How to Get to Whitefish

Getting to Whitefish is easy, and it’s one of those rare destinations where a car isn’t needed once there.

Glacier Park International Airport is less than 20 miles from Whitefish, and Amtrak makes a daily stop along the scenic Empire Builder line. Once in Whitefish, the S.N.O.W. Bus provides free transportation around town and to the Whitefish Mountain Resort. This makes it so easy to discover Whitefish!

If you're staying in the heart of downtown, hop on the S.N.O.W. Bus for a free ride up to Big Mountain. If you’re staying in a ski-in/ski-out home and want to see Glacier National Park, ride the S.N.O.W. Bus into town and take a scenic train ride to the East Glacier Park station.

What to Do in Whitefish

Historic Downtown
You’ll feel as though you’ve wandered onto the set of an Old Western movie when you step foot into Whitefish’s adorable historic downtown. Covered sidewalks along Central Avenue connect a locally-owned bookstore with antique shops, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. Learn while you walk with a self-guided historical walking guide along Central Avenue.

Visiting the Wave Aquatic and Fitness Center is a great way to squeeze in some fun or keep the kids busy. Both day and week passes are available to the public. You’ll discover children’s programs, a huge indoor pool, swim lessons, and more.

Big Mountain
In the Spring and Summer, Big Mountain transforms from a Winter wonderland into an adventure park. Aerial Adventure Park offers five aerial courses to choose from—suspended bridges, a trapeze, nets to climb across, a zip line to whisk you along the treetops, and more.

Another fun way to explore Big Mountain is through the Walk in the Treetops tour. A short hike (or shuttle) takes you into the forest, where you’ll be given an orientation before connecting your climbing harnesses to safety cables suspended above the boardwalk. That’s right—the Walk in the Treetops is literal. This two-and-a-half-hour guided tour lets you view the tree canopy like a bird. Take in views of the Flathead Valley and Whitefish from 70 feet above the forest floor!

One thing to realize about Big Mountain is how enormous it is. No, really. We know it is named Big Mountain—but it should be named Really Big Mountain. There are more than 3,000 acres of terrain and 113 marked trails! On sunny days, skiers can see Glacier National Park, the Flathead Valley, and the Canadian Rockies! New skiers will benefit from first-time ski packages and experienced skiers might enjoy trying something a bit different—night skiing!

Families will love the robust children’s programs. A daycare program keeps little ones ages 6 months to 6 years busy with play while the rest of the family hits the slopes. Kids ages 8-18 can learn mountain safety skills, master snowboarding tricks, and mountain ski on the Freestyle Team.

Whitefish Lake
Among the many surprises in Whitefish is a 7-mile-long glacial lake. Whitefish Lake is a gorgeous place to spend the day picnicking. You can relax on a sandy beach, go swimming, or rent a kayak or paddleboard. There’s even a public boat dock.

Glacier National Park
Called the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is one of Earth's most breathtakingly beautiful places. There are alpine meadows, incredible scenic drives, glacial lakes, waterfalls, stunning wildlife, and more than 700 miles of trails.

One of the park’s most famous roads is the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Passengers will cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in what has been called the most drives in America. One of the best ways to soak in all the scenery is to leave the driving to someone else! The national park offers a driving tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road in historic red buses. Designed for this route in the 1930s (of the 33 buses on the road today, 17 are from 1936, 11 are from 1937, four are from 1938, and one is from 1939) the red busses have a roll-back top so guests don’t miss a single gorgeous moment.

A Blackfeet-owned company, Suntours, also offers guided tours along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and can even customize private full or half-day tours!

Plan Your Next Great Adventure in Whitefish

Are you ready to experience this incredible destination for yourself? With year-round activities and incomparable scenery, it’s no surprise that Whitefish is considered one of the most incredible places in the world. Book your next adventure today!