Family | The Last Best Blog

May 14, 2020

Six Experiences at Paws Up For The Under-Six Crowd

Why does it always seem like all the best rides are for those who meet a height requirement? Here at Paws Up, we don’t limit the fun to those who measure up to a sign. Here are just six examples of how we put the biggest smiles on our smallest guests.

1. PONY RIDES

We would never make you go in circles on some sandy, worn-out path. Instead, our wranglers will show you a true adventure! You’ll say hello to your pony, get a boost up and then ride through beautiful trails. It’s 15 minutes of giggles and photo ops. Parents can tag along, too.

2. GARNET GHOST TOWN

Ever been to a real ghost town? We have one that’s practically in our own backyard! It’s just 20 minutes away, but it’s a step back in time to the early 1900s. Explore the general store, hotel, saloon and homes of this uninhabited town. But wait—you don’t believe in ghosts, do you?

3. THE ISLAND LODGE AT SALMON LAKE

Imagine having a whole island to yourself and your family with boats, fishing poles and a floating trampoline! Cool off with a blackberry lemonade. Or dip your feet into the clear, blue water and let the tiny fishies swim around your toes. At sunset, go for a nice pontoon ride. Ahoy, sailor!

4. CLEARWATER RIVER CANOE TRIP

Head out on the water with a family canoe trip. Relax in the middle while bigger kids or grown-ups paddle down a 3.5-mile stretch of the Clearwater River. Notice the stunning views of the Swan Mountains. See if you can spot an eagle. But make sure you get a turn to try paddling, too!

5. GO-KARTS

The race is on! You’ll go up to 20 miles per hour around a half-mile track side-by-side with Mom or Dad. Learn to steer around one corner after the next. If you’re under six, trackside bleachers provide the perfect spot to watch your favorite racers power their way to the checkered flag.

6. LITTLE DISCOVERERS AT THE KIDS CORPS OF DISCOVERY

Need to seriously get your wiggles out? Kiss your family goodbye for a few hours and join us at the Kids Corps of Discovery, where you can meet new friends, play games and try tie-dying and searching for sapphires.

July 13, 2018July 13, 2018

Summer Kids Inspiration at Paws Up

Part sport, part adventure and all fun, the Henry the Sports Bug Camp at Paws Up seamlessly fits into our guest experience. Along with the popular Kids Corps of Discovery, this new kids’ program includes lots of nurture with plenty of nature, compliments of Montana’s great outdoors.

Henry, the hero of a series of books and videos created by former collegiate and professional tennis player Melissa Detwiler. Detwiler uses her background in sports, Henry the adult-size buggy mascot and local athletes to help kids develop a love of sports and good sportsmanship. Henry the Sports Bug Camp teaches everything from soccer and tennis to golf and basketball, as well as how to build self-confidence and make healthy lifestyle choices. We sat down with Detwiler to find out more about her background, passions, amazing charity efforts and more.

How did you come up with Henry the Sports Bug?

Henry the Sports Bug is a creation stemming from my childhood being a tennis prodigy. I started playing at seven years old, and—quite quickly—tennis became my life. With all of that came a ton of pressure and not a lot of fun. I missed out on developing a love and passion for tennis. It became a part of me. It’s what I did and what I was known for. However, I didn’t have balance in my life. As I got older I realized how important balance is and loving what you do. I started teaching tennis when I moved to Los Angeles in 1992 and my main goal was for children to have fun playing the sport. I gained so many positive things from playing a sport growing up that I wanted to be able to pass that along to all kids. Henry the Sports Bug was my creative outlet to do that. No matter what sport you play, you get the same benefits of being healthy, being disciplined, developing confidence, showing good sportsmanship and learning how to win and how to lose. Sports give you the tools to become a leader in life and sets you up for success in the adult world. I am motivated to have Henry the Sports Bug reach kids everywhere, because I know how sports can change your life in a positive way.

How did your tennis career inspire you to work with children?

