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May 23, 2018May 23, 2018

The Wonder Women of Food and Wine Coming This Fall

They say girls are made of sugar and spice and, oh, nevermind. These titans of the kitchen are made of pure steel, and each one of them has used every ingredient imaginable. That’s why we’re SUPER excited about this year’s Montana Master Chefs: The Wonder Women of Food and Wine on September 27-30 2018. It’s the first-ever culinary event at The Resort at Paws Up to feature an all-female lineup.

And what a lineup it is. During this three-day weekend event, guests will get to know five award-winning chefs, three notable vintners, a dynamo distiller and two incredible brewers.

“We always do something to top the previous year,” says Scott Schaefer, special events manager at Paws Up. “In 2016, we featured James Beard All-Stars, then we did Rising All-Stars in 2017. But Wonder Women of Food and Wine is something I’ve wanted to do for a while.”

Schaefer was inspired in large part by another Paws Up tradition: the Cowgirl Spring Roundup. During that event, “I got to observe how empowering it was to have all these women together,” he says. He wanted to replicate that feeling, and with help from Chef Mindy Segal, he’s assembled a crackerjack team of chefs and vintners from across the country, as well as the women behind the first female-owned brewery and distillery in Montana.

Julia Sullivan, chef/owner of Nashville’s Henrietta Red, was drawn to the event because, she says, “I get the chance to cook with some of my idols.” Though her restaurant was named Best New Restaurant by Bon Appétit in 2017 and is a contender for the 2018 Best New Restaurant James Beard Award, Sullivan is starstruck by the other participating chefs. She refers to Renee Erickson as “a hero of mine. Renee is the queen of the oyster bar.” Sullivan also cites camaraderie as a reason for her commitment: “You definitely get a different sensibility with a group of female chefs.”

Plus, it’s not just about good food and good fun; it’s about doing good, too. The event culminates in a Master Chef cook-off challenge, complete with mystery ingredients. Once they’ve been vetted by the judges, the plates are then auctioned off to hungry guests, with the proceeds benefitting the Missoula Food Bank. Since 2014, guests and the Paws Up Foundation have donated more than $55,000. Now that sounds like a sweet finish.

There are all kinds of reasons to come to Paws Up for our signature foodie event. But this year, at Montana Master Chefs: The Wonder Women of Food and Wine, you’ll get to find out firsthand how some girls grow up to become as invincible as their dishes are delectable. Look who’s coming below:

May 12, 2018May 12, 2018

Top 10 Summer Adventures at The Resort at Paws Up

Summer is the chance to go barefoot, enjoy tasty barbecued ribs, ride go-karts, relax around bonfires and catch fireflies. Summer is about slowing down—and speeding up, getting people together and finding your own space and time. If you’ve been fortunate enough to visit Paws Up during our high season, you already know about our tried-and-true thrills and pastimes. Below is summer’s new bucket list—our Top 10 Paws Up Adventures for 2018.

1. GO JUMP IN A LAKE.

Be among the very first to enjoy Paws Up Island Lodge at Salmon Lake. Take a sunset pontoon boat tour, water-ski the day away or just visit for the spectacular view.

2. CAST AWAY THE DAY.

For anyone who loves (or is angling to try) fly-fishing, this part of Montana is heaven on earth, with legendary rivers like the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clearwater and Missouri right at hand.

3. GO FOR A RUGGED RIDE.

Kick up some dust on an ATV tour and see the ranch’s 37,000 acres from a heart-thumping perspective.

4. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT.

No birds are harmed, but your heart will swell after taking a turn on our challenging 10-station sporting clays course.

5. FIND YOUR OWN WAY.

Ride when you want, how you want with a private horseback excursion, tailored for riders of all ages and levels.

6. CHANNEL YOUR INNER ANNIE OAKLEY.

Relive the Wild West at our .22 rifle range where guests ages 6 and up take aim at reactive targets.

7. FIGURE OUT WHAT FLOATS YOUR BOAT.

Enjoy a gentle rafting trip or rev things up with Class I and II whitewater rapids. For something truly wild, take a day trip to Alberton Gorge’s Class III rapids, coupled with thrilling cliff jumping.

8. DRIVE AROUND OUR RANCH.

If you want to feel like a real cowboy or cowgirl, head out for a Paws Up cattle drive. You’ll be riding and rounding up Corriente cows like a pro in no time.

9. CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS.

Come play in our Sky Line Aerial Adventure Park, with two courses designed to test your will and your skill.

10. GEAR UP FOR A GHOST TOUR.

Wander through the most intact ghost town in Montana, then bike back the 14.5 miles to The Resort (downhill, of course!).

