Sitting at only 3,000 feet above sea level, the Flathead Valley is surrounded by mountains; the rivers meandering through the farmlands and connecting lakes, villages and towns. Whitefish Lake sits at the northern edge of the Valley looking up at the Big Mountain where wintertime skiers and snowboarders carve the surface at Whitefish Mountain Resort. With a summit elevation of 7000 feet, the resort offers an average of 300 inches of snow, without the altitude adjustments needed at other areas. Summertime hikers and bikers climb the face looking for huckleberries ,views of the checkerboard farmlands in the valley and the piercing spires of Glacier National Park beyond.
Whitefish Hills takes all this in: the community is located at a pivotal axis connecting you with Glacier Park, world-class golfing, clean, clear lakes and rivers, and the desirable community of Whitefish with its summertime festivals and wintertime carnivals.
More than ten world class championship golf courses exist across the Flathead Valley. These courses offer not only challenging terrain, but also stunning views of the Rocky Mountains ringing the valley. Whitefish alone offers two different golfing opportunities, both public and private, as do the nearby towns of Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Bigfork, at the south end of the valley, bordering Flathead Lake, is a great excuse for a day trip, for golf, shopping and dining. Summertime boating on Whitefish Lake offers the chance to water ski, fish, wakeboard, or just cruise. Whitefish is the jumping off point for hiking trips on the cultivated trails to the rest of the forested land around Whitefish, or day trips to Glacier National Park. Whitefish is the perfect venue to enjoy the long days of summer, where the sun doesn’t retire until well after 10 pm.
Having Glacier Park as your backyard offers endless opportunities to view the spectacular vista called the "Crown of the Continent". The glacial fresh waters cascading down from the rugged Rocky Mountain-tops fill the lakes and streams through the park, and mark the place from which the Flathead’s river systems start.
Kayaking, or rafting the rivers surrounding Glacier National Park is a popular summertime activity, and fishing for the areas many species of trout through the summer, spring and fall.
Visitors and residents alike enjoy the fine groomed cross country ski trails on the Whitefish Lake Golf Club course. Many groomed cross country ski trails and snowmobile trails are close by for a day trip. Round Meadows and Beaver Lake are just a short distance from Whitefish Hills. “The Whitefish Trail” is currently making plans for trails on Spencer Mountain, immediately adjacent to Whitefish Hills, which in the future will link the area via bike paths and hiking trails to the rest of the Flathead Valley.
Horseback riding is a part of life for many in Western Montana. Rodeos and other competitions showcase talent, and arenas throughout the area offer opportunities to learn and perfect technique. Horse packing into the backcountry or along one of the many manicured trails in the greater Flathead offers a more rugged experience.
Through Whitefish and across the Flathead Valley, trails for mountain biking and road-biking offer ample opportunities for families, experts, or beginners. Recreational opportunities for bikers include both maintained paths through mountain trails and paved bike trails along old railroad lines.
Whitefish has grown up from "Stumptown" where railroads first planted their feet, to a thriving community where fine dining and art are right next door to casual hang outs and quiet corners. The town encompasses all that is the Flathead Valley: from the swimming and boating on Whitefish Lake, to the hiking, biking and skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort on the Big Mountain.
Access to Whitefish and the Flathead Valley is convenient via Glacier Park International Airport. The airport is just minutes from Whitefish Hills, and is served by Delta, United, Allegiant and Horizon / Alaska Airlines. Direct flights are available from several major cities including Seattle, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Glacier International Airport is also the site of Glacier Jet Center, a private FBO offering a wide range of services for private aviation
