The Resort at Paws Up | The Last Best Blog

January 8, 2017

Come Cook with Brooke Williamson at The Resort at Paws Up

Say hello to Chef Brooke Williamson, a fearless and unstoppable Southern Californian who’s become a bit of a regular at The Resort at Paws Up. We love hosting her, because she brings energy and fresh local ingredients to everything she does.

You might know her from Top Chef. She’s currently reappearing to compete in Season 14: Charleston, South Carolina, airing right now on Bravo. In Season 10, Williamson was the runner-up and a favorite among the show’s fans.

When she’s not on TV, she’s busy running the four smash-hit restaurants she owns with her husband. The newest opened just this past October—a fast- casual Hawaiian concept named Da Kikokiko in Playa Vista, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

What does she do for fun? She comes to The Resort at Paws Up, of course. In 2017, she’ll be a featured chef at no fewer than three culinary events: WinterFest on January 19– 22, WildFlavor on April 20–23 and Bounty on the Blackfoot on August 19. So we asked her to tell us about her experiences here.

What’s the first thing you like to do when you arrive at Paws Up?  I like to grab a drink at Tank and head straight to my cabin to chill on the porch. The sounds of wilderness that surround those cabins are the perfect way to decompress after a day of travel.

What do you look forward to most when you visit?  Because of the fact that I get to experience the ranch at different times of year, the things I look forward to in terms of activities vary greatly. Between pristine snow and cattle drives, I could stay entertained forever.

But the one thing that I can always count on, no matter what time of year, is the staff. I do a lot of events, all over the country, but never do I travel to a place and feel so welcomed and at home as I do at Paws Up.

What’s a dish you’ve made just for Paws Up guests that was especially wonderful?  Seafood salad, cucumber and tomato water, compressed melons. I made this dish for an event last summer, and although I would normally gravitate toward mentioning a dish that feels more “Montana,” I actually loved this dish not only because of the setting and weather that it was served in, but mostly because I got to use some of the best local watermelon I’ve ever tasted.

How does cooking in Montana differ from cooking in LA? Cooking in Montana makes you realize how important and special cooking “local” can be. I come from California, where we have beautiful seasons for produce, and an enormous variety of pretty much anything you want.

But Montana helps me realize how specific seasons can actually be based on climate and accessibility. From elk to buffalo to huckleberries and specific mushrooms, it’s especially fun to find new ways to highlight ingredients that I don’t come across every day in Los Angeles.

November 28, 2016August 16, 2022

6 Reasons Why to Visit The Resort at Paws Up This Winter

Every season at The Resort at Paws Up brings change and wonder. Until just this winter, however, few got to witness The Resort under its sparkling white blanket. But that’s about to change. Starting in 2017, The Resort at Paws Up will be open to guests for all 365 days of the year.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.  To start with, it’s quieter here during the colder months. Snow under your feet cushions each step. Wildlife comes out from hiding. The mountaintops glisten. Even the hot chocolate just seems sweeter. In a word, it is spectacular.

Day or night, you can sit back and take in the incredible snow-covered scenery. And every one of our luxury vacation homes is equipped with an outdoor hot tub, which can turn a cold snap into an inviting retreat, especially under a starlit sky.

NO TIME FOR CABIN FEVER.  Now more guests than ever can enjoy all the winter activities that we love so much: horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, cross-country skiing, horseback riding through frosted pines, dogsledding, tubing, high- velocity snowmobiling, sporting clay shooting, private indoor equestrian lessons, hiking, archery, snowshoeing and, of course, sitting in front of a relaxing fire.

THRILLING SKI ADVENTURES. Paws Up will also take you on excursions to some some wonderful downhill ski and snowboarding areas. Naturally, we can outfit you with whatever cold-weather gear you need at the Wilderness Outpost retail store.

FOR THE YOUNGER SET.  The Kids Corps of Discovery has a full schedule of exciting activities, from tubing, luge-style sledding and hockey to craft making, pony rides and broomball. We’ll keep the kids busy and active all day long. Or you can teach them the science behind snow fort building yourself, just outside your private vacation home.

THE SPA: A GOOD MOVE.  As much as we love Spa Town in the warmer months, the brisk, fresh winter air didn’t seem right for a relaxing massage. So in wintertime, the secluded Morris Ranch House serves as the warm, cozy location for spa treatments. Located adjacent to the picturesque Elk Creek, this historic luxury home is a perfect setting for rejuvenating spa services and a chance to let our talented staff pamper you and your family.

