Whitefish Live Cam

Though you may spot a movie star on occasion, Whitefish is the kind of town that tends to keep out of the spotlight despite the high-profile beauty of its own backyard.

Winter in Whitefish starts with downhill skiing. When the snow flies, thoughts in Whitefish turn to Whitefish Mountain Resort, the ski resort at the edge of town.

But we're more than just a ski town. Snowshoe in the surrounding mountains. Cut figure eights at the ice rink. Plunge into the backcountry on a dogsled. Enjoy a romantic sleigh ride. Glide down groomed cross-country trails. Stroll an honest main street. Explore a gallery or museum. Enjoy one fine meal after another. Return a friendly wave.

Whitefish Mountain Resort at the edge of town offers abundant snow and terrain to please any skier. Getting there is easy, too. Just hop the free S.N.O.W. Bus (Shuttle Network of Whitefish), which continuously shuttles between Whitefish and Whitefish Mountain Resort. But we're more than just a ski town. From here you can strike out on many paths- cross-country skiing in Glacier National Park, snowshoeing or catskiing in the National Forest, ice skating on the Lake or the rink, or gliding through the woods on a dogsled.

It's the fourth largest ski resort in the United States and over 30 feet of snow cover it every winter. Whitefish Mountain Resort turns 60 years old in December. It's birthday comes with a new name (changed from Big Mountain Resort), two new high speed quads and many additional facilities and features. Over the last six decades, the resort has become known for its vast and uncrowded slopes and friendly attitude. With 3,000 acres of terrain and 94 marked runs, Whitefish Mountain Resort has terrain and service that rivals the best in the world--without the crowds and lines typically found at the megaresorts. A superpipe and terrain park are also resort features.

The Whitefish area is a mecca for hikers! Hundreds of miles of marked trails cross Glacier National Park and more trails surround Whitefish on the Flathead National Forest. Easy, shorter-jaunts, within Glacier National Park, include the Trail of the Cedars, Sunrift Gorge, and Hidden Lake. Longer trails explore deep into the park and can also provide opportunities for overnight adventures. Glacier Guides leads day and multi-day adventures into the park’s backcountry. The popular Danny On Trail begins in the Whitefish Mountain Resort village, just a few miles from downtown Whitefish. This local favorite winds 3.8 miles to the summit of Big Mountain. From there, views of Glacier National Park, the valley below and the Canadian Rockies are as good as they get. The trail wanders through glades and forests, through stands of huckleberries, beargrass and wildflowers.

Miles of quiet country roads, backcountry forest roads, and single-track trails will keep every road biker and mountain biker going for months! Country roads surrounding Whitefish on the level valley floor make for pleasant rides complete with great vistas of the mountains and fragrances from the forests and fields. The maps in this travel planner have indicated some suggested road rides with bike icons. The town’s bike and pedestrian paths are a great way to get around town on bikes. There are more than 20 miles of single-track mountain biking trails at Whitefish Mountain Resort, from beginner to expert skill levels. The eight miles of single-track that is the Summit Trail, departs the summit of Big Mountain on Whitefish Mountain Resort--served by a chair-lift for those who prefer downhill-only riding. A skills-park and other trail features complete with ladders, a table top, giant berms, and a step-down, adds new excitement and dimension to your mountain biking experience.

Just outside of Whitefish, Spencer Mountain has become a popular mountain biking destination with miles of single-track including some very challenging trails. The trailhead is not specifically marked, but parking is on the west end of Spencer Lake where cars with bike racks are usually seen. Located on state public lands, the Pig Farms area has become a local favorite for mountain biking and horse trail riding. Miles and miles of single-track trail wander through the trees and around small lakes. The Pig Farms trails are technically easier than the Spencer Mountain trails and have fewer steep climbs or descents. This is a great place to ride for those who like rolling single-track riding.

The Whitefish Area has been rated one of the "50 Greatest Golf Destinations in the World". You’ll be teed off if you miss the chance to experience golf in the Whitefish region. In fact, the Flathead Valley has been rated one of the “50 Greatest Golf Destinations in the World” by Golf Digest and is also highly recommended by Golf Magazine and Travel + Leisure Golf. Nine championship courses within an hour’s drive of Whitefish give the golfing enthusiast plenty of options, exemplified by Whitefish Lake Golf Course’s 36-hole complex. Whitefish is the most requested course in the state and is also Montana’s only 36-hole golf complex. Fabulous mountain views greet players on both the North and South Course's well-manicured fairways that are lined by pine and birch trees. The spacious greens are all well bunkered allowing for a variety of approaches. Mounding and water add to the golf experience as golfers weave their way through the scenic complex.

The Best Views in the Glacier Park Area Without A Helicopter - During the summer season, for those who aren’t up for a hike to the summit, the Big Mountain Express Gondola and Chair will lift you from the Whitefish Mountain Resort village to the nearly 7,000-foot peak in less than 15 minutes. The open chairs have a safety bar and will hold up to four persons per chair. The gondolas can carry several individuals and are completely enclosed except for windows, that can be opened.