When it comes to adventure travel, Peru is, in a word, legendary. And it鈥檚 no wonder. With iconic historic sites, natural wonders from peaks to rainforests, celebrated culture and food, and a commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, Peru has it all.

Kick off your journey in the capital city of Lima. While Lima is the largest urban center in Peru, it鈥檚 also a hub of outdoor activity and adventure. With its easy access to the Pacific Ocean, the city serves up an abundance of opportunities to and paraglide. The coast along the is ideal for its waves and winds, as well as vibrant culture, food, and people to enjoy after your sesh.

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path paradise for trekkers? Head to . Situated high in the Andes Mountains, the stunningly vast Ancash region offers adventures for all levels of climbers, trekkers, and mountaineers. Explore , home to the eponymous peak. The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days. At 22,205 feet, Huascaran is Peru鈥檚 highest mountain and belongs on every mountain lover鈥檚 list. Not interested in bagging peaks? Take a hike to one of the icy-blue glacial lakes that pepper the region.

In the north of Peru, you鈥檒l find : a region rich with biodiversity as well as a diversity of culture and history. The weaves a tapestry of natural and cultural wonders, winding through more than 30 miles of ancient cloud forests and pre-Incan archaeological remains. On this three-to-four-day trek, learn about the lesser-known along the way. You can also opt to trek to the stunning , a 6.4-mile hike to a cascade that plunges more than 2,000 feet.

Then there鈥檚 the iconic Amazon Rainforest in the region of . While you might associate dense jungles and mazelike river systems with neighboring countries like Brazil or Colombia, you鈥檒l find the same mesmerizing landscape in the northeast of Peru. It鈥檚 also a wildlife lover鈥檚 paradise. Explore , the second-largest protected natural area in Peru, with more than 1,000 endemic plant and animal species. Float the most iconic river system in the world and feel a connection with nature that can only be found in remote places like these.

Southern Peru boasts regions like and that offer a breadth of culture, history, and adventure in the Andes. Machu Picchu is just the start in this magical region. Choose from a number of iconic treks that access archaeological sites, like the and , or fill your bucket list with to really lose yourself in the region. Or check out the birthplace of the Inca Empire in Puno and kayak in the world鈥檚 highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca.

Whatever you do in Peru, expect an adventure that weaves together ancient civilizations and modern culture, all set among some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world. Today, Peru blends its rich past with an eye toward the future, aiming to preserve this cultural and natural wonderland for generations of adventurers to come.

is a multicultural nation filled with unique traditions, world-class gastronomy, and vast natural reserves. It is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 84 of the planet鈥檚 117 life zones. Peru鈥檚 enormous territory, covering more than 1.2 million square kilometers, is composed of three regions: Coast, Andes, and Peruvian Amazon.

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Picture this: a winter wonderland with miles of snowy trails that are perfect for winter hiking and nordic skiing, skies full of stars and colorful auroras, and cozy lodges (or winter camping if you鈥檙e feeling adventurous). This is winter in Qu茅bec, a giant outdoor playground with endless opportunities for adventure. Whether you鈥檙e looking to get your adrenaline pumping, relax in world-class lodges, ice-skate on frozen lakes, or, more likely, all of the above, these are some of the best things to do during .

1. Skiing in Parc National de la Gasp茅sie

in is home to 25 mountains over 3,300 feet high, with spectacular views from every vantage point. The Mont-Albert sector, in the majestic Chic-Choc Mountains, receives more than 9.8 feet of snow annually on average, which means plenty of snow for winter activities all season. There鈥檚 something for every level: snowshoeing on trails ranging from one to 11 miles, plus nordic skiing on a variety of short and long trails, some with warming huts and shelters for spending the night.

Skiers can also enjoy backcountry skiing, telemarking, snowboarding, or splitboarding in four ski areas featuring snowfields and glades. The park also offers winter camping, rustic huts, and cozy cabins, as well as accommodations in G卯te du Mont-Albert, a magnificent lodge in the heart of the park.

2. Village-to-Village Ski Touring in the Laurentians

Explore the lakes, forests, and mountain valleys of Quebec鈥檚 vast Laurentian region the traditional way: on a multi-day Nordic skiing tour, traveling from village to village. As North America鈥檚 largest network of off-piste trails (totaling more than 500 miles), features three main routes that range from 6 to 12 miles per day.

Guide services can connect charming accommodation, arranging meals and luggage transport along the way. Or, take a self-guided adventure and discover the historic ski hotels, chalets, cafes, and microbreweries that highlight this series of scenic backcountry corridors.

3. Embrace Wild Winter in the Outaouais Region

Immerse yourself in the winter season. The year-round resort provides a versatile adventure base on the banks of the Poisson-Blanc Reservoir (about an hour north of Gatineau-Ottawa). Lodging options vary from winter campsites and rustic cottages, to cozy micro-refuges and larger chalets. Enjoy the surrounding forest on backcountry trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hok skis (which provide a mix between the two), then return to resort fun with the on-site skating rink and tube slide.

4. Backcountry Skiing the Travers茅e de Charlevoix

covers 79 miles of mountainous wilderness in the heart of the Charlevoix biosphere region. If you鈥檙e up for a challenge, try a three-to-eight-day self-guided nordic or backcountry skiing tour through the boreal forest while admiring sweeping panoramas that are unique to Qu茅bec.

The tour is meant for self-sufficient advanced skiers, with opportunities to traverse from December through March. Expect days covering nine to 12 miles with 10,800 feet of total elevation gain. Accommodation is in picturesque log cabins with the option of having food transported at chalets during your stay. Experience even more winter activities offered by .

5. Nordic Skiing with Aventure Rose-des-Vents

is a friendly, unpretentious youth hostel in the region. A new offering this winter is guided nordic skiing. This immersive experience is a chance to discover the best-kept secrets of the north shore of the Saguenay as you ski through some of the most beautiful fir and yellow birch forests in Qu茅bec. Equipment rental is available onsite.

The hostel also offers access to ice fishing in huts on the Saguenay Fjord, plus an onsite caf茅 that regularly features live music. Guests have access to a fully equipped communal kitchen, as well as warm common areas stocked with books and board games.

6. Winter Camping in Parc National de la Mauricie

is the only national park between Montr茅al and Qu茅bec City, with 150 lakes on more than 200 square miles of protected land. Onsite accommodation in oTENTik tents keeps you immersed in nature with a touch of comfort. The tents feature woodstoves inside and outside, barbecue grills, beds, dishes, and everything you need for a comfortable stay. Prefer to rough it? Winter tent camping is also permitted at the Rivi猫re-脿-la-P锚che campground, and backcountry camping is allowed near cross-country ski trails.

