Plan ahead for your summer trip! Glacier is requiring tickets and Yellowstone lodging & activities get booked quickly!
Glacier National Park will, like last year, use a reservation system for the summer of 2024 for people traveling on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork area & Many Glacier in an effort to control crowds and promote safety in the park. While Yellowstone National Park is not requiring tickets to enter the park, the campgrounds, lodging and tours get booked quickly so make sure to plan in advance! To help inform our Stay Montana guests and make sure they have a smooth, fantastic vacation, we’ve put together information below on visiting YNP and GNP. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team!
Also, be aware that our vacation rentals across Montana are booking quickly for summer of 2024 so please make your reservations today!
Glacier National Park
Tickets for Going-to-the-Sun Road can be purchased on recreation.gov. Details on tickets here.
Note, the GTTSR receives a lot of snow and usually opens around June.
An Entry Reservation Ticket will be required from May 24-September 8, 2024 for private vehicles & motorcycles traveling on the Going-to-the-Sun Road or the North Fork area from 6am-3pm. Tickets are required for Many Glaicer from July 1-September 8, 2024 from 6am-3pm. Tickets are in addition to your Park Pass. Foot & bicycle traffic does not require an Entry Reservation Ticket. Tickets are included if you have lodging or service reservations, just show your receipt. A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately 4 months in advance, starting in January on a daily rolling basis. Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024 on a daily rolling basis. Tickets can be purchased on the recreation.gov website.
For more information and a map on the Glacier National Park corridor requiring tickets go here.
Check the latest status updates for Glacier here.
Lodging near Glacier National Park>>
Yellowstone National Park
Reservations are not required to enter the park or planned for the summer of 2024; however, Yellowstone campground & lodging reservations can fill up months in advance so make sure to make your reservation early! You can make your reservation for Yellowstone camping, lodging, tours, etc. online here.
Check the latest park status update here.
Stress-free meal delivery your whole family will love!
We are delighted to announce a new food delivery option for our guests! Stay Montana has partnered with OrdersUp! to put together a menu with many exclusive chef-prepared offerings delivered right to your vacation rental. Make your trip extra relaxing by ordering food for your vacation in advance and then simply re-heating it!
Browse & Order Your Goodies Here
Food options
- Fully prepared meals delivered right to your vacation rental
- Breakfast, Bakery, Entrees, and Desserts
- Custom meals for your entire stay
We think our guests will love ordering breakfast items that they can quickly re-heat and then hit the slopes. Guests will also love returning to their vacation rental with a delicious, made-from-scratch meal they can throw in the oven and enjoy after a day of Montana adventures!
Need lodging?
Homes with the Best Kitchens | Browse All Vacation Rentals
Food Delivery Details:
- All orders need 48 hours for shipping, plan to order ahead.
- Delivery across Montana
- Meals are delivered frozen, some thawing may occur
- Pre-made food – all you have to do is reheat and enjoy!
- Please call Orders Up at 406-662-1262 with any questions
- Orders Up! also provides custom catering and wedding catering
Browse & Order Your Goodies Here or View Menu Below
If you would like to be the chef yourself, check out The Stay Montana Family Cookbook, a beautiful book consisting of the Stay Montana team & homeowners’ favorite recipes!
Top things to do in Montana this Spring – activities & events for all!
😎☀️Still trying to figure out what to do for Spring Break? Take the kiddos skiing! Montana offers family-friendly activities for all! Whether you want to ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, dog sled, or just relax by a cozy fire or in a hot tub with a stunning view, the possibilities are endless. Also, don’t miss Free Admission to National Parks on April 20, 2024 – Visit Glacier and/or Yellowstone National Parks!
If you’re looking to ski, you’re in luck, Whitefish Mountain Resort is open until April 7, 2024 and Big Sky Resort is open until April 21, 2024! The resorts host lots of fun spring activities like pond skims, rail jams, concerts, and more. So get to Big Sky and enjoy some epic turns!
Find Your Perfect Montana Spring Skiing Property – Sunny Turns Await!
We’ve put together a list of our favorite Montana properties for Spring from Big Sky to Whitefish with amenities ranging from Ski In/Out, Hot Tubs, Fireplaces, Views, Close to Town, Shuttle Service and more! Want a recommendation from our local team? Contact us!
Montana is lucky to offer many wildlife sighting opportunities. Deer, fox, and even elk are common sightings. Additionally, you may see black bear, grizzly bear, bison, moose, mountain goats, big horn sheep, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves, and more. In the bird family, you may see bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks, wild turkey, owls, pheasants, grouse, ducks, geese, swan, and more!
You may even see some of these beautiful creatures around your vacation rental. To make sure you have the most amazing, SAFE vacation, we’ve outlined some guidelines in this content.
Please respect the wildlife and never approach them or feed them. Give them plenty of room & be careful. Additionally, food & trash should never be left outside.
The National Parks organization says, “Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.”
For more info, please visit the National Park’s website here.
If you’re out exploring, please bring bear spray and educate yourself on how to use it. View the National Park’s info about how to use Bear Spray here or watch the video below.
If you have any questions, please contact our team and we’d be happy to provide info & local advice!
🦌Ready to visit and safely view wildlife?! We can’t wait to welcome you! Browse our Montana vacation rentals!
Big Sky & Whitefish Ski Season News At a Glance
Big Sky
- Opening a day early this year! Wednesday, November 22, 2023 is the official Big Sky Resort opening day! The resort usually closes around the third Sunday in April, approximately April 21, 2024.
- New Lone Peak Tram this year!
- Lift tickets – buy early for the best prices & to guarantee access. Lift ticket availability might be limited on certain dates.
- Add-on Tram Access to your lift tickets.
- Ikon Pass – you usually need to buy your pass by September 15 to save up to 20%. Note, you’ll need to make a reservation to use your Ikon Pass at Big Sky this year.
- Mountain Collective Pass – Note, you’ll need to make a reservation to use your Mountain Collective Pass at Big Sky this year.
- Major chairlift upgrade last year – Swift Current 6 is “America’s Fastest 6-Place Chairlift!”
- Equipment Rentals – our guests receive 10% off from Ski Butlers.
- We now offer 100+ vacation rentals in Big Sky!
Whitefish
- Opening day is December 7, 2023 and closing is April 7, 2024.
- Lift tickets – aren’t available just yet but check back to buy early for the best prices.
- Hellroaring chair/lift 8 was relocated last year offering earlier season access!
- Chair 4 got relocated and replaced with the mountain’s first high-speed sixpack! It will take skiers from the Base Lodge to the top of Inspiration Ridge in under 7 minutes.
- Check out our 50+ Flathead Valley rentals including Whitefish and Columbia Falls for easy access to Whitefish Mountain!
Big Sky Resort opens November 22, 2023 and closing day is usually around April 21, 2024.
Big Sky Resort said that they many limit lift ticket availability on certain dates. They recommend you purchase tickets now for guaranteed access and the best prices. New last year, the resort is limiting tram access and you’ll need to purchase an add-on ticket to ride the tram. Season passes will also be limited.
Major chairlift upgrade!! As of last year, Swift Current 6 is “America’s Fastest 6-Place Chairlift,” complete with Big Sky Blue weatherproof bubbles, ultrawide heated seats and individual headrests and footrests, this lift will increase uphill capacity by up to 50%!
Big Sky Resort is proud to be part of the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective families! If you’re looking for an epic ski trip combining multiple destinations, you’ll definitely want to check out these pass options.
Need ski equipment? Our guests receive 10% off rental gear from Ski Butlers in Big Sky!
Want to experience “The Biggest Skiing in America?” We now offer 100+ vacation rentals in Big Sky!
Whitefish Mountain Resort opens December 7, 2023 and closing day is April 7, 2024.
Lift tickets are aren’t available yet but check back soon to purchase early for the best price. Season passes are available now.
New last year, the replaced & relocated chair 4 will be the mountain’s first six-pack and will shuttle guests to the top of Inspiration Ridge.
Check out our 40+ Flathead Valley Rentals including Whitefish and Columbia Falls for easy access to Whitefish Mountain!
September 8, 2023 Update: It’s live and you can book it here!
🥁Coming soon! Lakeview Escape Whitefish! We’ll keep you posted as soon as this property is bookable but in the meantime, enjoy this sneak peak… 👀
🙌Nestled amidst the pristine wilderness of Whitefish, Montana, this luxurious 3-level log home is the epitome of rustic elegance while overlooking Whitefish Lake. With 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 modern bathrooms, and a generous 2,735 square feet of living space, this home offers an unparalleled retreat for those seeking the perfect blend of nature and luxury.
As you approach the home, you’re greeted by the charm of a stunning log cabin. The exterior is a masterpiece of natural materials, with handcrafted log walls, a rugged yet inviting aesthetic, and a natural Montana landscape. The home sits perched on a hill, overlooking the serene waters of Whitefish Lake, providing breathtaking views from almost every room. Towering pine trees and lush greenery provide a picturesque backdrop.
Book Lakeview Escape Whitefish.
Browse All Whitefish Properties
Browse All Our Montana Vacation Rentals
Check out our Director of Marketing, Laura, below in a Stay Montana hat making friends & handing out Ella Cookies!
Here are a few fun questions we asked to get to know Ashley:
- Where was the best vacation you ever took? Mix between traveling the sea on an Alaskan Cruise and my trip to Valdez, Alaska! On the cruise, we saw whales, went through wild hurricane waters, and came across some of the most amazing glaciers and islands. In Valdez, there was the most scenic and seriously fun whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, hiking… all the fun things, on repeat, with fresh seafood every day!
- What do you think is the most important thing in a home for a guest? Cleanliness! If it’s clean and organized, everything else seems to fall into place.
- If you could cook dinner for a celebrity in one of our vacation homes, who would it be and where? Jason Momoa (because obviously) at Salish Ridge Retreat! Capture the essence of nature and indulge in a cozy slice of paradise!
- When you make a bed, hospital corners or no hospital corners? Oh, the habitual hospital corners.
- What’s your preference, vacation rental, hotel, RV, or tent? Depending on the adventure, I’d say either stargazing in a hammock with a tent, or… soaking up all the sweet luxuries of a vacation rental in my own private hot tub!
- If you were exploring Montana with Lewis and Clarke, what was your favorite place? Although I have yet to visit, I would have to say the Gates of the Mountains. It’s halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and would be an adventure to remember! Giant Springs is another spot that looks absolutely incredible!
- What is your favorite season? Fall, for sure! Fresh, crisp air, fireplace nights and cozy vibes, changing colors of the leaves, crisp hikes and jumping into leaf piles, pumpkin patches and fun times!
- Favorite sports team? Chicago Bulls, back in MJ days!
- What was the most fun you had during the Covid-19 shut down? Every day was the most fun, being able to spend all of the one-on-one time with my kids and creating a deeper bond with every precious moment.
- Favorite book or movie character of all time? Harry Potter is just a given here…
- Are you loyal to any brand? If yes why? Jeep! You can take it anywhere, anytime, all-weather, never-ending, ever-changing options… the go-to for every adventure!
Learn more about Ashley and the rest of our Stay Montana team here!
Want to come visit? Browse all Flathead Valley properties here.
Below is Salish Ridge Retreat, one of Ashley’s favorite properties!
As a local, family & employee-owned company, we love being involved in the communities & giving back where our team and some of our homeowners live, work, raise families & play!
You’ll see our team around Montana volunteering, serving on boards, sponsoring events, and of course, handing out Ella Cookies! 🍪
Proud Sponsors: Big Sky Ski & Education Foundation, Wildlands Festival, Big Sky Chamber, GHS Raptors Youth Soccer, Whitefish Chamber, Bigfork Area Chamber, Bozeman Chamber, Oktoberfest in Whitefish, Whitefish Christmas Stroll, Big Sky Shred Day
Board Service: Visit Big Sky & BSSEF, Big Sky Chamber of Commerce new membership committee
Volunteer Work: Gallatin Valley Food Bank, HRDC, North Valley Food Bank
Check out the Stay Montana Gives blog category to see more about how we give back to our communities!
- 1148 Stays
- 0.7% Cancellation rate
- 4.8 Star Overall rating
- 100% Response rate”