It’s the time of year when the sun seeks to slumber as soundly as the now hibernating bears. Summer has gone. The first real snowfalls have blanketed Lone Peak to the point that locals have begun referring to the mountain by her longtime winter nickname, “Lady in White”. It is a peaceful time of year. Quiet and serene. This is Big Sky’s shoulder season – or, “off-season”. At 320 Guest Ranch, we welcome the shoulder season as a time to reboot, a time for rejuvenation and self-re-discovery. And, after a year like 2020, we can’t think of anything more important than accomplishing those three things. So, here’s how we suggest you realize your own self-re-discovery, rejuvenation, and rebooting during this fall shoulder season:
- Rebooting…
In 320’s early days, the Ranchactually functioned as a medical retreat. Dr. Caroline McGill – a woman of vast intellect and
equally sizeable heart – firmly believed that reviving one’s physical and mental well-being was best achieved outdoors. Her intention in buying the 320 Guest Ranch was always to fashion it into a perfect getaway. Somewhere where her patients and her friends could find serenity despite whatever stress existed in their lives. Today, 320 Ranch still functions as a place in which one can find escape. Nestled snuggly beside the Gallatin River, there is an endless peace here born out of the sleepy-sounding ebb and flow of trout-rich waters. No matter where you stand across the breathtaking expanse that is our land, you will find that what Dr. McGill claimed is true. Simply being outdoors is all one needs to wholly reboot his or her spirit, physical health, and mental well-being.
- Rejuvenating…
Many folks who aren’t local to Big Sky or Gallatin Gateway think that off-season means the town kind of “turns off”. In other words, that everything around the area is closed. Not true. Plenty of places in close proximity to 320 Guest Ranch remain open. And, there are plenty of open venues that can help you to achieve that rejuvenation you seek this shoulder season. Mainly, we’re talking spas! 320 Ranch acts as an ideal basecamp situated near many of Big Sky’s best spas. We do not provide spa amenities onsite; however, our front office team are experts at concierge services. Call them up while staying with us, and, before you know it, you’ll be all set-up for a rejuvenating spa day at any of the area’s five wellness centers. Then, top off a day of complete pampering by allowing us to pamper you more; reserve a private dinner at McGill’s Restaurant & Saloon. After all, nothing rejuvenates a body better than good food, crafty cocktails, and quality time with your private dinner +1.
Reid Morth – Morth Photography – @morth_photo
- Self-re-discovering…
Oftentimes, stress can cause us to forget ourselves – our truestselves, that is. And so, we must quest to find that version of ourselves and re-establish it. We here at 320 have found that, sometimes, achieving self-re-discovery takes a small
dose of bewilderment. And, the place to go when seeking bewilderment is the wilderness. Around here, the wildest of wildernesses is Yellowstone National Park. Shoulder season is the perfect time to visit the Park. Not only is there the perk of avoiding the huge crowds that summer attracts. The lack of people also causes the animals to feel a little braver than the average Yellowstone bear. Hence, it is easier to spot animals – especially larger herds of Elk. Again, 320 Guest Ranch makes the perfect central hub when visiting the park. A mere 37 miles distance from the West Yellowstone entrance, we make your quest for self-re-discovery a seriously convenient one.
Shoulder season is too often stereotyped as a time when traveling into our neck of the woods wouldn’t be worthwhile. We consider it unfortunate that so many travelers think there’s simply nothing to do here this time of year. First-off, as we’ve pinpointed above, there is still plenty to get out and do when visiting southwest Montana during off-season. Do yourself a favor, though; stop for a moment, and try to remember when was the last time you did nothing? Perhaps it is time to consider the stresses brought on by the cultural conditioning that leads to us to always need to be doing something. Perhaps it is time to consider the serenity of a shoulder season spent at 320 Guest Ranch. Perhaps….