Home For the Holidays: Christmas in Montana
Although I cherish my days spent in Auburn, a white Christmas always takes the cake in my book.
Here’s a glimpse of what Christmas break looks like in the Northwest.
First Look
When the view from the plane window begins looking like this, I know I’m close to home! The first thing on my to-do list when I land is grabbing a hot chocolate from the coffee stand in the tiny Missoula, Montana airport. This always makes the initial shock of the cold weather a little more tolerable.
Swimming
Surprise! Outdoor swimming can still be enjoyed in the dead of winter in Montana. A perk of living in the Yellowstone state is that natural hot springs can be found (with some effort) in certain areas. Here is one of my favorites. Located at the end of a four-mile hike, this hot spring is an amazing way to stay active in the winter and have a nice swim. I love to bring some lunch and hot cocoa along for the trek.
Skiing
What would a Montana Christmas be without skiing? Skiing helps me stay active in the colder months and is a great way to take in all the scenic views Montana has to offer. I love skiing on Whitefish Mountain which is about 3 hours from my hometown. The snow up there is no joke!
Bonfires
Bonfires are a popular way to socialize and get outdoors in the winter while staying warm. Many of my favorite holiday memories come from bonfire nights. There’s no better way to warm up on a chilly night than with music, food, drinks, and friends!
Hiking
For the warmer days, I love to hike and gaze at the beautiful mountains. The dogs sure love it too. With 63 hiking trails located in Missoula, Montana, there are always new sights to see and new routes to try. This trail is on Blue Mountain, named for the blue hue the spruce trees emit in the sunlight.
Indoor Activities
For the days when the weather is too cold to bear, I love spending my time baking or volunteering for the Toys-For-Tots drive. You can find me in the kitchen making my homemade apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting. And it is the season of giving so consider volunteering for toy donations and help make the holidays brighter for families in need.
All in all, Christmas break looks a little different in Montana, but no matter where you celebrate, what makes Christmas special is the quality time you get to spend with family and friends! Enjoy your break and Merry Christmas.
Be Well, Auburn.
Crystal is a junior majoring in marketing and double minoring in Italian and sales. She spent her freshman year of college at Baylor University (Sic ‘em) before transferring to Auburn where she found her home!
Born and raised in Montana, Crystal’s passion for the outdoors started at a young age. You can often find her hiking, floating in the river, or just sitting in the sun. When she’s not out enjoying nature, Crystal loves to read, travel anywhere new, listen to the oldies, and spend quality time with family and friends. After graduation, she aspires to travel as much as possible, pursue a career in real estate or social media marketing, and eventually find her way back to the Rockies.
