montana family vacations | The Last Best Blog

September 25, 2020

This Year Could Use a Little Magic

Have you congratulated yourself lately? You’ve nearly made it through 2020, and that was no small task. If you have kids at home, you’ve accomplished the nearly impossible—virtual schooling—while virtually working! Maybe you adopted a puppy to provide the family with extra comfort and entertainment. You’ve done your best during a time when nothing has gone according to plan.

You’re invited to stick around after the holidays to make The Resort your home away from home. Paws Up now offers the ultimate in remote learning and working, with uber-fast Wi-Fi, inspiring work-and-study spaces, in-home dining and personalized shopping. Just ask your Reservations specialist about extended stays.

The year’s not over yet, and we have some plans in mind that you can actually keep. Plans like ice skating, snow tubing and snowmobile runs, followed by festive drinks around the fire. Cookie baking with a master pastry chef. Rocking out to a live band. Opening presents in your beautifully decorated wilderness home, and even getting a visit from Santa. There’s still plenty of room for magic this year with a holiday visit to The Resort at Paws Up. Not only can you continue your favorite holiday traditions, but you’ll make lots of new ones, as well. Who knows—after coming to our winter wonderland this year, your family may not want to spend another Christmas without sleigh rides and Cow Croquet. Or spend another New Year’s Eve without fireworks and a midnight dip in your hot tub underneath the twinkling sky.

Join us for a holiday season that will renew your spirits and officially hit the refresh button for a better new year. Oh, and that puppy you adopted earlier this year? She’s more than welcome to come, too.

Wondering about our Winter Wonderland?

You’ve heard the phrase “It’s a dry heat!” But what about a dry cold? With lower humidity along with low temperatures, western Montana’s average winter day makes for a surprisingly comfortable setting to let loose during all those awesome activities.

December Average Temperatures: December Average Snow Depth:

High 37°F 5″

Low 25°F

January Average Temperatures: January Average Snow Depth:

High 40° F 8″

Low 27° F

February Average Temperatures: February Average Snow Depth:
High 42° 7″

Low 26°

Then again, Montana’s anything but average.

The Big Sky creates unrivaled snowflakes.

Back in 1887, people claimed to witness 15-inch snowflakes falling from the sky in Fort Keogh, Montana. Think they needed helmets instead of wool hats?

Montana has its ups and downs.

On January 11, 1980, the temperature in Great Falls, Montana, rose from –32°F to 15°F in just seven minutes, marking the most rapid temperature change ever registered in the U.S.

Sometimes winter can’t wait till December.

Last September, Missoula broke the previous record set in 1934 for all-time September snowfall with

1.6 inches of snow.

September 28, 2017August 16, 2022

Possibly the World’s Most Uplifting Countdown

Make a resolution to finally have the New Year’s Eve of your wildest dreams. No crowds, no traffic. Join us for a weekend filled with wintery outdoor adventures like snowmobiling, horseback riding, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing. Then get cozy inside with movie nights, shopping and bowl game watching. And when it’s time to ring in the new year, you can celebrate in spectacular fashion right here at The Resort. You’ll find a dazzling night that begins with an elegant, five-course dinner and ends with fire dancers, fireworks and a live performance by American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox. After you retire to your private vacation home and wake up to a lavish breakfast buffet, you’re looking at an ideal welcome to 2018.

Our vast menu of activities provides opportunities to do things you love, as well as things you’ve always wanted to try.

Paws Up’s Featured Entertainment

“Crystal has ‘a voice like dirt and diamonds.’ Her music is intended to bring a positive message of love and light to the world—things that folks will be able to take with them on their own journey, so that they, too, can feel truly alive.”

— from crystalbowersox.com

Crystal Bowersox will provide the music for Paws Up’s extravagant end-of-the-year celebration. She will perform with her trio for all New Year’s Eve revelers to enjoy. Crystal Bowersox’s emotive folk-rock-country style catapulted her from the cramped coffeehouses and cavernous subway tunnels of Chicago to millions of homes across the United States when she placed second on Season 9 of American Idol. Along with her old soul of a voice, her carefree style and “don’t mess with me” attitude set her apart from the other contestants and landed the self-taught songstress performances with Joe Cocker, Harry Connick, Jr. and Alanis Morissette.

This Year Between Christmas and New Years, the Holidays Are Even Sweeter at Paws Up.

