Flathead Lake Lodge
While not many things change around here – our hospitality dates back to 1945 when Grandpa Les bought the ranch – every once in a while we like to mix things up around here and add new elements to help enrich the guest experience. Brand new for our 2021 season is an outdoor kitchen.
Now guests can enjoy meals with sweeping views of Flathead Lake in a space that naturally brings the outside in through large screened-in windows. From a food and beverage perspective, the addition of the kitchen adds an element of engagement to the ranch. With a large focus on cooking over live fire, Chef Rob has been using the outdoor kitchen to feed Flathead Lake Lodge’s guests throughout the summer season.
In the words of Chef Rob, “My primary aim with the outdoor kitchen is to develop a richer connection to what we do as chefs and the experience we offer at the lodge. While it’s aesthetically beautiful, it’s also about having a natural connection to the wood, the smoke, the flame and the way it all interacts with the food. Guests get to experience what we do through eating the food, but now they’re experiencing it on a more personal level as they see it, smell it and interact with it.”
These days, the outdoor kitchen is the place where at least half of the ranch’s lunches are cooked and serve, while at least one element of dinner is prepared there as well.
Other elements of this addition included a remodel of the main kitchen, adding an upstairs walk-in, bringing the bakery out into the open and giving the space an overall refresh.
From our family to yours, we look forward to breaking bread with you in this new space.
Until next time,
-Chase
For the second year in a row, Flathead Lake Lodge is working with HopeKids to welcome critically ill children and their families to the ranch to experience what life is like the way its meant to be — soaking up Montana, running free on our 2,000 acres and creating family memories that will last forever. To help bring this year’s Week of Hope event to life, we’re utilizing one of our most-loved ranch traditions: MOUSE RACES.
To support a Week of Hope, vote for Mouse of the Year.
Without further ado, meet the mice.
1. Julius Cheeser. Don’t confuse him with the mouse who has a salad named after him–that’s his biggest pet peeve and that guy didn’t single-pawedly build the Bigfork Empire. Grab your bowl of white cheddar popcorn because his story is one of tragedy, but he doesn’t know that yet. There are whispers of conspiracy amongst the BigFork Mouse-ators to end Cheeser’s life. He’s participating in the Mouse Race to bring honor to BigFork and prove his power over the Empire. Given the magnitude of the race, some believe he is focusing on the wrong things and it will ultimately be his downfall, akin to fiddling while Bigfork burns.
2. Fievel. Much like his great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather in 1885, Fievel came West in search of a place with more room to roam and space to explore. He hitched a ride as a stowaway on the Nor’Easter, one of Flathead Lake Lodge’s 51-foot Q-class racing sloops, and has been here ever since. He lives a quiet life and spends much of his time tidying up the boat barn, helping Chef Rob weed the herb gardens and has even been known to help Captain Scott with boat maintenance. With steady legs on land and sea, Fievel just may be the mouse to beat.
3. Mouserella. You know the story, it’s a tail as old as time. Mouserella is always cleaning up after her evil step-mouse-sisters. Her fairy godhamster grants Mouserella’s wish of attending the prince’s ball and transforms her plain hamster ball into a sparkly one fit for a princess mouse! When the clock strikes midnight, Mouserella scurries down the steps leaving behind one tiny glass mouse slipper on the steps to be found by her one true prince. Little does the prince know that he will have to make his way to the beautiful shores of Flathead Lake to find his princess as she trains for the big race! You have seen her speed as she tries to beat the clock, Mouserella is looked upon as the dark-mouse of the race.
4. Bugsy. Found in cabin one, Bugsy was appropriately named for one of the ranch’s first guests, Bugsy Siegel. One of the founders of modern-day Las Vegas, Bugsy (and his girlfriend Virginia Hill) stayed in cabin one in the mid 1940s when he was on the run from the FBI. Living up to his namesake, Bugsy can be found at the barn hustling the horses and placing bets on which lodge guest team will win the team penning activity on Friday nights in the arena. He’s scrappy, smart and handsome, and the odds always seem to be in his favor.
5. Boba Feta. Tired of fighting Galactic civil wars and feeling like he was stuck on the bounty hunter hamster wheel, Boba has churned his focus to mentoring the next generation of bounty hunters in the mountains of Montana. Feta is a loner so not much is known about him but some with inside knowledge say he has a sharp turn of speed and was even seen participating in the Spartan race as a warm up for the great mouse race. If you can muenster enough courage he might be a gouda bet and worth putting a few dollars on for the big race.
