Toast to the Season with Paws Up Sommelier Kyle Riggs

Ask Kyle Riggs what wine you should bring to a wintertime party, and he’ll tell you it’s hard to beat Bordeaux-inspired reds. Whether you like Napa’s fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignons or the more assertively tannic Cabernets from France, winter and fine red wines belong together. “And I’m in love with some of the Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. I think that’s a quintessential winter wine choice,” Riggs said.

A few favorites to look for:

CALIFORNIA
2015 Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2013 Kenefick Ranch Founder’s Reserve, Calistoga, Napa Valley
2015 Robert Foley Claret, Napa Valley

OREGON
2015 Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
2015 Ponzi Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

FRANCE
2008 Cos d’Estournel Grand Cru, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux

GERMANY
2016 Dr. Loosen “Blue Slate” Riesling, Mosel

Join The Resort at Paws Up to Help Montana Pets in Need

canine classic at The Resort at Paws Up

The Resort at Paws Up is opening up its ranch for the eighth time to benefit homeless animals and help the Humane Society of Western Montana maintain its 98% adoption rate. The annual Canine Classic at The Resort at Paws Up, a trail run/hike/walk for you and your dog, will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Participants will zip through a course on the trail system of the beautiful private grounds of The Resort in Greenough, Montana. Hikers and runners can choose from a 2-, 5- or 13-mile hike or run.

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All proceeds raised from the Canine Classic will go straight to the shelter to help with the care of animals. This year’s fundraising goal is $50,000. The funds will help with operational costs, including dog and cat food, vaccinations and daily care for each pet until adoption. Since its inception, the Canine Classic has raised more than $200,000 for the society.

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Participants who choose to fundraise will earn one raffle ticket for each $270 they raise ($270 covers intake costs for one animal at the Humane Society). The winner of the race raffle will win a one-night stay for two at Paws Up, including dinner at The Resort’s award-winning restaurant, Pomp®. This year, the person who raises the most pledges for the shelter will win a two-night glamping® getaway at Paws Up.

glamping paws up

“The Canine Classic is truly the quintessential event for pets and their people in Western Montana,” said Emily Adamson, Director of Organizational Advancement for the Humane Society. “From the breathtaking scenery at Paws Up, to the pet-friendly environment and great Montana hospitality, participants get to experience the best of Montana with woman’s best friend.”

the resort at Paws Up

To register and/or sign up to collect pledges, visit https://runsignup.com/canineclassic or call 406-549-3934 (ext. 206). You’ll enjoy a hike or run followed by a complimentary gourmet BBQ lunch and beverages. Participants can also register an hour before the event at the race site. Several shelter dogs will be available to accompany you on your run or walk if you don’t have a dog. Those interested in running or walking with a shelter dog should call the Humane Society prior to the event.

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana

Wine & Bitch Dinner

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, Paws Up will host its annual Wine & Bitch Dinner for Canine Classic participants and their pets. Hosted by The Resort’s Nadine Lipson and her trusty sidekick, Fenway, this unique event offers you and your pooch the chance to bond, relax and enjoy the finer things in life—together. Guests will be able to stroll through a pet expo featuring dog massage therapists, a photo booth and agility demonstrations. Later, a gourmet feast created by Paws Up Executive Chef Ben Jones will be served, complete with fine wine pairings, decadent desserts and scrumptious treats to slide under the table. After the dinner and after the Canine Classic, guests can enjoy music and art by Walter Salas-Humara of the legendary New York band the Silos.

For more information, visit www.pawsup.com.

Wine and Bitch Dinner Paws Up

Where to Spend Thanksgiving This Year

PAWS UP THANKSGIVING

Kick off the holiday season with something beyond spectacular—a family trip to The Resort at Paws Up. It’s the first Thanksgiving celebration at Paws Up, and we’re planning generous portions of fun activities and excursions. From a petting zoo with pony rides and family game nights to owl watching, hayrides and concerts, plus football and parade watching, there are plenty of options to satisfy everyone’s tastes. Don’t forget we have horseback riding, ATV rides, paintball, archery, hiking, biking, spa town and so much more.

