About The Flathead Valley  |  About Montana

Northwest Montana is mostly a vast wilderness region. There are more than 3 million acres of wilderness that surround Flathead valley. Mountains and forests dominate the landscape. The valley is surrounded by three majestic mountain ranges the Whitefish, Flathead and Mission Mountains. Much of the region owes its character to the massive ice sheets which covered the area during the great ice age of several thousand years ago. When the ice finally retreated, it left behind sculptured mountain peaks and broad valleys.

Flathead valley is the home of small towns, clean air, and friendly people. Kalispell, located in the center of the valley, is the financial hub and county seat. Further north is Whitefish, a small recreational town nestled at the base of Big Mountain ski and summer resort. Columbia Falls is known as the gateway to Glacier National Park. Lakeside, Bigfork, Polson and Somers are pleasant towns that encompass Flathead Lake. Through the years of growth and recognition these towns continue to maintain their original character and charm. Situated 2,959 feet above sea level on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains, Kalispell and the surrounding Flathead Valley enjoy a relatively mild and pleasant climate year round. Four distinct seasons, each provide a new way of enjoying the area. Kalispell was named by the Blackfoot and Blood Indians; it means "Prairie Above the Lake".  Summer offers refreshing activities such as golfing on one of the nine championship courses or enjoying water sports on either Flathead or Whitefish Lake.

There are very few places in the world where you can ski, swim, golf, and sail-occasionally on the same day! There are many reasons people call the Flathead Valley “the last best place!”

Population – 81,217 (estimated 2004)

Commuting – Average commute time is 19 minutes.

Economy – Statistics show that Northwest Montana generates 45% of the states economy.

Climate:

• January (Min/Max Avg): 13/28
• April (Min/Max Avg): 31/55
• July (Min/Max Avg): 47/80
• October (Min/Max Avg): 29/54

Rainfall (inches): 16.51

Snow (inches): 55

Education – Test scores are consistently more than 25% above the national average. Students benefit from a small class size and community support. In the latest statistics the The Flathead Valley School Districts out scored their peers nationally at every grade level and every subject level.

Health Care/Medical – Kalispell Regional Medical Center (KMRC) is distinguished as one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States and one of the 100 most efficient Medicare providers in the western region of this nation. KMRC has been nationally recognized by The New York Times, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, People Magazine, The Today Show and Prime Time Thursday. KMRC was ranked by U. S. News and World Report as the top Montana hospital in 9 of 11 categories. KRMC is currently on track for completion of a multi-million dollar renovation of the campus. It will feature 8-1/2 acres under one roof in the main hospital building, in addition to the 111,000-square foot Summit health and fitness center.

Transportation:

• Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) – Serviced by Big Sky, Horizon, Delta,
  Northwest, and America West. 14 flights daily to Glacier Park International Airport.
• Amtrak – Daily travel via rail on the Empire Builder.
• Rimrock Trailways Bus – Bus service daily.

Kalispell – centrally located to the Flathead Valley's recreational hot spots:

• 31 miles from Glacier National Park
• 22 miles from Hungry Horse Dam
• 17 miles from Whitefish and Big Mountain Ski Resort
• 9 miles north of Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake – Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, with a length of 30 miles and a maximum width of over 15 miles with over 180 miles of shoreline. About 25 fish species inhabit Flathead Lake. Fishermen enjoy catching cutthroat trout, lake trout, and lake whitefish. Look for the cherry orchards along the east side of the lake. Grapes grow in this area, too. The Mission Mountain Winery makes extra good wines at its headquarters in Dayton on the west shore of Flathead Lake. The winery is open for tasting from May through October.

Glacier National Park – Glacier National Park is unanimously recognized as a crown jewel of both national and international biosphere preserves. Glacier is more than 1,000,000 scenic acres. Yet it remains, as it was a hundred years ago, largely uncharted.... The park is famous for its spectacular scenery. Viewing the high mountains, beautiful alpine meadows, and many gorgeous lakes, fed by melting snows, is an enjoyable experience for everyone. Some mountain peaks are covered by small glaciers. For more adventurous visitors, the park offers over 700 miles of hiking trails. Glacier National Park is home to a great diversity of plants and wildlife. During the summer, the park's meadows are filled with wildflowers. The Indian Paintbrush, a flowering plant, is a favorite of young and old alike. Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake add to the beauty of the landscape and the mountains. Wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk live in the park among many other species of wildlife.

Whitefish – Whitefish (also known as Stumptown) is the Aspen of the North. Whitefish is a year-round playground. Cafes mingle with gourmet restaurants, general stores share the downtown with galleries and boutiques, and a variety of western bars will suit any mood. You will also find sophisticated amenities like inns, hotels, rustic lodges, ski and board shops, outdoor gear stores and more. The nearby Big Mountain Resort offers some of the finest skiing in North America. Big Mountain consists of 3,000 acres with 91 marked trails. In the summer, many visitors flock to Whitefish to play on beautiful Whitefish Lake. Watercraft rentals, such as canoes, boats, and pontoons, are available for an outing on the lake. Others find enjoyment on Whitefish's fabulous 36-hole golf course. Shopping and partying are very popular too. Whitefish Montana was named by Money magazine as one of the best 10 places to vacation in North America. USA Today lauded Whitefish as a perfect place to train for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Whatever leads you to Whitefish - the historic downtown, the dramatic landscape, or your own wanderlust- you'll be glad you followed it.

Bigfork – Located at an altitude of 2,900 feet, the town of Bigfork hugs a sparkling blue bay where the swift waters of the Swan River flow into Flathead Lake. Bigfork has been distinctly honored with designations in the following publications: The 50 Great Towns in the West, 100 Best Small Art Towns, The Great Towns of America, and National Geographic Guide to Small Towns Escapes.

Montana aka “Big Sky Country” – The Treasure State
State Capitol – Helena
State bird – Western Meadowlark
State flower – Bitterroot
Montana is the 4th biggest state in size
State Population – 926,865
   (2004 Resident Population Estimate)

Montana currently has no sales tax.

29,238,455 acres of land in Montana was owned by the federal government in 2002 (31.3%)

Grizzly Bears – Other than a small population in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana is one of the last places in the lower 48 states where Grizzly Bears still exist.

Education: Montana continually ranks high in scholastic achievement. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, Montana public schools consistently perform above the national average in most subjects.  According to studies done by the Milton & Rose D. Friedman foundation on public schools, Montana ranks 5th in the country.  According to Morgan Quinto state rankings, Montana is the 9th smartest state. The average Montana student’s ACT ranking is 13th nationally.

Montana is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world’s shortest river.  The Roe River flows only 200 feet and is located near Great Falls.  Montana’s largest river is the Missouri River which flows 1,029 miles from Three Forks to the North Dakota border.