Because we like to do everything right, down to the last little detail, we’ve arranged for our very own Sugar Plum Fairy to make a visit this winter. Chef Mindy Segal of Chicago’s ever-popular HotChocolate restaurant will be providing heavenly cupfuls of her signature dessert. Stop by the fully stocked HotChocolate Bar for an assortment of concoctions. Winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef and author of Cookie Love, Segal will also be leading cookie-making classes* and creating a featured dessert. As if you needed any other reason to visit during this magical time of year.

September 21, 2017

Kick off the holidays with something spectacular

This Thanksgiving, create new traditions with a family vacation to The Resort at Paws Up. With an abundance of activities to choose from, there’s something on the menu for everyone. Get cozy inside with family movie nights and football and parade viewing parties, or satisfy your appetite for outdoor adventure with horseback riding, ATV rides, hayrides, touch football, bird watching and more.

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the feast itself. For Thanksgiving dinner, you and yours can sit down to a spectacular spread at Pomp or opt to have a private, plentiful meal brought to your home, which will be whisked away when you’re done. That’s just one portion of a weekend filled with sumptuous, locally sourced fare brought to you by our world-renowned Executive Chef Ben Jones.

We sincerely hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable Thanksgiving weekend at The Resort at Paws Up. We’ll take care of everything—you just make the memories.

Along with five-star cuisine, you’ll enjoy exquisite vintage wine all weekend long from our featured vintner, Rombauer Vineyards. Established in 1980, Rombauer Vineyards is a family-owned and operated business with deep roots in food and wine. Owner KR Rombauer is a great-nephew of The Joy of Cooking author Irma Rombauer, and his ancestors originated from the winegrowing region of Rheingau, Germany, where wine is considered an essential complement to a meal. This rich history has led to an award-winning selection of wines that will make for an ideal pairing for your
Thanksgiving weekend.

Paws Up welcomes Dan Dubuque as the special musical guest for our Thanksgiving celebration. A solo acoustic guitarist, Dubuque is known for his unique approach to the Weissenborn, a slide guitar that’s played lap-style. Dubuque often adds percussive effects, playing the guitar like a drum while infusing every song with his free-sounding style.

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 6, 2017February 7, 2017

5 Reasons to Visit Paws Up This Winter

Winter is going by so quickly so be sure not to miss your chance to spend it in style at The Resort at Paws Up—an authentic working cattle ranch where adventure awaits at every turn. We will be hard at work with our pre-arrival department to create a custom stay for you and your family. Below, find our top five activities to enjoy this winter.

1. Kids Corps of Discovery

Our Kids Corps of Discovery offers half-day and full-day programs that include pony rides, field trips to the Blackfoot River, a petting zoo, horse painting, scavenger hunts and more for children. Older kids can enjoy geocaching, target shooting, the Grizzlyman Fitness Trail, archery and more.

2. Snow Tubing

Do you have the need for speed? If you like living in the fast lane but are tired of lift lines and toe-crushing ski boots, the surrounding hills and meadows of Paws Up offer ample opportunities for other snowy pursuits. Test the limits of gravity aboard one of our snow tubes. The Resort offers two kinds of tubing:

Downhill Tubing

Tubes in varying sizes are offered to guests for downhill tubing every afternoon between 2PM and 4PM. A tubing chauffeur drives guests back up the hill on a snowmobile after each run. (Helmets and goggles are provided at the top of the hill, but guests are encouraged to bring their own.) Guests may tube downhill at any other time of day without a chauffeur. Just remember: Extra calories burned climbing back uphill equal extra hot chocolate at the end!

Meadow Tubing

This style of tubing is slightly different, with tubes attached to a rope that is then secured to the back of a snowmobile that runs a course through the meadow behind the Wilderness Outpost. Guests should sign up in advance for a riding slot between 10AM and noon. One or two people can ride a single tube together, and guests are encouraged to bring their own helmets and goggles.

For both downhill and meadow tubing, bonfire pits at each location will be lit during specified operating times to warm up after runs.

3. Dogsledding

This signature adventure is centered around man’s best friend. Horsepower has nothing on our paw power. Iditarod champion Alaskan Huskies pull guests through the wilds of Montana at the foot of the Garnet Mountains—one of the most handsome ranges in the Rockies. The Blackfoot Valley is home to some of the best dogsled racing in the United States. In fact, four-time Iditarod (also known as the “Last Great Race on Earth”) champion Doug Swingley lives and trains here, as do dozens of his best local competition.

4. Ice Skating and Hockey

Winter at Paws Up still means frosted pine trees, snow-covered meadows and frozen lakes. Turn circles around your companions at our royal ice rink, located across from Pomp and Tank & Trough—the perfect spot to thaw out with a golden goblet of gourmet coffee or sinfully rich hot chocolate. We provide the ice skates, hand warmers and hockey sticks. You provide the double toe loops and winning shots.