COLD-WEATHER CUISINE. Dining at Paws Up is always a treat, but for those looking for something truly phenomenal, come for WinterFest, January 19–22, our signature culinary event of the season. It’s three and a half days of intimate cooking classes and demonstrations, wine and spirits tastings, wilderness adventures, live entertainment (Missoula musician John Floridis and singer- songwriter Brian Pounds from TV’s The Voice) and, of course, hearty gourmet feasts—complete with thoughtful wine pairings—created by our award-winning guest chefs.

There’s no shortage of exiting ways to enjoy the drop in temperatures in Montana. And yes, seasonal rates do apply. It’s no wonder we’re already seeing a blizzard of reservations for our first full winter.

November 17, 2016August 16, 2022

Get Cozy with Red Wine and Hot Chocolate at The Resort at Paws Up

Move over Irish coffee. Have you heard the buzz about the latest trending winter beverage, Red Wine and Hot Chocolate? The bartenders at The Resort at Paws Up have, and they’re already serving it up this season. Red Wine and Hot Chocolate is easy to make. All you need is milk, red wine, your favorite dark chocolate and cinnamon. Our staff tops the beverage off with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.

This warming drink is simply hot chocolate spiked with red wine. It is similar to mulled wine but rich and chocolaty! Use three parts hot chocolate to one part red wine. We used Rombauer Merlot. The Rombauer family members are big fans of this varietal’s rich, silky textures and supple tannins, as well as its versatility with food. It is medium-bodied and ripe and plush, with flavors of plums, cherries and figs. It makes a perfect pairing with melted dark chocolate.

After a day of cross-country skiing, horseback riding, or snow tubing at Paws Up, take a sip of Red Wine and Hot Chocolate, and you’ll be feeling warm and cozy in no time. We love drinking it fireside. So if you’re visiting us this season, come by Tank and try one (or two). Otherwise, make one at home, and let us know how you liked it.

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 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 7, 2016June 30, 2023

Join The Resort at Paws Up to Help Montana Pets in Need

The Resort at Paws Up is opening up its ranch for the eighth time to benefit homeless animals and help the Humane Society of Western Montana maintain its 98% adoption rate. The annual Canine Classic at The Resort at Paws Up, a trail run/hike/walk for you and your dog, will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Participants will zip through a course on the trail system of the beautiful private grounds of The Resort in Greenough, Montana. Hikers and runners can choose from a 2-, 5- or 13-mile hike or run.

All proceeds raised from the Canine Classic will go straight to the shelter to help with the care of animals. This year’s fundraising goal is $50,000. The funds will help with operational costs, including dog and cat food, vaccinations and daily care for each pet until adoption. Since its inception, the Canine Classic has raised more than $200,000 for the society.

Participants who choose to fundraise will earn one raffle ticket for each $270 they raise ($270 covers intake costs for one animal at the Humane Society). The winner of the race raffle will win a one-night stay for two at Paws Up, including dinner at The Resort’s award-winning restaurant, Pomp^®. This year, the person who raises the most pledges for the shelter will win a two-night glamping® getaway at Paws Up.

“The Canine Classic is truly the quintessential event for pets and their people in Western Montana,” said Emily Adamson, Director of Organizational Advancement for the Humane Society. “From the breathtaking scenery at Paws Up, to the pet-friendly environment and great Montana hospitality, participants get to experience the best of Montana with woman’s best friend.”

To register and/or sign up to collect pledges, visit https://runsignup.com/canineclassic or call 406-549-3934 (ext. 206). You’ll enjoy a hike or run followed by a complimentary gourmet BBQ lunch and beverages. Participants can also register an hour before the event at the race site. Several shelter dogs will be available to accompany you on your run or walk if you don’t have a dog. Those interested in running or walking with a shelter dog should call the Humane Society prior to the event.

Wine & Bitch Dinner

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, Paws Up will host its annual Wine & Bitch Dinner for Canine Classic participants and their pets. Hosted by The Resort’s Nadine Lipson and her trusty sidekick, Fenway, this unique event offers you and your pooch the chance to bond, relax and enjoy the finer things in life—together. Guests will be able to stroll through a pet expo featuring dog massage therapists, a photo booth and agility demonstrations. Later, a gourmet feast created by Paws Up Executive Chef Ben Jones will be served, complete with fine wine pairings, decadent desserts and scrumptious treats to slide under the table. After the dinner and after the Canine Classic, guests can enjoy music and art by Walter Salas-Humara of the legendary New York band the Silos.

For more information, visit www.pawsup.com.