February 8, 2018February 8, 2018

Our Cowgirl Spring Roundup Gets Better than Ever

Bring your inner cowgirl to life at The Resort at Paws Up from April 26–29, 2018, for the Cowgirl Spring Roundup. Four National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Famers will lead scenic trail rides and cattle drives and teach you the finer points of barrel racing and creating Western art. In true Paws Up style, five-star cuisine and luxurious accommodations are included. Make your travel plans now for the ultimate girls’ getaway. (This event is limited to only the first 60 women, 12 and older, who register).

For the first time ever, Cowgirl Spring Roundup welcomes someone handy with a ladle. Chef and author Ellise Pierce will be wrangling our kitchen staff to bring you cowgirl cuisine like you’ve never tasted, expertly paired with wines from our Featured Vintner: Planeta.

Get up close and hear stories from this year’s Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honorees. As a teacher of all things equestrian, Sharon Camarillo has a rich background to draw upon. She rode her love of competition to a rodeo National Intercollegiate World Championship at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California. Camarillo then competed on the pro rodeo circuit as a barrel racer—she was a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. A teacher in every sense of the word, Camarillo loves to share her passion and knowledge of riding. Her clinics on handling horses and barrel racing draw big crowds. But at Paws Up, she’ll just be teaching our Cowgirl Roundup attendees.

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it’s hard to imagine laying eyes on Veryl Goodnight’s paintings of Western wildlife without appreciating the exquisite loveliness. Overall, Goodnight’s body of work is as expansive as it is gorgeous. Her sculptures—more than 200 of them—further set her apart from other artists. Goodnight’s art has appeared extensively in numerous books and been shown in museums, such as the Autry Museum of the American West. Imagine painting by her side, with a mountainous Montana backdrop. You can make that happen.

Marilyn Williams Harris is a true working cowgirl. Owning and comanaging her grandfather’s historic Arizona ranch with her sister, Harris works on their cow-calf operation. Her lifelong passion for riding horses led to American Quarter Horse Association World Championships in the Reining and Working Cow Horse categories, among other honors. When it comes to enthusiasm about sustaining the cowgirl way of life for future generations, Harris has few peers. Her unbridled zest for the Western land stewardship is truly contagious.

The passion Barbara Van Cleve has for Western ranch life is evident in everything she shoots. Her photography ranks with Western legends like William Albert Allard and Edward S. Curtis. With 55 solo exhibits under her belt buckle, Van Cleve exemplifies the grace and skill of Cowgirl Museum Hall of Famers. Her stunning book, Hard Twist: Western Ranch Women, rings true to life, perhaps in part because she was raised on a Montana ranch. The authentic flavor of the old West and the new West merge beautifully in Van Cleve’s work. This is your chance to shoot the American West with the master herself.

December 19, 2017

Five Epic Winter Adventures at Paws Up

The Resort at Paws Up offers over a hundred miles of wilderness trails for a diversity of unique Montana winter vacation excursions. For those who yearn to explore the great outdoors of Big Sky Country this winter, check out five of our best Paws Up Winter Adventures.

1. SLEIGH RIDES—MAKE EVERY DAY A HOLIDAY

“Dashing through the snow, in a two-horse open sleigh.” Glide

across the snow with your family as you dream joyful holiday

dreams. All while listening to riveting stories of local lore well

told by your Paws Up sleigh driver. (45 magical minutes)

2. DOGSLEDDING—PAW-POWERED FAMILY FUN

This iconic Montana winter activity shows up on numerous

bucket lists. Guests marvel at the excitement and power of these

dogs. One musher, 10–12 dogs, infinite amounts of family fun.

(Roughly one hour for a three- to four-mile course. Also this year: check out our 10-mile course.)

2. SNOWMOBILE TOURS—VROOM WITH A VIEW

Ladies and gentlemen, start your winter engines. There’s

nothing like full-throttle runs over beautifully groomed trails

to get the ol’ blood really pumping. Stunning scenery abounds.

(1.5-hour tours. One option: a longer off-property tour to Garnet Ghost Town—ghosts not included.)

4. FIVE-STAND SHOOTING—CLAY PIGEONS BEWARE!

Get your shooting fix with our twist on trapshooting: fivestand.

The stations present different flights for our sporting clays.

(Guests shoot from a covered position. Heaters provided, naturally.

Approximately 2 hours.)

5. TRAIL RIDES—THE CRUNCH OF SNOW BENEATH YOUR…HOOVES

Experience the eerily quiet Paws Up winter landscape from a

perspective unlike any other: from the back of a horse.

