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Whitefish Lake from Big Mountain

Big Mountain opens Fri Dec 4 · soon

Small town. Big nights.

Bands, mountain days, brewery nights and the stuff locals actually go to. Every week, all in one place.

Open the calendar For locals
Live mountain cams

Snow: Whitefish Mountain Resort report · Forecast: National Weather Service

For locals · next 2 weeks

Coming up for locals

See all
Live MusicWho's playing tonight MountainOpening day, races, parades HolidayStroll, Turkey Trot, Carnival Brews + BitesTaprooms and local tables LocalsAvalanche classes, Nordic, hockey, trap nights CarnivalWinter Carnival, Feb 5-7, plus the run-up events. Gear + DealsPasses, Montana makers, gun shops. Green CrossDispensaries in town · 21+

Next 7 days

This week in the 406

Full calendar

The calendar

The next 3 months

For locals

Find your crew

Post a meetup

Avalanche classes, Nordic and biathlon, drop-in hockey, trap nights and the social stuff. Tap "I'm in" so the crew knows you're coming.

Post a meetup

Ski crew, hockey pickup, card night, Nordic laps. Free, and we give it a quick look before it goes up.

Big Mountain.
Small Town.

Whitefish Lake

Central Ave after dark

Who's playing

Upcoming shows at the rooms locals pack. Tap a show for tickets and details.

Featured bar · Sponsor spotYour bar, featured here

Top billing in Live Music, your shows pinned first, and a weekly shout on Instagram.

Get featured ›
Great Northern Bar

Great Northern Bar and Grill

27 Central Ave

Live music every Thursday through Saturday. Pool, ping pong, 29 taps.

Their site
Remington Bar

Remington Bar

130 Central Ave

Touring country and Americana acts, line dancing nights, and a live poker room Fri through Mon.

Their calendar
Blackstar

Blackstar

2 Central Ave

Jeremiah Johnson beer, pizza and a rooftop with mountain views.

Events
Theatre Co.O’Shaughnessy Center

Whitefish Theatre Co.

O’Shaughnessy Center, 1 Central Ave

Music series and plays all season.

Their season
Second Story101 Central Ave

Second Story at 101 Central

101 Central Ave · the old Casey's

Upstairs music room in a bar spot that dates to 1905. Bluegrass, tribute nights and holiday shows.

Upcoming
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake

Boat Club Bar at the Lodge

1380 Wisconsin Ave

Local musicians Wed, Fri and Sat, 6-9 PM, right on the lake.

Full lineup
Firebrand650 E 3rd St

The Firebrand Hotel

650 E 3rd St

Free live music in the restaurant Saturdays 6-9 PM, plus First Fridays.

Their site

Big Mountain

On the hill

Big Mountain

Fri Dec 4 · 79th winter season

Opening Day

--days to go

Buy lift ticketsSeason passes

Buy tickets online 48 hrs ahead to save up to 33%. Resort events

Sat Nov 7 · 12-5 PMSeason Pass Pickup PartyBlackstar BrewPub Wednesdays from Dec 16SkiMo race league, 4 nightsWhitefish Mountain Resort Thu Dec 31 · 5-8 PMNYE Torchlight Parade + FireworksWhitefish Mountain Resort

Getting up there

Straight from the resort
ConditionsSnow reportNew snow, base depth and lifts running today. LiveMountain webcamsCheck the summit and base before you drive up. Free · every day of the seasonS.N.O.W. BusFree shuttle between downtown and the mountain. Winter schedule posts closer to Opening Day.Live bus tracker ParkingWhere to parkMost lots are free. Cedar and Dogwood are free Mon-Thu, Birch is $20 a day. Dec 4 - Apr 4Lift hoursMost chairs run about 9 AM to 4 PM. Conditions permitting. Fri + Sat · 4-8:30 PMNight skiingChairs 2, 3 and 6 under the lights. $38 night ticket. GearRentals, repairs + lockersResort rental shop at the base. Town shops in Gear + Deals. SaveSki dealsPass deadline, frequent skier card and online ticket discounts.