The park is an ideal playground for cross-country skiing enthusiasts: it features 50 miles of cross-country ski trails in the heart of a protected natural area. Enjoy a well-marked network of trails for both classic and skate skiing, along with heated rest stops every three miles or so. For those who prefer winter hiking or snowshoeing, eight marked trails stretch over 34 miles. Authentic Qu茅bec is a destination of choice in winter.

7. Snowshoeing and Stargazing in the Mont-M茅gantic Dark-Sky Reserve

One of the snowiest spots in southern Qu茅bec is , which offers more than 37 miles of alpine trails with sweeping views. The 6.6-mile hike to the top of Mont M茅gantic follows the road to the ASTROLab observatory at the 3,645-foot summit. Since the road is closed in the winter, the only way up is to snowshoe. You can rent snowshoes at the park entrance. Along the way, you鈥檒l see Whoville-like trees encrusted with ice and snow. The park was the first designated dark-sky reserve in the world, so it鈥檚 no surprise nighttime views are particularly stunning. Sign up for a Winter Astronomy Evening at the ASTROLab, which includes a presentation about the James Webb Space Telescope and a guided star walk.

For unique lodging in the area, the yurts at H茅bergement aux Cinq Sens are located in Piopolis, on ancestral Native land. It offers year-round accommodation in traditional Mongolian yurts, each named after a sense (see, touch, smell, taste, and hear). Several other outdoor activities are available in the region.

8. Snowshoe Through Phantom Forests

In , winter is more than a season: it鈥檚 an invitation to explore a rich, biodiverse region. It鈥檚 one that offers unique鈥攅ven paranormal鈥攁dventures, notably in Vall茅e des Fant么mes. The wind-protected valley鈥檚 unique microclimate encases fir trees with inordinate amounts of snow (20-plus feet a winter), creating ghostly forests of 鈥減hantom鈥� figures to explore on 50-plus miles of marked backcountry snowshoeing trails.

9. Ice Climbing in Parc National d鈥橝iguebelle

Parc national d鈥橝iguebelle, in Qu茅bec鈥檚 础产颈迟颈产颈-罢茅尘颈蝉肠补尘颈苍驳耻别 region, offers access to nearly every winter sport in the book, including snowshoeing, skiing, kicksledding, skishoeing, snow tubing, fat biking, and more. As the locals say, tout au m锚me endroit (it鈥檚 all in one place). The park is also known for views, moose sightings, traces of the last ice age, lava flows, and rocks that are 2.7 billion years old.

But ice climbing is undoubtedly the most unique activity you can enjoy here. Ice-climbing routes in the park are certified by the Qu茅bec Mountain and Climbing Federation. Experienced climbers who already have gear and know-how can explore on their own, but the park is also a great place to learn the sport: introductory climbing packages are available through Camp de Base Abitibi. True nature awaits you in .

10. Backcountry Skiing Along Hudson Bay in Parc National Tursujuq

Head north for a off the beaten path in , the largest national park in Qu茅bec. On a guided adventure, you鈥檒l explore the eastern coast of Hudson Bay, winding between cuesta mountains, over plateaus and giant frozen lakes, and through breathtaking landscapes on skis, with the occasional help of snowshoes and snowmobiles. Discover a vast territory that was occupied by nomadic peoples for more than 3,000 years. Here, you鈥檒l get to know the Inuit in their homeland in the nearby tight-knit Indigenous community of Umiujaq.鈥� One of the most unique parts of the trip is the immersion in Inuit culture. Visitors get the chance to share the Inuit way of life and learn about ancestral traditions and knowledge.

The nine-day itinerary includes all equipment, round-trip flights from Montr茅al, and all meals, lodging, and transportation. Dates for 2023 run from February through March.

mission is to promote the destination. We are proud to highlight this magnificent land, its creative culture, and authentic experiences, and to encourage people from near or far to discover Qu茅bec as never before. It鈥檚 a place you will fall in love with at first sight or change your鈥檚 by saying you have to come back again.

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Ancient lore holds that Guru Rinpoche, the legendary tantric master who brought Buddhism to Tibet, chased a demon into the Mustang region of Nepal.

The guru and demon clashed against snowy peaks, barren canyons, and dusty trails until the guru finally prevailed in gruesome fashion, scattering the demon鈥檚 entrails and blood across the landscape. For his work, we now have the towering red cliffs that surround the village of Yara and its collection of flat-roofed, whitewashed adobe brick abodes topped with dried branches stacked together like Lincoln Logs.

This tale sets the scene for the fifth stage of the 鈥揳n annual eight-stage event totaling 105 miles with roughly 29,000 feet of elevation gain at high altitudes regularly eclipsing 13,000 feet. It鈥檚 an adventure that takes runners and hikers through culturally Tibetan villages of northern Nepal, where the heavens and earth collide to form one of the most fascinating, remote landscapes and cultural regions I鈥檝e seen in my 15 years of trail running around the world.

Runners come from all over the world to race through the thin air and windswept canyons of Mustang. These include Nikhil Dinesh, who鈥檚 originally from India and now lives in Singapore, Americans Meaghan and Jason Geroux, and Canadian friends Scott Alm and Fraser Macmillan.

It鈥檚 Macmillan with the especially surreal connection to Nepal. He was in Kathmandu 10 years earlier when devastating earthquakes killed 8,962 people, including his parents, who were .

鈥淪cotty was the most supportive friend for me there at that point,鈥� Macmillan says. 鈥淗e made himself available and showed up any which way.鈥�

Like Macmillan, the other foreigners are here for reasons other than winning the race. It鈥檚 the Nepalis who are destined to prevail in their own relative backyard. For them, this is a step towards a career in professional trail running, following in the footsteps of Mira Rai, who finished fourth at the second edition of the Mustang Trail Race in 2014.

The child soldier-turned mountain running champion is a legend around here. Her story has inspired Nepalis and athletes around the world, leading to the creation of the in Kathmandu 鈥� an NGO committed to supporting trail running and the trail-running community in Nepal.

Lokendra Rai (no relation), Ang Furba, and Prabin Tamling are among the young Nepalis invited by race director Richard Ball to compete in the Mustang Trail Race.

鈥淚n a period of a week or so, they get eight chances to race,鈥� Ball says. 鈥淭hat means a lot of practice, a lot of things learned, and hopefully they鈥檒l be better for it.鈥�

The Mustang Trail Race

Ball is the English-born co-founder and race director of the Mustang Trail Race. He first visited Nepal over 25 years ago, and it left a big impression on him. He returned 10 years later and eventually settled in Kathmandu. Now based in Southern California with his American wife and young child, Ball jokes that the race is his vacation.