From our extended Flathead Lake Lodge family to you, thank you for being part of a Week of Hope.
Please join us by voting on Mouse of the Year. Voting ends Thursday, August 19.
Happy voting and bidding,
-Chase
If you’ve been to Flathead Lake Lodge, you know that we sit on the shore of Flathead Lake — the largest natural freshwater lake in the West. And while we often make mention of how lucky we are to have our guest ranch on Flathead Lake, we may not tell you enough about this place.
At 28 miles long and about 15 miles wide, Flathead Lake covers nearly 200 square miles and has 185 miles of shoreline.
Here are 12 things you probably didn’t know about Flathead Lake...
1. Flathead Lake is the 79th largest natural lake on the planet.
2. The water quality of Flathead Lake is one of the cleanest in the world. This can be credited to the lake being fed by waterways that are full of snowmelt from Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
3. Much like its friend to the north Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake was carved out by massive glaciers that moved through the area during the Ice Age.
4. Due to its sheer size, Flathead Lake often creates its own weather patterns and during storms, you’ll see whitecaps form on the lake as winds rage across it.
5. Flathead Lake is home to HUGE fish. For example, the lake trout caught on Flathead Lake average about 8 pounds, but many of them tip the scales at larger weights.
6. You can drive all the way around the lake. It will take a few hours, but is hands-down one of the most beautiful drives around. You’ll largely take U.S. Highway 93 and Montana Highway 35.
7. There are public access sites all around the lake, including state parks, fishing access sites and parks.
8. Abundant recreation takes place on the lake. A few of note: sailing, kayaking, jet skis, boat cruises and fishing.
9. Here at the ranch, we take about 550 sails a year on the waters of Flathead Lake, most often on our two historic 51-foot Q-class racing sloops — the Questa and the Nor’Easter. They were both built in the late 1920s and are an important part of the Flathead Lake Lodge family and history.
10. Due largely to its sheer volume, Flathead Lake rarely freezes over during the winter, although you will find ice along the shorelines and in various bays around the lake. The last time the entire lake froze all the way was more than 30 years ago.
11. Flathead Lake creates an ideal environment (that is a bit milder that other places in Montana) for growing fruit. As you drive around the lake, you’ll see all kinds of orchards along the shoreline that grow cherries and in the summer, you can pick local cherries up at a roadside stand.
12. Flathead Lake is home to numerous islands, including Wild Horse Island. The largest island on the lake around 2,160 acres, Wild Horse is a day-use state park that’s home to all sorts of wildlife, including wild horses.
Learn more about our guest ranch on the shores of Flathead Lake at FlatheadLakeLodge.com.
Until next time, happy trails and adventuring.
-Chase
While many visitors to Montana come during the summer months, here at Flathead Lake Lodge we’re also big fans of spring. The lake is beautiful, the ranch is starting to welcome various shades of green to our meadows and lawn, birds are migrating, the days are getting longer and the surrounding landscapes are accented by snow-covered mountains.
And while summer gets most of the glory in our corner of Big Sky Country, we wanted to share six of our favorite things to do in Montana during the spring from a local’s point of view.
1. Bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
Truth: our backyard national park is beautiful year-round. But in the spring, while road crews are working on removing snow from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, it’s also closed to vehicular traffic and instead is accessible by foot or bike. Make plans to pedal up the road – you can bring your own or rent bikes at a number of places in the Flathead Valley – and see the park from a different perspective. Good to know: carry bear spray, water and food, as services are limited during spring. Get the latest info on the park here.
2. Raft the Flathead River.
Raft trips start on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in the spring (they run from May – September) with half-day and full-day options. If you’re a guest at the ranch during one of our adults-only packages or the summer, you have the option to add rafting onto your stay as an offsite experience.
3. Visit Flathead Lake.
While the water in the lake is freezing this time of year – it’s fed by glacial runoff and snowmelt – it’s also beautiful. Plus, the sunrises aren’t quite so early this time of year which means you have a solid chance of catching the early-morning colors that cover the lake.
4. Explore Bigfork.
We know we’re partial since Bigfork is where we hang our hats, but a stroll through downtown is nothing but pleasant during the spring. Shop owners have their doors open and it’s a cheery atmosphere no matter where you go, from local restaurants to watering holes or the Swan River Nature Trail.
5. Visit the National Bison Range.
Sitting a one-hour drive south of our Montana guest ranch is the National Bison Range in Charlo. During spring, you’ll be able to see plenty of birds and wildflowers, as well as bison calves that are typically born between mid-April and mid-May. If you want to drive through the entire range, you’ll take Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 19-mile-long one-way road, but keep in mind that it doesn’t open until mid-May. You can access West Loop and Prairie Drive anytime of the year. Insider tip: never approach wildlife.
