SPRING brings warm afternoons with wildflowers adorning the meadows and mountainsides. It's a lovely time for walking or bicycling amid the fresh new greenery within view of the mountains, many still capped with snow. Spring also finds some visitors skiing in the morning and playing golf in the afternoon.

SUMMER'S warm temperatures and low humidity make it perfect for basking along the shore at one of the hundreds of rivers or forested lakes. The Flathead Valley boasts three "wild and scenic" rivers, whetting the rafter's appetite for adventure. Water skiing, windsurfing, fishing and boating beckon water enthusiasts. Outdoor concerts, garden tours, festivals and theatrical events harmonize with natural beauty. And the cherry harvest along Flathead Lake gives you a fresh taste of nature's candy!

AUTUMN'S crisp mornings illuminate your golf ball as it sails down the fairway at one of the many outstanding local courses open through October. The fiery fall colors of the birch, tamarack, aspen and maple trees are magnificent for photographing or just admiring. The cool, aromatic weather invites you outside to bicycle, canoe or kayak. Hunters will find elk, moose and deer abundant in the mountains and backcountry.

WINTER is the favorite season for many. While Montana has a reputation for cold winters, temperatures are mild in the Flathead Valley - usually in the mid 20s to 30s. The Whitefish Mountain Resort offers over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Blacktail Mountain, the valley's newest ski area, overlooks Flathead Lake and is great for families and kids to ski together. If you like more speed, cruise the hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails through snow-garlanded beauty. For quiet getaways, go cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, sleigh-riding, or ice fishing.