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Whitefish Mountain Resort Summer Guide: Hiking, Biking & Zip Lines

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Hiker standing on a mountain summit at Whitefish Mountain Resort with panoramic views of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park
Summit views at Whitefish Mountain Resort stretch across the Flathead Valley, Whitefish Lake, and into Glacier National Park.

The zip line tour is the standout summer activity at Whitefish Mountain Resort — but the resort’s full lineup covers every budget and energy level, from free hiking to lift-accessed downhill mountain biking. Open late May through mid-September, the resort sits 30 minutes from Glacier National Park and makes a half-day worth every minute.

Key Takeaways
  • Summer 2026 opens May 23 (weekends only); daily operations begin June 13
  • Zip line tours run ~2.5 hours and reach 300 feet above the forest — Montana’s longest lift-served zip line
  • All hiking trails are 100% free — no lift ticket required
  • Alpine slide: $13/ride or 4 rides for $39; mountain biking day lift pass: $25
  • ~30-minute drive from Glacier National Park’s West entrance at West Glacier
#1
Best Overall Thrill

Zip Line Tours

4.8

$69–$79adult (regular season)
~2.5 hrsduration
All agesguided tour

Montana’s longest lift-served zip
Up to 300 ft above ground
6 zip lines total
Why we picked it: Six lines — including one spanning over a third of a mile at 300 feet above the forest floor — make this the most memorable summer experience at the resort. Two guides lead every group, and the views of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park are unmatched.

Two tour tiers are available: the 7-Zip Tour ($79 adult, $63 early/late season) and the 5-Zip Tour ($69 adult, $55 early/late season). Groups fly through lush pine canopy with panoramic views of Glacier National Park. A short hiking component connects launch platforms. Wear closed-toe shoes; sandals are not allowed per skiwhitefish.com.

Insider tip: Book the early/late season rate (before June 13 or after mid-August) for $10–$16 savings per person. Weekend tours sell out — reserve at least 48 hours in advance.
Book Zip Line Tour

#2
Best for Active Riders
Pine forest mountain overlook at Columbia Mountain Trailhead in Glacier National Park area

Lift-Accessed Mountain Biking

4.7

$25/daylift pass (unlimited)
$8single chairlift ride
20+ trails3 zones

Bad Rock, B-side, Summit zones
Beginner to advanced
Bike rentals $35–$80
Why we picked it: Over 20 lift-served downhill trails across three zones make Whitefish Mountain one of the best summer mountain biking destinations in Montana. The chairlift hauls your bike up; you pick your line down.

The day pass ($25) covers unlimited chairlift rides — the smart move if you’re doing three or more runs. A single ride is $8. Bike rentals (hardtail or full-suspension) run $35–$80 at the resort base. Helmets are required. Per Whitefish Mountain Resort, beginners will find the Bad Rock zone’s “flowy trails” ideal before tackling the Summit zone’s technical rock gardens and drops.

Insider tip: Start in Bad Rock for your first run to dial in your bike setup, then work up to B-side and Summit. Most intermediate riders spend the full day in B-side.
Mountain Biking Details

#3
Best Family Activity

Alpine Slide

4.6

$13/ridesingle ride
$394-ride pack
All ageskids under 48″ ride tandem

Hand-brake speed control
Chair 6 return to top
No experience needed
Why we picked it: The alpine slide is the most accessible thrill at the resort — no gear, no training, no fitness level required. You ride a wheeled sled down a banked concrete track and control your own speed with a hand brake.

Take the chairlift to the top, sit in the wheeled sled, and control your descent with a hand-lever brake on a banked concrete track. Chair 6 carries you back to the top for another run. Children under 48 inches must ride with an adult. The 4-ride pack ($39) saves $13 over individual tickets — the right call for most families per AllWhitefish.com.

Insider tip: Avoid the slide during peak afternoon (noon–2pm) when queues are longest. Go at 10am when the resort opens, or after 4pm for near-empty lines.
Alpine Slide Details

#4
Best for Groups & Teens

Aerial Adventure Park

4.5

Ages 7+minimum age
~2 hrsper session
60+ obstacles5 difficulty courses

Beginner to advanced courses
Trapeze, rope ladders, cable bridges
Safety carabiner always locked
Why we picked it: Five obstacle courses with 60+ challenges in the tree canopy — from ground-level beginner platforms to high-wire advanced elements — make the Aerial Adventure Park the best group experience at the resort for mixed-age parties.

Every session starts with a safety orientation. One carabiner remains locked at all times — there is no way to accidentally unclip. The five courses escalate in difficulty: beginners complete lower courses while advanced participants tackle trapeze swings and cable bridges. Per skiwhitefish.com, the park re-opens for summer 2026 — check for current pricing as the park was temporarily closed in 2025.

Insider tip: Wear long pants and closed-toe athletic shoes. Harnesses chafe bare legs over two hours on the courses. Time-slot capacity is limited — book in advance.
Aerial Adventure Park Info

#5
Best for Views
Visitor sitting at a mountain summit overlook with sweeping views of valleys and peaks near Glacier National Park

Scenic Chairlift & Gondola Rides

4.4

10am–5:30pmdaily hours
All ageswho can go
Glacier NP viewsfrom summit

Enclosed gondola or open chairlift
Summit House restaurant
Free Summit Nature Center
Why we picked it: The summit ride delivers a 360-degree view spanning Whitefish Lake, the Flathead Valley, and the peaks of Glacier National Park — with zero physical effort. It is the easiest way to see the region from above.

Choose an enclosed gondola (warmer, better for young kids) or an open chairlift (airier, wider views). At the summit, the Summit House restaurant serves food and drinks until 3pm — one of the highest-elevation dining spots in the Flathead. The free Summit Nature Center covers local forests, flora, and wildlife. Check skiwhitefish.com for current scenic ride pricing.