He鈥檚 a playfully antagonistic host. During his opening briefing in Pokhara, he admitted that hurling insults is his self-defense mechanism when feeling nervous, and throughout the trip, he would often bite his tongue, audibly telling himself, 鈥淣o, don鈥檛 say that.鈥� Then, he鈥檇 tease the race doctor, Aakas Sherpali, for looking more like a DJ than someone you鈥檇 want dispensing medical advice. With his trucker hat, casual clothes, and bright 27-year-old smile, he did kind of prove Ball鈥檚 point.

But this is all part of Ball鈥檚 charm鈥攁nd race participants love it. Some are repeat runners, having first participated in Ball鈥檚 seven-stage . Nightly briefings often feel like improvised stand-up comedy routines.

As we reach altitude, Ball describes how the thinner air can have an impact on things like your gastrointestinal tract. You might feel, let鈥檚 say, fuller. His advice? Fart freely and frequently to avoid discomfort.

With help from race organizer Neer Lalit Priya, whose brother co-created the race with Ball before pulling a life audible and becoming a Buddhist monk, they manage a team of 15 staff. Someway, somehow, this team moves an entire kitchen staff from guest house to guest house, preparing a seemingly bottomless pit of meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Porridge, eggs, and toast are typical for breakfast. For lunch after each stage, there are a variety of soups (noodle, mushroom, garlic), and almost always a different dinner鈥搒picy spaghetti, pad thai, and of course, dal bhat, the national dish of Nepal, usually comprised of steamed rice (bhat) with a lentil stew (dal) alongside seasonal vegetables, like potatoes and spinach. Dal bhat is the exclusive dinner of choice for the Nepali runners.

Spinning the Prayer Wheel

The Mustang Trail Race starts in Kagbenia鈥擬ustang village on the Kali Gandaki River. An ancient forbidden kingdom nestled by the Tibetan Plateau and some of the tallest peaks in the world, Mustang didn鈥檛 allow tourists until 1992 and formally joined the contemporary Federation of Nepal in 2008. Visiting now requires a $500 permit (included in the race fee).

On the first morning of the race, we鈥檙e guided through town, past Hindu worshippers performing pujas, a ritualistic act of worship, and stop at a 15th-century monastery of Sakya Tibetan Buddhism. The reddish-orange stone building looks like a giant Lego block pressed into the earth.

The race start is casual. Furba spins the prayer wheels surrounding the base of the monastery. Spinning the prayer wheel is meant to build good karma and recite the mantra written thereon. Eventually, others, myself included, follow suit. Buddhist or not, it certainly can鈥檛 hurt.

We start running. The only bit of paved road comes at the very beginning of the first stage鈥揺vidence of the region鈥檚 increasing development. But it isn鈥檛 long before the trail turns to crushed gravel. Almost always surrounded by bare, desolate mountains.

In Michel Peissel鈥檚 1968 memoir Mustang: A Lost Tibetan Kingdom,听 the author explains that locals saw such lifeless landscapes as a sign of unhappiness because beauty correlates with happiness. But for my money, I鈥檓 in paradise, perhaps owing to the stark juxtaposition with my day-to-day life in Berlin and the lush pine tree forests where I usually run.

To me, this barren landscape is beautiful鈥攁nd we鈥檙e only going deeper into Mustang.

Altitude Blues

As a solid middle-of-the-packer, I never enter these races to try and win. I鈥檇 sooner find the demonic heart of the aforementioned Guru Rinpoche鈥檚 nemesis. So I鈥檓 especially chuffed when, despite battling a lingering groin injury and my skittish descending, I finish 12th out of 53 participants following the first stage from Kagbeni to Tsaile.

But the higher we climb, the farther I drop. During a rest day after Stage 3, I started feeling a scratchiness in my chest with bouts of fatigue. Stage 4 is a 16-mile loop with 2,800 feet of gain that reaches as high as 13,800 feet in altitude. I feel completely drained of energy throughout the day, unable to even muster a slow jog on the flats. I鈥檓 the inflatable tube man someone forgot to pump, sucking air through a straw.

Back at the hotel, other runners share similar race reports of struggling to move with any kind of speed鈥揺ven on otherwise runnable terrain. So I chalk it all up to the inevitability of throwing a flat-lander urbanite into the heavens. Then, on the Stage 5 run to Yara, which is supposed to be a comparatively easy day with just 9.3 miles and 2,300 feet of gain, I crumble. As we start the first climb, I feel like a vacuum cleaner is sucking all the air out of my lungs. I quickly slip to the back of the pack.

At the top, I decide I need to call it a day. I sit down on a bench next to a string of prayer flags flapping in the wind and take out my phone to let the race director know that I鈥檓 dunzo. But before I can officially throw in the towel, I run into Canadians Grant Monette and Sandy Ng. Monette had been having similar breathing issues with a nasty cough, so he slowed to a hike and joined forces with Ng, the race caboose.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going slow if you want to join us,鈥� Monette says.

Mentally, I like the idea of at least finishing five of the eight stages. So after some light, friendly badgering, I agree and proceed along the trail for what ends up being the hardest thing I鈥檝e ever done in my life. Ball later says he could see us off in the distance, moving at a snail鈥檚 pace up the 150 stone stairs near the end of the stage.

鈥漎ou looked like you were climbing Everest,鈥� he says, mimicking my slow shuffle.

I collapse into my guesthouse bed as quickly as possible. Once I鈥檓 conscious long enough for an examination, the race doctor, the aforementioned DJ Sherpali, examines my lungs. He diagnoses me with pneumonia. I鈥檓 given antibiotics straight away, and my race is over.

A Frolicking Finish

I spend the next two days traveling by jeep with the crew, quickly regaining nominal strength thanks to the drugs. By the end of Stage 7, I ask Dr. Sherpali to have another listen to my lungs in hopes that I could at least slowly hike the final stage. It鈥檚 just a little over 10 miles. Sure, there鈥檚 a nasty five-mile climb with almost all of the day鈥檚 4,100 feet of elevation gain, but I feel it in my kishkes that I can get to the top and roll on down to the finish line.

Perhaps sensing my desperation to finish on a high note, he gives my lungs a listen. There鈥檚 still something going on in there, but I get the green light for a slow hike.

The final stage begins like all the others: we gather near a makeshift banner, and Ball sends us off after a quick briefing. I have to restrain myself from slipping into a modest jog from the start. Fortunately, the terrain doesn鈥檛 give me much choice early on, launching into some absurd gradients as steep as 36 percent鈥攅ssentially a wall.

Pulling my buff over my nose and mouth proves to be a game-changer. Ball suggested it during my Odyssean struggle on Stage 5, saying that the trapped moisture from the exhale will help soften the sting from Mustang鈥檚 harsh, dry air. I realized at that moment that I鈥檇 seen the Nepali runners similarly pull their own buff up when running through particularly windy and dusty sections of the trail, offering some buffer between their lungs and inhaling the dirt swirling in the air when pushing themselves.

