Groups gathering in Montana or Wyoming will encounter a range of one-stop wonders—Rocky Mountain retreat resorts that take you away from it all without leaving it all behind. From serene pampering to unforgettable adventures like hot-air ballooning and cattle drives, attendees are sure to be revitalized when venturing to these Western oases.
Here are seven of the most heavenly such escapes for planners to ponder.
Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Mont.
Part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio, Triple Creek Ranch is a 40-acre, adults-only enclave in Western Montana that is poised to pamper smaller groups. The all-inclusive setting includes 23 guest cabins of various sizes, and whether your attendees are seeking active excursions or tranquil seclusion, they’ll hit pay dirt.
Energizing options range from fly-fishing to dog sledding to cattle drives and more. More sedate pleasures include river float rides, chef’s table dining and in-cabin massages.
Travel + Leisure’s reader survey ranked the property as the best hotel in America and the second-best in the entire world for 2012.
Creative Group Factor: Artist Workshop events bring heralded Western artists to the ranch to teach sculpture, watercolor and other creative disciplines.
Snow King Hotel & Grand View Lodge, Jackson, Wyo.
The Snow King Hotel is a modern Western lodging only six blocks from downtown Jackson Hole, where guests can stay connected while still getting away from it all.
“Wyoming is a place where an executive, cowboy and ski bum can all sit next to each other at the local watering hole and share the same experiences,” says Jim Goslin, director of sales and marketing at the property. “We used to sacrifice things like connection, Internet and technology if we wanted to fish, ski or experience wildlife in its natural habitat during a retreat or meeting. In Wyoming we can have it all–the latest technology, high-speed Internet and all the major airlines coming to our destination while still enjoying a real rodeo, a moose in the parking lot, an epic day on the slopes or just old-fashioned ‘tip of the hat’ hospitality.”
The property boasts 345 lodging units, 13 meeting rooms and about 59,000 square feet of function space.
Exhilarating Group Factor: Cool outings are plentiful, such as a mountain bike ride that wraps up with lunch and a cold one at the Snake River Brewery.PageBreak
The Resort at Paw’s Up, Greenough, Mont.
A pioneer in the field of “glamping” (glamorous camping), Paw’s Up is a quintessential blend of rustic and regal in Western Montana. The highly group-friendly lodging aims to both pamper guests and provide them with a true Western experience. And while less than an hour’s drive east of Missoula, it provides a total escape with its 37,000-acre setting on a working cattle ranch.
“Paws Up is a true Western getaway,” says Tia Troy, public relations and communication manager for Glacier Country Tourism. “Located in the iconic Blackfoot Valley, it provides a serene retreat for groups of all sizes. One of the things that makes Paws Up so special is that it’s surrounded by forests and has 10 miles of the Blackfoot River running through the heart of the ranch.”
The property offers a variety of accommodations—including luxury tents and cabins—for groups of up to 200. A wealth of activities includes everything from hot-air ballooning and Western workshops to geocaching.
Inspiring Group Factor: The Bull Barn, an authentic old barn converted into a small conference center and event hall, is an unforgettable setting for meetings and other functions.
Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
An enclave of elegance boasting the dramatic Grand Tetons as a backdrop, the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole offers groups a memorable mix of comfort and countryside.
“Here at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, we like to call ourselves exclusive by nature, as we are surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes and wildlife in their natural habitat,” says Cory Carlson, director of sales and marketing at the property.
In addition to the resort’s 124 guest rooms and suites and 8,000 square feet of function space, attendees can enjoy a spacious spa that has been ranked among the best in the nation. For something more active, groups can partake in one of the Wild West Escapes, including Wildlife Safaris, stargazing and a horse whisperer program done in partnership with nearby Diamond Cross Ranch.
Tasty Group Factor: The newly opened Handle Bar pub and beer hall serves up creative, shareable dishes like lobster corn dogs and duck spring rolls—with spaces that include an ample patio with great views. PageBreak
The 320 Guest Ranch, Big Sky, Mont.
In the state’s southwestern corner, a short drive from Yellowstone, one of the world’s most famous bastions of nature, awaits a photogenic former homestead alive with group activities and outings.
“We are ideal for groups that are looking to get out of the cookie cutter retreat and have a truly Western Americana experience,” says John Richardson, the property’s general manager. “Our conference facilities are large, modern log cabins with original artwork from famed Western artist Gary Carter. We have one facility that is 4,000 square feet and one that is 2,500 square feet. We offer horseback riding, white-water rafting, fly-fishing and tours of Yellowstone National Park, to name a few, for our groups.”
Richardson adds that groups love the intimate feeling that the ranch offers, along with authentic Western hospitality, and the film A River Runs Through It was filmed near the property. The 320 Guest Ranch offers a range of lodging options and event spaces for groups of more than 200.
Unique Group Factor: From mid-December through the end of March, the ranch features horse-drawn sleigh rides along the Gallatin River that can be customized with appetizers or desserts and include storytelling.
The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyo.
Rustic meets regal at this 15,000-acre enclave set on a 19th century working cattle ranch.
“It’s all about breaking out of that comfort zone of what constitutes a successful business meeting,” says Kasey McNabnay, the property’s director of sales. “At The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, we work with our meetings and events clients to create an itinerary that fits each client’s needs. Maybe they go hiking with their team in the morning, meet for a few hours in one of our boardrooms, then break out to go fly-fishing or horseback riding. Or maybe they adventure all day and then meet around the fire after dinner with notebooks in hand for creative brainstorming. There really are no rules and that’s the beauty of it.”
Horseback riding to a remote yurt for a group outing is yet another group option at the ranch, which can host up to about 180 attendees with a variety of quarters ranging from lodge rooms to secluded cabins. Planners will also find more than 18,000 square feet of total event space.
Fun Group Factor: Guided Ranger Tours are offered in all-terrain vehicles through various wildlife areas that include the ranch’s resident herd of bison.
Montana Island Lodge, Seeley Lake, Mont.
Smaller groups seeking a true escape from it all will savor this intimate property set in the middle of Salmon Lake.
Activities include plenty of water options, from pontoon boating to fly-fishing to canoeing, and an on-site fitness center, plus casual fun like horseshoes, hot tubbing and board games, but it’s really all about the secluded and serene setting here. Whether groups are hunkered around a blazing bonfire or sharing ideas in one of the comfortable meeting areas, there is a tangible sense of having left the rest of the world behind.
Montana Island Lodge has 11 elegant guest rooms and suites, and meeting space for groups of about 25.
Adventurous Group Factor: Excursions can be arranged to the handsome Western towns of Bigfork and Whitefish, as well as spectacular Glacier National Park.