5. Sleigh Rides

Join the Paws Up wranglers and their majestic Percheron draft horses for an enchanting sleigh ride through frosted forests and over powdery hills. While your mind is devouring a smorgasbord of tasty historical and naturalistic facts—told in storybook style by your sleigh guide—and your eyes take in the dreamy Montana scenery, your palate will be treated to gourmet hot chocolate, exquisite coffee and delicious hot cider to keep you toasty-warm during the entire experience.

SPRING BREAK SPECIALS

Visit The Resort at Paws Up for the ultimate spring break vacation with your family. Book your spring break stay today, and take advantage of our special offers. Our Spring Break Package includes meals and one half-day activity per person, per day. Rates start at $562 per person per night (based on two adults and two children). Or you can enjoy a limited-time discount of 30 percent off lodging when you book a stay for dates between February 1 and May 26, 2017. (Blackout dates include all special events.)

November 8, 2016November 8, 2016

The Resort at Paws Up Takes Bitters to the Next Level

Bitters are the spice rack of the cocktail world. Some bartenders will even tell you that a drink isn’t a cocktail without them. While we don’t take that notion too seriously at The Resort at Paws Up, we are excited about the possibilities of our brand-new, made-from-scratch bitters program. Our bartenders and food and beverage manager raided Chef Ben Jones’s pantry and took advantage of Montana’s natural floral bounty to produce a cache of infusions with unique flavor profiles.

One of The Resort’s concoctions uses caraway seeds and powdered mace to enhance the characteristics of a locally made Aquavit. Another includes spruce tips that are grown here on the ranch (they pair well with gin). See our cocktail recipe for The Spruce Moose below.

“The options are truly endless, and our infusion library is expanding right along with our imaginations. We aim to create drink experiences that are unexpected, adventurous and gratifying. It’s the Montana way,” says Paws Up bartender Derick Smith.

The Spruce Moose Cocktail

1 ounce gin

1 ounce vodka

1/4 ounce spruce-infused housemade bitters

1/2 ounce bitters

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/2 ounce honey

Garnish: Maldon sea salt

1. In each of four old-fashioned glasses, combine gin, vodka, bitters, lemon juice and honey. Garnish each glass with Maldon sea salt.

September 12, 2016June 30, 2023

10 Fun Facts about Paws Up

The Resort at Paws Up combines luxury with unforgettable adventure on a 37,000-acre ranch— that’s more than 60 square miles—featuring untamed Montana wilderness steeped in Lewis & Clark history. Situated on 10 miles of riverfront on the legendary Blackfoot River (of A River Runs Through It), The Resort at Paws Up opened in June 2005. There’s so much to learn about our incredible ranch (and many exciting new things happening in 2017, so stay tuned). Here are 10 fun facts about The Resort at Paws Up, and we hope to see you very soon!

1. ADVENTURE

Paws Up boasts more than 120 miles of designated hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails and ATV courses. Outdoor adventures include fly- fishing, cattle driving, rock rappelling, whitewater rafting, bird and wildlife watching and sporting clays shooting.

Winter activities include sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, dogsledding and downhill skiing nearby.

2. THE NAME “PAWS UP”

“Paws Up” came from a family friend who thought that when dogs are happy, they jump up and show their paws. Hence the saying “Paws Up.”

3. LOCATION

The Resort at Paws Up may feel like it’s a million miles away from the everyday, but it is easier to get to than you might think. Missoula International Airport features a number of major airlines and direct, daily flights. The Resort is located just 35 miles from the airport.

4. MOUNTAIN RANGES

According to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, there are at least 100 named mountain ranges and sub ranges in Montana. However, mountain ranges have no official boundaries.

5. BULL BARN

The Bull Barn is a 75-year-old building that was used to house the black angus bulls of Paws Up. In 2011, it was renovated as a world-class conference center and special events hall.

6. SADDLE CLUB

The Saddle Club is one of Montana’s premier equestrian centers. The largest privately owned in the state, the 72,000-square-foot Saddle Club boasts a 23,000-square-foot riding arena.

7. THE MORRIS RANCH HOUSE

Built in 1908, this historic home sits next to Elk Creek. The home was acquired during the original homestead.

8. WILDERNESS ESTATES

Ideal for larger families, multigenerational travelers or groups, the 10 “WEs,” as we call them, each sleep eight guests. The homes are named after the Lewis & Clark expedition.