6. Take a road trip.
From Bigfork, you can do a complete loop tour around Flathead Lake on U.S. Highway 93, Montana Highway 82 and Montana Highway 35. At times you’ll hug the shore of the lake, while at others you’ll be given a higher bird’s-eye view of the lake.
If you’re looking to see more of Montana, one of our favorite loop tours takes us over to the Rocky Mountain Front and back up to Bigfork. We suggest traveling north to Glacier and taking U.S. Highway 2 along the southern border of the park, connecting with U.S. Highway 89 (time it right and you can see thousands of birds at Freezeout Lake) before cutting closer to the mountains on Highway 287. From there, loop back up to Bigfork on Highway 200 and cruise up Montana Highway 83 through the Seeley-Swan Valley and back to Bigfork.
During spring at our guest ranch, we offer specials and deals – including our adults-only packages that can be easily combined with any of above-mentioned activities and an Early Summer Package that runs from June 2 – 6 – to help our guests make the most of Montana’s secret season.
If you’d like to learn more, call us at 406-837-4391 or visit our website.
Until next time, happy trails.
-Chase
While horseback trail rides have been a part of the ranch for the last 75 years, this year we’re offering a new way to ride — a Ladies AllRide Mountain Bike Retreat.
With 10 miles of mountain biking trails (and an additional 4+ miles that will be ready for this fall’s retreat) that weave their way through our 2,000 acres, attendees will have the chance to focus on mountain bike skills work and riding, complemented by guest ranch activities. This fall retreat takes place September 17 – 20, 2021, is created with ladies in mind and is open to adults over the age of 18 of all levels, from novice to experienced.
Here’s what sets it apart from other mountain biking clinics:
-The retreat is all-inclusive, with meals, lodging, recreation, tax and gratuity included (it’s also the only one that includes lodging)
-Attendees will experience a mix of mountain biking and guest ranch activities, like morning yoga on our platform overlooking Flathead Lake, boat cruises, campfires at the beach, tours of the elk preserve, horseback trail rides and one of our most-loved events, the mountain meadow steak fry
-You’ll be riding on our private trails during one of the most beautiful times of year in Montana, complete with stunning fall foliage, sun-soaked days and crisp evenings
If you’ve been looking to start your journey into mountain biking or if you’d like to hone skills like body positioning, technical climbing and descending, bunny hops and pump tracks, we invite you to learn more about the Ladies AllRide Retreat or call us at 406-837-4391.
Happy shredding,
Chase
A lot changed in 2020. Family vacations were cancelled, birthdays were celebrated at home, many folks spent time on the computer virtually attending dance recitals, connecting with family over Zoom and revising their plans. And most of all, we missed each other.
Here at Flathead Lake Lodge, we’re looking forward to 2021 and beyond, and we’re certain that good things are on the way…things like hugging friends, attending school music programs and vacationing with the ones you love the most.
When it comes to planning a multigenerational family trip, we know you have lots of options to choose from. And as you think about what kind of vacation you want to experience, here are five reasons why Flathead Lake Lodge is an ideal multigenerational family vacation.
1. All-inclusive stay.
At Flathead Lake Lodge, every stay is all-inclusive, meaning that the cost of your stay includes activities and experiences (like guided horseback trail rides, sailing on Flathead Lake, swimming in our heated swimming pool, daily arts and crafts), as well as all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
2. Activities the whole family can enjoy.
During your time at the ranch, you’ll be able to experience as many (or as few) of our activities as possible. And with more than 30 activities to choose from, every person in your multigenerational group will find something that fits their needs and interests. Plus, our staff at the lodge works hard to create an environment and setting where your family will naturally be able to spend time together and reconnect, like an afternoon sailing adventure, a fly-fishing lesson, an evening beach fire, team penning competition and more.
3. Robust youth programs.
A big part of a family stay at the lodge is kids being able to explore the ranch safely, while making friends, experiencing life at our Montana guest ranch and making memories. During the summer season, our family program is something we focus on, with well-rounded offerings for children of various ages. Activities are offered for kids 0 – 6 years old, 6 – 12 years old and teens. Explore offerings for all ages here.
4. Private lodging options.
On our 2,000 acres, we have a few lodging options to choose from, including historic lodges with private rooms (with a shared great room) and cabins that have one to three bedrooms. When it comes to setting up where your family of all ages will be sleeping, you can have more alone time by choosing one of our private cabins or selecting a room configuration that places you all in one of our three lodge buildings.
