Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SKIING AND WINTER RECREATION
Just across from Georgetown Lake is
Discovery Ski Area
(180 Discovery Basin Rd., 406/
563-2184,
www.skidiscovery.com
,
full-day $40 adults, $20 children 12 and under), a di-
verse mountain with varied terrain for all ability levels. There are seven lifts and 67 runs,
with a vertical drop of 2,350 feet. This is a very family-friendly ski hill. There is also a ter-
rain park and three miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.
For Nordic skiing enthusiasts,
Mt. Haggin Nordic Ski Area
(Mill Creek Rd./Hwy. 274,
11 miles south of Hwy. 1, 406/498-9615,
www.milehighnordic.org
, donations appreciated)
offers more than 12 miles of groomed trails (6 miles for skaters and 9 miles for classic ski-
ers) in what used to be a series of logging camps. The trails also provide access to back-
country skiing along the Continental Divide. The trails are maintained by volunteers, usu-
ally on Saturday morning, and are not patrolled. There are a number of fantastic loops on
varied terrain. This is not an ideal place for new skiers, but hard-core enthusiasts and racers
will be delighted. Naturally, the wildlife-rich area is ideal for hiking when the snow melts.
Accommodations
Anaconda's glorious hotels are a thing of the past, sadly, and most of the offerings in the
area are roadside motels that are decidedly past their prime. A couple of exceptions are the
Celtic House Inn
(23 Main St., 406/560-0338, $48-70), a marvelous brick building that
was a bordello at the turn of the 20th century. The hotel has 10 guest rooms, some with kit-
chenettes; because it is located over the Harp Pub, light sleepers should request one of the
quieter guest rooms.
Another historic gem is the
Hickory House Inn
(218 E. Park St., 406/563-5481,
www.hickoryhouseinn.com
,
$80-130), a bed-and-breakfast that has been beautifully main-
tained. The house was originally the rectory of St. Paul's Church and offers five individual
and lovely guest rooms.
Outside town is a fantastic option for a full-service resort.
M
Fairmont Hot Springs
(I-90 exit 211 and follow the signs, 800/332-3272,
www.fairmontmontana.com
,
$155-179, suites $189-415), a sizable resort built around the
hot springs. Guest rooms are nothing fancy, but it's the water that makes this place special.
An enormous warm (88-94°F) indoor pool with one end shallow enough for toddlers to
walk around is complemented by a smaller indoor hot pool (100-104°F) and two outdoor
pools, one warm, one hot. Fairmont's enclosed three-story, 350-foot waterslide ($1/run or
$10.50 all-day for adult hotel guests) is a blast, particularly when cold weather causes so
much steam that you can't see six inches in front of your face. The pools are open 24 hours
