6 Fun Winter Events in the Flathead Valley

So you might be wondering, "what do people in Kalispell do for fun in the winter?"  There's no dragon boat race or sailing on Flathead Lake, you can't drive over Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, the cherry festivals are over and all the huckleberries are gone.  While these attractions are great, the events that happen every winter may be just as fantastic.  Here are the top 6 events that happen during the winter in the Flathead and near Kalispell, MT:

1. Bigfork Parade of Lights December 5th-  This is the main event, but there are several winter events surrounding this weekend in Bigfork.  Downtown Bigfork displays more lights in one area than any other town in the Flathead!  It is the prettiest place in the valley to go for a winter stroll.  Businesses are open late and hot drinks are available too!  There are also great Christmas plays surrounding the Christmas season in Bigfork at the Bigfork Center for Performing Arts.

2.  Whitefish Winter Carnival runs February 5,6 and 7 and includes a parade, a gala, a pie social, the penguin plunge in Whitefish Lake and a variety of other fun winter events.

3. Whitefish Parade which takes place during the carnival is one of the most unique parades you will probably ever witness.  The floats range from strange to creative, but always entertaining. The grand marshal is typically a celebrity, 

4. A Chocolate Affaire takes place in downtown Kalispell on February 5th.  Several downtown businesses keep their doors open late and provide chocolate and other hot beverages.  It is a fun and entertaining event for the whole family.

5. Skijoring, quite possibly the wildest event on snow happens every year just outside of Whitefish near the golf course.  In this fast paced event, skiers are pulled by long ropes tied to horses at speeds close to 50 mph through a course that includes jumps and obstacles.  As of this writing, they haven't set the dates for the event or the practices (which are almost more fun to watch than the event), but it generally happens in February.  Click on their facebook page, to find out more.

6. Lakeside Winterfest has a variety of events for the whole family.  There is a kids ice skating rink, an outdoor movie, hot chocolate and chili, a pig roast at the Tamarack, cross country and down-hill ski races and even a trap shoot!

Article written by Matt Harrington, marketing specialist at the Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites in Kalispell, MT.  If you're coming to the Flathead, to Kalispell or to Glacier National Park, check out Kalispell's best hotel!