5. Accessibility.
One of the elements that makes Flathead Lake Lodge ideal for a family trip of all ages is how accessible it is, in terms of getting around, selecting activities for various experience/comfort levels and more. If you have some folks in your family who want more adrenaline-pumping action, they can set out on our 10+ miles of mountain biking trails (with a guide) or try their hand at wakeboarding. If there are others that prefer a more low-key adventure, they can take a guided hike, a boat cruise or a guided tour of our onsite elk preserve. After your family gets their kicks in with our activities, you can all come together for a sailing excursion, a team penning competition or mouse races.
To learn more, visit us at FlatheadLakeLodge.com or call us at 406-837-4391.
Happy trails,
Chase
When it comes to spreading cheer around the holidays, we spent some time thinking about what we could give you. With 2020 being a bit of a wild ride for all of us, we wanted to give you something good. And while it would be nearly impossible to send you all something from Flathead Lake Lodge, we wanted to give you the next best thing: the recipe for Maureen’s Undone Brownies.
If you’ve been a guest of the lodge, you’ve likely dug into one of these chocolate delights during your stay, as they are staple during our Wednesday night steak fry. From us to you, we hope you enjoy this “sweet” gift.
MAUREEN’S UNDONE BROWNIES
Ingredients:
-4 cups butter, melted
-1 pound of unsweetened chocolate
-8 cups of sugar
-16 eggs
-5 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
-8 teaspoons of vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease desired baking dish (we suggest a large sheet pan or two).
Melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat and add the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Gradually whisk in the flour. Pour into greased baking dish and bake for approximately 20 minutes (or until the sides begin to pull away from the edges of the pan).
Allow the brownies to rest for 15 minutes. Cut, serve and enjoy!
From our family to yours, we wish you the sweetest holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. May it be full of making new traditions, honoring old ones and a season of beautiful memories.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from our family to yours.
-Chase
While many people across the country and around the world are continuing to work from home, do school from home and catch up with their loved ones in the comforts of home, we’ve all been spending more time than ever on the computer. And while snow has officially landed in the wilds of Montana, we wanted to bring a hearty dose of summer at Flathead Lake Lodge to you.
To do this, we’ve created six zoom backgrounds that you can use on your next company call, family gathering and more. We hope you like them and we hope that they transport you to Montana and Flathead Lake Lodge, even if it’s just for a minute. *To save the images for zoom, right click and download them to your computer.
Happy trails and happy zooming,
Chase
At Flathead Lake Lodge, we know that planning a wedding is a massive undertaking. We also know that selecting your wedding venue is an important part of the process. And with 2021 wedding trends that include micro weddings, customizable experiences, personal touches and longer celebrations, we’d like to introduce you to our Montana guest ranch and invite you to consider us for your small destination wedding.
And while our standard wedding packages is for 100-125 people (which includes lodging, meals and unlimited access to one of the country’s most expansive recreation programs), the lodge is a prime location for a smaller, more intimate wedding.
Here’s why:
1. Sense of family.
We know that when it comes to planning a small wedding, you want to have your closest friends and family present to celebrate the occasion. Here at the lodge, our foundation was built on family and we specialize in making connections and memories. Over the past 75 years, we’ve seen numerous couples exchange their vows here and it’s been an honor for us to be the place where they start their lives as a couple.
2. Intimate spaces among our 2,000 acres.
While our guest ranch has 2,000 acres set along Flathead Lake and stretching up into the Swan Mountains, there are several locations that are ideal for intimate wedding vows, including our main lodge (the fireplace makes a great backdrop), one of our lookouts points that has Flathead Lake in the background, the island and more.
3. Personalized touches.
When it comes to smaller weddings or micro weddings, personalization is key. From customized itineraries and menus to add-on amenities and live music, our team can work with you and/or your wedding planner to create the event you want. In addition, our controller/gift shop expert Jena Barrows can work with you to create a customized welcome box with items from Flathead Lake Lodge, as well as personal touches that are significant to you and your partner. In addition, a member of our team can also brand cowboy boots, hats and more for your wedding guests.
4. A longer celebration.
At Flathead Lake Lodge, all of our destination wedding packages include three full days and three full nights with your friends and families. While much has changed over the last several months, one of the standout things we’re taking away from 2020 is the importance of what matters most–the people we love. With longer celebrations at our Montana guest ranch, we work with each of our couples to create custom experiences, with activities that can include sailing, sunset lake cruises, horseback trail rides, a mountain meadow steak fry, sunrise yoga and more. Plus, by incorporating a longer stay, you’ll be able to have more time with each of your guests and allow you to create those closer connections.
