PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP

Ready to waterski? Every April, Whitefish

Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana (about a 2.5-hour drive from Paws Up) holds the Whitefish Pond Skim. The contest sees snowboarders and skiers dress up in outlandish costumes and try to “skim” across a manmade pond at the bottom of a run on the resort’s Big Mountain. Competitors take part in four rounds. The first round consists of just trying to make it all the way across the pond. The second, third and fourth involve jumps and backwards skiing.

The winner, who makes it to round four and skims the farthest across the pond, gets a cash prize and bragging rights—and a sopping-wet outer layer to deal with. “As you can imagine, by the end of the day there’s quite a few wipeouts,” says resort spokesperson Chad Sokol. Part of the resort’s season-closing festivities, it’s a “long-running and well-loved tradition,” Sokol says. There are also prizes for best costume, best crash and other categories. In 2022, the resort awarded $1,050, split up among the winners.

For more info on the Whitefish Pond Skim, visit skiwhitefish.com

SPRING 2023

SUNNY AND FRIENDS

March 3–5, 2023

Sunny really knows how to pick ’em. Find out what great chefs—and old friends—make when they cook for each other. Chefs Jason Dady, Shota Nakajima, Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton, are the guests of honor, joining Senior Executive Chef Sunny Jin for adventure in the kitchen and beyond.

SPRING BREAK TIME, MONTANA-STYLE

March 20–April 19, 2023

Go ahead. Tell your kids to “get out.”

Teach your kids the real meaning of streaming right here in the Blackfoot River Valley. Wilderness Workshops, spirits tastings and live music included.

SPRING WILDERNESS WORKSHOPS

MONTANA MAJESTY PAINTING WITH ASHLEY MITCHELL

March 22 & 29, April 5, 12 & 19, 2023 Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

GETTIN’ PRIMITIVE WITH GARY STEELE

March 27–April 2, April 10–16, 2023

The kids will talk about this outdoor skills workshop for years.

HAPPY HOUR MIXOLOGY

April 7, 2023 with Kera Holloway of Missoula’s Montgomery Distillery and live music by Kelley Sinclair

COWGIRL SPRING ROUNDUP

April 20–23, 2023

Featuring honorees of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Brush up on your horsewomanship with scenic trail rides and enlightening demonstrations. And spend each night around a roaring campfire sharing tall tales with your soon-to-be lifelong friends.

THE WONDER WOMEN OF FOOD AND WINE

April 28–30, 2023

A culinary Ka-Pow!

Get to know inspiring chefs and vintners who’ve broken through to culinary superstardom. The best part? You’ll also dine on their award-winning cuisine while enjoying live music.

MONTANA MASTER GRILLERS®: TEXAS

May 26–29, 2023

A celebration of the best of the Lone Star State We’ll host some of the best pit masters in Texas, and as a result, the world. Come Memorial Day weekend and witness them in action, then sink your teeth into some finger-lickin’ BBQ.

SUMMER 2023

JUNE 22–24, 2023

These chefs are right on ’cue. Pick up a few pointers on grilling with a white-hot lineup of BBQ pros, including James Beard Award winner Chef Jonathon Sawyer. We’ll have cooking demos and classes, plus mouthwatering meals.

JULY 4, 2023

A first-class Fourth of July Picnics, pies, epic fireworks: We have all of your favorite Fourth of July traditions, plus a few new ones the whole family will enjoy.

AUGUST 19, 2023

A culinary event you can bank on.

Taste the freshness of a farm-to-table feast dreamed up by Top Chef and Tournament of Champions winner Brooke Williamson—during Montana’s lush growing season.