KALISPELL AREA LIFESTYLE

Courtesy of Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

Situated 2,959 feet above sea level on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains, Kalispell and the surrounding 24 square mile Flathead Valley enjoy a relatively mild and pleasant climate year round. Four distinct seasons, each provide a new way of enjoying the area. There are very few places in the world where you can ski, swim, golf, and sail-occasionally on the same day!

Flathead Lake

There s lots of room to play on Flathead Lake. Located just south of Kalispell, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi is 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide. That translates to 188 square miles of pure enjoyment. The lake s sparkling waters and miles of tree-lined shore offer unlimited recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. This playground has something for everyone.

Glacier National Park

The Flathead Valley is the magnificent gateway to the west entrance of Glacier National Park a park so naturally beautiful it is known as the Crown Jewel of the Continent . Glacier was established largely through the influence of railroad magnate James J. Hill, who envisioned a North American tourist destination, comparable to the Swiss Alps, for travelers on his Great Northern Railway. Visitors to Glacier National Park enjoy the park s 1 million acres of lakes, sweeping valleys and glacier carved mountains. Glacier is 40 miles wide from east to west, and 50 miles long north to south. A complete suite of wildlife that includes wolves, grizzly bears, lynx and other natural predators sets Glacier apart from nearly every other national park. Glacier has 272 bird species, 63 different mammals, 23 fish species, five types of amphibians and three types of reptiles.

White Water Rafting

Whitewater rafting adventures vary from a half-day to several day overnight adventures. Experienced and novice rafters can find the rafting experience they are looking for on the beautiful and scenic rivers of the Flathead Valley. Some rafting companies also provide guided fly-fishing trips with the most experienced guides in the area. The rafting guides and fishing guides delight in sharing their knowledge and love of this beautiful area, and do so with a large dose of good old fashioned Montana hospitality.