Weddings at Flathead Lake Lodge are typically held in spring (May/June) and fall (September/October). If you’re interested in learning more about the lodge for your small wedding, visit FlatheadLakeLodge.com. To inquire about wedding dates for 2021 and 2022, email deb@flatheadlakelodge.com.
Happy planning,
Chase
Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to host countless guests, dignitaries, groups, weddings and more, and it has been our absolute pleasure to introduce everyone who drives in our gates to Flathead Lake Lodge. And while we have loved every minute with so many guests, we’re still soaking in the magic from A Week of Hope. It’s one of those experiences that will go down in the history of the lodge and in the memory of our staff forever.
While we know we’ve shared various bits of information about A Week of Hope (you can read past blogs here and here), we had some very kind friends who volunteered to make a video recapping the week. And in the interest of full disclosure, we also have to tell you that we have watched this video countless times and each time, tears of gratitude, hope and thankfulness fill up our eyes. (Yes, cowboys do cry.)
We invite you to take a few minutes and watch it below.
When we look back on this week, the relationships that were formed are best described as magic. Families met one another and bonds were created over shared experiences and an understanding of what each other and their families are going through as they fight for their kids, cheer them on and bring them hope and joy, in spite of health battles that are faced every single day.
Here are a few photos from the week. (The full albums can be seen here and here.)
One of our guests from the week said it best, “We’re not promised tomorrow, any of us. And the ability to do these things as a family and have something that will stick with us is nothing but pure joy.”
To our dear families, thank you for trusting us to keep you safe and well in the wilds of Montana. And thank you for allowing us (and our incredible staff, partners, volunteers, vendors and donors) to be involved in a week of pure joy. This week was one we’ll never forget and for that, we’re forever thankful.
Happy Trails,
-Chase
Like they always say, all good (and bad!) ideas start on a bar stool. Well, A Week of Hope can officially be added to that (good) list. I remember sitting in the crowd at a tourism conference listening to Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel talking about the importance of travel to kids. It reminded me of how my Dad always jokes that at Flathead Lake Lodge we “take care of the kids and just deal with the adults.” Not true, but kinda…
So how, after 75 years can you possibly say thank you to all those who have helped? From the neighbors, the Bigfork community, our staff, our guests, family members, vendors, local kids who just wanted to trade barn chores to learn to ride horses and on and on and on. For over 75 years it has taken so many people to help make Flathead Lake Lodge what it is today.
Our goal was that A Week of Hope could be our thank you. Our way of giving kids and their families who need it most a chance to experience Flathead Lake Lodge. What I don’t think we were prepared for is how much this week gave us.
75 years ago my Grandpa Les started this place with a strong back, ingenuity and above all else a way of treating people that 75 years later— built on being genuine, kind, authentic, selfless and fun—hasn’t gone out of style. In a time where everyone seems caught up in what is wrong with each other and overwhelmed with negatively, Grandpa Les’s way of life stands strong at Flathead Lake Lodge.
This week, during A Week of Hope, in the middle of a pandemic, we hosted 20 families from across the country who have critically or terminally ill children. We had fun, we laughed, we adventured, we cried, we built relationships and we made memories. We leaned into what Flathead Lake Lodge stands for and I can honestly say the humanity of this last week at the ranch might have been the most special things we have ever done in 75 years.
There are so many thank yous that need to be mentioned for making this happen that I doubt I will remember them all, but I’m going to try. First and foremost to the families. Your enthusiasm, openness and determination is something every person should learn from. To our staff who went above and beyond to make this a week to remember in so many ways. To our vendors who donated trips, time and experiences that were amazing. To our volunteers and locals who helped babysit, donated golf carts and more. To all the donors who helped make this week happen. And lastly to our great partners, Hope Kids and Montana Children’s Hospital. Day in and day out they are doing great work; thank you for letting us talk you into letting this experience happen.
After being knocked down by numerous strokes, Grandpa Les re-learned how to write and in shaky, hard to read writing, when he could barely talk anymore, penned this:
To My Grandchildren,
May you rise up to meet any challenge, live to your fullest potential, fly high, be reverent, honest and trustworthy. Be remembered for being loyal, helpful, courteous and kind to all you meet. Remain cheerful and fun to be with.
Lester W. Averill
It was an amazing 75th season, capped by the most memorable week of them all. I know Grandpa Les would be proud.
-Chase