Whitefish is a humble ski resort town in Northwest Montana with just over 9,000 full-time residents. This small city lies within Flathead County, which has experienced the most population growth in Montana since 2020. Whitefish has warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; it’s known for its deep blue Whitefish Lake, coniferous forests and mountain location, which provide a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The city protects the forests surrounding the lake to ensure a clean, naturally filtered water supply instead of constructing filtration plants.
Whitefish ski and snowboard opportunities are found at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Relax at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake after shredding the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
1/2
Winter skiing and summer hiking in the Rocky Mountains
Whitefish Mountain Resort is an independent ski resort with over 100 trails. It has options for all skill levels, and lift tickets are free for children ages six and younger. The resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders in the winter, while its summer activities include mountain biking, hiking and huckleberry picking. “There aren’t resort discounts solely for being a local,” says Stephanie Skinner, an agent at Glacier Sotheby’s Whitefish/Big Mountain and full-time Whitefish resident since the mid-90s. Discounts belong to season pass holders, which include some perks for dining downtown: “Blackstar Brewpub gives $1 off for pass holders.”
For a day of picnicking or paddleboarding, City Beach offers a sandy lake shore and views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Whitefish Lake State Park has a beach for dogs, and parkgoers may spot deer while out fishing or kayaking. Locals can go shore fishing on Whitefish River or golfing at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Whitefish is about 26 miles from Glacier National Park Headquarters, where cyclists, hikers and nature lovers can see the glaciers before they melt, which is projected to occur by 2030.
Enjoy majestic views from Whitefish City Beach over the ice in Winter or while sunbathing on the sandy shore in Summer.
Downtown dining options in Whitefish include Blackstar Brewpub which offers several levels of enjoyment and discounts for skiers.
1/2
Living by Whitefish Lake, on the mountain slope or downtown
Most homes are primary residences, with some vacation properties mixed in. The median single-family home price is $1.2 million, significantly higher than the national median, and spacious, contemporary homes with lots of windows cost around $1 million; some have wooden exteriors, creating a log cabin feel. Mountain chalets on the lake sell for eight figures, while thousand-square-foot new constructions closer to downtown sell for as low as $390,000. Townhouses, condos and acreage are also on the market.
Whitefish residents enjoy contemporary homes with lots of windows to enjoy the views.
Mountain chalets in Whitefish offer more privacy when nestled into the forests and lake shores.
1/2
Walking down Central Avenue
Downtown streets have sidewalks and street parking. Central Avenue has local shops, restaurants and the après ski scene. It is lined with Old Western-themed bars, grills and saloons, and stores selling specialty goods like snowboard gear. Some restaurants can be found along Wisconsin Avenue, which connects downtown to the ski resort. U.S. 93 has more shopping, including retailers for outdoor recreation supplies and gear.
Downtown Whitefish shops and eateries are found along Central Avenue.
Whitefish is known for old Western-themed bars, grills and saloons.
1/2
Whitefish Winter Carnival and other community events
The city’s festivals and events celebrate the visual, performing and culinary arts. As for the biggest annual event, “It’s the Whitefish Winter Carnival, hands down,” Skinner says. “It lasts over a month and culminates in a big parade.” The carnival includes the Slopeside Selfie Scavenger Hunt, where participants can win free skis or a snowboard. Whitefish also hosts athletic events like the Glacier Challenge, which kicks off at City Beach and combines running, paddling and biking. Whitefish Trail Blazer is an annual weekend of running challenges ranging from 5k to 50k.
Taking the free seasonal bus around Whitefish
In the winter and summer, the S.N.O.W. bus offers a free daily service connecting downtown to the ski resort base. U.S. 93 starts at the center of town and extends 12 miles south toward Glacier Park International Airport, which offers daily flights to cities like Seattle and Denver. Amtrak trains go through Whitefish Depot. Emergency care at Logan Health—Whitefish and North Valley Hospital are located in Whitefish.
Whitefish skiers hop the Shuttle Network of Whitefish S.N.O.W. bus to and from town.
