Adrenaline junkies should try snow cycles, similar to full-suspension mountain bikes but with skis on the bike and mini-skis on your feet. A real blast! Lift-accessed Snow tubing is offered along with a small sledding hill. Snowcat skiing and riding is offered in backcountry areas outside the resort's eastern boundary. Snowcat tours are four hours and cost $100 per person (that's on top of the regular lift ticket); call 862-2909 for information.

In Whitefish sleigh rides leave the Grouse Mountain Lodge (862-3000) for a 20-minute ride to a camp near Lost Coon Lake. Snowmobiling is a favorite pastime of Montanans, so a variety of guide services are available. Guided snowmobile tours into the backcountry of the Whitefish Range are available from Whitefish Mountain's summit (862-2900). The Flathead Valley has more than 200 miles of groomed trails and nearly 2,000 miles of National Forest Service roads accessing ungroomed backcountry terrain. Contact the Flathead Convention and Visitor Bureau at (800) 543-3105 for guide services and snowmobiling information.

Learn about the fascinating history of Whitefish by visiting the tiny Stumptown Historical Society Museum at the Railway Depot. For starters, it will help you figure out why Whitefish was originally called Stumptown. The museum is run by some very dedicated townspeople who love sharing what they know about the region. While there, pick up a Whitefish Historical Tour pamphlet to take a self-guided tour of the downtown area.

Shopping in Whitefish Mountain Village continues to expand, with a variety of specialty shops along the Kintla shopping pavilion and Morning Eagle boardwalk including clothing, gear, kids' items, photography, and custom jewelry. Whitefish's Central Avenue has many art galleries and stores that stock Western clothing, jewelry and crafts. Montana Coffee Traders, on Hwy. 93 south of town, has many Montana food gift items, such as the local huckleberry syrup.

Whitefish Mountain has a terrific Guest Services and Information center in the base village where you can find out more about other activities. Call 862-2900.

Photos courtesy of Whitefish Mountain Resort