exquisite, perfectly secluded Haus accommodations. During construction, care was taken to position them on the forest floor in a way that would avoid cutting down trees or disturbing the land. In other ways, too, the green o is all about celebrating the scenic beauty and natural flora and fauna of its setting. From the materials used, such as Shou Sugi Ban-treated wood, to the panoramic and soaring glass windows, design elements throughout allow guests to feel at one with nature.

In fact, with modern amenities and unparalleled attention to detail, each Haus is uniquely built to bring the outdoors in. Using the finest fixtures and finishes along with uniquely designed furniture, the green o also surrounds guests in upscale sophistication.

Indagare Magazine said that the green o shows off “Scandinavia-inspired interiors that are cozy and smartly designed, with hot tubs, terraces and all-glass walls, allowing guests to feel ensconced in the woods.”

Travel + Leisure magazine calls the green o one of the best new hotels to book around the world. Yet the resort also offers many of the tried-and-true wonders you’ll find at The Resort at Paws Up, including more outdoor adventures than any other resort in the country.

So, if you’re looking for the ideal sanctuary for a kid-free stay, the green o is yours to discover and it opens this year. To see more, visit the green o.

Get lost in the details.  

At the green o, it’s the little things that matter. We’ll collected some interesting behind-the-scenes facts just for you:

  • No trees where cut down during construction. Each Haus was built to integrate with the natural environment.
  • Taking full advantage of our Western heritage, dining at the green o showcases an open kitchen centered on live-fire cooking.
  • The floor plans are open to allow flow through the home, so you never feel boxed in.
  • The green o restaurant, Social Haus, was built using Shou Sugi Ban-treated wood. Shou Sugi Ban is a traditional Japanese method used to preserve wood by charring it.
  • Executive Chef Brandon Cunningham, with his diverse culinary background, will be serving “small, thoughtful plates curated almost to the person.”
  • Native grasses are used on some Haus rooftops to create a virtual meadow.
  • The Tree Haus structures have seven small posts that hold up each dwelling so the natural forest floor can thrive beneath.
  • No gas-powered vehicles are allowed on the property.
  • Two mountain bikes are available upon request with each Haus.
  • Each Haus comes complete with fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs.