Solitude. What does…read moreit mean to you? To me, solitude is a snow-covered ski trail framed by dense pine forests on top of the North American continental divide, located 7300 feet above sea level. A light snow is falling and there are six inches of fresh wet powder covering everything. I glide silently through forests, ridges, and meadows, accompanied by the sound of the wind and the occasional scent of spruce. At times, animal tracks cross the trail but otherwise all is empty and white. The snow absorbs everything but my steady breathing and elevated heartbeat. I am alone on historic ground near to where Chief Joseph and a party of 800 Nez Pierce men, women, and children retreated across the Bitterroot Mountains in 1877, chased and hunted by U.S. federal troops. I finish the Lost Trail loop and turn left up Broadway towards a two-story log cabin in the woods - the Gordon Reese warming hut, which is staffed in winter by a succession of eager volunteers. They keep the fire going and kitchen stocked with hot drinks and water. It's like something out of a Robert Frost poem, except on a Western scale, not a New England one. Inside the cabin, a trio from Spokane are sitting around the communal table playing cribbage. I hang my wet clothes to dry by the cast-iron wood stove and ask to join them. We play a round together and share stories. I finish my tea ("Montana Gold," a rooibos, orange peel, and cinnamon blend) and head out for another circuit, past Windy Corner, along the Timber Trail, through the Sunny Meadow Loop, and back on Broadway to the parking lot. My car is covered in a thick layer of snow by the time I return. The skies have cleared a bit, and I change clothes for the 90 mile drive home, down the Bitterroot Valley back to Missoula. This is not easy country. It's a high mountain pass above 7000 feet from which the head waters of the Columbia and the Missouri flow in opposite directions to reach their Pacific and Atlantic destinations. On my drive up in the morning, I literally saw falling rocks tumbling down the steep cliff to my left, and on the way down I passed an SUV upside down on the shoulder, its passengers thankfully uninjured on the side with state police and a tow truck to assist them. The trail network at Chief Joseph is 25 kilometers long, well marked, mapped, and maintained by volunteers of the Bitterroot Ski Club. On good weather weekends, there might be a few dozen skiers on the trails, which are restricted to classical (Nordic) only and snowmobiles are not allowed. But, if you crave solitude the way that I do, you'll find a way to come on a Friday morning when the rains fall in the valley and snow piles up in the mountains, where your tracks will be covered by the time you return, and where you will disappear into the trees heading down narrow, single-track trails. But you're not really alone: the warming hut is always open, and a few hardy solitude seekers are bound to appear by mid-morning or afternoon. Solitude does not mean seeking separation from the world, but the opposite. It's when you discover a deep connection to the land around you: to the remote but accessible places on our common planet that are steeped in history and inhabited by wild creatures. Places like Chief Joseph Pass, where you are always welcome to visit, because it belongs to us all as national forest. Even the warming hut. In some parts of America, they are eagerly anticipating the start of spring. Here, in Montana, we're celebrating the last days of winter in solitude, but in style. Come ski with me next time, at Chief Joseph. Solitude loves company. There is snow enough for everyone, and the cabin's fire is warm.

The guy in the rental snowboard counter is an a-hole. I saw that he treated certain people with…read moremore respect than me. He was patient with them and told them to take their time to make sure everything fit. But when I was next he was a bit rude and told me he had to help other people as I was trying on the snowboarding boots. When I was done for the day I waited in line to return my rentals. He asked what I needed and I told him I was returning the rentals. He practically yelled at me to put my things on the counter and cubby. I'm sure if I were Caucasian he would have treated me as good. Yes that had everything to do with it

This place is truly awesome in every way! Impeccable grooming everywhere, including some super…read moresteep slopes on the backside that require a winch cat. As far as terrain goes, very few areas come close. Steeper than Sun Valley, more great bowl and tree skiing than Big Sky. AND no lift lines on a weekend at a bargain price.

Very comfortable staff we're kinda rude though and didn't seem to want us to be there at all.read more

Rustic, charming, off grid, clean, best prices, clean large pool, clean small hotter pool and…read moreextremely hot sauna that was great for 3 - 4 minute dips. We stayed in a quant double bed about the lodge. Cost $100 and came with a hot greatest for free. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, coffee and juice ... we will be back!!!

My wife and I just got back from our trip to Montana High Country in Polaris, MT and our trip was…read moreso incredible! From the moment we arrived we felt relaxed and comfortable like we were at home away from home! The lodge is beautiful and is nestled between mountains and surrounded by national forest. The staff were some of the most friendly people I've ever met and they were so helpful the entire week. I truly felt like I was leaving good friends behind by the end of our trip. Here are things I loved about our trip. Staff - Roddy, Domonic (Domo), and Mickey knew their stuff and were so friendly and helpful. I am big on customer service and they left a big impression on me and how well they served their guests. Lodge - The new owners of the property have updated the lodge and made it feel so comfortable and cozy! Everything was clean and well maintained. The main common area had a big fireplace and tv with very comfortable seating where you are able to look out of massive floor to ceiling windows at the gorgeous views of the mountains. Our bedroom was comfortable with super soft sheets and a new mattress. It has a real cabin feel and the atmosphere really lets you relax. Food - I can't say enough good things about the food. Literally every single meal that we ate while we were there was delicious! I mean, even the sandwiches that we packed to eat lunch on our snowmobile trip were delicious (they used really good sandwich meat and specialty cheeses). The meals we ate while we were there were some of the best I've had and I was not hungry one time on the trip. They really feed you here! We also got to eat some unique things like elk burgers, elk tacos, and mule deer chili so I really enjoyed that (elk is amazing by the way). Snowmobile - They have a lot of snowmobiles at the lodge and we were able to go on snowmobile trips where we left right from the lodge. This was one of my favorite things I've ever done. We rode miles and miles of trails and roads all through the mountains and got to see some of the most beautiful sights. On the snowmobile day we packed a lunch and they took us way up in the mountains where we stopped at a warming hut and ate. There was a fireplace inside and they built a fire. This was such a cool experience. They also took us out to a meadow and let us "play." We got to ride around and have some fun making our own paths out there and test our skills. Roddy and Domo were really good guides! What I like about them is that they will challenge you if you want to be challenged but will make sure you feel safe and comfortable. Skiing - Maverick Mountain is about 5 minutes from Montana High Country and is a cool, old-school ski resort. It's not the most fancy ski place, but it was really cool. When we went, it was only $60 for everything (lift ticket, ski rental, helmet, boots, poles, etc.) It was nice skiing here because it wasn't real touristy and there weren't a lot of people there. The slopes were wide open where you had a lot of room. Elkhorn Hot Springs - This was also about 5 minutes from the lodge and was so nice after a day of snowmobiling and skiing. There's just something about that hot water that comes straight out of the ground that makes all the aches and muscle tightness melt away. You have to visit this place while staying at MHC! It's feels amazing look out at deep snow while soaking in the hot springs. Bannack Ghost Town - This is about a 15 minute drive from the lodge. Bannack is a town that was built as people were mining for gold. It is now a state park and the buildings are still in tact. There's a lot of history in this place and is definitely worth a visit! The Views - not much to say about this except it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The views are breathtaking If you want a vacation where you can escape from it all and have a vacation that is tailored to you, then this is the place to go. If you want high adventure, you can get it. If you want to relax, there's no better place. I really cannot recommend this place enough.

Stayed here for the weekend for my sister in laws wedding! The lodge was booked out for the wedding…read moreguests so we had it to ourselves pretty much! Let me first start off by saying when you first walk into the lodge it is breathtaking views! Our rooms were nice and beds were very comfortable! The furniture throughout the lodge was very nice and all themed according to that Cabin outdoors feel! We were also fed delicious meals! Breakfast and lunch! Dinner we didn't have as we had a dinner rehearsal dinner with the wedding party and dinner at the wedding the next day. But my most favorite part of our stay were our hosts! Wow! Jeff and Barbie are husband and wife and they did all the cooking! They served us with smiles and always made sure we were doing ok and even asked our 4 kids if they would prefer to eat something else as they didn't mind whipping up something for them! Absolutely hospitable and soooo friendly!!!! I miss them so much already! I want to spend more time with them! The manager Roddy was also awesome! Made sure all was well and absolutely friendly! We felt like we were staying with family! Highly highly recommend this place! Our children loved their stay as well!

My family visited The Moraine over the holidays and I will highly recommend it to everyone I know!…read moreJeanne was very hospitable and welcoming. She is full of knowledge and recommendations. We visited a brewery during our stay, as well as a nearby ski lodge. The bedrooms and common areas are very comfortable and homey. We are already planning a trip back this summer!

From the owner: The Moraine B&B, Hamilton, Montana, lodging, luxury accommodation, rustic elegance. The perfect…read moresetting for that quiet getaway, or a great Montana adventure. The Moraine Bed and Breakfast offers your choice of four luxurious private guest suites, and a delectable hearty breakfast. Adult travelers enjoy a romantic setting, surrounded by aspen, pine and fir. View deer, elk, bear, a multitude of birds and other Montana wildlife passing through the property, daily. We are bordered by the Bitterroot National Forest. The vast trail system of the Bitterroot Selway offers endless opportunities for hiking, trophy fishing, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, river rafting, and winter sports, like downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and even ice fishing. The Moraine is centrally located, between Hamilton & Darby, offering easy access to all of the sights & adventures that the Bitterroot of Montana has to offer. Make The Moraine B&B your launchpad for your Montana Adventure!

Sula country store is a place not only to get food, drinks, maps, gas, clothes, etc in the middle…read moreof nowhere but also a wonderful resort with super friendly staff! I stopped by for 5 minutes ended up staying for 5 hours because people were super friendly and wonderful and I just loved the atmosphere there. The owners are very nice, hilarious, and generous ladies!!! Totally recommend this place to anyone!!

Stay at camp Sula for many many years had a great vacations…read more stayed weeks to months at a time with no problems then some new camp host arrived few years back and things really got weird couldn't use showers had to use rv shower had a friend drop by to visit and host came to rv site within minutes and told to leave no other people allowed except registered campers

The are an amazing team at a rustic lodge in the beautiful, wild Big Hole Valley of Montana. This…read moreplace is the real deal! You'll have a great time relaxing in the hot springs pool! Open air in summer and covered in winter so enjoyable year round. Quaint cozy and clean cabins, full bar and good restaurant, very relaxing and welcoming staff. The lodge is old log style building, 1800 mountain lodge architecture like the Yellowstone set... Women's dressing room is small with only one change room/ toilet/ shower will hot springs water. Rustic in ways but really nice. Great staff

Fabulous spot for a soak! Rustic lodge where you can find yourself comfort by a fire. Large hot…read morespring that is also deep enough to swim in. Day soaking and overnight guest soaking are both options. The food is good, and they have music most weekends! This hot spring is one of my favorites. 10/10

Seth and WRO are the most fantastic group of humans. I went on this trip not knowing anything…read moreabout rafting, the Salmon River, Idaho, or rapids. I left with so much river and rafting knowledge, appreciation for the wilderness and the Salmon River, and a load of new friends. The WRO crew took such good care of us. They kept us safe, cooked us amazing meals, and treated us like family. We had great conversations on the river and at camp. I would highly recommend taking a trip with WRO.

I just finished a 6 day trip with WRO and they were amazing! The food was out of this world, the…read moreguides each brought experience and personality that enhanced the trip. I would not go with any outfitter other than WRO after my experience