Thanksgiving food shot paws up

Of course, we haven’t forgotten the Thanksgiving feast. You and your loved ones will sit down to dine on one sumptuous meal after another filled with locally sourced holiday favorites. We often say our world-renowned executive chef is a culinary artist. You can count on every last bite to be delicious. Giving thanks will surely come easily at The Resort at Paws Up.

Inside look at paws up homes

THANKSGIVING SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

  • Cookie decorating in homes
  • Petting zoo visits and pony rides
  • Lighter, leaner lunch options available
  • Game night in the Bull Barn
  • Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Thursday, November 24, 2016

  • Extended breakfast hours
  • Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade watching in the Village
  • NFL game watching with snacks in Tank
  • Petting zoo visits and pony rides
  • Owl Prowl bird watching excursion to Jones’ Pond
  • Hayrides through the Wilderness Estates
  • Lighter, leaner lunch options available
  • Thanksgiving Day Festival with apple bobbing, sack races, archery and more on The Yard at the Cook Shack
  • A grand and glittering Thanksgiving Dinner at Pomp or a private feast delivered to your home and whisked away afterwards
  • Cookie decorating awards ceremony
  • Family movie night and wildlife presentation in the Bull Barn
  • Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

Friday, November 25, 2016

  • Resort tour, with visits to the Morris Ranch House, Blackfoot River Lodge, Elk Creek and Cliffside Camp
  • Petting zoo visits and pony rides
  • Hayrides through the Wilderness Estates
  • Lighter, leaner lunch options available
  • Black Friday sale at the Wilderness Outpost
  • Happy hour and whiskey tasting and demonstration with the Rattlesnake Creek Distillery
  • A special dessert menu including pumpkin pie flambé, an ice cream station with toppings such as flambéed cherries, Bananas Foster and house-made goat cheese pumpkin cheesecake
  • Pajama party and movie night in the Great Angus Hall
  • Live musical performance from the Beargrass Bluegrass Band in Tank
  • Fireside s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

paws up equestrian photo

Saturday, November 26, 2016

  • Resort tour, with visits to the Morris Ranch House, Blackfoot River Lodge, Elk Creek and Cliffside Camp
  • Petting zoo visits and pony rides
  • Owl Prowl bird watching excursion to Jones’ Pond
  • Kids crafts and photo center family fun projects
  • Lighter, leaner lunch options available
  • Sale at the Wilderness Outpost
  • Happy hour and hard cider tasting and demonstration with Brewmaster Lee McAlpine at the Wilderness Outpost
  • Mini Rodeo at the Equestrian Center
  • Appetizers and cocktails in the Saddle Club
  • Show in the Arena
  • Campfire music jamboree and s’mores on The Yard at the Cook Shack

The Resort at Paws Up bathrooms

Sunday, November 27, 2016

  • NFL game watching with snacks in Tank (Lighter, leaner lunch options available)
  • Family movie night in the Bull Barn

Note: All Thanksgiving weekend activities, apart from dining and shopping, are complimentary. Space is limited. Reserve early. For delivery of an in-home Thanksgiving feast, please provide advance notice 48 hours prior to desired delivery.

Call Concierge Services at 406-244-7333 to make your plans now.

PAWS UP THANKSGIVING BY THE FIRE

10 Employees Who Experience National Relaxation Day Everyday

relaxation day

National Relaxation Day is today, Monday, August 15th, and it should be exactly as it sounds: all about winding down, taking a few deep breaths and enjoying a quiet moment or beautiful space. At The Resort at Paws Up, our 37,000 acres offers scenic vistas and serenity at every turn. In honor of this day, we’re sharing the most relaxing part about The Resort at Paws Up from the perspective of a few of our employees.

relaxing

“Seeing the many paws of our wildlife here on the Ranch. I find it mesmerizing to watch the elk herd move across a pasture and equally awesome to watch our bison move their enormous bodies with such grace. I can’t believe my eyes when I spot the many eagles perched in our trees, watching in amazement as they teach their young to fly. Fawning season just finished, and the new spotted baby deer are finally old enough to show their faces. It’s the beauty of nature that relaxes me. I can sit in one place for hours watching this show unfold.”

