Flathead Valley during the winter (Kalispell, Whitefish: ski resort, home, high school)

[JJ.Johnson]

Straight to the question. What is there to do during the winter other than outdoor activities? Are there any festivals or events at all? Music scene? Any indoor sports leagues? Basically, how do you cope with long winters, avoid cabin fever, etc?

[Redraven]

All I remember about the valley in winter is the grey days. ( I grew up in Hungry Horse.) Very few clear, sunny days for weeks on end.
Yes, there are some winter festivals. Martin City has (or had) "Cabin Fever Days" with the bar stool races down the hill on the main street.
Whitefish has a winter celebration, but I don't remember what it is called.
Then there are the bars/dance halls/casinos. There used to be several bowling leagues, and several Canasta and Bridge groups.
I don't go back to the Valley much anymore. The next trip will be for my 60th high school reunion, if I live that long, and if there are enough people left alive to bother with it!
There have been too many changes. In the Valley, in Hungry Horse, in Martin City, and even in Coram. It is quite true, you CAN'T go home again. Chances are, "home" is gone!

[JJ.Johnson]

Thank you for the info. The weather for sure is much harsher than Denver.
Spending all winter cooped up and never going out like some people would kill me. Winter weather does get me down. Actually it makes me feel fatigued more than anything.

I *think* if there are activities that I could do once or twice a week along with the occasional ski or snowmobiling trip I would enjoy it.

Some more things I'm interested in (if available?) would be indoor gun or archery range, pool league (not dive bar/quarter machines), volleyball, workout classes, some crafts (woodworking esp.), swimming...

[Redraven]

Years ago, there was an indoor small-bore rifle and pistol range in Hungry Horse, but it was closed and destroyed long ago. I don't know if there are any such facilities in the valley now.
I think I heard of an indoor archery rage/dealer in Kalispell, but I'm not sure.
Check with Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell for possible activities that may be open to the public.

[brb going fishing]

Whitefish has a Winter Carnival in February and a Christmas Stroll event in early December. They set up fire pits along Central Ave in downtown to keep people warm. We do have a great gym here in WF with classes and so forth. Plenty of indoor shooting ranges, too. Plus it can be fun strolling up and down downtown WF and Bigfork hitting up the shops, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.

[JJ.Johnson]

Thanks. I was afraid everything would be shut down during the winter except for necessities.

What has the snow pack been like the last few years? How far is the closest snowmobiling area?

[NW Crow]

Check this and see if anything appeals https://www.flatheadevents.net/

The music section shows a fair number of options. (6-10 listings each for upcoming Fridays and Saturdays, though acts might repeat frequently)

[JJ.Johnson]

Nice.

Anyone have links to working webcams in the valley?

[NW Crow]

Googling Flathead Valley Webcam and Kalispell Webcam I found cams working at the ski resort, Glacier Park and a couple in Bigfork. Some link were duds but just got to keep clicking.

[snowave]

head south to find sun!