Trying to flee the freezing temperatures sweeping across the country is natural, but predictable. Instead, do what folks in these frigid destinations do—embrace it and Get INTO the Cold. The trick to staying toasty is chill-killing gear and lots of bone warming activity. So stop moping around waiting for summer to arrive and head to these five crazy cold places and get your winter wonderland on.

Bozeman, Montana

Cold Meter: Moderate:
Temps can drop into the teens around these parts and coupled with snow, it’s a ski and snowboarding nirvana. This college town (though largely homogenous) is an hour away from the pricey Big Sky area and the general mission is providing affordable winter fun for its active locals.

If you're already thinking about where to take the family on vacation next year and want a trip that includes adventure, giving back and activities everyone will enjoy, we may have found the perfect option. Adventures in Preservation, a non-profit group dedicated to saving the world’s architectural heritage, is planning its first hands-on building conservation workshop in which the entire family can participate. The workshop will be held in the historic mining town of Nevada City, Montana, June 20-26, 2010.

During the workshop, participants will learn and practice building preservation techniques and then put those skills to work. Activities include learning how to mix and apply historic exterior finishes as well as practicing chinking and daubing techniques that keep the wind from blowing through log walls. ]]> cmb 2009-10-30T13:09:19-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/3/64329/30785

No matter the location, zip lines make any travel experience that much cooler. That’s why we’re tingly all over to let you know about the latest and greatest. The newest “zip” takes flight in Big Sky, Montana and will definitely give you a break from hitting the slopes.

The three lines range in length between 350 and 500 feet, and will let you reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour while you are praying that the cable doesn’t snap. Speaking of breaking the cable, you’ll need to weigh in at under 300 pounds to take in the fun, so if your winter workout has consisted of chips on the couch—consider yourself warned. You’ll be whisked over the slopes, and the ride can likely help you get a sense of what runs you’ll want to ski when you return to the ground. Best of all, they’ll pick up your gear at the first zip line, and will have it ready and waiting for you when you finish with line number three.

Make sure you dress warmly as the wind is certainly going to be blowing as you zoom throughout the trees. This is the first ski resort to offer something like this in Montana, and with the whole experience takes about two hours—you’ll be back on the slopes in no time. So strap on a helmet, get cozy with that harness, and try your best to see some wildlife below.

For a video of the experience, go here.

Related Stories:
·Big Sky Resort [Official Site]
·Skiing Is Just The Beginning At Big Sky [Jaunted]
·You Can Fly On Hawaii's Longest Zip Line [Jaunted] ]]> kjb 2009-03-03T16:26:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/4/72640/74454

If you’re trying to fill up that US map on the back of the Winnebago with state stickers, you should head to Montana this winter. Besides getting to say you’ve been to Montana, there’s some pretty good skiing at the Big Sky Resort. The resort is only a 45-minute rental car disaster away from the Gallatin Airport in Bozeman. There’s daily service on most of the major airlines, and a couple of smaller ones as well, so you should be all set. ]]> kjb 2009-02-04T10:04:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/11/115637/41

Allow us to savor a bit of schadenfreude with this news: The tony Yellowstone Club has filed for bankruptcy. The swanky, members-only resort outside of Big Sky, Montana--that counts former VP Dan Quayle, cyclist Greg LeMond and Bill Gates as members--couldn't seal a new investment deal and so has asked a federal court for protection from creditors as it reorganizes its finances.

The sprawling complex already boasts a golf course, private skiing and clusters of log-cabin style "residences," as well as three mountain lodges where--we imagine--Bart Bass-style captains of industry feast on ortolan and quaff centuries-old port.

Just weeks before US Treasury Secretary Paulson started handing out billions to banks, The Yellowstone Club was planning to add 450 additional condos, a spa and even more skiing. Needless to say, those plans are now on hold. Maybe if the resort goes out of business the rich will be stuck buying "cheap" $62-a-day lift tickets like the rest of us!

Related Stories:
· The Yellowstone Club [Official Site]
· Exclusive Yellowstone Club Files for Bankruptcy [AP, via Google]
· Skiing coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-11-11T11:57:58-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/10/174454/006

Before he made his triumphal entrance into the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama did a tour of Montana. But the city of Missoula got even more attention this week for being the site of a bizarre bear-bike hit-and-run incident.

This story has a happy ending because the bicyclist, middle-school science teacher Jim Litz, was picked up by his wife who happened to drive by the crash site. That's so romantic!

When we get married, we hope our spouses will rescue us from that moment when the bike hits the bear. Find that kind of collaborator at one of our hot spots:]]> egw 2008-09-12T12:15:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/19/21844/5465

Most of Montana's small towns are overlooked by travelers rushing to Yellowstone and the state's other Great Outdoors attractions. Lying right at the edge of the Flathead Valley, with Glacier National Park in the background, Whitefish is one small town that is worth stopping by.

If you're heading elsewhere in Montanta for Labor Day, the weather should be just about perfect this time of year to check out this quaint little valley town for a day. And why not? You've got that extra day. Here's what the Whitefish tourist board has to say about the place:

Ask about any Canadian in Southern Alberta and you'll get some kind of story about their adventure in Whitefish.

OK, not sure exactly what that means, but apparently Whitefish has become Montana's Tijuana. Count us in!]]> BS 2008-08-20T10:00:13-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/