Kathleen Cochran, VP Operations

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“Like most people in today’s world, our guests lead very busy lives. What makes Montana and our property so unique is the ability to unplug, unwind and just observe an amazing place. One of the best parts of my job is talking to guests—from the moment they arrive to their last day here—and observing how the stress comes off their shoulders as they tell me about sitting outside their homes and watching an eagle in its nest in their backyards, or how they had the best night’s sleep of their lives listening to the Blackfoot River from their tents.”

Jon Martin, General Manager, Guest Relations

relaxing river

“Watching the sunrise on the Pomp Deck at the Cook Shack is my Zen spot. My best dishes and menu ideas come from sitting there watching the light fill the valley.”

Ben Jones, Executive Chef

sunrise at Paws Up

“The most relaxing thing to me about Paws Up is sitting in an Adirondack chair, listening to the Blackfoot River roar by, watching the fish rising, feeling the cold stones beneath my feet, smelling the elk steak on the grill and sipping my own Huckleberry Hound.”

Mindy Marcum, Executive Administrative Assistant

paws up moments

There is no greater tonic for stress than an early-morning hike on the Sunset Hill Loop.”

Scott Schaefer, Special Events Manager

The Resort at Paws Up Summer 2010

“Find your Zen at Spa Town at Paws Up by getting a massage beneath the moon and stars.”

Laura Russell, Spa and Wellness Manager

“I find it the most relaxing when I’m on a morning ride and it’s foggy. The forest gets really quiet and everything is still. The fog adds an otherworldly feel to the forest, and the gentle sway of the horses with the sounds of their breathing is enough to make anyone look around in wonder.”

Rachael Warnick, Wrangler

campfire at Paws Up

“For me, it doesn’t get any more relaxing than being curled up in front of a crackling campfire—a glass of red wine in one hand while the other twirls a marshmallow in the flames.”

Justyne Palermo, Reservations Manager

paws up nature

“The most relaxing thing about Paws Up is the early mornings. Nature is awakening and the light and air has an absolutely magical feel to it. Gathering my horse from the pasture at that time is my life medicine.”

Zia Reato, Wrangler

sunset at Paws Up

“Sitting on the porch at the end of the day, glass of wine in hand, watching an amazing Montana sunset. The colors are unlike anything else here, and you just watch the light melt away into a quiet evening.”

Jackie Kecskes, Youth Programs Director and Activities Manager

paws up hammock

How to Put the Glam into Camping at Paws Up

glamping Paws Up

Luxury camping at The Resort at Paws Up is nature served on a gleaming silver platter. Known as North America’s premier glamping® destination, The Resort at Paws Up features five luxe tented camps that cater to families, couples and groups. Each safari-style tent features fine linens, comfortable beds, chic rustic furnishings, art-adorned walls, electricity, air-conditioning, heat and—most importantly—a camping butler at your beck and call. Learn from our Resort Manager, Charles Daenen, and our Glamping Operations Manager, Eddie Young, how we turned old-fashioned camping into glorified glamping.

Glamping Paws Up

1. What are the necessities to “glamp” up a camping experience?

Charles: Be flexible. You are not checking into a five-star suite with a 50-inch television and a minibar, but you are getting ready for an experience of a lifetime.

Eddie: Lots of s’mores, a sturdy pair of boots and a mind that’s open to new and fun experiences.

2. What’s the funniest request you’ve received from a guest?

Charles: I was once asked to sing happy birthday in my native language—Dutch—and it sounded awful, as I cannot sing. But I made the entire group laugh.

Eddie: A guest once asked me to remove ants from a tent, without harming them. (All ants were safely removed.)

3. What about a guest’s most unique request?

Charles: A guest wanted to have one of our ponies come to a camp and stay next to her child’s bed inside the tent until she fell asleep.

Eddie: I had a guest who wanted me to try to get an elk close enough to touch.

glamping tents Paws Up

4. What necessities should a guest bring to Paws Up glamping tents?

Charles: An open-minded attitude. You are going to experience a vacation like nothing you’ve done before.

Eddie: The tents have pretty much everything you could need, and if they don’t, we can get it for you.

5. What is the most unique aspect of Paws Up?

Charles: There are actually two things that make the glamping adventure unique: the location and the willingness of the staff to go the extra mile time after time. If one of those two things was missing, it just would not be the same experience.