Eventually, I make it to the summit, 6.5 miles into the stage. The wind whips across the peak, marked as per usual around here with a pile of stones and colorful prayer flags tied to the top like sails on the mast of a ship. From there, the pink trail ribbons run down the mountainside. The urge to run is overpowering. When will I be in a place like this again?

I must frolick.

I allow my legs to run as the trail permits. I don鈥檛 push myself. I don鈥檛 want to move too fast, and not just because of that pesky chest infection. I鈥檓 thinking of something Ball told me during our chat.

鈥淲e鈥檝e come to a very special place,鈥� he said on those steps in Chhusang. 鈥淭he idea of trying to run as fast as possible through them is a bit crazy.鈥�

Indeed, what a pity it would鈥檝e been if my strongest memories were of trying to beat the runners ahead and behind me rather than soaking in the scenery that surrounds me.

So my eyes drink it all in one last time: the crisp blue sky, the waist-high brush showing signs of life on the otherwise arid countryside, both the makeshift wooden and canyon-crossing steel suspension bridges, the locals washing their laundry with the trailside water fountains, the quiet stone-covered villages, and the overwhelming sense of carefree freedom hanging in the air. I try to absorb it all as I reach the finish line in Muktinath, a town that pulls you back into civilization thanks to its place as a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site drawing in tourists by the busload.

Reflecting and Changing

The other 30-some-odd runners who already finished are upstairs at the restaurant of the Hotel Bob Marley, where local legend says the reggae rock star once dined. I sit down with Tamling, who came from behind to beat Lokendra Rai by just five minutes in the cumulative total with a time of 16:22:27.

Tamling says he鈥檚 still relatively new to the sport, so much so that the difficulty of the race surprised him. To be fair, Ball invited him just one day before we departed for Pokhara, leaving no time for race-specific training. And although he lives in Kathmandu, the elevation is much lower than the highest points of the Mustang Trail Race. So even he struggled with breathing while pushing himself to keep up with Rai.

Furba, meanwhile, won the women鈥檚 race in 23:55:20鈥搉early four hours ahead of the next woman.

鈥淚鈥檓 very excited,鈥� Furba says, slipping into an ear-to-ear smile.

While only two runners are crowned winners, the rest of us take something home with us, too. (Besides this pesky lung infection.)

鈥淚 think any travel experience gives you the opportunity to reflect on your own life,鈥� Ball says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e seeing something completely different in front of you. Different kinds of people doing different kinds of things in a different way in a different landscape. And if you鈥檙e able to observe carefully, then maybe it鈥檚 going to give you a chance to reflect on your own life and maybe make a change.鈥�

The post After 15 Years of Travel, This Is the Most Fascinating Place I鈥檝e Run appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Take a detour to discover the road less traveled鈥攜ou鈥檒l never go back. Not only will you find solitude and adventure, taking a detour often means a more responsible path forward, dispersing our impact by seeking new destinations. Sometimes all it takes is the right guide.

Our feature collection of Detour Guides across the U.S. starts with Sam Haverstock in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Utilizing a Toyota Tacoma, he accesses an off-road area of Western Montana that鈥檚 a world away from Glacier National Park鈥檚 Going-to-the-Sun Road. Haverstock guides chef and friend Ranga Perera, launching on a section of the Middle Fork Flathead River that鈥檚 overlooked by most park visitors. Follow the duo packraft and fly-fish on clear, empty waters, then read more guidance below to adventures in and near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Go deeper with the full video, more Detour Guides presented by Toyota Trucks, plus the trails and the trucks to get you to the wildest corners of our country.

Meet Sam Haverstock. At 18, he signed up for a Grand Canyon guiding course to conquer his biggest fear: whitewater rafting. 鈥淭he first two weeks were about the most terrifying two weeks of my life,鈥� he says. By the end of the 26-day trip, he had learned how to read a rapid and found a new calling. A year later, Haverstock relocated to Montana with dreams of a wilder life.

That was 2007. He’s been in West Glacier ever since, managing Wild River 国产吃瓜黑料s and guiding everything from family floats to six-day wilderness expeditions into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Haverstock鈥檚 life revolves around the Flathead River drainage, where wild and scenic rivers flow undammed from Canada.

It鈥檚 a rare combination: great access, world-class trout fishing, and plenty of whitewater. Haverstock鈥檚 advice for visitors: 鈥淭hink about what scares you a little, then go do it. You can usually find that in any direction you throw a stone out here.鈥�

Go Beyond Glacier

Fish the Middle Fork of the Flathead

Sam’s top pick for a single day: a full-day fly-fishing trip high on the Middle Fork Flathead, floating about ten miles through boulder gardens and searching for Montana’s state fish, the black-spotted westslope cutthroat trout. The best months are usually July and August, when the water warms enough for dry-fly-fishing but the cutthroat are still hungry after the long, cold spring.

Paddle Middle Fork Whitewater

For legitimate rapids, hit the Middle Fork Flathead in May and June during high water for Class II鈥揑II runs. 鈥淚f you want to bring the whole family, come in July and August,鈥� Haverstock says. The North Fork offers similar conditions but runs from the Canadian border. Both are wild and scenic rivers with no dams.

Hike Apgar Mountain Lookout

Right in West Glacier proper, this 3.5-mile climb gains nearly 1,900 feet to reach a 1929 fire lookout tower with postcard views of Lake McDonald and the surrounding peaks. The trail passes through burn areas from massive wildfires, now sprinkled with young lodgepole pines and wildflowers. Start early, since most of the route is exposed on south-facing slopes.

Deeper Detour to Great Northern Mountain

At 8,705 feet, this is the highest peak in the Flathead Range and the tallest summit in the Bob Marshall Wilderness proper. 鈥淥ne of the most magical peaks out there,鈥� Haverstock says. From below, the mountain looks impossibly steep, but there鈥檚 a hiking route that gets you to the top in a day. The summit offers views into Glacier National Park, the Great Bear Wilderness, and hundreds of peaks across northwest Montana.

Read more on Haverstock鈥檚 tips on how to handle Glacier-country waters.

For generations, Toyota has built durable legends destined for greatness: Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Sequoia and Tundra. Whether you鈥檙e conquering off-road trails, hauling heavy loads, or seeking confident versatility, there鈥檚 that鈥檚 just right for you.

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Apps make it easy to map our own cycling routes, but there鈥檚 something special about pedaling along a rail-trail. The new PBS documentary, From Rails to Trails, follows the 60-year fight to convert these once-forgotten train lines into peaceful, car-free corridors that allow us to move at the pace of our thoughts and soak up the scenery one pedal stroke at a time.

