What do I expect in November? (Dillon, Whitehall: where to stay, hotel, live)

[tailg8r22]

Thanks to those of you who responded regarding Montana winters. We have decided to visit during the week of Thanksgiving because we have that time off. Can you give me some info. on what to pack/expect this time of year. Family in Twin Bridges area but we are looking at staying in Ennis (possibly). We'll be there for a few days so a cabin or similar would be more comfortable than a hotel. Any suggestions of where to stay within an hour or so of Twin Bridges would be also be appreciated. Thank you.

[grizzfan]

Long underware and warm socks. Parka with a hood. Good shoes. Emergency rations and items in your vehicle. AWD and/or chains. A camera.

[GEORGIAINMT]

Make sure that you not only bring the stuff Grizzfan suggested, but also be ready for what could be nice weather! One thing about Montana is that you never know what the weather will be like! I remember many Thanksgiving Days being out in the yard in shirt sleeves playing a game of football to wear off the big dinner! Prepare for the worst, but be pleasantly surprised if you have some beautiful fall weather

[lorelei2873]

I think the long underwear is a bit much. I grew up in SW Montana and still live there. The only time I've worn long under wear is sledding or ice fishing. Geez Louise. This isn't Ice Road Trucker country. I mean, I guess if you're staying in a cabin and snow shoeing in. If you're just staying in town, just bring something like a Columbia jacket with a windbreaker layer and a warmer inside liner or a Carhartt plus a wool hat. You should definitely have snow boots and some rations in your car, but I'd just wear hiking boots or some other closed toed shoe around.

I mean, it really depends on if you're working and playing outside or just doing the average thing that someone in Montana does. I get by fine with tights, a skirt, and closed toed high heels most of the year. I just wear a wool coat over it with gloves. But, that's not what I'd wear ice fishing.

The weather is usually the grayest of all year in November. There's not really any leaves on the trees but not much snow on the ground yet either. You should be careful for black ice when you're driving. It's a big time of the year for that. You should be able to see snow on the mountains though. You could get a nice day!

Bring layers: sweat shirts, sweaters, fleeces, etc...things you can take off and on.

There are plenty of places to stay in Dillon if your goal is to be close to Twin Bridges. If my goal was to spend time in Twin Bridges, I don't think I would stay in Ennis if I didn't have to because you have to go over a pass and you could stay in Whitehall or Dillon and avoid it.

[Reziac]

November is almost a month of four seasons all by itself. Generally fairly mild weather (as winter goes) until Thanksgiving, that weekend can be counted on for the first major blizzard of the year. Yankscoming day may start off clear and sunny, but expect serious snow by late afternoon!

In SoCal, you can count on pouring rain that weekend, clearing up Sunday afternoon. So don't think you can escape the weather system by going south.

I've only seen ONE year that stayed clear and fine that whole weekend! I think the calendar musta had a low battery or something.

[countess1166]

There WILL be snow. The road to Ennis WILL be tough. Good luck!

[Radek]

Its all about the layers. Mornings are guaranteed to be cold, but you could easily find yourself outside in short sleeves in the afternoon.

Beyond that, make sure your vehicle can handle snow and cold.