Bundle up and go outside

Remember, there’s no bad weather, only bad gear. During winter, skiing and snowboarding are an obvious choice in Montana’s winter destinations. But putting on some ice cleats or snowshoes can let you head out and hit the trail, even in conditions that aren’t ideal. Some of the best fun you can have in winter means braving the elements—safely, of course! So pack those extra layers, and make sure you check off all the gear essentials. Then, head outside and make a snow angel or catch snowflakes on your tongue. When you’re cuddled up by the fire, you’ll be glad for the memories of cold and rosy cheeks.

Explore Yellowstone without the crowds

With winter in many destinations comes fewer people and more room for peaceful solitude. Yellowstone National Park is one of those places. When roads close to regular vehicles and open up to over-snow travel by snowmobile (with a permit), skis and snowcoach, you can relish wildlife viewing and explore geothermal features without the crowds. The road through the Lamar Valley is plowed and open to vehicles throughout the winter, making for winter wildlife watching all the way from Gardiner to Cooke City.

The Super 8 by Wyndham Gardener/Yellowstone Park welcomes guests throughout the year.

Fulfill your Glacier winter bucket list

Glacier in winter comes with snowshoeing and skiing on the Going-to-the-Sun Road while it’s closed to vehicles. It also holds backcountry recreation opportunities for diehard, experienced powderhounds. For people who want more laidback adventures, take in the mountain vista from the base of Lake McDonald. That’s where you’ll find those fruity pebble rocks that are all over Instagram. But the quiet and serenity found in a snow-dusted forest is something you can only experience in real life, not on social media.

Stay in Whitefish at a comfortable vacation rental with easy access to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Starry Night Lodging & RV Glacier offers RV hookups with cozy cabins, too.

Support communities in the slow season

Many communities in areas that experience a busy summer see a big slowdown during the winter. And that extreme seasonality can take a toll on the people who live and work there. Visiting in the winter spreads love throughout the year in these smaller towns. Use your winter time to shop local, explore eateries, and give back to businesses rooted in the communities you visit.

Let regenerative travel guide your plans

With winter comes a season of giving and giving back. Travel intentionally this winter, thinking not only of the communities where you stay but also of the planet that you love. Choose regenerative practices wherever you can, whether that’s bringing your reusable water bottle, supporting local businesses, minimizing waste, donating your time to local causes, or purchasing carbon offsets to reduce the impact of air travel. The future of travel is regenerative, and the slower pace of winter gives you the time to connect to your destination and do more good.

Escape the cold weather altogether

You can’t go wrong cozying up against winter’s chill under soft-falling snow. But sometimes, you just need to OD on Vitamin D. That’s where a warm-weather getaway to break up your winter woes can help. Retreat to the Garden Isle, and see how a stay in Kauai can reinvigorate you during the depths of winter.

Starry Night Lodging hosts vacation rentals in the sun, too.

No matter how you spend your season, Starry Night can help you make the most of your travels. See where you want to explore in winter and find a regenerative lodging option to suit your stay.