I did not want anything to do with tennis after my career ended. I was burnt out and had a lot of bitterness toward it. When I moved to Los Angeles, I needed a job, so I went to a local tennis club and they hired me on the spot. I started working with kids, and this inspired me. I absolutely love to see kids happy, laughing and having fun while getting better at tennis. Henry the Sports Bug inspires a positive change in kids’ lives. Henry the Sports Bug has healed me and is the best result of my tennis career.

Tell us more about your charity efforts.

From the very first thought of Henry the Sports Bug, I knew I wanted a nonprofit side to it. I want to be able to reach kids everywhere who have never held a ball or sports equipment. I want to be able to donate sports equipment, sport clothes, books, food and toys to kids around the world. Last year I formed the Henry the Sports Bug Foundation. So far, I have been fortunate to be able to donate tennis rackets and my books to schools in need. In 2013, before I formed the charity side, I went to 40 different elementary schools in 9 different states to put on assemblies where I read to the students, taught them tennis strokes, got them running through Henry’s obstacle course and donated my books. It was an amazing experience and further confirmed that kids, parents and teachers love Henry the Sports Bug and need him. I got so many letters from kids across the country asking me what sports Henry was going to play next and that he inspired them to try a sport. I can’t wait for the day I can travel everywhere donating to schools that have lost their PE programs, communities that have no sports, children that need sponsors to play in their chosen sports and countries where kids have never even seen a tennis ball or soccer ball. That’s when I’ll feel like I have accomplished something.

How many books do you have and what are the differences in each of them?

Currently I have eight books available on Amazon. The first five books set up Henry’s world. He is kind of like a Clark Kent/Superman-type figure. He has his Henry the Bug life, living in the bog dealing with all-too common kid problems, and then he has his superhero life as Henry the Sports Bug, going on missions to help kids in need in the sports world. The first two books incorporate tennis because it’s my background. Henry teaches a little girl tennis and gives her the confidence to make friends with the other kids who play tennis. She was shy and scared at first, but after Henry’s encouragement she could come out of her shell, make friends and play tennis. Books 3 and 4 set up how Henry becomes Henry the Sports Bug. Tito the Magic Turtle gives him a magic mirror to be able to see his next mission. Henry can jump through it to his mode of transportation, Cabo and Lily, the Flying Wonder Dogs! Book 5 is where he goes on his first mission to help a soccer team that is struggling with their confidence and morale. Book 6 is about miniature golf—the Masters of Miniature Golf. Henry the Sports Bug goes to help a boy who wants to play but is lacking focus and confidence. Book 7 is about a football team and community that loves football, but everyone is eating so unhealthy that they have no energy to play or cheer their team on. Henry brings in his nutritionist friend Mo the Morselist to help him change their eating habits and have balance. The eighth book is a little departure from the series. It is for the younger Henry fans who haven’t learned their ABCs yet. Henry hasn’t become Henry the Sports Bug yet; he is just Henry the Bug. He is having a hard time focusing on his schoolwork because all he thinks about is sports. Mrs. Centipede, his teacher, has the great idea of having Henry come up with a sport for every letter of the alphabet. It’s cute and makes learning fun.

What’s your favorite thing about Paws Up so far?

Paws Up is fantastic. I got to experience the Fourth of July festivities at The Resort. Besides the celebration in my hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this beats anything I have ever experienced. I also love the scenery and the animals. My goal by the end of the summer is to get a cow to let me hug it! Louis the Sheep and I already have a special bond though!

What’s been your favorite activity at Paws Up?

So far I have only experienced the ATVs and sporting clays shooting. My goal is to be more proficient at both by the end of summer, and I hope to be able to experience many more of the fun and exciting activities offered here.

What is one thing you would like children to take away from attending your sports camp?

With my camps, I want children to walk away with a big smile on their faces, telling their parents how much fun they had and how much they love playing sports. The life lessons from playing a sport will come naturally and they won’t feel like it’s a “lesson” because they are having fun!