August 24, 2016August 26, 2016

Where to Go in September With Man’s Best Friend

It’s National Dog Day this Friday, and at The Resort at Paws Up, you don’t have to vacation without your best friend. We’ve always had a special relationship with man’s best friend. In fact, it was the canine’s friendly greeting that inspired our name. The Resort at Paws Up not only welcomes your best friend, we cater to him (or her) with the following amenities:

•The Last Best Doggie Bed

•Dog dish

•Dog collar

•Locally made treats

•Wag the tails massage

•Doggie room service menu*

•Hiking trail map

•Tennis ball

•Welcome card from the owner’s dog, Fenway.

(Additional pet rates apply)

On Sunday, September 25^th, we are hosting our eighth annual Canine Classic. Enjoy walking with your dog along streams and winding through the beautiful trails at our 37,000-acre wilderness. Choose a two-mile, five-mile or chip-timed half-marathon. And following your walk, run or hike, you’ll enjoy a gourmet barbecue with live music and plenty of prizes!

Since its inception, the Canine Classic has raised over $200,000. And all proceeds go to support the Humane Society of Western Montana. Join us this year and help us in “Saving Every Animal Every Time.”

Race entries start at $35 and include one lunch, a swag bag, and the chance to win prizes. Register now for the Canine Classic.

For overnight accommodations, please call 877-758-8644 or chat with us.

Also…we are always excited to present our annual Wine & Bitch Dinner hosted by The Resort’s Nadine Lipson and her trusty sidekick, Fenway. This unique event offers you and your best friend the chance to bond, relax and enjoy the finer things in life—together.

You’ll stroll through a pet expo featuring dog massage therapists, a photo booth and agility demonstrations. Then you’ll be treated to a gourmet feast created by Paws Up Executive Chef Ben Jones, complete with fine wine pairings and decadent desserts (our featured vintner is Montana Winery. Located in nearby Missoula, Montana, the Winery is committed to serving the community and supporting non-profit causes. The company donates a portion of their sales to organizations that range from the Prevent Cancer Foundation to Freedom Service Dogs of America.

You and your your two-legged guests will be entertained by Walter Salas-Humara, a Founding member of the band Silos. He has also shared the stage with Lucinda Williams, Lou Reed and other great musical artists. Tickets are just $98. Reserve your spot now.

For overnight accommodations, please call 877-758-8644 or chat with us.

August 21, 2016June 30, 2023

Where to Achieve Amazing Baking and Horseback Riding Skills in One Weekend

What do horseback riding, fly-fishing, ATV rides, pizza, cookies and pies have in common? We have the simple answer: Upper Crust at the Resort at Paws Up. Spend October 7th-10th getting your hands doughy during this one-of-a-kind kitchen adventure in Montana, which offers more than flour and sugar—glamping®, spa treatments, cattle drives and live music are also on the menu.

Join us this year to learn new skills in the kitchen as well as participate in outdoor activities on our 37,000-acre ranch, including fly-fishing, ATV tours, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian lessons, sporting clays, repelling, archery, go-karts and more.

The Resort also welcomes back the “pie whisperer” herself, Kate McDermott, along with Portland’s Ken Forkish and Chicago’s Mindy Segal for Upper Crust, a culinary weekend of sophisticated cookie, pie and pizza baking. During both events, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with world-class chefs, bakers and winemakers as well as work up an appetite on adventures and excursions in the breathtaking Montana wilderness.

By day, you’ll be creating works of edible art from fresh local ingredients. And by night, you’ll be dining on the cuisine of Paws Up’s Executive Chef, Ben Jones, masterfully executed and paired with exquisite wines.

Afterwards, you’ll retire to the unparalleled comforts of your very own luxury vacation home.

Upper Crust Event Highlights

Friday, October 7, 2016

Welcome reception

Dinner featuring Executive Chef Ben Jones

Fire and Fondue in Tank

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Culinary workshops including kolachke and rugelach cookies,

American apple pie and pizza making a variety of wilderness adventures

Live entertainment in Tank

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Culinary workshops including thumbprint cookies, sweet cherry pie and pizza making

A variety of wilderness adventures

Live entertainment in Tank

Upper Crust is the perfect treat for anyone who’s passionate about homemade, just-out-of-the-oven desserts and pizzas and outdoor bucket-list adventure. Find out more here.

