DESTINATION GPS

BY AMY ROBERTS

When you spend the winter holidays at Paws Up Montana, it feels like stepping into the lyrics of a Christmas carol. There are endless chances to dash through the snow, roast chestnuts on an open fire, or deck the halls—and it’s very likely you’ll hear sleigh bells ring during your stay.

I’ve visited this sprawling Two-MICHELIN-Key luxury ranch in every season, and it’s always magical. But the holidays? They’re as spectacular as the Montana skyline.

The pampering begins the moment you arrive at the nearby Missoula International Airport, where a private driver greets you and whisks you to your cozy-chic cabin—one of 28 scattered across 37,000 pristine acres. The homes, ranging from one to four bedrooms, blend Wild West charm with urban sophistication. You’re welcomed by a crackling fire and the scent of fresh pine—which you soon realize is coming from your own Christmas tree, fully decorated and awaiting gifts, which the staff will even help wrap.

Explore the 37,000-acre property in a Lexus SUV, which is yours to use throughout your stay. Stop by the Wilderness Outpost and discover the true winter wonderland that awaits. You can sign up for a powder-filled day of snowmobiling, where the only other tracks you’ll see belong to resident wildlife including bighorn sheep, elk, and bison. For a quieter pace, ride through the forest by dogsled, pulled by a team of Iditarod-champion Huskies, or try a guided tour on a MoonBike. The ultra-light electric snow scooter is the newest winter toy—don’t be surprised if the kids ask Santa for one when he visits the resort on Christmas Eve.

If your desired gift is a gourmet meal with the family (no shopping, no cleaning up), this is the place. The resort’s James Beard–nominated chefs prepare mountain-style holiday brunches and dinners, complete with live music and all the trimmings.

Make more memories as you glide across the perfectly groomed trails on a guided cross-country ski outing, or strap on a pair of snowshoes and wander out on your own. The tubing hill is a thrill for all ages—my niece still talks about beating her grandpa as they raced to the bottom. She’s also convinced she won the resort’s gingerbread house competition, though she ate most of her decorations before it started. Perhaps she’s not the most reliable historian.