THE FLATHEAD VALLEY
A NATURAL SANCTUARY
 The Flathead Valley is blessed with unmatched natural beauty, abundant resources, and wildlife as diverse as the people who live here. The area serves as the gateway to Glacier National Park, known as the Crown Jewel of the continent, a national treasure of dramatic scenery and bountiful wildlife and home to the majestic "Going to the Sun Road". The Flathead Valley, anchored by the economic hub of Kalispell, is surrounded d by three mountain ranges: the Whitefish Range to the north, the Swan range to the east and the Salish range to the West. The southern portion of the valley is home to Flathead Lake the largest freshwater lake in the United States, west of the Mississippi River. The Flathead National Forest, Stillwater State Forest, and Bob Marshall Wilderness account for several million acres of preserved lands in the area. In fact, nearly 80% of all the land in Northwest Montana is protected by Federal, State or private conservation initiatives.
The natural landscape and moderate, semi-arid climate has transformed the area into a recreational paradise. The region is home to more than 10% of the designated wild and scenic rivers in the United States including the Flathead, Whitefish and Stillwater Rivers. Scores of alpine lakes, creeks and streams dot the landscape and provide excellent backcountry venues for the avid sportsman. The Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort in Whitefish offers some of the best downhill skiing in the Pacific Northwest with over 85 trails on 3,000 acres. Snowboarding, snow-cat skiing, backcountry snowmobiling Nordic skiing and tubing are also available. Blacktail Mountain in Lakeside offers a 1440 foot vertical drop, 24 trails on more than 13 miles of groomed runs situated on 1,000 acres. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog sledding and cross-country skiing round out the numerous winter activities available to the outdoor enthusiast.
If golf is your pleasure, the area boasts of over 10 Championship courses and has been ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top "golf retirement counties" in the country. Additionally, the valley offers world class hunting and fishing, biking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. Numerous whitewater rafting outfitters await thrill seekers who wish to conquer the great rivers which run though the region!
Truly a community for all seasons, the Flathead Valley hosts numerous holiday events, concerts, theatrical productions and art festivals. The area is home to many nationally recognized artists, writers, actors and musicians. Complimenting the cultural diversity of the area is a contemporary infrastructure which includes modern hospitals and medical support facilities. The Kalispell Regional Medical Center was placed in the top 100 hospitals nationally, by Newsweek magazine. The Flathead Community College and local school systems provide a solid educational foundation for the residents of the valley. While geographically isolated, the valley is well connected to major business centers through fiber optics, satellite and several internet service providers who offer DSL connectivity.
The area boasts a potpourri of shopping opportunities ranging from small boutiques and specialty stores to major "big box" chain retailers such as Home Depot, Target, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, K-mart, Office Max, J.C. Penny, Costco, Herberger's, and Staples. Plans for construction of the largest shopping mall in Montana are currently being finalized. This new mall will offer over 1 million square feet of merchant space and will be anchored by nationally recognized retailers.
In most mountain communities access is difficult but, not here in the Flathead. Delta, Northwest, Horizon and United Airlines provide daily flights to and from major airline hubs allowing easy travel from anywhere in the United States. The airport is centrally located between the communities of Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls. In addition, Amtrak has daily arrivals and departures from its historic depot located in downtown Whitefish.
The Flathead Valley, known to the locals as "The Last Best Place", may also be one of "The Last Safe Places". Tucked away from the pollution, congestion and crime of major population centers, the area is quietly recognized as a safe place to live in today's volatile and unpredictable brave new world. Historically, the valley has enjoyed one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Here, respect for others is woven into the daily fabric of the communities which make the Flathead a special place.
Strong family values and "helping ones neighbor" are commonplace among the friendly people who call this home. Indeed, the true charm of the valley lies within the spirit of its people and their communities. The Flathead Valley…...the place we call home…...touched by the heavens and revered by all who have walked its ground…..Let us show you are home……and maybe ……you will come home to Montana!
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