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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

Classes · leagues · meetups

Locals lineup

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. Running something? Post a meetup

Find your crew

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.

Their Instagram

Whitefish Theatre Co.

O’Shaughnessy Center, 1 Central Ave

Music series and plays all season.

Their season

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

The Firebrand Hotel

650 E 3rd St

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

Their site

Whitefish Performing Arts Center

600 E 2nd St

Alpine Theatre Project's holiday variety show and Broadway concerts.

ATP shows

North Valley Music School

1998 River Lakes Pkwy

Faculty and guest concerts, workshops and a free bluegrass jam.

Their site

Wachholz College Center

795 Grandview Dr, Kalispell

The valley's big concert hall. Touring bands, Glacier Symphony and the holiday shows.

Tickets + schedule

Gunsight Saloon

624 Nucleus Ave, Columbia Falls

Free live music several nights a week, plus Tuesday trivia.

Their site

The Silver Bullet

1700 MT Hwy 206, Columbia Falls

Local and touring bands Fridays and Saturdays, year-round.

Their Instagram

Stonefly Lounge

10154 US Hwy 2 E, Coram

Free live music fairly often. Lineups go up on their Facebook.

Their Facebook

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

What's pouring, who's playing and today's specials, right on each spot.

Blackstar · 2 Central Ave A pint with a view

Jeremiah Johnson beer brewed on site, pizza and burgers, and a rooftop with Big Mountain right out the window.

MenuInstagram

Breweries + taprooms

In town
549 Wisconsin Ave

Bonsai Brewing Project

Longtime local favorite taproom. Kid and dog friendly.

Events
503 Railway St

Spotted Bear Spirits

Local distillery tasting room. Get the salt and pepper martini.

Events

Watering holes

Where locals drink in town
130 Central Ave

Remington Bar

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

CalendarSave a poker seat
101 Central Ave

101 Central

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

Website
144 Central Ave

Bulldog Saloon

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

MenuFacebook
10 Central Ave

Craggy Range

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

InstagramEvents
125 Central Ave

Palace Bar

Long-running downtown bar on Central.

Town favorites

More spots coming
115 Central AveAbruzzo ItalianItalian kitchen on Central. Date night or the whole crew.
Book a table
510 Wisconsin AveJalisco Cantina100+ tequilas and mezcals. The carne asada tacos are the move.
Website
1380 Wisconsin Ave · on the lakeThe Lodge at Whitefish LakeHappy hour and live music in the Boat Club Bar, right on the water.
Bar + lounge

Worth the drive

Columbia Falls, Kalispell + Coram
Columbia Falls · 15 min1107 9th St W

Backslope Brewing

Easy drive up the road for a pint.

Website
Columbia Falls · 15 min624 Nucleus Ave

Gunsight Saloon

Free live music several nights a week, plus Tuesday trivia.

Website
Columbia Falls · 15 min6105 US-2

Blue Moon Nite Club

Country bands, swing dance nights and karaoke on a real dance floor.

Columbia Falls · 15 min1700 MT Hwy 206

Silver Bullet

Live bands Friday and Saturday, open mic every other Wednesday and Thursday karaoke.

Instagram
Kalispell · 20 min3250 US Hwy 2 E

Sacred Waters Brewing

Taproom with Friday acoustic sets and Thursday trivia.

Instagram
Kalispell · 20 minMain St, downtown

Kalispell Brewing Co.

German-style lagers and Northwest ales in the historic downtown.

Website
Kalispell · 20 minDowntown

Bias Brewing

Pint nights, run club and community events.

Events
Kalispell · 20 min55 1st Ave W N

SunRift Beer Co.

Kalispell taproom. The Whitefish spot has closed.

Website
Kalispell · 20 min1840 US 93 S, Hilton Garden Inn

Freestone

Restaurant and bar. Local musicians are listed for some Thursday evenings, so check before you go.

Coram · 25 min10154 US Hwy 2 E

Stonefly Lounge

Free live music fairly often. Lineups go up on their Facebook.

Facebook

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.

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