Eddie: Our employees at Paws Up are special. They are friendly, genuine and passionate about giving our guests a great glamping experience.

6. Where is your personal ultimate favorite place to camp?

Charles: The deck of Cliffside Camp early in the morning, drinking coffee and watch the sunrise while eagles soar above the Blackfoot River looking for breakfast.

Eddie: All camps have features that make them individual, and I can honestly make a case for each being my favorite. Moonlight Camp has a special place in my heart, as it was the first camp I worked. It has the true feel of camping, being out in the open meadow and away from most of The Resort, so you definitely feel like you’ve stolen away.

The Resort at Paws Up Montana June 2013Dining Pavilion at River Camp

7. If you could tell guests one thing before they visit Paws Up, what would it be?

Charles: Do not hesitate to ask us anything, no matter how crazy your request is. We want to know what you like, but we are also really good at anticipating your needs. 

Eddie: Be prepared to get dirty! Whether you are on ATVs, horseback riding or sitting around the campfire, it’s the great outdoors, so—naturally—it can be dusty and dirty. A good pair of old jeans is sufficient here, as we don’t want to ruin your good pair.

8. What’s the one thing you see guests most often forget to pack?

Charles: Sunscreen.

Eddie: A cowboy hat. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. We have a huge selection of hats in the Wilderness Outpost, and you will be feeling country in no time!

9. If you could have one famous camper come stay at the ranch, who would it be?

 Charles: Bear Grylls—I’d love to have him run a wilderness workshop.

Eddie: Louis L’Amour. I grew up reading my dad’s old books while we were camping, and he was by far my favorite storyteller. I would love to sit around the crackling fire as he told stories of the Old West, gun-slinging cowboys, outlaws and bandits that would keep me intrigued for hours.

10. How did you become a camping butler?

Charles: I am too old for that now, but if I—just like Cher—could turn back time, this would have been my favorite summer job. Most of our butlers are referrals from other employees.

Eddie: I started working at the Resort as a summer job during college, and it has easily become one of my favorite jobs I have ever held. Being outdoors and helping guests enjoy themselves while glamping is a fun and challenging job, but it is highly rewarding when you see the smiles and continually have guests who don’t want to leave at the end of their stays!

children at The Resort at Paws Up

Get Hooked At The Resort at Paws Up with Ultimate Fly-Fishing

Fly fishing has been around for hundreds of years, but its popularity continues to increase. What is it about this sport that is so captivating? If you experience fly fishing at The Resort at Paws Up, you will understand after just one outing. Fly fishing gives you the opportunity to relax and spend time in nature, while also challenging yourself with a cool sport that’s perfect for families or individuals. And once you’re hooked, fly fishing may become one of the best excuses for travel.

Montana is known for its abundant fly fishing, and Paws Up itself hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous fly fishing rivers thanks to the movie A River Runs Through It. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with this style, but only for independent fishing. All of our guided excursions are strictly fly fishing, and all of our guides are Paws Up staffers, so you’re guaranteed the best learning techniques, assistance and service. We offer a fly fishing experience to remember.

The quality of fly fishing during the next three weeks dramatically increases. “With the water levels continuing to drop and the river getting clearer, the fishing the next couple of weeks will be off the hook! Pun intended,” says Montana Outfitter Justin Capps. “The next couple of weeks we will see most of our summer hatches. With the salmon fly hatch winding down the fish will start to turn their attention toward other aquatic insects. Golden stones, yellow sallies, Pale morning duns, Green drakes and caddis will make up the majority of the bugs we will see. Also, hopper season is just around the corner. Grasshoppers will start moving toward the water for greener grass, and once there they will accidentally get blown into the water by the afternoon breezes. Trout can’t resist them, so it’s a win-win,” says Justin.

At The Resort at Paws Up, we also have an on-site stocked pond that children who are just learning to fish can visit. Spin rods are used here, and it’s always a huge hit. The Resort at Paws Up is an angler’s retreat located within the “golden triangle” of western trout fly fishing. It boasts legendary rivers on property or nearby—including the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clearwater and Missouri. So whether you’re checking off a few more Montana rivers from your wish list or are ready to pioneer into some true trout wilderness, this is the place for you.