Tag: luxury montana vacations

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April Showers Bring May Powers at Paws Up

Wonder Woman may have had her lasso of truth, but these Wonder Women of Food and Wine yield their power with other weapons of choice—chef’s knives and wine presses. They hail from Arizona, Napa, New York and Portland, and this spring they’ll come together in one place—Paws Up.

Meet our Culinary Superheroes:

Chef Charleen Badman runs the show at Scottsdale’s FnB and took home the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. Chef Anita Lo is a New York City dynamo whose creative cooking earned her a coveted Michelin star. Portland Chef Jenn Louis has racked up the awards, nabbing a designation as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, along with two nods from the James Beard Awards. Chrissy Wittmann is a breakout star with Napa Valley’s The Prisoner Wine Company.

This Justice League of kitchen goddesses will rescue any bored palate, taking it from ho-hum to ka-pow during this two-day epicurean extravaganza. From demonstrations and gourmet meals to knockout wilderness adventures, you’ll savor their handiwork while making powerful new friends along the way.

THE WONDER WOMEN OF FOOD AND WINE I APRIL 30–MAY 2, 2021

Learn more about this and other Wonder Women series events at go.pawsup.com/wonder-women.

Self-care, self-made

From CBD massages to rose clay mud wraps, if there’s a path to wellness at Paws Up, it starts at the spa, which, during winter, is located in the Morris Ranch House. What you’ll find is that, for body treatments, facials and rejuvenating skin care products, we’ve literally got you covered.

But what if you’d like to get creative? What if you’d like to concoct an elixir with something you found on a snowy trail?

Recently, guests have been learning what it takes to put together their very own products in the spa’s custom­-designed apothecary classes. In groups of 3–5 adults or kids, participants use all-organic, natural ingredients to make body scrubs, massage bars or lip balms. There are any number of safe, even edible, delights to choose from, like oatmeal, sugar, salt, a variety of dried herbs and essential oils.

Paws Up National Sales Manager Samantha Lange got to take part in one workshop. “It was a fun experience making a scrub to my specific liking,” she says. “I ended up making small jars to give as gifts for the holiday season (a.k.a. the people on my list who I forgot to shop for until the last minute).”

Even if you’re not an aspiring inventor, one Lotion, Potion and Pour class could be just what you need for a relaxing break from the snow. Just imagine, you’re surrounded by soothing ingredients and calming smells in a world-class luxury home. Plus, if you’re old enough, you can make a one-of-a-kind potion while sipping a hot toddy!

More about spa and wellness services can be found at pawsup.com/spa.

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New This Winter at Paws Up: Blast Mountain

Whether it’s the swoosh of your snow tube shooting down a run, the whirring sound of blades against rock-hard ice or the snap of a sporting clay being hit in midair, the sounds of winter come alive at Paws Up. Here, the landscape is filled with the kind of excitement that turns snow days into playdates.

One gathering spot for good times is Blast Mountain Tubing and Ice Skating Park, The Resort’s new wonderland within a wonderland. Experience the thrill of the ride when you fly down each chute, bouncing and bobbing on your inflatable tube, reaching heart-racing speeds and occasionally catching air. The kids will holler with glee as they take on banked curves and long stretches before gliding to a stop. And if climbing in snow boots isn’t your thing, grab a towrope and let it whisk you back up.

Don’t forget to lace up your skates for some laps and twirls and (if you dare) leaps. If you want to bring out your competitive side on the ice, head back to the rink just behind the Cook Shack to join a game of curling or broom hockey. At Blast Mountain, figure skaters have the smooth, glassy ice all to themselves.

To warm up, head to the clubhouse for hot chocolate and snacks, plus beer and wine for the grown-ups.

ANOTHER KIND OF BLAST

After visiting Blast Mountain, one option to round out your day is on the other side of the mountain. Test your shooting skills with a sporting clays adventure on a course specially designed to resemble real-life field conditions. Difficult yet fun, our scenic stations will give your sporting side an exhilarating challenge. Just take aim and get your pulse pumping. You’ll have plenty of time to relax before dinner.

With Montana’s reliable late-December snowfall, Blast Mountain and sporting clays are two of many reasons Paws Up makes for an epic Winter Break getaway. Plan your whole trip at go.pawsup.com/winter-break.

IF IT HAPPENS ON SNOW, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

From dogsledding and snowmobiling to snowshoeing, we may have thought of everything.

Up for some downhill?

A short drive away is one of Montana’s best ski resorts, Snowbowl, where you can schuss down 2,600 vertical feet. The Whitefish and Lost Trail ski areas are also near Paws Up. Around here, your skiing and snowboarding choices are endless. After the scenic ride back to The Resort, treat yourself to a relaxing soak in your luxury vacation home’s hot tub while watching more powder fall from the sky.