I fell for rail-trails during the pandemic when I started logging miles on Virginia鈥檚 45-mile , which I can pick up near my house. Before long, I was ready for something bigger: the 150-mile that听stretches from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, and forms part of the ambitious , a cross-country route that will one day connect Washington, D.C., to Seattle.

Rail-trails are more than bike paths. They鈥檙e connections between towns, travelers, and a bygone age of steam and steel. What鈥檚 more, pedaling through a century-old tunnel or across a weathered trestle bridge captures the quiet joy of self-propelled travel.

From the newly completed Adirondack Rail Trail to the ever-popular Trail of the Coeur d鈥橝lenes, these are seven of our top rail-trails to ride across the U.S.

Elroy-Sparta State Trail, Wisconsin

32.5 miles: Elroy to Sparta

Opened in 1965, the was the first completed rail-trail conversion. It paved the way for thousands more across the country, which today total more than 25,000 miles. This crushed limestone path winds through wetlands, farmlands, and wooded ridges, connecting five bike-friendly small towns along its 32.5-mile route.

Bring a headlamp to walk your bike through three 1870s railroad tunnels, each hand-dug by crews armed with little more than picks and shovels. Between Norwalk and Sparta, the longest tunnel stretches nearly three-quarters of a mile. Cool air swirls and dripping water echoes off the stone walls. In Kendall, the restored depot serves as the trail headquarters and houses a small railroad museum filled with historic photos and artifacts.

Don鈥檛 miss: About halfway along the trail, Norwalk makes a great lunch stop. Try Bailey鈥檚 Diner for tacos and tostadas. In Wilton, swing by the Hitchin鈥� Post for classic bar burgers and local brews.

Pro tip: A $5 daily or $25 annual state trail pass is required for cyclists 16 and older. Also, keep in mind that tunnels close each year from November 1 to April 30.

Illinois Prairie Path, Illinois

61 miles: Maywood to Aurora, Geneva, Batavia, and Elgin

The set the standard for suburban connectivity when it debuted in Chicago鈥檚 western suburbs in the mid-1960s. Today, its 61 miles of asphalt, crushed stone, and concrete link DuPage, Kane, and Cook Counties, serving as a reminder that you don鈥檛 need to leave the city to find open space and fresh air.

Start in Maywood on the main branch and follow the leafy route west to Wheaton where you can split off toward four westerly trailheads. Before branching out, stop at the Villa Park Historical Society, which operates a small museum and visitor center inside a restored depot. Along the way, take in sweeping prairies, shaded forests, and small-town streets lined with caf茅s and local shops.

Don鈥檛 miss: In Elmhurst, the Keith A Olson Prairie is a rare, thousand-year-old remnant of prairie preserved between two historic railroad lines.

Pro tip: Combine your bike ride with a Metra train trip for an easy car-free adventure into and out of Chicago鈥檚 western suburbs.

Island Line Trail, Vermont

13 miles: Burlington to South Hero

Few trails are as photogenic as Vermont鈥檚 . Starting on Burlington鈥檚 waterfront, this 13-mile route traces the shoreline before funneling riders onto the Colchester Causeway, a narrow, gravel path that stretches across Lake Champlain. Views of the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east, including Mount Mansfield, are simply spectacular.

Two and a half miles out, riders reach 鈥渢he Cut,鈥� a 200-foot gap bridged by the . A five-minute ferry ride deposits cyclists on South Hero Island. There, riders can sip wine at Snow Farm Vineyard or indulge in maple creemees and cider slushes at Allenholm Farm.

Don鈥檛 miss: Stop at Burlington鈥檚 lakefront parks. North Beach Park and Leddy Park boast sandy beaches, picnic areas, and snack bars perfect for a break from the bike.

Pro tip: The Island Line Bike Ferry operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The crossing is free, but donations are welcomed to keep this one-of-a-kind service up and running.

Flint Hills Trail, Kansas

118 miles: Osawatomie to Herington

Kansas may be famed for its wide-open plains, but the reveals a wilder, more varied side of the state. As in, rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and the largest remaining expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America. Spanning 118 miles, it鈥檚 Kansas鈥� longest rail-trail and a newly minted member of the Rails to Trails Conservancy鈥檚 Hall of Fame for 2025.

The rail-trail connects a dozen small towns and passes historic landmarks like the John Brown Museum State Historic Site where visitors can learn about the abolitionist鈥檚 efforts to make Kansas a free state, and Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park, honoring the Kaw Nation. The trail traces nearly 100 miles of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, a route that once carried traders, settlers, and dreamers westward during America鈥檚 frontier expansion.

Don鈥檛 miss: Ride in spring or early summer when Kansas prairies burst to life. It鈥檚 when hundreds of native wildflowers blanket the landscape beneath an endless blue sky.

Pro tip: Services are limited along the route. Carry extra water and snacks. Check trail conditions after heavy rain since the crushed-stone surface can soften.

Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet Trails, Alabama and Georgia

100 miles: Anniston, Alabama, to Smyrna, Georgia

Spanning two states and a century of rail history, the and connect to create one of the South鈥檚 most popular long-distance rides. The fully paved 100-mile route winds through pine forest, farmland, and the red-clay hills of Alabama鈥檚 Talladega National Forest before crossing into Georgia near the town of Cedartown.

In April 2025,听Chief Ladiga Trail completed a 6.5-mile extension into downtown Anniston, providing access to Amtrak and the Main Street district where riders can refuel at barbecue joints and breweries. With Alabama designating 2025 its official 鈥淵ear of the Trails,鈥� this rail-trail stands out as the centerpiece of a broader statewide initiative to connect all 67 counties by bike and foot.

Don鈥檛 miss: Snap photos beneath the arched gateway that marks the Alabama鈥揋eorgia border, a symbolic crossing that unites the two state trails.

Pro tip: Cedartown sits midway along the linked Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga Trails. Stop to grab a bite, spend the night, or explore the Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia.

Trail of the Coeur d鈥橝lenes, Idaho

73 miles: Mullan to Plummer

Northern Idaho鈥檚 delivers one of the most scenic long-distance rides in the West. Stretching from Mullan to Plummer, this route follows a former rail line that once carried silver ore through Idaho鈥檚 rugged Silver Valley. Today, it鈥檚 a model of restoration and stewardship, a collaboration between the Coeur d鈥橝lene Tribe and the State of Idaho.

Part of the Great American Rail-Trail, this section winds through the historic mining towns of Wallace and Kellogg. Along the forested route, there are 20 developed trailheads, as well as 20 scenic waysides with picnic tables or benches. There are restrooms at more than a dozen stops.

Don鈥檛 miss: The Chatcolet Bridge is a historic swing bridge turned pedestrian span that offers first-rate views of Lake Coeur D鈥橝lene, Lake Chatcolet, and the St. Joe River Valley. And keep your eyes peeled for moose, especially between Medimont and Springston, where sightings are common between late-June and October.

Pro tip: Row 国产吃瓜黑料s, with headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, offers 4 and 5-day guided .

Adirondack Rail Trail, New York

34 miles: Lake Placid to Tupper Lake

Completed in phases, the officially opened in full in October 2025, linking Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake in New York鈥檚 scenic Tri-Lakes region. This 34-mile route features mostly smooth crushed stone, with a two-mile paved stretch through Saranac Lake, and offers views of forests, wetlands, and mountains, including Mount Jo and the High Peaks.

Welcoming trail towns make perfect pit stops. In Saranac Lake, refuel with a latte from Origin Coffee Co. on Main Street or linger on the patio at Bitters & Bones, a brewpub known for its burgers and flatbreads. In Tupper Lake, check out the beautifully restored train depot, which is now the starting point for scenic rides aboard the Adirondack Railroad鈥檚 Tupper Lake Explorer.

Don鈥檛 miss: Pop into Lake Placid Olympic Museum for Winter Games history, including Team USA parade uniforms through the years and original footage of the 1980 鈥淢iracle on Ice.鈥�

Pro tip: Shuttle services like and can drop you off at your starting point, making one-way rides easy and your adventure more flexible and scenic.

Erin Gifford began cycling rail-trails in 2020. She has completed several multi-day bikepacking trips on rail-trails, including the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage and the 57-mile New River Trail in Virginia.

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Walking along the flank of Medicine Mountain, I could see this wasn鈥檛 a typical hike in the Rockies. At over 9,500 feet in elevation, I was following a dirt track across a windswept ridgeline in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming. On the peak above, there was a bizarre spherical structure鈥� an unmanned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar station. Atop the bluffs in the hazy distance, I could just make out the wooden posts that encircled my enigmatic destination.

For years, I鈥檝e been combing the nation, searching for clues of outdoor mysteries from the front-country to the backcountry. Thirty-five of the best stories about unexplained phenomena and baffling disappearances became the subject of my new book: . Further enigmas can be found elsewhere on public lands, including within state parks, recreational areas, and more.

From a half-million symmetrical lakes to a lost gold mine,听 these are seven of the most intriguing outdoor mysteries that I鈥檝e come across you can unravel on the ground, too.

Who Built the Bighorn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming?

After walking a mile and a half through the highlands of Bighorn National Forest, I reached a tundra clearing. Here, thousands of limestone rocks were long ago arranged into a ring-like structure. This is the , a United States Forest Service (USFS)听site considered sacred by many Native American tribes. In this context, the term medicine essentially means spiritual. But what is the meaning and purpose behind the wheel鈥檚 design?

The Bighorn Medicine Wheel has a diameter of roughly 80 feet. Extending from a central rock cairn, there are 28 spokes, which seem to represent the number of days in a lunar month. Found around the perimeter ring, there are six additional cairns. One of these is set apart, at the end of the longest spoke, which seems to align with the summer solstice.

This is the southernmost example of several complex stone wheels found throughout the Rocky Mountains. Members of the Crow Tribe have said that when their ancestors migrated into the region 300-400 years ago, the Medicine Wheel was already here. As a result, its precise age, and who built it, remains a mystery.

How Long Will Nebraska鈥檚 Waterfalls Last?

Most outdoor travelers skip past Nebraska, but near the northern edge of the state, there鈥檚 a little-known oasis that reveals a conservation mystery. Hidden in a sunken valley beneath the rolling Great Plains, the protects 76 miles of flowing stream where you can paddle past a shocking number of waterfalls. There are over 230 spring-fed falls, in fact, many of them tumbling into the river from the southside bluffs. There鈥檚 a unique reason for that. Despite being found in a particularly arid part of the High Plains and Sandhills, the Niobrara Valley cuts several hundred feet into the porous sandstones containing the Ogalala Aquifer.

Spreading beneath eight states, the Ogalala is the largest groundwater formation in the U.S., an underground reservoir feeding much more than the Niobrara鈥檚 falls. Over the past century, widespread pumping for agricultural and domestic purposes has gradually depleted the aquifer. Despite ongoing conservation efforts, each year more water is extracted than can be naturally replenished through rain and snow.

As a result, no one knows how long the Ogalala Aquifer鈥攁nd the Niobrara鈥檚 waterfalls鈥攎ight last. Should this vital water source run dry, it could trigger an environmental crisis to rival the 1930s Dust Bowl.

If you want to better grasp the situation, head to , a popular paddling access and campground that鈥檚 home to Nebraska鈥檚 tallest waterfall at 63 feet. Here you can explore a river fed by an aquifer wrapped in a mystery, one that may or may not end in catastrophe.

Did Three Prisoners Survive an Escape from Alcatraz Island in 1962?

A few hours before midnight on June 11, 1962, three prisoners crawled through widened ventilation ducts, escaping from their cells at the U.S. Penitentiary on . Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin were convicted bank robbers who鈥檇 been preparing six months for this moment.

Under the cover of darkness, they made their way to the shoreline where they inflated a makeshift raft stitched together from stolen raincoats. Wearing homemade life jackets, and using plywood paddles, the prisoners pushed off into the San Francisco Bay. According to a fourth accomplice who stayed behind, their intended destination was Angel Island, two miles away, from where they would continue to the mainland. In a clever twist, they鈥檇 left behind dummy heads tucked into their bunks, which would give them a nine-hour head start before first count.

The dramatic escape triggered one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history, leading to widespread media coverage and a famous 1979 film starring Clint Eastwood. Though no bodies were ever found, the official investigation determined the trio had likely drowned in the frigid waters. But a series of clues would emerge suggesting the escapees may have survived.

Several days after the escape, some items were found floating near Angel Island, including a prisoner鈥檚 wallet, pieces of rubber, and a homemade paddle. One of their life jackets was found floating near Alcatraz, while another washed up on the Marin Headlands, outside the Golden Gate. But were these items scattered during a drowning or abandoned after a successful escape? Alleged sightings of the men would continue for decades. Eventually, even the escapees鈥� family would claim they鈥檇 been discreetly in contact over the years.

The infamous prison closed in 1963, but the mystery would linger long after Alcatraz became a national park site. Today, you can take a ferry from San Francisco to explore the island prison. Other ferries lead to , which has many hiking routes. Several trails converge at the summit of Mt. Livermore, offering excellent views of Alcatraz and the watery expanse the prisoners attempted to cross.

How Were a Half-Million Symmetrical Lakes Formed on the East Coast?

Stretching across the densely populated East Coast, from Northern Florida to Southern New Jersey, a half-million听mysterious lake beds lie hidden in plain sight. For centuries, these so-called Carolina bays have baffled the occasional observer who noticed their unusually round profiles. But it wasn鈥檛 until the rise of aerial photography, in the early 20th century, when it became clear how strange they truly are.