9. MOONLIGHT CAMP

Moonlight Camp is situated at the foot of Lewis & Clark’s famous Lookout Rock and just 100 yards from the mighty Blackfoot River. All tents are named after notorious outlaws. When this camp originally opened in 2005, this camp was called Tent City and featured three tents, a tented pavilion, a picnic table and a grill. The bathrooms were housed in two small trailers. The original Tent City was just a test to see if anyone would really want to camp in luxury and to see if the glamping® idea took off! The following year, three more tents were added and a proper pavilion and bathhouse were built. It was renamed Moonlight Camp.

10. CLIFFSIDE CAMP

Opened in 2013, Cliffside Camp is set atop a majestic cliff that overlooks the Blackfoot River. Each tent is decorated with a chandelier and named after famous cliffs in Montana. This camp also contains two honeymoon tents with copper claw- foot tubs.

June 21, 2016

3 Most Requested Activities at Paws Up

Take a wild guess at the three most requested activities at The Resort at Paws Up. If you picked fly-fishing, horseback riding, and ATV trail rides, then you are correct—and you should reward yourself with one of the above! These three activities in particular are extremely popular due to the multiple offerings, times, and uniqueness that come from the setting of the resort. Activities Director Mark Houseman says, “Their popularity stems from the fact that these three activities offer a great representation of the Montana way of life. From the world-class fishing to the wide-open exploration of our state, they allow our guests a way to escape busy city life and marvel at the beauty of the Montana landscape. Personally, my favorite is the three-hour ATV tour, as you get to drive deep into the back part of the property, enjoy the thrill of two hill climbs, snap a photo at the best picture spot at Lookout Rock and experience the ever-changing landscape that you experience along the route.”

For our ATV trail rides, guests can choose from a one and a half-, three-, or five-hour excursion. For the first two options, guests explore the woods, tackle hill climbs, take in the picturesque scenery from Lookout Rock and view the beautiful Blackfoot river. On the five-hour ride, guests will explore the woods, and then take the ATVs off-property to Elevation Peak (about 7,000 feet). Once they have completed this climb on the ATVs, guests will hop off for a hike to the top. From there, views are breathtaking, and guests will experience the grandeur that earned Montana its Big Sky State nickname. Post-hike, adventurers head to Garnet, an abandoned-but-intact ghost town where guests will travel back to the 1800s as they check out the saloon, hotel, general store and so much more. Lunch is provided before driving back to the resort.

Horses are iconic to Montana, and riding is probably the first activity that crosses the mind when thinking of Montana. The Resort at Paw Up houses 40 horses on-property for all of our equestrian activities. Whether you are have never been in a saddle before or are a riding expert, Paws Up has something for every ability with one-, two- or three-hour trail rides, cattle drives, lessons and more. The Resort’s wrangler will pair guests with a four-legged friend that will be the perfect match for exploring more than 100 miles of wilderness trails. You will pass towering ponderosa pines, whose size and beauty are surpassed only by the views of the distant mountain ranges of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

This year, there are several additions to the equestrian program, including a new evening ride that takes you past our quaint line shack (where you will enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer) to the top of Scout’s Point to take in a signature Montana sunset. Or enjoy a lunch ride to a gorgeous spot in the shade where guests indulge in a Paws Up-style picnic. Kids can participate in lessons at the Saddle Club arena, complete with games, obstacle courses and more, and adult beginners can join instructional group trail rides. For advanced riders, the all-new, three-hour trail ride allows equine enthusiasts to cover terrain that no Paws Up guests have ever traversed. For an authentic taste of Western ranch life, participate in a cattle drive where novice and advanced riders alike saddle up with seasoned ranch hands and drive a herd of cattle across the majestic rolling pastures of the Resort property.

Montana is known for fly-fishing, and Paws Up hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous rivers in which to fly-fish, thanks to the movie “A River Runs Through It.” This gorgeous river flows right through our property, where all of our guided excursions are strictly for fly-fishing. Our guides have fished the surrounding rivers for years and will help you find the best trout fishing holes. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with these rods, but only for independent fishing.

Also near the resort is the Missouri River—one of the best hot spots for fly-fishing and a treasure trove for trout. This massive river travels approximately 700 miles along the entire state of Montana.

Other options include Bitterroot River—a dry-fly paradise that is famous for 95 percent dry flies and great hatches, which start in mid-March and extend well into October—and the Clark Fork River, the largest river by volume in the state and also one of the longest. The Clark Fork is approximately 310 miles long and is close to the resort. The best fishing on the Clark Fork is found between its origin and the confluence with the Flathead River near Paradise.