SKI Magazine calls skiing in Montana “Uncrowded. Unspoiled. Unbelievable.” And snow lovers at Paws Up are simply unstoppable.

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Join the Cowgirls on a New Frontier

It wouldn’t be Paws Up if you didn’t walk away having tried something totally new.

And this year, our much-anticipated Cowgirl Roundup has not one, but two new twists. For the first time ever, the event will be held in the fall, setting the scene for crisp mornings and breathtaking trail rides during Montana’s most vibrant season. What could be better? Well, the Roundup is also welcoming its very own sister event, the Wonder Women of Fly-Fishing.

It’s all happening this September, offering women and girls the opportunity to not only rope and ride but to fish some of the greatest waters in the West as well. Getting to know and learning from truly inspiring women is a much-anticipated added perk.

With diverse backgrounds and wills of steel, Cowgirl Hall of Fame honorees will again convene at Paws Up. Equestrian trailblazer and award-winning community leader Patricia E. Kelly will return to share knowledge from her 37 years as a certified Master Urban Riding teacher and Equine Husbandry instructor. Joining her will be fellow honoree Pam Minick, a former Miss Rodeo America, world champion roper and sports commentator. Guests will also ride alongside prolific author and Chef Paula Disbrowe and Montana distiller Lauren Oscilowski, as well as one of Paws Up’s most beloved cowgirls, photographer Barbara Van Cleve.

While fall is a picture-perfect time of year to be a cowgirl, it’s also hands-down the greatest time for fly­-fishing in Montana. Women and girls of all skill levels are welcome at the Wonder Women of Fly-Fishing, and there really is only one requirement for entry: a love of the outdoors. Guests will learn the ins and outs of fly-fishing on the Blackfoot, among other spectacular rivers, and feel the unmatched thrill of having a native cutthroat at the end of the line.  Expert angler (and Air Force vet) Kelly Harrison will bring decades of experience as she leads new and experienced anglers alike on this adventure. Half the fun is the freedom to mix and match your schedule. You might even see a Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree out on the river or a pro angler out for a horseback ride during the golden hour. It’s a one-of-a-kind weekend that celebrates the best of fall and offers the rare chance to meet legendary women. If you ask event coordinator (and talented fisherwoman) Mindy Marcum, the intimacy of these gatherings is the best part:  “I walk away every year excited to be a woman and inspired to be a better one.”

Feeling the pull to join some incredible women this fall? Reserve your spot at the Cowgirl Fall Roundup and the Wonder Women of Fly-Fishing, September 10–13. Learn more at pawsup.com/cowgirls and pawsup.com/fly-fishing.

We need the tonic of wilderness. We can never have enough of nature.

  • Henry David Thoreau

Mother Nature tends to make her grandest statements during peaceful fall retreats to the Montana wilderness, as if she understands our need for quiet moments of reflection in trying times.

As autumn begins in earnest, purple larkspurs and white-tipped bear grass wave goodbye to summer, and the storied Blackfoot River itself reflects its fondness for cottonwood trees, their deep yellow leaves biding their time before skating across its surface. Burnt orange and yellow leaves dance in the wind in stands of aspens along Elk Creek, as tireless woodpeckers tap out the rhythm of the forest. Larches, too, will join the colorful show, showering the earth, their needles like tiny golden foot soldiers lining up on the paths below.

As bears fatten for a yet-distant winter and bison begin to build up thicker layers of overcoats, bull elk bugle in their haunting way, causing dozens of ears to perk up among the cow elk. Fall’s transformations of flora and fauna are overseen by bald eagles and flying Vs of migrating Canadian and snow geese.

Across the massive meadows of Paws Up, just beyond the deep-green hillsides, the Swan and Garnet Mountains gash open passing clouds to let a Milky Way’s worth of stars tumble out.

Fall guests here do well to do as Thoreau’s suggested by “being forever on the alert for natural wonders.” To preview what they look like in our slice of Montana, wander around at pawsup.com/fall.

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What is Your Glamping® Tent Type?

When you picture your ultimate luxury camping getaway, what do you see? Is your tent peacefully secluded amidst the timbers—or right on the edge of the rushing river? Are you spending your days fishing and swimming—or would you rather be out biking and exploring? Just like our guests, each tent at The Resort at Paws Up has its own distinct personality. Discover what makes each camp unique and you’ll be sure to find a match made in glamping heaven.