This equestrian excursion takes you through snow-covered trees

and past ever-changing scenery. (60 mystical minutes)

August 18, 2017June 30, 2023

Top 10 Personal Paws Up Faves

My Summer at Paws Up

by Cameron Gutierrez, Paws Up Intern

With all the beauty and adventure here at Paws Up, you may wonder what it’s like to work at the most gorgeous place in the United States. I’m lucky enough to have spent the summer interning here at The Resort. At the end of the summer, I’ll return to California State University in Chico, California, where I am a senior majoring in business administration. (Prior to enrolling in college, I spent six years in the military.) However, once I graduate, my fiancée and I plan to make Montana our permanent home. Paws Up and Montana truly are The Last Best Place. Here are my Top 10 favorite things about working as an intern at Paws Up.

Top 10 Personal Paws Up Faves

1. Paws Up is located in a beautiful part of western Montana. Even after two months of driving to work every day, I will never tire of the magnificent views on Highway 200.

2. The Resort is located on vast land that lends itself to deer and jackrabbit sightings, while hoping for an elusive bald eagle to soar above.

3. River Camp and Moonlight Camp are my two favorite glamping® camps. River Camp has a small private beach with an amazing view of the Blackfoot River, located just past the Dining Pavilion. Moonlight Camp, although secluded, has a phenomenal meadow view. Take a small hike down a dirt road, and you’ll find yourself at an access point to the Blackfoot River. The slow-moving water is perfect for a midday swim.

4. The opportunity to meet guests from all over the country and world is incredible.

5. Working in the Transportation Department (Bell Stand) opened my eyes to the inner workings of The Resort, as well as the hard work required to make the entire operation run smoothly.

6. Being a small part of guests’ experiences has been amazing, especially when I hear them talking about how much they enjoyed their time at Paws Up.

7. On my first day at Paws Up, I witnessed the birth of two beautiful baby deer, and I have been able to watch as they grow older each day.

8. A piece of the ranch’s history—and something I really love too—is located off Elk Creek Road, just beyond the pastures. The Morris Ranch House (built in the late 1800s) is beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. Located next to the front door is a picture of the Morris family when they lived in the house.

9. The pasture animals are a great addition to the Montana guest experience. I’ve seen so much unique wildlife here on a daily basis: cattle, horses, buffalo, Watusis and even a beefalo.

10. My time at Paws Up has given me a wonderful summer away from home, and working for The Resort reinforced my dream of living in Montana. I can’t wait to get back!

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017

3 Summer Picnics Worth Traveling For

It may come as no surprise, but Montana’s culinary resources are as outsized as the landscape itself. Which means, when you take part in a Montana Long Table at The Resort at Paws Up you’re in for an ever-loving foodie kind of evening. Of course, that only partly explains why these events are so popular. There’s also the single, long table set up in a beautiful spot with sweeping views of the ranch and first-rate live music, often from acclaimed local artists.This summer Paws Up is offering three incredible Long Table Events where guests will come face-to-face with an abundant supply of foods and the artisans behind them as well as get to know them by name, hear their stories and have the opportunity to show appreciation for all their hard work.

Artisanal Picnic: June 17, 2017

When was the last time you dined outdoors on artistically prepared fried chicken, sausage garnished with foie gras and hand-cut duck fat fries? This year’s first Montana Long Table is a picnic like none you’ve ever seen. We’re bringing together three of the country’s most talented chefs: the masterminds behind Chicago’s Honey Butter Fried Chicken and cult food icon Doug Sohn of Hot Doug’s. And when it’s time to sit down and dine, you’ll be joined by the very ranchers, farmers and food artisans responsible for the food in front of you.

Note: This event is open to locals.

A Long-Standing Tradition: July 15, 2017

This July, pull up a seat as we celebrate the local food traditions of Montana. It’s a farm-to-white-tablecloth experience, starting with an authentic farmers market featuring local ranchers, farmers and food artisans as well as music from Montana’s own Dan Dubuque. Next, you’ll sit down to an exquisite dinner created by Paws Up Executive Chef Ben Jones. His close relationships with area purveyors always makes for a truly inspired menu. But don’t take our word for it—instead, take advantage of the unique opportunity to dine alongside the very people who made your meal possible. We hope you’ll join us as we pay tribute to all the incredible culinary resources Montana has to offer.

Note: This event is open to locals.

