The Outdoors

When you need more than 'just a big room' to throw a party, Montana has an incredible number of really cool options. From ranches to historic mansions, there are fun venues all over the state. We've put together a list of some of the best choices to throw a unique party of any kind.

Montana counties across the entire state are getting hammered with snow, wind and bitterly cold temperatures. Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Billings and everywhere in between has it's own issues, with up to 15 inches of fresh snow falling by Thursday evening.

If you're sad to see a Montana Summer come to an end, the upside is that a Montana Fall can be (and usually is) absolutely breathtaking. The colors that erupt across the state are a photographer's dream and you'll find picture-worthy landscapes almost everywhere you look.

The Superfund program was created in 1980 and actually has a much more complex name: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). All the most toxic sites in the country were basically put on a list, and hopes were high that somehow, some way, sometime - they'd get 'cleaned up'.

Hot air balloon rides are becoming more and more popular across Montana. What better, more gorgeous state to enjoy from above? Here's what you can expect regarding FAQs, locations, cost and where you end up.

Local women or newbie ladies, there's a ton of wonderful groups you can join to share your love of the outdoors. Montana has so much to offer everyone, but sometimes you just want to hang with the girls. No problem. Your passion is shared by thousands, so let's explore some of the best groups for women.

Having bears show up in Bozeman city limits is nothing new, but it's a bit surprising that it still happens as much as it does. Sprawling growth, more people, more subdivisions - you'd think there might be too much in between the center of town and the mountains. Well, they're still totally comfortable wandering into the center of town and here's proof.

There are mountains all over the place in Montana - we all know that. But even I was surprised to learn just how many distinct mountain ranges there are across the state, with even more 'sub' ranges. It's a pretty impressive number.

We didn't actually nab the TOP spot on the list, but runner up ain't too bad. Montana certainly has some of the best small mountain towns in America - you just have to look around. Several of our small towns could make the list on any given day.

"Cows are fed - Time to shred" is on their t-shirts. It's been around since 1936 in the Montana county that out-of-staters regularly mispronounce. As the oldest ski area in the state, this stunning piece of 640 skiable acres has perfected the art of gathering local love. It's a fascinating rabbit hole to go down when reading reviews, comments, and messages about the ski area that started out so many years ago as "King's Hill Ski Area".

You have to pay to play in Montana. Play outdoors, that is. The toys, the gear, the vehicles, the activities, the permits, and everything else you might need to pursue Montana's outdoor adventures can get VERY expensive.

Montana corn and bale mazes are some of the best in the country, and Bozeman is home to perhaps the finest in the state. The Bozeman straw bale maze is opening on a Friday night to celebrate the new season with tons of fun activities.