Insider tip: Take the lift up, then hike down the Danny On Trail (3.8 miles, free). You get the summit panorama without paying twice and earn a relaxed descent through huckleberry meadows.
Plan Your Summit Visit

#6
Best Free Activity
Hiker with dog walking along a forested mountain trail in the Glacier National Park region of Montana

Hiking Trails (Free)

4.5

FREEno lift ticket required
1–5.4 mitrail length options
Easy–Moderatedifficulty range

Huckleberry picking in July–August
Flathead Valley & Glacier NP views
Bear spray recommended
Why we picked it: Four distinct trails — from a 1-mile loop to a 5.4-mile ridge traverse — are completely free to walk. Huckleberry patches along the Danny On and Flower Point trails peak in late July and August, making this the most rewarding budget option at the resort.

Trail options per Whitefish Mountain Resort: Danny On Memorial Trail (3.8 miles), Flower Point Loop (3.6 miles), East Rim Loop (1 mile), Bob Cedar Trail (1 mile), and the combined Danny On/Flower Point route (5.4 miles). All trails offer sweeping views of Whitefish Lake and the Flathead Valley. This is active bear country — carry bear spray and hike in groups of three or more.

Insider tip: Combine a $8 single chairlift ride to the summit with a hike down the Danny On Trail. You get the panoramic summit views and a scenic descent — for less than the cost of most paid activities.
Glacier NP 1-Day Hiking Itinerary

#7
Best for Young Families

Spider Monkey Mountain & Strider Bike Park

4.3

Ages 4–6target range
Base areano lift needed
Helmets includedStrider park

Spider Monkey inflatable tower
Strider balance bike track
At resort base — no chairlift
Why we picked it: Families with kids too young for zip lines or the Aerial Adventure Park have two dedicated base-area activities at no additional resort effort — keeping younger kids busy while older siblings tackle the bigger thrills.

Spider Monkey Mountain is a two-story inflatable climbing structure with cargo nets, platforms, and a slide descent — designed for children roughly ages 4–6. The Strider Bike Park offers balance bikes and helmets so young kids can practice riding on a dedicated beginner track at the base. Both are conveniently located without requiring a chairlift ride. Check skiwhitefish.com for current session pricing.

Insider tip: Families with kids spanning ages 4–12 can split the group: younger kids hit Spider Monkey Mountain at the base while older kids ride the Alpine Slide or tackle the Aerial Adventure Park with a parent.
Apgar Village with Kids in Glacier NP

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Planning Your Visit

Whitefish Mountain Resort is located at 1015 Glades Drive, Whitefish, MT — roughly 30 minutes from the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park. The park entrance fee is $35/vehicle (7-day pass), per NPS.gov. Many visitors combine a morning at the resort with an afternoon drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

DetailInfo
Summer 2026 OpeningMay 23 (weekends only) → June 13 (daily)
Season EndApproximately September 14, 2026
Daily Hours10am–5:30pm
Address1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937
Drive to West Glacier entrance~30 minutes
Phone(406) 862-2900
Official siteskiwhitefish.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

When does Whitefish Mountain Resort open for summer 2026?
Summer 2026 begins May 23 for weekend-only operations. Daily operations start June 13 and run through approximately September 14. Hours are 10am–5:30pm. Verify specific dates at skiwhitefish.com before you go.
How much does the zip line cost at Whitefish Mountain Resort?
The 7-Zip Tour costs $79/adult during regular season ($63 early/late season). The 5-Zip Tour is $69/adult ($55 early/late season). Tours last about 2.5 hours and are fully guided. Book in advance at shop.skiwhitefish.com — weekend slots fill fast.
Is hiking at Whitefish Mountain Resort free?
Yes — all hiking trails are free to access with no lift ticket required. Options include the Danny On Memorial Trail (3.8 miles), Flower Point Loop (3.6 miles), East Rim Loop (1 mile), and Bob Cedar Trail (1 mile). Bear spray is strongly recommended as this is active grizzly country.
How far is Whitefish Mountain Resort from Glacier National Park?
Approximately 30 minutes by car from the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park. The resort is 8 miles and about 15 minutes from downtown Whitefish. Many visitors combine both destinations in a single day — morning at the resort, afternoon in the park.
What is the best activity for families with mixed ages?
The Alpine Slide ($13/ride, 4 for $39) works for nearly all ages — kids under 48 inches ride tandem with an adult. Add the Scenic Chairlift for a summit lunch and panoramic views. Families with children under 7 can add Spider Monkey Mountain at the base while older kids do the Alpine Slide or Aerial Adventure Park with a parent.
YourNPGuide Team
National Parks Research Team

We research national parks and gateway towns to help travelers make the most of every trip. All prices, hours, and access details are verified against official sources before publication.

How We Researched This Guide

Sources

  • Whitefish Mountain Resort official website (skiwhitefish.com) — 2026 opening dates and activity listings
  • Flathead Beacon (flatheadbeacon.com) — summer 2025 season operating details and schedule
  • Stay Montana (staymontana.com) — activity descriptions and zip line specifics
  • AllWhitefish.com — trail distances and mountain biking details
  • NPS.gov — Glacier National Park entrance fees and current alerts
Data Checked
March 2026
Research Type
Synthesis of official resort sources and regional travel coverage
Limitations

Aerial Adventure Park pricing was not confirmed for 2026 (park was temporarily closed in summer 2025). Scenic chairlift and kids activity pricing was not listed by official sources at time of research — verify current rates at skiwhitefish.com before booking.

Planning the full Glacier region trip? Read our Glacier budget breakdown or start with the 3-day Glacier itinerary.

Explore Glacier National Park

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