February 7, 2018February 9, 2018

Make Your Memorial Day Plans Now

We’ve stoked the flames of anticipation for this year’s Montana Master Grillers event (May 25–28) with an all-new lineup of grilling greats. This year’s weekend-long event features maestros of the grill who have worked their fiery magic from deep in the heart of Texas to Boston’s Fenway Park. Each has a unique take on BBQ delights.

Join us as we fire up the grills with MMG veteran Chef Tim Byres, newcomers Chef Nicole Pederson and Chef Steve “Nookie” Postal as well as local Chef Burke Holmes from Missoula’s Notorious P.I.G. BBQ and Chef Pat Martin from Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop and Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nashville, Tennessee. Besides their flame-kissed wonders, we’ll add a bevy of beverages from KettleHouse Brewing Company, Glacier Distilling Company and Wagner Family of Wine and nightly music by Dan Dubuque, Andrea Harsell & Luna Roja and the Lil Smokies making this one unforgettable Memorial Day weekend.

In true Paws Up style, our BBQ mastery will be served with healthy doses of stunning scenery, luxurious accommodations and wilderness adventures. May we recommend a few hours riding the range with the Garnet Mountains as your sidekick or rustling up some trout from the beautiful Blackfoot River?

Chef Tim Byres, named the Southwest 2012 Food & Wine magazine’s People’s Best New Chef, is the co-owner and chef of SMOKE, Chicken Scratch, The Foundry, Bar Belmont, Spork and SMOKE Plano. Originally from California but a longtime Texan, Byres is best known for his “live fire cookery,” worldly and approachable flavors and fun, family-style service.

Named Best Al Fresco Restaurant by Boston Magazine as well as Best Neighborhood Takeout Restaurant, Commonwealth is owned by Chef Steve “Nookie” Postal, a veteran chef of Cambridge’s Oleana and Casablanca restaurants. Commonwealth sits proudly in Boston’s vibrant Kendall Square. Fresh ingredients shine and take center stage via simple executions.

After learning secrets, techniques and recipes from world-famous pit masters in his native St. Louis, Missouri, Chef Burke Holmes brought the soul of true barbecue to Missoula, Montana. With such an authentic background, it’s no wonder Holmes’ Notorious P.I.G. BBQ was voted both Best BBQ and Best New Restaurant in Missoula. Always smoking meats over local cherrywood and applewood, Holmes typically applies his favorite rubs and sauces to everything from ribs and beef brisket to smoked cranberry-cayenne chicken wings.

Chef Nicole Pederson has an impressive pedigree in food. After culinary school in her hometown of Minneapolis, she gained valuable experience cooking in the south of France. Pederson also worked at Gramercy Tavern in New York and then headed to the Lula Cafe in Chicago, where she honed her passion for all things local. Pederson also held the post of Executive Chef at C-House.

Before becoming The Resort at Paws Up’s executive chef, Sunny Jin’s culinary journey took him around the world, cooking for some of the planet’s finest restaurants—Napa Valley’s French Laundry, Catalonia’s El Bulli and Australia’s Tetsuya’s. While his culinary skills have impressed discriminating palates globally, it’s the American Northwest where he feels most at home. His formative cooking skills developed in Portland, Oregon, at the Western Culinary Institute, where he won the coveted Grand Toque Award as the top culinary student.

December 20, 2016December 20, 2016

39 Posts on The Resort at Paws Up from 2016

2016 was a big year at The Resort at Paws Up, and we want to share with you 35 media posts that recap the best of the past year. 2017 is going to be even better! For starters, this will be the first year we are open 365 days. We will be introducing a brand new glamping site—North Bank—scheduled to open in June; new culinary events such as Eat Drink and Meet Merry, WildFlavor, AdrenZen, long table events and Smoke & Around the Fire; additional activities and much more, so stay tuned. But first, take a stroll down memory lane as you relive some of our events and accolades from 2016.