Après on the hill

Big Mountain bars
Big Mountain · independentThe BierstubeThe long-running après bar, packed with mountain memorabilia. Burgers and a covered patio.Après classic
Base, by Chair 1 · independentHellroaring SaloonHistoric ski-in, ski-out chalet. Locals swear by the nachos.Ski-in, ski-out
Summit · 6,817 ftSummit HouseFull bar on 3 floors and a deck with views for days.Top of the mountain
VillageEd + Mully'sFull bar, burgers and a big fireplace for warming up.Fireside
Big Mountain · independentBuchanan's Chop HouseWhisky bar with the Snug Bar tucked inside. Open Wed-Mon, noon to 10 PM.Open now

Whitefish Winter Carnival

Long live King Ullr

The town's wildest winter tradition. A new King Ullr and Queen of the Snows get crowned in January, then the party takes over downtown in February.

Framed portraits of the 2026 Winter Carnival royal court on display in a downtown window Downtown Whitefish
The 2026 Royal Court (LXVII, "Out of This World"): King Ullr Dave Grady, Queen of the Snows Linda Engh-Grady, Prime Minister Zak Anderson and Duchess of Lark Katie Akey.
2027 themeEnchantment Under the SeaCarnival weekend: Feb 5-7, 2027
  • Dec 11Carnival buttons go on saleAt the Christmas Stroll. Most events need one.
  • Jan 9Merry Maker roast (21+)Whitefish Moose Lodge · advance ticket
  • Jan 16Coronation LXVIII, 7 PMO'Shaughnessy Center · new King + Queen revealed
  • Jan 16Disco Party, doors 9 PMGreat Northern Bar · 21+ · $15 includes a button
  • Feb 6Penguin Plunge, 11 AMWhitefish City Beach
  • Feb 6Grand Parade, 3 PMDowntown Whitefish

Who's the next King Ullr? The court stays secret until Coronation night.

Full Carnival schedule

Taprooms + tables

Brews + bites

A pint with a view

Jeremiah Johnson beer poured downtown, with Big Mountain right out the window. Local taps, local crowd.

Whitefish · 2 Central Ave

Blackstar

Jeremiah Johnson Brewing beer in the old Great Northern Brewing building.

Whitefish

Bonsai Brewing Project

Longtime local favorite taproom.

Whitefish

SunRift Beer Co.

Taprooms in Whitefish and Kalispell.

Columbia Falls

Backslope Brewing

Worth the short drive up the road.

Watering holes

Where locals drink in town
Great Northern Bar27 Central Ave

Live music Thu-Sat, pool, ping pong and 29 taps.

Live music
Remington Bar130 Central Ave

Touring country acts, line dancing, the shuffleboard table and $1-2 Hold'em poker.

Live music
Bulldog Saloon144 Central Ave

Sports bar since 1983. Memorabilia everywhere, nightly poker and the Bulldog Burger.

Sports + poker
Palace Bar125 Central Ave

Long-running downtown bar on Central.

Dive
101 Central101 Central Ave

The old Casey's corner, a bar since 1905. Second Story music room upstairs.

Live music
Craggy Range10 Central Ave

25+ TVs, 16 taps, patio. Burgers, wings and bison chili.

Game day
Spotted Bear Spirits503 Railway St

Local distillery tasting room. Get the salt and pepper martini. Winter: Sun-Thu 4-8, Fri-Sat noon-8.

Cocktails

Town favorites

More spots coming
115 Central AveAbruzzo ItalianItalian kitchen on Central. Date night or the whole crew.
510 Wisconsin AveJalisco Cantina100+ tequilas and mezcals. The carne asada tacos are the move.
On Whitefish LakeThe Lodge at Whitefish LakeHappy hour on the water, right on the lake.

Deals + gear

Save some cash

Pass deadlines, rentals, gear shops, Montana makers and gun shops. Checked against each business's own page.

Fresh deals are on the way. Check back soon, or send us one.

Got a gig, a race or a party?

Get it on the 406. Free for local bars, venues and nonprofits. Want top billing? Ask about sponsor spots.

The weekend rundown, every Thursday@whitefish_406 on Instagram · @whitefish406 on X
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