Montana is a huge state with a variety of monthly events and, of course, skiing in the winter months. When you’re in Big Sky country you can’t help but spend some time under and enjoy as much of the outdoors as you can during the day and stay toasty warm inside. In Big Sky there is a huge Fireworks Kick Off Show that is held at the Mountain Mall Plaza. The show lights up Lone Peak and you get to stay toasty warm around the bonfire. The show is every weekend through the end of the ski season. Great for after a day at the slopes.

The night sky was very important in mapping out this rough western country. With their monthly Star Party in Great Falls, the USDA Forest Service and the Central Montana Astronomy Society holds the event to educate the public on how Lewis and Clark used the stars to chart their course. The groups set up large telescopes for public viewing and they offer great explanations on how you can travel by the stars. The Winternational Sports Festival is an eight-week event with nineteen activities. Activities range from indoor tennis to skiing, speed skating and bench pressing. Everyone is invited to participate. The event covers the entire month of February and March. This is southwest Montana’s largest event.

The Race to the Sky Sled Dog Race kicks off at Camp Remini near Helena. In addition to the race there will be children’s games, events, a celebrity mush, and a mutt pulling. In the evening of the first day you are invited to bid on the opportunity to ride a sled with a competitor. The race runs through Hi-Country Snack Foods in Lincoln and Cane Ridge. The race also runs through the White Tail Ranch near Ovando, the Seeley Lake Community Center in Seeley Lake and then to the wilderness outside Seeley Lake and finishing in Lincoln. This race is a qualifying race for the Alaskan Iditarod.

Traveling through Montana can be treacherous. They often see a lot of snowfall during this time of the year so it is important that you take the appropriate safety precautions. Always pack warm and be sure to keep a blanket in your car. Keep your headlights and taillights clean in snowy weather and make sure that your defrost works well. Always test the road and travel with a safe distance between cars. Don’t get in a hurry and do not use your cruise control in winter driving.