10 Affordable Wellness Vacations for 2017 via U.S. News and World Report

Montana Grandeur at Paws Up in Mountain Living Magazine

15 City-Inspired Thanksgiving Menus from Local Chefs via Elle Decor

8 Great Christmas Getaways for Families via The Travel Channel

6 Reasons to Visit the Resort at Paws Up This Winter via Paws Up

12 White Christmas Ideas on Conde Nast Traveler

Five Magical Resorts and Hotels in Which to Spend the Holidays via Huffington Post

5 Fabulous Resorts to Host Your Family Thanksgiving via Community Table Parade Magazine

10 Trips Fun that are Truly Fun for the Whole Family via Town & Country

Q & A with Resort at Paws Up Chef Ben Jones via The Missoulian

I Vacationed Like Gwyneth Paltrow—And It’s Not What I Expected at All via Marie Claire

The World’s Most Remote Resorts via Fodor’s Travel

Paws Up via Gal Meets Glam

The Most Luxurious Glamping Honeymoons in Bridal Guide

America’s Best Wilderness Resort is Now A Year-Round Affair via Insidehook

10 Luxury Dude Ranches Worth Ditching Your Beach Vacation for via U.S. News and World Report

Cattle Drives, Whiskey Shots with Cowboys, and Gold Rush Massages at Paws Up in Montana via Forbes

The Best Honeymoon Locations in America via Country Living

National S’mores Day: Ways to Celebrate via Uproxx

5 Best Summer Spa Views via Spafinder

Best Luxury Kid-Friendly Hotels in the U.S via Conde Nast Traveler

Urban Cowgirl via Southbay Magazine

Where to Glamp in the National Parks via Simplemost

10 Luxe Camping Retreats to Check Out this Summer via Jetsetter

5 Riverside Getaways for Active Families via Dallas News

From California to Maine, The Best Hotels for Fall Foliage via Food and Wine

100 Best Places to have Sex via Men’s Journal

5 Great Rivers for Adventure, History and Beauty via Seattle Times

8 Glamping Sites Across the U.S via Real Simple

Resorts Where You can Channel Your Inner Chef via Bravo TV

Best Luxe Glamping Ranches in the USA via Departures

Amazing Vacation Destinations that Guarantee BIG Thrills via Red Tricycle

7 Stunning Place to Elope This Summer via About Travel

9 Beautiful Places to go Glamping in America via Elle Decor

7 Best Glamping Spots for Summer via Allure

Paws Up on Hey, Miss Carter

Best Glamping Spots for Fall via Allure

The Lowdown on Paws Up via Passported

Be Luxury: Go Glamping the Final Days of Summer via Black Enterprise

September 26, 2016June 30, 2023

10 Things Fans Love about The Resort at Paws Up

Last week on our Facebook page, we asked fans what they love about our ranch. Whether you have had the opportunity to visit our 37,000-acre ranch or not, there are many things to love—come see for yourself, and let us know what you adore about Paws Up. We have the perfect opportunity for you to schedule a trip, too: We are thrilled to announce that this is the first year the ranch is open 365 days a year! Read on for 10 things fans love about The Resort at Paws Up.

Guest from Atlanta Watching the sun rise through the trees over a blanket of fresh snow. The outdoor hot tub while it’s snowing, the food, the snowmobile tour through the ghost town. My list could go on and on!

Guest from California: It’s not just the natural beauty, which is stunning, but also the way you have of making me feel like you’ve just been holding your breath waiting for me to arrive! You made everything so special. From the horseback riding to the couples massage to a visit from Santa. Christmas in Montana at Paws Up was nothing short of magical!

Guest from Washington: The people! We just got back this week, and everybody was so nice. The scenery was beautiful and the resort is unbelievable, but the staff made it such an amazing experience!

Guest from Oklahoma: The relaxing experience at the riverside camps. From the time we got up in the mornings to drink the awaiting hot coffee and watch the mist coming off the river until sunset with a glass of wine while watching deer come down for a refreshing drink of river water, it was the most relaxed we’ve been in a very long time!

Colorado Fan: We haven’t officially met in person. It looks like the best of the West, from horseback riding to dinners on the hillside, fly fishing, activities for kids and spa treatments. And don’t get me started on those glamping® tents, especially the ones right on the river that boast one amazing Montana backdrop. I would love to meet you, Paws Up—and bring my children, too!

