[best of missoula]
Bob Ward & Sons
3. Missoulian Angler Fly Shop: 802 S. Higgins, 728-7766, missoulianangler.com
Best Golf Course University Golf Course This is a bittersweet victory for the nine-hole Griz course. While it’s some of the largest green space available in an established neighborhood, that may soon change if the new Missoula College campus makes its home there. But now is not the time for local politics. Look outside! It’s a beautiful day to play a round! Or play around in the adjacent parks (perfect for winter disc golf practice). The UM course is the best in town—not too challenging, not too light, and you’ll be retracing the footsteps of champions. And perhaps cursing their names out of the sand traps. The University Golf Course: 515 South Ave. E, 728-8629, umt.edu/golf Finalists, Best Golf Course 2. Larchmont: 3200 Fort Missoula Rd., 721-4416, latchmontgolfcourse.com 3. Canyon River Golf Club: 1268 Bandmann Trail Rd, 721-0222, canyonrivergolfclub.com
Best Health Club Peak Health & Wellness Center Lolo Creek Steak House has been serving ranchers, hikers, bikers, vacationers, hunters, snowmobilers, fly fisherman, floaters, artists, writers, students and their families for over 15 years. We're just down the road, so visit for a uniquely Montana dining experience. US Hwy 93 & Hwy 12, 1/2 mile to our entrance
273-2622 • lolocreeksteakhouse.com Missoula Independent Page 50 Best of Missoula 2013
Let’s just say—you know, for the sake of this blurb—that you’ve recently decided to get back into shape after too many years of late-night nachos and excuse-laden laziness. And let’s just say—hypothetically, of course—that you know yourself well enough to understand that the only way to truly replace that six-pack of cold ones with six-pack abs is to sign up at a top-flight facility, decked out with top equipment and populated with elite personal trainers. If this sounds like you, you’re in luck. The Peak’s Blue Mountain complex boasts a pool, indoor basketball court, indoor track, full weight room and enough flat-screen TVs to put a sports bar to shame. In addition, the Peak’s new downtown location has even newer equipment, more workout classes and a giant airplane propeller-looking fan on the ceiling that
photo by Cathrine L. Walters
really helps distract you when you’re sweating through that last 30 minutes on the elliptical and ready to pass out. Not that that’s ever happened to us. Nah. Not at all. We’re just saying. Peak Health & Wellness Center: 5000 Blue Mountain Rd, 2513344, peakmissoula.com Finalists, Best Health Club 2. The Women’s Club: 2105 Bow St, 728-4410, thewomensclub.com 3. YMCA: 3000 S. Russell St, 721-9622, ymcamissoula.org
Best Store for Paddle Sports Gear, Best Store for Mountaineering Gear The Trail Head Whether you’re a world-class ice and rock climber or a Gumby who wouldn’t know a jug from a nub, the folks at The Trail Head are ready to outfit you with gear and knowledge to prepare you for that dance with the headwall. What’s their secret to success? Simple: “We do the same activities as our customers,” says owner Todd Frank. The Trail Head’s cavernous store at 221 E. Front is a wonderland of top-flight gear for not only mountaineering and paddle sports, but it also sells shoes, canoes, camping equipment, sunglasses, books and maps, and tons of Patagonia and other brands of clothing. The store even has an espresso and smoothie bar if you just want to practice your crimp hold on a latte. The Trail Head: 221 E. Front St, 543-6966, trailheadmontana.net Finalists, Best Store for Paddle Sports Gear 2. Strongwater: 612 S. Higgins, 721-2437, strongwaterkayak.com 3. REI: 3275 N. Reserve, 541-1938, rei.com Finalists, Best Store for Mountaineering Gear 2. REI: 3275 N. Reserve, 541-1938, rei.com