MONTANA ●
Glacier National Park
Montana
BIG SKY COUNTR Y
Montanans call their state “Big Sky Country,” and it’s easy to
fi lms as a child. Spectacular with such Western activities as
horizons and epic scenery – horseback riding, wilderness pack
see why. A stunningly serene and beautiful place, Montana
precisely the landscape for which trips, and cattle and horse drives.
is America’s fourth largest state – after Alaska, Texas and
widescreen cinema was created. “Working ranches,” on the
The landscape and big skies of other hand, are serious cattle
California – yet is home to just 900,000 inhabitants. Clearly,
Montana are featured prominently, management centres, more geared
Montana is where crowds are forgotten and memories are made.
in fact, in Robert Redford’s fi lm The up to competent riders who are
Horse Whisperer. And for those who happy to take part in all aspects
have harboured a secret fantasy of ranch life, from helping real-life
of emulating a cowboy, Montana cowboys saddle
T
he great American writer forests and Ponderosa pines. Expect is the perfect place to get in
John Steinbeck once wide plains, trout-fi lled rivers and the saddle and fi nally live
wrote: “For other states I a wilderness landscape where out those Wild West
have admiration, respect, wolves and bears still roam. It’s dreams. Welcome
recognition, even some affection. not uncommon for sharp-eyed to ranch
But with Montana, it is love.” And travellers to spot a bald eagle, deer, country, for
when you see the dusty sage brush coyotes or even a couple of moose. there are plenty
and purple hills underneath endless Be sure to keep your camera of places for trainee cowboys and
blue skies for the fi rst time, there’s a batteries charged. The state can cowgirls to hit the trail here.
good chance you’ll be smitten, too. be so scenic that even a mundane Be sure, however, to choose
Much of Montana is wild and drive to the grocery store can the right riding holiday that
untamed. In addition to big skies, become an event, often involving a suits you, as ranches vary
Montana means mountains, ancient spectacular backdrop. enormously in style. There
are guest ranches galore
MUCH OF
SADDLE UP in Montana, most with
One of the most memorable ways the option to ride as little or
MONTANA IS
to discover Montana is, just as as much as you like. These
WILD AND
the pioneers did, from the back of guest or “dude” ranches are
a horse. Montana offers visitors better suited to novices and
UNTAMED
the landscape of the real America families, offering comfortable
dreamed of while watching Western accommodations along
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