Has your town seen its first big snowfall yet? No matter what part of Montana you call home, you’re practically guaranteed to have a white winter. And while most snow flurries are relatively harmless, occasionally we see bouts of snow that are pretty impressive. On those days, it can be difficult to get much done. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great day.
Here’s how to pass the time until the spring thaw:
- Organize the part of your house you’ve been avoiding. You know the one.
Amy G / Flickr Is it your closet? The home office? The guest bedroom that has become a dumping ground for half-finished projects? Put on some music and get it done. You’ll thank yourself in a few months when you’re outside enjoying the sunshine without anything looming.
- Go to your local museum.
Richard Barley / Flickr Between the Dinosaur Trail and our rich mining and Native American history, our museums are better than most (probably better than any other state, actually, but Montanans are humble). Visit one and see for yourself.
- Hit the slopes.
Troy Smith / Flickr If you ski or snowboard, this is the kind of weather you’ve been waiting for. Montana and winter sports go together like peanut butter and jelly. Break out the chains for your car or truck and hit the road.
- Take up skijoring.
Michael (aka moik) / Flickr Skijoring is a winter spot where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, sled dogs, or a motor vehicle. It’s a favorite activity at many of our fine resorts, and for good reason—it’s amazing. Just research it before you go out and buy a pack of sled dogs.
- Perfect your favorite cookie, cake other other delicious recipe.
Jagrap / Flickr Why not spend your day in your warm kitchen baking until you’ve created the perfect concoction? It’s the holiday season, and this year you’ll be ready to impress the family at Christmas dinner.
- Organize a neighborhood snowball fight.
Lauren Parnell Marino / Flickr You’ll be the neighbor kids’ favorite person until the end of time. And that means you may be able to talk them into shoveling your driveway tomorrow.
- Go sledding.
Alex Kerney / Flickr Sledding does not stop being fun when you reach adulthood. In fact, it may be even more fun now that you’ve got enough body weight to really fly. See for yourself.
- Build the brightest bonfire the world has ever seen.
Ian Carroll / Flickr If you have four wheel drive (and if you live in Montana, you should) head to the woods with your nearest and dearest and build a bonfire. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy the snowy scenery without freezing.
- Stock your freezer with make-ahead meals.
Taz / Flickr If you’re like most of us, you have a Pinterest board dedicated to meals you can make ahead of time and freeze… and you have no time to make them. This is your time, thanks to the snow gods.
- Have a movie marathon.
Christian Marineau / Flickr Light a fire in the fireplace, invite the neighbors over (the ones you like), and play your favorite movies all day. Life is busy, and snow days offer an opportunity to slow down and enjoy it.
- Build a snowman.
Daniel Burton / Flickr You’ll be surprised at how much fun you have with this classic winter activity. If you have enough time, you can build an entire snow family.
- Book a tropical vacation.
A. Duarte / Flickr There’s winter, and then there’s Montana winter. If it gets to be too much, you can always treat yourself to a trip to Hawaii. And if time and money won’t allow for that, you can always browse travel sites and plan one in your mind.
It may be cold outside, but a winter day in Montana is better than any day anywhere else. Here are some stunning snowy photos of the Treasure State to remind you of how beautiful our winters are.
Amy G / Flickr
Is it your closet? The home office? The guest bedroom that has become a dumping ground for half-finished projects? Put on some music and get it done. You’ll thank yourself in a few months when you’re outside enjoying the sunshine without anything looming.
Richard Barley / Flickr
Between the Dinosaur Trail and our rich mining and Native American history, our museums are better than most (probably better than any other state, actually, but Montanans are humble). Visit one and see for yourself.
Troy Smith / Flickr
If you ski or snowboard, this is the kind of weather you’ve been waiting for. Montana and winter sports go together like peanut butter and jelly. Break out the chains for your car or truck and hit the road.
Michael (aka moik) / Flickr
Skijoring is a winter spot where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, sled dogs, or a motor vehicle. It’s a favorite activity at many of our fine resorts, and for good reason—it’s amazing. Just research it before you go out and buy a pack of sled dogs.
Jagrap / Flickr
Why not spend your day in your warm kitchen baking until you’ve created the perfect concoction? It’s the holiday season, and this year you’ll be ready to impress the family at Christmas dinner.
Lauren Parnell Marino / Flickr
You’ll be the neighbor kids’ favorite person until the end of time. And that means you may be able to talk them into shoveling your driveway tomorrow.
Alex Kerney / Flickr
Sledding does not stop being fun when you reach adulthood. In fact, it may be even more fun now that you’ve got enough body weight to really fly. See for yourself.
Ian Carroll / Flickr
If you have four wheel drive (and if you live in Montana, you should) head to the woods with your nearest and dearest and build a bonfire. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy the snowy scenery without freezing.
Taz / Flickr
If you’re like most of us, you have a Pinterest board dedicated to meals you can make ahead of time and freeze… and you have no time to make them. This is your time, thanks to the snow gods.
Christian Marineau / Flickr
Light a fire in the fireplace, invite the neighbors over (the ones you like), and play your favorite movies all day. Life is busy, and snow days offer an opportunity to slow down and enjoy it.
Daniel Burton / Flickr
You’ll be surprised at how much fun you have with this classic winter activity. If you have enough time, you can build an entire snow family.
A. Duarte / Flickr
There’s winter, and then there’s Montana winter. If it gets to be too much, you can always treat yourself to a trip to Hawaii. And if time and money won’t allow for that, you can always browse travel sites and plan one in your mind.
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