Glacier Park International Airport
Glacier Park International Airport is currently serving Northwest Montana, the Flathead Valley, including Bigfork, Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Libby, Polson and Glacier National Park. It’s also a top notch access route to the Montana Scenic Loop. Located half way between Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, Glacier Park International Airport is a destination point for America West, Big Sky, Delta, Horizon, Northwest, and Sky West airlines.
Traditionally, the county seat of Kalispell, just north of Flathead Lake, has served as the area's commercial center. Retailing aside, Kalispell is the prettiest city in the Flathead, and its east side boasts some of the county's grandest homes. Among these is the Conrad Mansion, built for Kalispell's founding father, who believed that the railroad would come through town. (It went through Whitefish instead, leaving Kalispell with only a spur line.) Centrally located Kalispell often serves as the jumping-off point for the Flathead Valley's many attractions.
The Flathead Valley, or simply "The Flathead" as it's called, is one of Montana's most popular recreational getaways. That's partly due to its location bordering Glacier National Park, and partly due to its own stupendous outdoor opportunities. Slightly larger than the state of Connecticut, the valley claims Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, as its centerpiece—plus more than 250 smaller lakes dotting the valley floor and surrounding mountains. The enormous peaks of Glacier National Park form the valley's northeast borders and the Canadian Rockies rise to the north.
Many tourists come for a visit and never leave: the Flathead is perennially among the three fastest growing counties in the state. Timber still plays a major role in the region's economy but increasingly tourist dollars, service industries, and retirees are sustaining its population. The valley boasts several towns of note, each with its own distinct personality.
Once known as "Stumptown" for the tree stumps that littered its streets, Whitefish is the closest thing to a tony resort community west of Bozeman. Its raison d'ętre is The Big Mountain, which looms 8 miles north. Occasional sightings of Hollywood stars lend Whitefish a certain mystique, but as ski towns go it's pretty low-key. The quaint village of Bigfork, on the northeast corner of Flathead Lake, seems an unlikely spot for a dose of culture, but it's where you'll find the valley's largest concentration of good restaurants, art galleries, and live entertainment. It's touristy, sure, with espresso carts and shopping galore, but Bigfork's appeal is undeniable. The same could be said of the Valley itself; from fishing to whitewater rafting, skiing to swimming, Flathead Valley will always be one of Montana's premier recreation destinations.
Glacier Park International Airport4170 Highway 2 East
Kalispell, Montana 59901
406.257.5994