Bounty on the Blackfoot: August 19, 2017

This August, take a tour through Montana’s vast culinary traditions with one of the country’s most celebrated chefs as your guide. Join 2017 Bravo Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson as she creates a true farm-to-table tasting menu before your very eyes. She’ll visit the Missoula farmers market to select peak-season ingredients, then masterfully turn them into a one-of-a-kind dinner. By evening, you’ll sit down to dine on the banks of the legendary Blackfoot River with the local purveyors who helped make your meal possible.

April 17, 2017

A Trio of Opportunities for Spring Fun at Paws Up

There’s always something to look forward to around Paws Up, but springtime may just be the best time to visit the Ranch! (Our guests do say that about every season, however.) Upcoming spring events you don’t want to miss include the Cowgirl Spring Roundup, AdrenZen and Montana Master Grillers. Each event offers something for various tastes, but they all have one thing in common: breathtaking adventure and a chance to escape everyday life at a luxe resort set right in the middle of the picturesque Montana wilderness. Good luck choosing just one event to attend!

Cowgirl Spring Roundup

This April, five National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honorees will descend on The Resort at Paws Up to treat guests to four days of intensive learning, laughter and lounging. The Cowgirl Spring Roundup (April 27–30) is an authentic adventure that guarantees the ultimate in gal pal memories. You won’t find a girls’ getaway like this anywhere else.

Picture this: one-on-one time with real, honest-to-goodness cowgirls plus 37,000 acres of Montana playground, including more than 100 miles of trails and 10 private miles of Blackfoot River access. Ladies will herd cattle, fine-tune their aim shooting sporting clays and choose from a myriad of wilderness adventures to round out the long weekend.

But it’s definitely not all work and no play. Post-cowgirling, you can count on The Resort to pamper you with spa treatments, gourmet meals and cocktails from Executive Chef Ben Jones and luxury accommodations that include such amenities as hot tubs and personal on-property transportation. Sweeping views of the vast Montana landscape will erase any existence of stress.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so why not give yourself, your mom or both of you the gift of an authentic Western adventure? Only 10 spots are left, so go ahead and add the Cowgirl Spring Roundup to your calendar—in pen!—today.

AdrenZen

Following the Roundup is our first-ever wellness weekend event, Adrenaline Meets Zen (or “AdrenZen”), May 5–8. AdrenZen provides the sweet spot between exhilarating wilderness adventures and spirit-cleansing wellness. Don’t worry; there’s no strict dieting during this first-ever event—just gourmet cuisine and health-conscious cocktails and fine wines in moderation.

Special guest fitness instructor Jen Widerstrom of The Biggest Loser fame will host daily small-group fitness classes and activities such as the Ranch-Athlon and Grizzlyman Fitness Trail adventures. ATV and rappelling experiences also await, as well as spa treatments and vino yoga led by guest instructor Lauren Taus. We’re all about balance here at Paws Up!

In addition to top-notch accommodations at The Resort, other items to add to your Official List of Reasons to Attend AdrenZen are: the Sky Line Aerial Adventure and Challenge Courses, a high-ropes activity tucked neatly into the middle of the forest; spa treatments; horseback riding and fly-fishing. It’s basically the perfect weekend for mind, body and soul.

Montana Master Grillers

What’s that delicious smell in the air? It must be the Montana Master Grillers: Hall of Flame event (May 26–29), where the opportunity to indulge in palate-tempting, finger-licking BBQ and other smoky favorites will make you feel as if you’ve died and gone to “grill heaven.”

Four outstanding guest chefs will join us, including Beau MacMillan from famed Arizona travel destination Sanctuary on Camelback, Charlie McKenna of Chicago BBQ spots Lillie’s Q and Dixie, the veteran Wayne Mueller from Texas barbecue “cathedral” Louie Mueller Barbecue and Jonathon Sawyer from Cleveland faves Greenhouse Tavern and Trentina. Paws Up’s own pitmaster extraordinaire Executive Chef Ben Jones will also spend the weekend putting his signature touch on all things grilled.

In addition to eating to your heart’s content, attend great learning workshops, taste fine wines and craft beer and try your aim at sporting clays with Dennis Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars. It’s really a perfect combination—five grilling masters summoning all their fiery talents under Montana’s Big Sky along with a plethora of wilderness activities to choose from. And to cap off each day’s festivities, enjoy nightly live music, including blues, country and soul. This lip-smacking event will make it a Memorial Day weekend to remember.

February 13, 2017February 13, 2017

10 Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss AdrenZen

The Resort at Paws Up will host its first-ever wellness weekend event, Adrenaline Meets Zen (also known as “AdrenZen”), May 5–8, 2017. Adrenaline Meets Zen’s dual theme fits perfectly with the Paws Up experience. Our sprawling 37,000-acre resort offers exhilarating wilderness adventures, including everything from the challenging Grizzlyman Fitness Trail and the Sky Line Aerial Adventure Course to more than 100 miles of trails.

