Earlier this month, we welcomed thousands of Spartan racers to Flathead Lake Lodge for the Montana Ultra, Beast and Sprint Weekend. And as always, it was one of the most adrenaline-pumping events that we host on the lodge’s 2,000 acres. While we’re a traditional guest ranch in the summer season, during the off season our location and space give us the opportunity to host a variety of events, with the Spartan Race continually bringing 7,500+ people to our ranch every May.

And we’ve got to tell you, it’s a fun one to watch. Take a look at some of the photos from the event below…

The starting line.
Mud, trees and racers. Three of our favorite Spartan weekend things.
One of the race’s views: Flathead Lake.
Thinking of adding this to our kids’ activity offerings. 😉
Young Spartans.
This team of ladies came up from Bozeman to compete.
Call us cheesy, but we love that this family raced together and made a memory at Flathead Lake Lodge.
#Spartan

In case you think you missed the fun, we’ll be doing it again next year. Save the date for May 9-10, 2020 and come join us at Flathead Lake Lodge.

Until next time,

-Chase

While you may have seen a mention of some of the new things we’re lassoing up here at Flathead Lake Lodge, we wanted to come right out and tell you about our newest endeavor: our adults-only fall packages.

Making their debut for the first time ever, we’re pretty pleased to be offering three distinct experiences for guests at Flathead Lake Lodge. And while we could ramble on and on about why we did it, what we’re most excited about and more, instead we’re gonna skip the small talk and introduce you to the latest additions to the lodge.

Montana Adventure in the Crown of the Continent: September 1 – 5, 2019

This package is well-suited for travelers looking for an adventure that combines Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, fall colors, horseback rides and the ranch’s bison herd on the Blackfeet Nation. This package, truth be told, is one of the ones we’ve been looking forward to offering for quite a while as it beautifully blends some of the best natural wonders in the place we call home. Additional package highlights: boat cruises, campfires with live music, touring the elk preserve, sailing on Flathead Lake and driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Fall in Glacier National Park.

Relax and Restore in Montana’s Wide-open Spaces: September 12 – 15, 2019

If you’ve ever been to Flathead Lake Lodge, chances are you’ve felt the spirit of restorative wonder that’s found here in Montana. This package takes that feeling a step further by transforming our 2,000 acres into a place that allows you to unwind, relax and recharge your spirit. Retreat highlights: onsite massages, golf, yoga, horseback trail rides, apple pressing and guided walks.

The barn and corral at Flathead Lake Lodge.

Unplug and Reconnect: Retreat to Montana: September 25 – 29, 2019

While you can be connected while you’re here in Western Montana, this package encourages you to unplug and soak up the vibrant colors of autumn on the shore of the largest freshwater lake in the West. This all-inclusive package features OULA, a Montana-born dance workout, quiet trail rides and plenty of opportunities to learn how to feed your body, mind and soul. Basically, we want to leave you better than we found you. Wellness retreat highlights: sunset restorative fitness classes, trail runs, horseback riding and a mountain meadow steak fry.

Sunrise on Flathead Lake.

And with that, you’ve met our three newest offerings at the lodge. We hope you love them as much as we loved creating them and that you find just what you’re looking for when you visit Montana, Bigfork and Flathead Lake Lodge.

If one of the new packages tickled your fancy, you can find more information here, contact us here or call us at 406-837-4391.

Until next time,

-Chase

While we’re deep in the midst of various projects, updates and planning for summer and fall (in case you missed it, we’re offering new packages this fall), we wanted to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what winter is like at Montana’s Flathead Lake Lodge.

Even though we only welcome guests during what we like to call Montana’s warm season, you’ll find staff, horses, elk and more throughout our property during the winter months. And since this is a time of year at the lodge that not many get to see, we wanted to provide you with a glimpse into what winter is like in and around Bigfork, Montana.

Take a look…

No amount of snow can keep us away. 

If you close your eyes, you can *almost* imagine the icicles being replaced with hanging baskets of flowers.

On snow days in Montana…we still come to work.

While winter started pretty mildly, the last few weeks have seen several inches of light power falling across the state.

Moon over Montana.

Our horses don’t mind a little cold and fresh snow.

While Flathead Lake gets most of its attention in the summer, there’s something truly beautiful about its calm and utter vastness during winter.

A different view of the dock than our guests are use to.

Views like this get us every single time.

We also often get asked if we’ve ever thought about opening during the winter season. Just for fun, we did a poll on our Instagram stories and the vast majority of you say YES, we should open for the winter.

The people have spoken. 😉

For now, if you’re looking to plan your summer trip to Montana, call us at 406-837-4391 or learn more about our offerings, including our brand-new fall packages, here.

See you when the snow melts,

-Chase

Earlier this month, the 14th Annual Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame banquet took place in Billings, where the organization honored my dad, Doug Averill, with the Western Heritage Award. Every year, this award is given to individuals who have contributed to rodeo and the Western way of life in Montana. Now, as you can likely imagine, I’ve grown up with Doug and learned from him what it was like to live and love the cowboy way of life. There’s not many men that still exist like Doug and to see him be honored with this award for the man he is made me proud and humble, all at once.

Doug receiving the Western Heritage Award in Billings, Montana.

As part of the banquet, the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame did a write-up on Doug and we thought it would be appropriate to share some of the tidbits they included about him:

  • Doug is a third-generation Montanan who grew up with eight brothers on his family’s ranch.
  • While he’s had a rich life, one element he has focused on has been to share, teach and promote the cowboy and ranch lifestyle to families around the world as he welcomes them to Montana, Flathead Lake Lodge and Quarter Circle LA Ranches.
  • He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to cattle and horse ranching, as well a ranch, farm and recreational management.
  • Throughout his life, Doug has had a unique outlook on what to offer guests in Montana. Throughout his 44 years of running the lodge, his accomplishments include bison ranches, tree farms, sailboats, restoring historic ranches, creating a 500-acre elk preserve and continuing to teach the next generation about ranching and the cowboy way of life.
  • He’s received the highest civilian honor awarded by the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and has hosted military leaders from 104 countries on the shores of Flathead Lake.

    Doug and Maureen (AKA Dad and Mom).

    Doug Averill.

To Doug, we’re proud to call you our dad and grandpa. Thanks for showing us what it’s like to live a life fully and with intention.

-Chase

At Montana’s Flathead Lake Lodge, one of the things we’re most proud of is our family’s heritage and the love that’s been poured into this place for the last 74 years. Since its founding in 1945, Flathead Lake Lodge has been owned and operated by the Averill family, including Les (founder/my grandpa) and Doug (Les’ son/my dad).

Chase and Kate Averill

As the third generation of my family to take the reins at the ranch, I can’t help but think about the foundation that’s been laid by my grandfather and my dad (as well as my grandma and my mom). Their work, dedication and commitment to our 2,000-acre guest ranch on the shores of Flathead Lake has been ingrained in me over the years and I’m looking forward to continuing their legacy. As a Montana boy, I know what it’s like to be feel connected to the mountains, to the lake and to the lifestyle that’s found in the West. For our family —and it’s my hope that our guests feel this way too — Flathead Lake Lodge is a special place.

Doug (left) and Les (right).

There’s not many places like this that still exist, and if you’ll forgive this cowboy for being a bit of a softie, I’m proud to continue to build upon the foundation that’s been built over the last seven decades. If you’ve been to the ranch, I can’t wait to personally welcome you back. And if you’re planning your first visit, I look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our piece of Montana paradise.

Until then, happy trails.

-Chase