Whitefish visitors catch their flights nearby in Kalispell at Glacier Park International Airport.
1/2
Top-rated public schools
Whitefish School District is rated A-minus on Niche. Whitefish High School, rated A-minus, has several state-championship-winning sports teams, including the girls’ cross-country team. Whitefish Performing Arts Center is located within Whitefish Middle School. It seats about 450 and offers a state-of-the-art venue for students and other performing groups like the Alpine Theatre Project.
City, county and state crime levels
Whitefish has a low overall crime score. According to the state of Montana, Flathead County’s violent crime counts increased from 2020 to 2022, then decreased from 2022 to 2023. Meanwhile, property crime counts fluctuated over the same period.
Written By
Laura Copan
Photography Contributed By
Luke George
Video By
Matt Pangman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Patrick Landon,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Whitefish, MT sell after 139 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Whitefish, MT over the last 12 months is $956,105, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Just 11 miles from downtown Whitefish, yet a world away in peace, space, and possibility. This unique property offers an exceptional blend of rustic charm & modern comfort with it's stunning vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, a cozy rocket mass heater stove. Natural light pours in through the large windows to create a warm & inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the surrounding beauty.
Welcome to Whitefish's premier neighborhood, High Point on Second Street! This Mountain Modern home has all the tech features today's buyer demands; Lutron lighting controls, Nest Eco Thermostat and Nest Security enabled, plus Hydra wise irrigation controls! Gourmet kitchen complete with marble, quartz, stainless steel, wine fridge, and floating shelves. Gorgeous Calico hardwood floors on main
Ski-In/Ski-Out! Located in the heart of Whitefish Mountain Resort Village, this recently built 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath condo offers the ultimate in mountain living with true ski-in/ski-out access. Fully furnished and turnkey, it’s ready for you as a personal getaway or an investment with approved nightly & weekly rentals. Designed with a classic ski lodge ambiance, the residence features expansive
Last Available Unit! The Whitefish River Run condo community is a high-end development in the path of progress along the Whitefish River between Whitefish's vibrant downtown and the popular Whitefish Lake Golf Course. The shared water access on the river provides a rare opportunity for an owner of a downtown unit to have and enjoy a dock and firepit, maximizing our beloved long Whitefish summer
Welcome to 1028 E 3rd Street, a beautifully remodeled downtown Whitefish gem nestled in The Avenues. This light-filled 4-bed, 2-bath residence spans 2,280 sqft of immaculate living space. Step inside to discover an open, contemporary layout with two cozy gas fireplaces, smart-home Nest & Lutron systems, and central A/C. The gourmet kitchen showcases quartz countertops, new stainless appliances, a
Turn-key and ready for short-term rental or personal getaway, this north-facing ground-floor condo offers nearly 1,500 sq. ft. of thoughtfully designed living with quality finishes throughout. Two spacious bedrooms with ensuite baths capture serene water and mountain views, while the open floor plan showcases a stone fireplace and 9’ ceilings with solid 8’ wood doors. Relax on the covered deck
This property at 901 Kalispell Ave Unit A features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms within a total of 1,461 square feet. The living room offers ample space for relaxation and is complemented by ceiling fans for comfort. The kitchen includes a dining area and is equipped with essential amenities such as a dishwasher, gas oven and stove and refrigerator. Washer and dryer are included in the unit. The
Property Id: 2201599Rare Find! Flexible lease terms. Can be furnished or unfurnished! Enjoy low-maintenance living in this beautiful 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo offering 990 sq. ft. of comfortable space. The open-concept kitchen features granite countertops, high-end cabinetry, and flows seamlessly into a bright living area with access to a private balcony.The en-suite
Property Id: 2207059Annual lease, renewable! Home is currently Occupied (Exterior photos only until further notice) and will be available unfurnished in April/May. May scheduled for walk through with Lakeshore Rentals.Experience authentic Montana living in this beautiful ranch-style home located in a peaceful setting just minutes from downtown Whitefish. Enjoy the charm and comfort of
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