North Carolina Fan: Well I’ve daydreamed about it and envisioned its serene beauty from the photos posted and shared by the lucky ones who have made it their destination—I will wait for my time.

Guest from Nevada: I love the setting of The Resort at Paws Up because it’s in the middle of nature at its best. Whether it’s taking a horseback ride, the Ropes Course, dinner on the lawn or a spa experience, it’s blended perfectly so that you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the experience of what you are doing!

Guest from Texas Do you have a year? It’s beautiful, looks so relaxing and peaceful. I could go on and on and on!

Guest from California My favorite memory was having huckleberry oatmeal by the fire each morning. Four years later, and we still order huckleberries.

Pirnie Art Showroom We love Paws Up because they capture the generous spirit of Montana! Thank you for your incredible donation to the local University of Montana Rodeo Team. (So many of our clients rave about the relaxation and luxury they enjoy while at Paws Up!)

September 6, 2016September 6, 2016

Where to Spend Thanksgiving This Year

Kick off the holiday season with something beyond spectacular—a family trip to The Resort at Paws Up. It’s the first Thanksgiving celebration at Paws Up, and we’re planning generous portions of fun activities and excursions. From a petting zoo with pony rides and family game nights to owl watching, hayrides and concerts, plus football and parade watching, there are plenty of options to satisfy everyone’s tastes. Don’t forget we have horseback riding, ATV rides, paintball, archery, hiking, biking, spa town and so much more.

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the Thanksgiving feast. You and your loved ones will sit down to dine on one sumptuous meal after another filled with locally sourced holiday favorites. We often say our world-renowned executive chef is a culinary artist. You can count on every last bite to be delicious. Giving thanks will surely come easily at The Resort at Paws Up.

THANKSGIVING SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Cookie decorating in homes
Petting zoo visits and pony rides
Lighter, leaner lunch options available
Game night in the Bull Barn
Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Extended breakfast hours
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade watching in the Village
NFL game watching with snacks in Tank
Petting zoo visits and pony rides
Owl Prowl bird watching excursion to Jones’ Pond
Hayrides through the Wilderness Estates
Lighter, leaner lunch options available
Thanksgiving Day Festival with apple bobbing, sack races, archery and more on The Yard at the Cook Shack
A grand and glittering Thanksgiving Dinner at Pomp or a private feast delivered to your home and whisked away afterwards
Cookie decorating awards ceremony
Family movie night and wildlife presentation in the Bull Barn
Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Friday, November 25, 2016

Resort tour, with visits to the Morris Ranch House, Blackfoot River Lodge, Elk Creek and Cliffside Camp
Petting zoo visits and pony rides
Hayrides through the Wilderness Estates
Lighter, leaner lunch options available
Black Friday sale at the Wilderness Outpost
Happy hour and whiskey tasting and demonstration with the Rattlesnake Creek Distillery
A special dessert menu including pumpkin pie flambé, an ice cream station with toppings such as flambéed cherries, Bananas Foster and house-made goat cheese pumpkin cheesecake
Pajama party and movie night in the Great Angus Hall
Live musical performance from the Beargrass Bluegrass Band in Tank
Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Resort tour, with visits to the Morris Ranch House, Blackfoot River Lodge, Elk Creek and Cliffside Camp
Petting zoo visits and pony rides
Owl Prowl bird watching excursion to Jones’ Pond
Kids crafts and photo center family fun projects
Lighter, leaner lunch options available
Sale at the Wilderness Outpost
Happy hour and hard cider tasting and demonstration with Brewmaster Lee McAlpine at the Wilderness Outpost
Mini Rodeo at the Equestrian Center
Appetizers and cocktails in the Saddle Club
Show in the Arena
Campfire music jamboree and s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Sunday, November 27, 2016

NFL game watching with snacks in Tank (Lighter, leaner lunch options available)
Family movie night in the Bull Barn

Note: All Thanksgiving weekend activities, apart from dining and shopping, are complimentary. Space is limited. Reserve early. For delivery of an in-home Thanksgiving feast, please provide advance notice 48 hours prior to desired delivery.