August 15, 2016August 15, 2016

10 Employees Who Experience National Relaxation Day Everyday

National Relaxation Day is today, Monday, August 15^th, and it should be exactly as it sounds: all about winding down, taking a few deep breaths and enjoying a quiet moment or beautiful space. At The Resort at Paws Up, our 37,000 acres offers scenic vistas and serenity at every turn. In honor of this day, we’re sharing the most relaxing part about The Resort at Paws Up from the perspective of a few of our employees.

“Seeing the many paws of our wildlife here on the Ranch. I find it mesmerizing to watch the elk herd move across a pasture and equally awesome to watch our bison move their enormous bodies with such grace. I can’t believe my eyes when I spot the many eagles perched in our trees, watching in amazement as they teach their young to fly. Fawning season just finished, and the new spotted baby deer are finally old enough to show their faces. It’s the beauty of nature that relaxes me. I can sit in one place for hours watching this show unfold.”

Kathleen Cochran, VP Operations

“Like most people in today’s world, our guests lead very busy lives. What makes Montana and our property so unique is the ability to unplug, unwind and just observe an amazing place. One of the best parts of my job is talking to guests—from the moment they arrive to their last day here—and observing how the stress comes off their shoulders as they tell me about sitting outside their homes and watching an eagle in its nest in their backyards, or how they had the best night’s sleep of their lives listening to the Blackfoot River from their tents.”

Jon Martin, General Manager, Guest Relations

“Watching the sunrise on the Pomp Deck at the Cook Shack is my Zen spot. My best dishes and menu ideas come from sitting there watching the light fill the valley.”

Ben Jones, Executive Chef

“The most relaxing thing to me about Paws Up is sitting in an Adirondack chair, listening to the Blackfoot River roar by, watching the fish rising, feeling the cold stones beneath my feet, smelling the elk steak on the grill and sipping my own Huckleberry Hound.”

Mindy Marcum, Executive Administrative Assistant

“There is no greater tonic for stress than an early-morning hike on the Sunset Hill Loop.”

Scott Schaefer, Special Events Manager

“Find your Zen at Spa Town at Paws Up by getting a massage beneath the moon and stars.”

Laura Russell, Spa and Wellness Manager

“I find it the most relaxing when I’m on a morning ride and it’s foggy. The forest gets really quiet and everything is still. The fog adds an otherworldly feel to the forest, and the gentle sway of the horses with the sounds of their breathing is enough to make anyone look around in wonder.”

Rachael Warnick, Wrangler

“For me, it doesn’t get any more relaxing than being curled up in front of a crackling campfire—a glass of red wine in one hand while the other twirls a marshmallow in the flames.”

Justyne Palermo, Reservations Manager

“The most relaxing thing about Paws Up is the early mornings. Nature is awakening and the light and air has an absolutely magical feel to it. Gathering my horse from the pasture at that time is my life medicine.”

Zia Reato, Wrangler

“Sitting on the porch at the end of the day, glass of wine in hand, watching an amazing Montana sunset. The colors are unlike anything else here, and you just watch the light melt away into a quiet evening.”

Jackie Kecskes, Youth Programs Director and Activities Manager

August 10, 2016August 10, 2016

National S’mores Day at Paws Up

Sure, other important things are happening in August, but National S’mores Day is an event we take seriously at The Resort at Paws Up. This year, we’re hosting our first-ever full Resort competition dedicated to the simple, rustic treat we love. The Paws Up S’mores Challenge: We’re taking gooiness to the next level!

Classic ingredients will be provided to all of our guests on property, but unique “secret” ingredients will only be available as part of a special geo-cache adventure earlier in the day.

Guests won’t have to travel far to compete in the preliminary rounds. Vacation home guests will line up on The Yard at the Cook Shack. Campers will convene at their individual campsites. And the top competitors will be selected to for the Championship round. Fans will be watching as four esteemed s’mores experts rank thier tasty, toasted treat on a scale from 1 to 10. The crowd will go be waiting patiently for samples.

The grand-prize winner of the Paws Up S’mores Challenge will receive a one-hour photography session from our official on-site photographer. And, naturally, we’ll add their portrait to the Paws Up Hall of Fame.

Here’s our lineup for Wednesday, August 10, 2016

9:00AM–12:00PM Ingredients-finding Geo-Cache adventure begins from the Wilderness Outpost

4:30PM–8:30PM Campsite competition at individual campsites around The Resort

6:30PM–8:30PM Vacation homes competition on The Yard at the Cook Shack

9:00PM Championship round at The Cook Shack fire pits

9:30PM Awards ceremony at the Cook Shack Stage

Afterwards, guests will enjoy a special musical performance by local favorites . How fun does sound?