THE MOST DRAMATIC VIEWS

Each tent at Cliffside Camp is perched atop a soaring cliff to offer stunning views—and the heightened drama doesn’t end there. The camp’s Dining Pavilion extends over the Blackfoot River to offer dazzling surroundings at every meal. It’s also home to two ultra-romantic honeymoon tents.

THE PERFECT HOME BASE

Wander off and explore—we’ll be sure to call you back for dinner. Located on the banks of the idyllic Elk Creek, Creekside Camp is picture-perfect for families, offering plenty of charming wooded space to run, play and reconnect with nature.

THE MOST TRANQUIL

Located on a private section of the ranch, Moonlight Camp is a Greetings from Montana! postcard come to life. Take a short stroll to the river, go for a bike ride, play horseshoes, sink back into Adirondack chairs and revel in this quintessentially Montana-style glamping retreat.

THE ROOMIEST INTERIORS

Want to put everyone all under the same canvas? North Bank is the first camp in the U.S. to offer three-bedroom tents, and every tent has a spacious balcony overlooking the river. Meals are family-size, as well—North Bank’s welcoming Dining Pavilion features a massive fireplace and glass walls for a spectacular view.

THE IDYLLIC PERCH

Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek, Pinnacle Camp offers more than just a jaw-dropping view—here you also have access to swimming and fishing on the Blackfoot River. After a full day of adventure, sinking into your welcoming tub might be your favorite part.

THE GREATEST BLACKFOOT EXPERIENCE

With tents that sit directly on the banks of the Blackfoot, River Camp offers the ultimate way to take advantage of its legendary waters. After spending your days fishing, swimming and relaxing with the river as your faithful companion, you might find it hard to return to life on dry land.

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The Resort at Paws Up Welcomes Austin Grill Master Evan LeRoy for BBQ-U

Comfortable around a live fire from a young age, Chef Evan LeRoy’s culinary experiences range from fine dining at Hudson’s on the Bend to barbecue at Hill Country Barbecue. LeRoy was named as one of Zagat’s 30 Under 30 rising stars in the Austin culinary scene. LeRoy has appeared on Burgers, Brew & Que and Food Porn and gained the title of Austin Grill Master on the Travel Channel.

In 2017, LeRoy opened the barbecue truck LeRoy and Lewis, with a rotating menu of nontraditional meats and cuts and a working motto of “new school barbecue, old school service.” LeRoy has also traveled to Australia and Russia to train and work with prospective pit masters and is known for his openness to teaching and sharing smoking secrets. We are thrilled to have him this year for BBQ-U on June 22–24, 2018. We had a chance to sit down with LeRoy for a quick interview.

The last time you visited Paws Up was in 2016, correct? Tell us a little about your favorite memory on our ranch.

Correct. I took a hike through the woods one morning and saw a bald eagle for the first time in my life. Also, the last day of archery with my wife was fun and competitive.

What activity are you most excited about trying on property?

I’m most interested in doing some fishing this trip. I was not able to do that last time, and it seems like fun.

How did you become interested in barbecue?

I’ve been interested in barbecue for a long time. Since I was a kid cooking in the backyard with my dad. It’s more than an interest growing up in Texas—it’s an ingrained part of our culture.

Can you tell us about the dual smoker, which we hear you’re bringing to Paws Up? And why it’s called “the twins”?

Between leaving Freedmen’s (my last BBQ job) and opening LeRoy and Lewis, I taught some classes to keep me busy, keep money coming in and to stay relevant in the barbecue scene. I liked the idea of cooking with people and connecting with people over BBQ on a deeper level. One of my students was Sheldon Mason from Montana. He has his own pop-up BBQ business, and he designed the pits for capacity and travel—as two back-to-back smokers that mirror one another.

Can you explain what you mean by “new school barbecue”?

As the next generation of Texans who are carrying this tradition of barbecue into the next decades, it’s our responsibility to put our own stamp on it, improve it and give it to those who come after us. New school BBQ is about taking the method and soul of BBQ and injecting new life into it with updates on classic cuts, global flavor profiles and modern hospitality.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
Vegetables, mostly in pasta and stir fries. I like to keep it simple and use herbs from my garden. I also use a lot of eggs.

What is your favorite cooking show on television?

Used to be Good Eats. Now it’s Mind of a Chef.

Is there something you’ve never grilled that you want to attempt?

I’ve never cooked a fish I caught on the beach or on a shore. I would love to do that.

 What travel destination is next on your bucket list?

Germany, Hawaii, Italy.

If you could cook alongside one barbecue chef, who would it be?

I would love to cook with Tootsie Tomanetz from Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, TX.

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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?

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.