Call Concierge Services at 406-244-7333 to make your plans now.

August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

6 Tips to Building a Better S’more

National S’mores Day is Wednesday, August 10th, and all of us at The Resort at Paws Up are getting excited! There’s nothing like sleeping beneath the stars, listening to the sounds of nature—and calling your butler when you need an extra pillow. At The Resort at Paws Up, there is one dedicated camping butler for each luxury camp. The camping butler does everything from starting a fire and preparing scrumptious s’mores to providing entertainment and assisting with planning and scheduling your daily itineraries. “Ensuring our guests have an experience of a lifetime at the beautiful Resort at Paws Up is the best part of my job,” says Resort Manager Charles Daenen. “I love to get to know the guests while they are here, make a connection and take care of all of their needs,” says Charles. “At full capacity, we go through about three dozen s’mores per evening—fun for the entire family.”

Below are eight tips from Charles on how to make the best s’mores.

1. Use a variety of chocolate, including Hershey’s, Snicker or even KitKat candy bars.

2. Toast two marshmallows over the coals to a crispy, gooey state. Then sandwich them between graham crackers and a piece of chocolate. The heat of the marshmallows will melt the chocolate a bit for the perfect texture.

3. Instead of a coat hanger or s’mores stick, try a double-sided metal waffle-shaped s’mores maker to avoid losing your treat in the fire.

4. Use waffles instead of graham crackers for a softer, gooier s’more.

5. Add salted caramels with your choice of chocolate for turtle-like taste and texture. We like to serve bacon s’mores too.

6. Substitute Oreo cookies for graham crackers.

July 20, 2015June 30, 2023

Glamping® with the Page Family

(Photo Credit: TastingPage.com)

A milestone like a 75th birthday requires a special celebration. Kelly Page did just that when her Dad turned 75 and at his request to visit a “dude ranch” they came to Paws Up.

(Photo Credit: TastingPage.com)

“My dad, and for that matter, most of the family, are not real campers. “Roughing it,” well, isn’t a phrase any of us likes uttering when it comes to traveling. Finding the perfect dude ranch with enough amenities to keep everyone happy seemed like a challenge. Sure we wanted an authentic experience wrangling cattle and shooting clay pigeons, but we also wanted to be able to retire to high thread count sheets and gourmet food and drinks. A lot to ask, until we found Paws Up.”

(Photo Credits: TastingPage.com)

“Everyone from 11 to 75 years old enjoyed themselves at Paws Up. It was one of our best family vacations. We were semi-disconnected, but fully connected while taking in the beautiful setting through a variety of adventure activities. […]”

(Photo Credits: TastingPage.com)

This is a condensed version of their experience. Head on over to the Tasting Page to read her full review and travel experience.

July 16, 2015June 30, 2023

Fashion by Mayhem visits Paws Up

The following is an excerpt from “Thumbs Up for Paws Up” originally published on the FashionbyMayhem.com blog:

Photo: Fashion by Mayhem

Our first two nights in Montana were spent glamping® at the 37,000 acre ranch resort known as The Resort at Paws Up. Now if you’re wondering what exactly glamping is, it’s like camping, except your tent has a king size bed with heated blankets, a second bedroom, a REAL bathroom complete with rain shower and heated floors, a welcome bottle of wine, a heating/AC unit inside, and lots of other perfect details … So basically, it’s not camping at all. Which is exactly how I like my camping.

Photo: Fashion by Mayhem

[…] We decided to spend our time at Paws Up reacquainting ourselves with the great outdoors. Mayhem grabbed a fishing pole from the dining and activities pavilion at our camp and we made the short 100 yard trek to the Blackfoot River. We didn’t catch anything. At all. And it’s entirely possible it had something to do with the super loud kid with us who kept throwing rocks in the river. We tried to explain fishing basics to her, but she was having fun and we were enjoying ourselves, so it was all good.

