Whitefish, Montana rests at the northern end of the picturesque Flathead Valley of northwestern Montana. It lies on the western slope of the Continental Divide at an elevation of 3,028 feet. A year-round recreational haven, Whitefish boasts a world-renowned ski-resort, a large natural lake with a public beach area and northwest Montana’s only 36-hole golf course.

Whitefish offers several types of real estate opportunities to tantalize every buyer. Gorgeous lake properties, quaint townhouses, and ranches with acreage are just some of the distinctive types of homes for sale. The north end of Flathead Valley is a hundred feet above Kalispell. This slight elevation change along with being nestled against Big Mountain, makes for a slight weather change compared to the rest of the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Valley itself also enjoys a milder climate than the rest of the northern 48th parallel.

Whitefish is a transportation hub for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Amtrak trains. The Whitefish Depot boasts being the busiest train stop between Minneapolis and Seattle. More than 68,000 passengers came and went to, and from Whitefish through the Whitefish Depot in 2006. The Stumptown Museum is housed in the depot and features historic items and information on the founding of the area that is now Whitefish, MT. For instance, Whitefish began as a fur trading hub and later the railroad and logging industries helped it flourish. Today the economy relies heavily on tourism.

Skiing has been part of the Whitefish area for many years. In 1937, the Whitefish Lake Ski Club obtained a special permit from the U.S. Forest Service enabling them to build cabins and trails in the Hell Roaring Creek region. Great Falls businesspeople Ed Schenck and George Prentice recognized the area’s potential and, after World War II, began efforts to develop a full-fledged ski resort on the mountain with local people donating labor, preparing the slopes to help push through an all-weather mountain road. On December 14, 1947, Schenck, Prentice, and a thousand townsfolk stood on the newly christened ski resort’s slopes to watch the brand new T-Bar lift bring their community vision to life.

The Whitefish Trail Legacy Run is an annual ultra trail race to celebrate the unique public trail system. It includes a 50-kilometer ultra-marathon and a 1/2 marathon, a 10-kilometer, and a 5-kilometer race. It takes place in the first week of October in conjunction with the Oktoberfest celebration.

The Glacier Challenge is a six-leg, multi-sport relay covering 50 miles of Montana. The race features six legs of running, biking, canoeing, and kayaking in and around Whitefish.  A triathlon has recently been added to include the first three legs of the Glacier Challenge. Participants enter as a solo team, partner duo, or group team. The race consists of an 8-mile run, kayak, road bike, mountain bike, canoe, and 3.1-mile run. There are also food vendors, activities for children, and music.

Whether you’re looking for a great place to raise a family, run a business, enjoy your retirement or simply take a well-deserved vacation, look no further—Whitefish, Montana has something for everyone!  Nestled at the northernmost tip of the majestic Flathead Valley, Whitefish offers residents a peaceful—yet active—lifestyle that is the envy of communities near and far.

All you have to do is pick your pleasure—from hiking & biking to boating & cycling, from skiing & skating, to floating and fishing… you’ll find all that (and more!) in Whitefish.

Visit the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce for more information.