The Treasure State offers myriad group opportunities to enliven a meeting year-round, whether it’s brewery-hopping or hiking a scenic trail during spring, swooshing down the slopes or otherwise enjoying the snow during winter, horseback riding or golfing during autumn, or visiting the majestic Glacier National Park during summer.
Summer
Summer is abuzz in Montana, when tourists visit Glacier National Park, check into its dude ranches and enjoy its ample outdoor pursuits.
In Helena, according to Heidi O’Brien, executive director at Visit Helena Montana, planners should check out the lively summer calendar of events, including the popular Alive @ Five, a free Wednesday evening concert series.
“It’s a local favorite because of the great music and the variety of food vendors, from award-winning barbecue by Bad Betty’s to the best taco salads in the whole world by Chili O’Brien’s,” she said.
Summer events, including festivals, farmer’s markets and outdoor street parties, are a staple in downtown Billings as well, according to Stefan Cattarin, sales manager for Visit Billings, who also encourages groups to visit Swords Rimrock Park.
Situated between the Yellowstone River and sandstone cliffs, the park features the northern Rimrock section of the 26-mile Billings Heritage Trail/Marathon Loop Trail that overlooks most of the city.
“Guests can walk, jog, run, bike or even Segway along this beautiful trail, which is where the newly renovated Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site will open this summer,” Cattarin said.
A scenic outing for groups in Whitefish entails hiking the short East Rim Loop that leads to the mountaintop Summit House at Whitefish Mountain Resort, which accommodates group lunches and dinners for up to 200, according to Jessica Downing, marketing and sales coordinator for the Whitefish CVB.
“Another great summer group activity is riding the scenic lift to the summit of Whitefish Mountain Resort, providing sweeping views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley,” she said.
Debbie Picard, tourism sales manager for Western Montana’s Glacier Country, added that groups might also plan teambuilding time at Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Aerial Adventure Park, an obstacle course among the trees.
According to Carol Beck-Edgar, executive director for the Flathead CVB, Glacier National Park is a must-visit for groups during the summer.
“Depending upon the ages and abilities of meeting attendees, they can choose from a historic Red Bus tour, classic boat tour on one of several lakes, guided hikes, horseback riding or rafting the white water of the Flathead River,” she said.
Waterborne pursuits are also available in Great Falls, where the Missouri River runs through town. Dorothy Meyer, sales manager for Great Falls Montana Tourism, said paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing are possibilities for interested groups.
In Missoula, which is located at the confluence of three rivers, Mary Holmes, director of sales and services for Destination Missoula, said meeting attendees can enjoy floating, stand-up paddleboarding and river surfing from downtown Missoula, as well as a white-water rafting trip down the Alberton Gorge.
Rafting on the Gallatin River is an option for groups meeting in Bozeman, and in Big Sky, groups can set up a fly-fishing outing on the Gallatin, according to Amelia Smith, marketing manager for Visit Big Sky.
“Spend an afternoon in the cool river water catching trout in beautiful Gallatin Canyon among steep rocky cliffs and gorgeous green pines,” she said, and added, “Visiting Yellowstone National Park, just under 50 miles away from Big Sky, as well as white-water rafting, golfing and ziplining are also favorite summertime activities.”
Autumn
“Autumn is my personal favorite time of year in Montana because the crowds are less and the weather is great,” said Visit Helena Montana’s O’Brien, who suggested groups visit Last Chance Ranch at this time. “Wagon ride dinners offer up great Montana prime rib, and musical entertainment will leave the group humming a tune.”
In Whitefish, groups can also enjoy wagon rides, archery and skeet-shooting, during an outing at Bar W Guest Ranch, according to Downing.
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“View the fall colors on the trails of Spencer Mountain by horseback, followed by a home-style cookout,” she said.
Groups visiting Western Montana often want to “cowboy or cowgirl up” and explore the region via horseback, according to Picard, from Western Montana’s Glacier Country, who said there are opportunities for both novice and experienced riders.
“Some of the best views of the region come from riding the ridgelines during fall,” she said. “After a trail ride, gather for a chuckwagon lunch and include a cowboy poet or country musician to entertain the group.”
The weather during autumn makes it an ideal time to hit the links in Flathead Valley, where there are nine public courses. Flathead CVB’s Beck-Edgar recommends a golf tournament on the historic Kalispell-based Buffalo Hill Golf Course, which has a historic clubhouse open to groups.
Autumn in Missoula is also the best season for fishing.
“Meeting attendees can work with local outfitters to rent gear, schedule fly-fishing lessons or book a guided trip,” said Destination Missoula’s Holmes. “Breathtaking fall foliage only amplifies the experience.”
There is no better time than fall for meeting attendees to explore the history of the West and the natural wonders of the Billings area, according to Cattarin.
“The community is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield and Pompey’s Pillar national monuments, and simply some of the most beautiful geography in America, particularly during the fall with colors changing and fewer crowds,” he said.
Winter
Cultural endeavors are also popular in the winter throughout Montana, including in Billings, where Cattarin suggested groups visit Yellowstone Art Museum, Western Heritage Center and various art galleries.
“Many of these cultural offerings are downtown along the Historic Brewery District and are next to some of the best restaurants in the region,” he said.
Similarly, wintertime welcomes exploration of downtown Great Falls.
“Take in a show or symphony performance in the grand Mansfield Theater, peruse the wares at Dragonfly Dry Goods, Montana’s largest specialty dry goods store, watch the mermaids swim at the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge or take a guided trolley tour,” said Great Falls Montana Tourism’s Meyer.
Montana is also a celebrated ski destination, including Missoula for cross-country skiing and Glacier County for downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing, as well as dog-sledding adventures.
Among Montana’s top ski areas are Whitefish Mountain Resort and Big Sky Resort.
“Big Sky really shines in the winter,” said Visit Big Sky’s Smith. “We have some of the best skiing in North America at Big Sky Resort, with 5,800 acres of skiable terrain.”
Spring
In spring, Big Sky is a great jumping-off point for groups to visit Yellowstone National Park, which reopens in mid-April.
“It’s a wonderful time to visit to spot baby moose and bison,” Smith said, and added groups are encouraged to tour the park with an independent guide.
Attendees should pack their hiking boots when meeting in Montana during the spring, as there are many accessible trails and wilderness areas in Bozeman, Helena and Missoula, among other locales.
A popular seasonal group activity in Whitefish is a tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Course, the only 36-hole course in the region, and in Billings groups can enjoy a self-guided tour of downtown’s Historic Brewery District.
In Western Montana, it’s the season to arrange a white-water rafting trip on what Picard called “some of the most stunning rivers in the U.S.”