Photo: Fashion by Mayhem

[…] And in case we weren’t wowed enough by our surroundings, we discovered on our first morning that we had some bald friends in camp with us. And later that day we found they had a nest directly above our tent. And two babies. Let me let that sink in … a family of bald eagles living in the tree directly above our tent!!!

Photo: Fashion by Mayhem

[…]Nature is pretty darn spectacular and we don’t spend enough time appreciating it. We’ve worried about Mayhem growing up in a time and place where we’re all so wrapped up in our devices and screens that we neglect the awesomeness that’s happens in the world all on its own. Paws Up gave us gave us a little slice of heaven for a couple days. And the chance to immerse ourselves in some of nature’s finest settings in five star fashion.

March 6, 2014August 29, 2014

The First Annual ‘Wilderness Games’

Take a hiatus from the typical hiatus to get some serious adventure in this year! The Resort at Paws Up is offering an exciting spring break challenge in the now-to-be Annual Wilderness Games.

The winter Olympics in Sochi have closed, so it’s time to get ready for summer in Rio 2016 by winning gold at Paws Up! Do you have a Katniss Everdeen or Robin Hood in the family who can split an arrow down the center? Does your household boast expert Nintendo Wii hand-eye-coordination? Any resident golfing proteges who could rival Happy Gilmore while fishing like Jeremy Wade? Wanna try?

The Wilderness Games are taking place during scheduled weekends in both March and April. We’ll tally up the scores each weekend and award prizes to the families with the highest points. Then, at the conclusion of the games, the family with the highest cumulative score will win the grand prize of a return stay at Paws Up with airfare included! Among the games: archery, horseback egg and spoon race, sporting clays, and fly-casting golf.

Sporting Clays

Join an experienced shotgun instructor for a fun and competitive adventure at our Sporting Clays course. After some practice, show off your dead-eye aim in a scored round.

Sporting Clays

Archery

Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen at our professional archery course. Expert instruction by our guides will ensure that you’re on target for this unique and exciting competition.

Horseback Egg and Spoon Race

Put your equestrian skills to the test in the Saddle Club arena by completing a timed lap that weaves around barrels all while keeping an egg steadily secured in a spoon the entire way.

Horse Riding

Fly Casting Golf

The art of fly casting can be challenging to master, but with instruction from our expert fishing guides we’ll have you casting like a pro as you participate in a friendly game of “golf.”

Flycast Golfing

All of this while relaxing in your very own home away from home. When staying at The Resort at Paws Up the best amenities are on hand during your visit. Luxury vacation homes mean an ideal intersection of privacy and peace with the best Montana scenery. Towering oaks are your nearest neighbors along with the Blackfoot River and tranquil creeks. Fine dining can be found in The Village and transportation around The Ranch is easy and complimentary.

The whole family will enjoy showing off the best of their skills (with expert instructors on hand for fine tuning) during the Wilderness Games. This is the breakout season for these annual games and your family name could make Paws Up history and, more importantly, legends within your own family history! Trick your kids into being active outdoors through some friendly competition. It’s their perfect adventure with your preferred creature comforts. Action packed days with rejuvenating nights.

You’ve been the tourist, the sunbather, the GPS. Cruises are compact, beaches are crowded, and we all know the locals in tourist cities already have their hands full. The Big Sky offers a rejuvenating getaway without the worry of kids wandering into crowds or becoming bored while cooped up in the hotel. Consider spending your well-deserved vacation in the Montana wilderness – with the possibility of winning a complimentary return visit including airfare (restriction apply). It’s a spring break experience that your kids will be talking about for years.

Paws Up also boasts numerous off-the-scoreboard activities to pair alongside the Wilderness Games. ATV tours, horseback riding, river rafting, along with so much more! Enjoy spa treatments pre-game to sharpen the senses and steady the hand. Yoga is available in the Spa Town fitness tent at The Village at Paws Up as well!

The April 2 – 5 games weekend has already sold out, so be sure to make your reservation ASAP! Call or chat online today with a Paws Up representative and ask about March 26 – 29 or April 9-12 for “Wilderness Games” specials.