Northern Rockies/Alberta Idaho-Montana road trip

[Analisa]

Heading out from Seattle to Idaho & Montana in a few days, and we’ve got the resorts figured out, but little else. Our itinerary is Silver or Whitefish —> Whitefish —> Discovery —> Big Sky —> 3 days at Bridger. (Shoutout to all the respondents on the Dirtbag thread for some good ideas)

Any tips on good places to eat, fun dive bars, or hot springs along the way?

 

[James]

Are those really Dirtbag enough??
Dirtbag Skiing webzine (a little oxymoronic) is concerned.

@Rio might have some info for Bozeman.

 

[Analisa]

Are those really Dirtbag enough??

One of my brothers was lobbying that this year's sibling trip be at Deer Valley or Park City, so I'll take it.

 

[Ken_R]

So this is a dirtbag roadtrip?

 

[Analisa]

So this is a dirtbag roadtrip?

Driving the Gnar-V out and then doing the whole "sleep indoors and shower" thing in Bozeman. Not particularly dirt baggy, but Discovery and Lost Trail (looks like I missed that - day in between Discovery and Big Sky) wouldn't have been on my radar without the responses of some people here.

 

[Eric267]

Funny my buddy just texted me this photo the other day. We did silver>snowbowl>discovery>big sky/moonlight(when different pass)>Bridger probably 10 years ago while he was at UofM. Have fun and definately stock up on the chocolate chip cookies.. Game changer!

 

[James]

One of my brothers was lobbying that this year's sibling trip be at Deer Valley or Park City, so I'll take it.

Clearly he's not a reader of Dirtbag Skiing.
Maybe a sidetrip to Yellowstone? See some wolves?
Dog sledding? It's not cheap, dogs gotta eat.
http://m.mobilewebsiteserver.com/site/yellowstonedogsledadventures2

Did you know Bozeman is the home of the American Computer and Robotics Museum? As museums go, it's dirtbag.
http://www.compustory.com/

 

[BS Slarver]

Still plenty of dirtbags at disco and big sky - especially in the parking areas after dark.

Have a safe trip and honk on the way through

 

[aubergine]

We did the Schweitzer to Big Mountain trip a few years ago, flying into Spokane, and out of Kalispell.

A nice trip, but not enough snow. Kids got tired of counting deer after 20 or 30 or so.

If you are in the Sandpoint area, The Hydra steakhouse is worth a visit.
Fiesta Bonita was kind of ehhh. 2nd Ave Pizza same.

In Whitefish we liked the Buffalo Cafe and Wasabi Sushi Bar. The latter was really pretty good.

Enjoy

 

[Tricia]

Are those really Dirtbag enough??
Dirtbag Skiing webzine (a little oxymoronic) is concerned.

@Rio might have some info for Bozeman.

Rio knows a great place for smoked meats that he took me to 10 years ago. Hope its still there.

 

[Sibhusky]

Bars in Whitefish for locals who don't wear Bogner are the Bierstube at the mountain and the (Great) Northern (the bar, not the brewery) downtown. You might also hit Bonsai Brewing on the way to town from the mountain.

Most of the restaurants in town are pretty good. We lean to Abruzzo and Tupelo. Stay away from Kandahar, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and my old favorite (until it got too expensive) the "golf course" (Whitefish Lake Restaurant), if you want to hold onto your life savings. Wasabi is pretty good, but I like my food cooked -- we go on occasion anyway.

 

[Analisa]

Based on my research so far, hippie vegetarian boyfriend is going to starve to death

 

[Sibhusky]

I think Last Chair has vegan stuff, and Wrap and Roll. And of course Wasabi.

 

[Doin1]

Bars in Whitefish for locals who don't wear Bogner are the Bierstube at the mountain and the (Great) Northern (the bar, not the brewery) downtown. You might also hit Bonsai Brewing on the way to town from the mountain.

Most of the restaurants in town are pretty good. We lean to Abruzzo and Tupelo. Stay away from Kandahar, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and my old favorite (until it got too expensive) the "golf course" (Whitefish Lake Restaurant), if you want to hold onto your life savings. Wasabi is pretty good, but I like my food cooked -- we go on occasion anyway.

You are dismissing the Kandahar due to price only?

 

[jmeb]

Based on my research so far, hippie vegetarian boyfriend is going to starve to death

He'll at least eat well in Bozeman.

Source: fellow hippie vegetarian boyfriend.

 

[Sibhusky]

You are dismissing the Kandahar due to price only?

She's on a dirt bag ski trip.

Plus. I'm not a huge believer in laying out big bucks for small bits of food that will be out of my system in the morning. Their food is good. But not that good.

 

[Bad Bob]

Bozeman Hot Springs. Not dirtbag but feels so good. If you are takeing the RV Fairmont Hot Springs RV Park, between Anaconda and Butte.

IF you are going through Butte over St. Patrick's Day, good luck. Supposed to be one of the very best in the WORLD. 'A Friend' told me there is a ATM down by the courthouse if needed but it only pays in $5.00 bills (the court only accepts cash 'my friend' said).

 

[Tony]

Broadway Hotel in Philipsburg, MT had ski packages, great breakfast, themed rooms and brewpub downstairs when I stayed there a few years ago. Near Discovery ski area.

https://www.broadwaymontana.com/

 

[Talisman]

Based on my research so far, hippie vegetarian boyfriend is going to starve to death

You do realize that in MT "vegetables are what food eats"! Kidding aside, there are vegetarian friendly places in BZN.

Bridger Brewing near MSU has great beer, pizza and salads. Nova Cafe and Saffron Table have many veggie options. BZN is more veggie friendly than most places.

In Big Sky the Riverhouse is a fun bar and ok bbq, the Corral is a fun bar with a salad bar and the Broken Spoke is a dive (plastic cups) and can be fun. Roxy's (food store) has fresh vegetables which are hard to find in MT.

Give a shout when you are in the area.

 

[sparty]

The Co-op in Bozeman tends to have good hippy food options, both groceries and ready-to-eat stuff. The to-go bar is my favorite place in town to grab good food quickly.