Thousands of elliptical depressions pockmarked the sandy coastal plain. In black and white photos of the 1930s, the bays looked like craters on the moon. Some were bigger, some smaller. A few overlapped each other. Most were seasonally dry and filled with swampy vegetation. Many had been plowed for agriculture. Others, particularly in North Carolina, remained year-round lakes encircled by sandy rims. The most bizarre feature? Each was pointing roughly in the same direction, with their long axes running from northwest to southeast.

Today, the origin of the Carolina bays remains a geologic mystery. The prevailing theory is that, during prehistoric ice ages, changes in sea level and fierce winds created large sand dunes. Gradually, the elliptical lakes formed from prevailing winds and currents within the flattening dunes. An exciting alternative posits that the bays formed from a comet or meteor impact, but that scenario seems less likely, especially since other wind-oriented lakes have been found around the globe.

Some of the most intact Carolina bays are in Bladen County, 听North Carolina, including at . Established during the era of Jim Crow segregation, the park was designated for African Americans only. As a result of racist underfunding and limited development, two mysterious bays were ironically preserved. And, today, you can hike or paddle through this semi-wilderness.

What Was the Original Route of the Old Spanish Trail Across the Southwest?

If you鈥檝e ever road-tripped around the famous red-rock canyons of the American Southwest, perhaps you鈥檝e seen scattered markers for the . In use for several decades during the mid-1800s, this oft-forgotten and formidable trade route is quite different from other overland traces, such as the Oregon and California Trails, which were thoroughly documented.

Despite being an east-to-west route, the rugged iterations of the Old Spanish Trail careen hundreds of miles to the north and south. Plus, nobody knows exactly where it went. The reason is its enigmatic origin story. During the early 19th century, there were two Spanish-settled colonies on Mexico鈥檚 northern frontier. One was in Northern New Mexico, the other in Southern California. In between was an inhospitable and mostly unmapped desert.

In November 1829, a relatively unknown trader named Antonio Armijo led a sixty-person pack train west from Abiquiu, New Mexico. For three months, the party scouted out a path across the desert, frequently detouring around impassable canyons and mountains.

When Armijo鈥檚 caravan arrived at , near present-day Los Angeles, the inhabitants were surprised to see the party arrive from an unexpected direction. The traders exchanged woven textiles for mules and returned home in just two months, setting the stage for overland migration across the Southwest. Before vanishing from the historical record, Armijo submitted a confoundingly short report to the New Mexico governor. Basically, it鈥檚 just a daily list of campsites and water sources with no distances between.

Historians have long puzzled over Armijo鈥檚 journal, trying to decipher the particulars of his route. But it seems likely he passed near present-day highlights such as Monument Valley, southern Lake Powell, Zion National Park, and Lake Mead. So, next time you鈥檙e road-tripping through the labyrinths of canyon country, and you lose track of where you鈥檙e at, it鈥檚 no mystery why. It鈥檚 always been that way.

Is There a Lost Gold Mine in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas?

The West is filled with legends about hidden treasures and lost gold mines. Some tales may be real, while most were probably invented, but both can lead you to new adventures. One example is the lost Sublett gold mine, said to be in the vicinity of in far west Texas.

As the story goes, was an itinerant frontiersman who worked for a westward-expanding railroad in the early 1880s, somewhere out in Apache country.He听supposedly stumbled across an abandoned Indian or Spanish mine. Sublett would periodically disappear for a few days or longer and return to town flush with gold nuggets. His secret mine was said to be somewhere west of the Pecos River, perhaps in the Guadalupe Mountains or Rustler Hills. Despite repeated attempts to track him to the source, the mine was never found, and Sublett took its location to his grave.

Lost mines are fun, but is there any truth here? The Guadalupe Mountains are an impressive range, rising abruptly over 3,000 feet from the desert floor. Challenging trails lead up to park highpoints like El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, the tallest summit in Texas at 8,749 feet. Seeing limited visitors, the quiet park sure feels like a place to stumble across a hidden treasure, except for one thing.

The Guadalupe Mountains are the petrified remnants of an ancient reef. Its limestone formations yield plenty of fossils but no gold deposits. However, natural caves have been found in these mountains, including those at nearby . One version of the Sublett legend suggests he was actually visiting a hidden cache of gold relocated from somewhere else. At the very least, this mystery remains possible, making for the perfect trail talk while exploring an unexpected place.

What鈥檚 the Story Behind Florida鈥檚 Spite Highway?

After World War II, South Florida was booming. Hotels and homes stretched from Miami and down the sparkling Overseas Highway to the tip of Key West. During the 1950s and 60s, real estate developers went looking for new areas to build.

Between the city and Key Largo was one of the region鈥檚 last remaining sections of wild Atlantic coastline. So, plans were proposed to turn Biscayne Bay into another Miami Beach. A coral reef would be cut out for a deepwater port. Nearby would rise an oil refinery and powerplant. New causeways would connect mansions and resorts. In preparation, about a dozen landowners incorporated the so-called city of Islandia to develop the northernmost Elliot Key and surrounding islands.

By now, South Floridians were growing weary of the sprawl, and gradually a movement spread to protect Biscayne Bay as a national park. By 1968, designation seemed imminent in Washington D.C. Then the jilted city council of Islandia sent a wrecking crew to Elliot Key, where they illegally bulldozed the subtropical forest, creating a six-lane roadway down the centerline of the seven-mile island. Park opponents hoped the destruction might deter the conservationists. Instead, the supporters prevailed, and the forest re-grew. Islandia was sued and eventually disbanded.

Today, uniquely preserves more warm waters than land, being best known for snorkeling and boating. But running down the middle of Elliot Key is the park鈥檚 only hiking route, that passes听through an enigmatic tree tunnel with a disturbing backstory.

There always have been, and always will be, threats to public lands from competing interests and greedy developers. The Spite Highway Trail is a reminder of a pressing mystery, one that鈥檚 particularly relevant in our current moment: will wild places like the national parks survive?

For more outdoor mysteries that you can explore, check out Mike Bezemek鈥檚 new book:

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Cowboy boots and ski pants go together about as well as Gore-Tex bibs with a fur coat. It鈥檚 an unlikely combo鈥攖hat is, unless you plan to go skijoring. (And trust me, you鈥檙e going to want to ride this trend.)

Skijoring is a high-adrenaline, low-temperature sport that involves a horse and its rider pulling a skier through a snow-packed obstacle course at full speed. For most Rocky Mountain towns, skijoring is a familiar winter activity typically accompanied by hot apple cider, slushy walkways, and crisp breaths. But in a post-Beyonc茅 cowboy core world, it should come as no surprise that wild western winter sport has joined the mainstream crowds.

