Montana invites you to enjoy a winter wonderland, pine trees that look as though they’ve been dusted with powdered sugar. Gorgeous mountain landscapes sparkle in the sunlight. And although there’s a nip in the air, you won’t find a warmer welcome anywhere. But why limit the fun to downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling? Try these other great Montana winter activities: ice-skating, dog sled rides, and winter wildlife viewing. And don't forget to check out local events such as winter carnivals, ski boarding, sleigh rides, and dog sled races.

Montana offers a plethora of sites and sights you'll want to visit, including Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, numerous stops along the Lewis & Clark Trail, wilderness areas, historic towns, and much more. The state is also filled with adventurous possibilities: rafting, hiking, horseback riding, rock-climbing, and mountain biking are just a few. You will find attractions and activities across the state.

Montana offers a plethora of sites and sights you'll want to visit, including Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, numerous stops along the Lewis & Clark Trail, wilderness areas, historic towns, and much more. The state is also filled with adventurous possibilities: rafting, hiking, horseback riding, rock-climbing, and mountain biking are just a few. You will find attractions and activities across the state.

Downhill Skiing
In Montana, the flakes outnumber the skiers about a billion to one. In fact, Montana has resorts ranked among North America's least crowded by national ski publications. Think about it: Montana is the fourth largest in America, with less than one million residents. Montana has 16 downhill ski areas, ranging from resorts to day-use areas. In fact, world-class skiers such as Tommy Moe and Eric Bergoust honed their early skills on Montana's mountains. And whether you're a traditional skier, a snowboarder or a telemark skier, you'll always get a warm welcome. In fact, if you decided to ski all of Montana's downhill ski areas, you would end up with a lot of ground to cover: 14,000 acres.

It's easy enough to get to a cross-country skiing destination in Montana. First, step out of your door. Then, strap on your skis. The fact is that Montana has millions of acres of public lands open to cross-country skiing just about anywhere you go. Of course, you could start your cross-country adventure in one of our two brightest jewels: Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. In Glacier, you'll likely have a sore neck from staring up at the dizzying peaks that surround you, and you can easily go an entire day without seeing another human being if you're looking for solitude. In Yellowstone, you can ski past bubbling geysers, explore acres of pristine beauty and spot plenty of wildlife.

Snowmobiling
How do you top high mountain trails, wide-open spaces, and some of the most gorgeous scenery on earth? In Montana, they top it with hundreds of inches of soft, pure powder. Montana is the home of some of the longest snow mobile trails found in America. There are many destination areas where the snowmobiles actually outnumber the cars on winter streets.

Biking
Montana offers some of the most exciting cycling adventures in the world. Feel the soft summer breeze, smell the scent of fresh pine, and hear the screech of eagles as you pedal through Montana. On a bike, you can experience Big Sky Country up close and personal, free from the confinement of a car. What can compare to the thrill of cruising up a mountain trail and watching elk graze or viewing a mountain goat perched high on a cliff? What could match the adventure of visiting historic battlefields, dinosaur digs, or riding along ancient Indian trails? Visit Montana for a cycling adventure of a lifetime.

Casinos
If you like gambling you'll hit the jackpot in Montana! Video poker, keno and bingo machines are legal with a maximum $2 bet and $800 payout. The following live games are also authorized: raffles, bingo, keno, bridge, cribbage, hearts, panguingue, pinochle, pitch, poker, rummy, solo, whist, and shake-a-day. Sports pools, fantasy sports leagues and sports tab games are also legal.

Dinosaurs, Archaeology, and Paleontology
Every day Montanans walk across the very same ground once inhabited by dinosaurs. Big Sky Country offers spectacular "hands on" archaeological, paleontologic, and geological experiences. Summer provides the opportunity to dig dinosaurs along the Rocky Mountain Front, or visit ancient archaeological sites like Ulm Pishkun. When snow blankets the mountains and prairies, distinguished scientists, like Jack Horner, offer fascinating seminars and lectures.

Fishing
Montana is renowned not just for its "blue ribbon" fishing, but for the entire outdoor experience it yields. Clear rushing streams, quiet rivers, and secret "cricks" flow through unrivaled landscapes, teeming with wildlife. Fish legendary rivers like the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Big Hole, Missouri or great reservoirs like Canyon Ferry, Fort Peck, Georgetown or the naturally formed Flathead Lake. Montana is home to many fish species, from the prehistoric paddlefish to the wild trout of Western Montana.

Golfing
In Montana, the eagles on the golf courses are real. And so are the deer and the elk, but keep your mind on your game. From the Jack Nicklaus designed Old Works course, in Anaconda, to the spectacular Eagle Bend in Big Fork, there is always the hazard of being distracted by the stunning scenery and fly-fishing daydreams. Montana boasts more than 70 golf courses. From first-class resorts to elegant country clubs and delightful "country" courses, Montana is a great place to spend your golfing vacation.