But don’t let the wellness aspect fool you—there’s no strict dieting during this event—just delicious gourmet cuisine, healthy cocktails and fine wines with a heaping side of adventure. And in case you need a bit more convincing, below is our list of top reasons not to miss AdrenZen. (We capped the list at 10, but we could go on and on.)

1. Special guest fitness instructor Jen Widerstrom—Get up close and personal with The Biggest Loser star during small daily group fitness classes. Widerstrom will also lead activities, including the Ranch-Athlon and Grizzlyman Fitness Trail adventures. Widely known as America’s favorite bighearted trainer on NBC’s hit series The Biggest Loser, count on Widerstrom to inspire participants while injecting a healthy dose of morale.

2. Ranch-Athlon—A combination ATV tour and rappelling excursion or a Sky Line Adventure Course experience led by Widerstrom is sure to be a big adrenaline rush. With more than twice the acreage of Manhattan, The Resort offers plenty of wide open spaces to explore from the seat of your all-terrain vehicle. Follow the tour with a rappelling adventure for a unique and challenging cap to the day. After a climb to the famed Lookout Rock—where Meriwether Lewis once stood—you’ll descend a sheer, 167-foot rock face for the ultimate rush.

3. Spa treatments—No trip to Paws Up is complete without booking something special to enjoy at the serene location known as Spa Town. No matter what your body needs, there’s a massage, scrub or facial to handle it. From body treatments to altitude adjustments to enhancements like scalp massages, it will be hard to tear yourself away from our renowned spa.

4. Guest yoga instructor Lauren Taus—There’s a reason why Self magazine refers to this New York City yoga instructor as one of the top trainers to follow. She teaches regularly at some of the city’s most elite studios, including Equinox, Pure Yoga and Soho House. Join her at Paws Up for a weekend of yoga to increase your current practice or give you the confidence to continue as a beginner once you return home.

5. Vino Yoga—Speaking of yoga, how about a little vino with your Vrksasana (tree pose)? During this class, you will warm and stretch your muscles through a range of movement while pleasuring your palate with a sampling of fine wines.

6. Grizzlyman Fitness Trail—Join Jen Widerstrom for adventures on this one-mile trail that features 12 fitness stations. Each one includes equipment made from the surrounding timber as well as challenges such as climbing, balancing, swinging and more. The trail offers a picturesque setting to burn off those extra calories.

7. Hiking—We might be a bit biased, but there’s no more gorgeous place to go on a meditation-minded excursion or a sunset hike than in the Montana wilderness. Exhale and enjoy the landscape at this prime time of day.

8. Horseback riding—Saddle up for spectacular views of the legendary Blackfoot River and the surrounding wilderness as you explore forested trails and scenic overlooks. Maybe you’ll even spot some of the wildlife that make their homes amongst The Resort’s property. With miles of trails to choose from, you will make one breathtaking turn after another atop one of our groomed horses.

9. Sky Line Aerial Adventure Course—Soar with the eagles—or at least get a little closer to them—on our challenging ropes course, which is tucked neatly into the middle of the forest. You’ll navigate rickety bridges, spider nets, swinging platforms, tight ropes and a heart-pounding 40-foot free fall during this two-hour adventure.

10. Awesome accommodations—With all the adventure, fitness classes and exquisite food and drink provided by Featured Chef Kelly Liken (a finalist on Top Chef), you want a pretty place to lay your head at night. Nothing is missing from our world-class accommodation options. Our Big Timber Homes feature roomy, Montana-size showers, lofts, comfy seating areas, front porches with views and back decks with oversize hot tubs. Of course, just because you’re in the wilds of the West doesn’t mean you can’t tune in to civilization by viewing your flat-screen TV or checking email with complimentary Wi-Fi. These luxurious accommodations are unmatched in Big Sky Country.

This three-night, all-inclusive package includes two yoga classes per person, one vino yoga class per person, one fitness activity* per person (per day), the Ranch-Athlon, your

choice of a horseback riding excursion or a fly-fishing experience, your choice of a sunset hike excursion or a Meditation Minded Hike, two spa treatments per person, a gift bag, transfers to and from the Missoula International Airport, taxes and the resort fee. Starting rate for two adults staying in a Wilderness Estate suite is $734 per person (per night).

*Fitness activities include a guided hike, the Sky Line Aerial Adventure Course and a two-hour property bike tour.