I鈥檝e spent many a cold Montana winter day bundled from head to toe in my backcountry kit, accessorized with my otherwise out-of-place Western round hat and bedazzled pink-lens sunglasses. Watching a similarly kitted-out skier as they full-send jumps, glide through gates, and reach for rings is an exhilarating experience deeply rooted in western mountain culture. Typically, ranching and front-country skiing represent two separate, yet equally important, economic sectors. Skijoring marries the two, bringing together people of different backgrounds and professional paths whose wintertime hobbies may vary dramatically.

Now, the once-niche sport is taking the national stage with the debut of , North America鈥檚 first professional skijoring series. Although PRO Skijor will be the first to bring the sport to a national stage, the sport has a long history in the United States and beyond. The North American Ski Joring Association (), for one, is a national alliance that promotes individual events through its extensive network and represents the riders, skiers, horses, and organizers.

Individual, small-town communities like those in听听and听 today host skijoring competitions to promote local tourism and provide a stage for competitors.听But the sport itself has been around for centuries, according to the . In Scandinavia, people traveled during the harsh winter months by being towed behind a reindeer on long wooden skis. At the second Olympic Winter Games in 1928, held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, competitors demonstrated skijoring. It wasn鈥檛 until the late 1940s that skijoring as a sport was conceived, and the first competitive skijoring event in the U.S. was held in Leadville, Colorado, in 1949. There is also an ongoing push to include it in a future Winter Games, such as the 2030 or 2034 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Now, skijoring鈥檚 latest evolution involves a much more expansive national audience.

“Generations of families and friends come together in a festival atmosphere to make memories around real athletes and beautiful horses,鈥� PRO Skijor co-founder Brian Gardner tells 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淎nd if they want to join the race and click into a pair of skis or saddle up to try out the course themselves, all are welcome. Skijoring is for everyone.”

The 2026 PRO Skijor Frontier Tour, a six-city professional league, will visit cities across the western U.S., including Bozeman, Montana, and Boise, Idaho. League representatives tell 国产吃瓜黑料 that each stop on the circuit will deliver an all-day celebration of snow, speed, and Western spirit, complete with live music, local food trucks, and family-friendly fun. Next year鈥檚 season is slated to wrap up in Salt Lake City with the 2026 Championship Weekend, where the best riders, skiers, and horses in the country will compete for the title and a serious cash purse.

鈥淚t鈥檚 rodeo energy meets ski-town attitude,鈥� says PRO Skijoring co-founder Joe Loveridge. 鈥淓very run is different, every crowd鈥檚 louder than the last, and we can鈥檛 wait to bring that rush to fans across the Mountain West.鈥�

Loveridge says skijoring needs to be Utah鈥檚 sport, but I鈥檇 have to disagree. Heck, maybe I鈥檒l even strap on my skis and hop in the obstacle course to prove that skijoring is, indeed, for Montanans. (Stay tuned on that one.)

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Big Sky isn鈥檛 just one of the best skiing destinations across Montana and the Mountain West. It鈥檚 one of the most aptly named places in America. Everything about it is immense.

And if you鈥檙e the kind of traveler and skier who likes big mountains that come with big comfort, the warm welcome you鈥檒l receive at is as boundless as the sky and peaks above it. The Montage name has long been synonymous with luxury, and Montage Big Sky is no exception. This five-star mountainside resort has all the amenities, conveniences, and adventures you need to make the most of your time both on and off the slopes.

Ski

With over 5,800 acres of at its doorstep, Montage Big Sky makes it easy to focus on the slopes and forget the stress. The location is a true ski-in/ski-out experience, situated just steps from the Lewis & Clark lift, meaning you can get on and off the mountain seamlessly and avoid the busier lift traffic at the base. Don鈥檛 have your own gear? No problem. Montage鈥檚 on-site equipment outfitter, , can take care of everything you need. Their fleet of skis, boots, and bindings has every kind of on-piste and freeride setup you can dream of, along with private fittings, digital foot scanners, and biomechanics assessments that guarantee the ultimate experience on the snow. Compass also offers private ski lockers, meaning none of the usual schlepping your gear back and forth. And to make things even easier, check out 听where if you book ahead, you can enjoy a complimentary night and $200 in credit at Compass Sports.

And for those traveling with kids in tow, the is a godsend. The program gets your young Explorers geared up before escorting them to and from Big Sky Resorts鈥� ski school at the base area. The kids will be off on their adventure, and you鈥檒l be free to explore your way, whether that means booking a private guide or instructor to meet you at the Montage or heading in early for apr猫s at Backcast, the mountainside gem of Montage Big Sky鈥檚 .

Stay

All of Montage鈥檚 are appointed with luxury amenities and sweeping views of the Spanish Peaks, so you can enjoy the grandeur of the landscape from the comfort of a stunning room, suite, or residence. And if you need a day off the slopes to rest and recover, the is your retreat. The 11,000-square-foot sanctuary features 12 treatment rooms, an indoor pool area, relaxation lounges, plunge pools, steam rooms, and more. The Peak Performance Recovery Massage is the Spa鈥檚 most popular offering for skiers; it includes stretching techniques and dynamic air compression to restore your muscles and increase circulation to help get you feeling rested and reset for another day on the snow.

Explore

Like multi-adventure vacations? Montage Big Sky delivers, with plenty of ways to explore the stunning natural scenery outside the resort. Immerse yourself in Montana鈥檚 peaceful wilderness on a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing tour, or enjoy the pure fun of the resort鈥檚 tubing hills. Or, roam far and wide with winter horseback rides, wildlife tours in Yellowstone National Park, dog sledding treks, and snowmobile tours. The possibilities at Montage are as vast as the sky itself.

About Montage

is located within Big Sky鈥檚 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave and features a mountain modern design with aesthetics inspired by the natural setting and a timeless palette of materials including regional woods and stones. The resort is home to 139 guestrooms and suites and residences, thoughtfully situated across three distinct settings鈥� The Lodge, Inn and Mountain Homes. The resort features five restaurants including signature restaurant Cortina; a recreation room with a bowling alley at Beartooth Pub & Rec; an outdoor swimming pool; Montage鈥檚 signature children鈥檚 program Paintbox; an 11,000-sq. ft Spa Montage featuring an indoor lap pool and fitness center; and 12,870 sq. ft. of some of the finest meeting and event space in the greater Rocky Mountain region. Montage Big Sky has unparalleled proximity to outdoor amenities, offering ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort鈥檚 5,800 skiable acres, private guided tours of Yellowstone National Park, located less than an hour鈥檚 drive from the resort, and access to Spanish Peaks Mountain Club鈥檚 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course. Montage Big Sky is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts鈥� worldwide collection. For more information, follow @montagebigsky or visit.

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