Hiking and Backpacking
Montana is a word borrowed from the Latin expression meaning "mountainous." The rugged Continental Divide zigzags across western Montana from the jagged peaks of Glacier Park to the ancient Beartooth plateau. The potential for hiking and backpacking in Big Sky Country is endless and inviting.

Hot Springs
Want to get into hot water? Montana has more than two-dozen developed "hot spring" destinations and another 30 natural sites all fed from natural geothermal features. Rooms, fine dining, therapeutic massage, Olympic sized pools, soaking tubs, and steam rooms are available at many of the developed sites. Resorts are located near some the finest outdoor recreation areas in the state. Mountain ranges, streams and national forests adjoin Montana "hot springs."

Hunting
Montana is a hunter's paradise. You can hunt elk in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, antelope on the short-grass prairies, upland birds in the foothills, and moose in the low bogs of our rugged mountains. When it comes to wildlife diversity and hunting opportunities, Montana has something to satisfy nearly everyone.

Climbing and Mountaineering
Montana has 10 national forests, 12 wilderness areas, and over 16 million acres of public lands to explore. Mountaineers can find day hikes, multi-day treks, wilderness adventures, and technical rock and ice climbing in Montana. Glacier Park alone has over 1,000 miles of trails. For the real adventurer, many remote areas of the state remain virtually uninvestigated and they're climbing potential unexplored.

Montana River Trips Big Sky Country offers some of the most exciting white water rafting and scenic river trips in the nation. From Montana's snowy peaks and the Yellowstone Plateau, pristine waters converge and flow through spectacular canyons and valleys. Experience the thrill of whitewater on a raft trip down the Alberton Gorge, near Missoula, or the tranquil beauty of the wild and scenic Upper Missouri, near Fort Benton. You can explore Montana's rivers in many ways; guides offer a variety of trips on drift boats, rafts, kayaks and canoes.

Shopping
Western boutiques, antique shops, large department stores, and malls all serve up quality merchandise and great bargains but what visitors love best about shopping in Montana is—no sales tax! Stroll the outdoor shopping mall on Last Chance Gulch, in Helena, or the historic downtown shopping districts of Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Kalispell or Missoula for a wonderful, relaxing shopping experience. Want to avoid the crowds? Most of Montana's smaller towns and cities are bustling with main street businesses.

Western Adventure
In Montana you can experience the adventure and true romance of the American West. A Montana cattle drive, wagon train, or Powwow will provide the adventure of a lifetime. If you prefer your adventure at a safe distance, Rodeo excitement can be found year round. Prominent Montana rodeo events include the NILE Bull Riders Invitational in Billings, Wolf Point's Wild Horse Stampede, the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, the American Legion Rodeo in Augusta, the Fourth of July in Ennis, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, the Last Chance Stampede in Helena.

Wildlife
In Montana, everyone has a few wild neighbors. We're not talking about the typical wild neighbors who throw all-night parties; we're referring to antelope, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, eagles, trumpeter swans, bears, wolves, and more. In fact, Montana has a greater variety of wildlife than any other state in the lower 48. Think of us as a giant, natural animal preserve of mountain lions and bison and bears. Montana is home to one of the one of the world's outstanding zoological and botanical institutions specializing in Northern Latitude or Temperate Zone species. Zoo Montana provides the state with environmentally focused cultural, educational and recreational adventures. If you're traveling near West Yellowstone, drop in and see the Grizzly Discovery Center. Located at the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the Center offers views seen only in the wild. At the Grizzly Discovery Center you can observe the habits and surprisingly playful behaviors of grizzly bears and a gray wolf pack.

Area: 147046 sq.mi, Land 145556 sq. mi., Water 1490 sq.mi.

Location: 46.59652 N, 112.02038 W.

Border States: Idaho - North Dakota - South Dakota - Wyoming.

Agriculture: Cattle, wheat, barley, sugar beets, hay, hogs.

Industry: Mining, lumber and wood products, food processing, and tourism.

Flag: Under the word "Montana", on a blue field, is the state seal. The seal shows some of Montana's beautiful scenery and tells what people were doing in pioneer times. The pick, shovel and plow represent mining and farming. In the background a sun rises over mountains, forests and the Great Falls of the Missouri river. A ribbon contains the state motto "Gold and Silver".

Population: 882,779; 44th, 12/99.

Origin of state's name: Based on Spanish word for "mountainous".

State Motto: Oro y plata - "Gold and Silver".

State Capital: Helena.

Largest Cities: Billings, Great Falls, Butte, Missoula, and Helena.

Geographic Center: Fergus, 11 miles west of Lewistown.

Highest Point: Granite Peak - 12,799 feet, 10th.

Lowest Point: Kootenai River - 1800 feet, 47th.

State Bird: Western Meadowlark.

State Flower: Bitterroot - Lewisia rediviva.

State Nickname: Treasure State.

State Song: Montana.

Statehood: November 8,1889.

Topography: Rocky Mountains in the western third of the state; eastern two-thirds gently rolling northern great plains.

State Tree: Ponderosa pine - Pinus ponderosa.