There are some places in this world where the term fall may not be understood, as the seasons rarely change, and summer springs eternal, and if a spicy summer getaway is what you are looking to enjoy in the fall months, you aren’t going to find it in West Yellowstone. What you will find, however, is a chilly portrait of the season complete with smoke coming out chimneys, the leaves on the trees turning a fiery array of colors, and maybe even a touch of frost upon the ground in the early morning hours. If this is what your idea of a fall vacation should look like, your fall journey to West Yellowstone and stay in our Home Sweet Montana seasonal sanctuaries will make all your vacation dreams come true, and this guide to the top fall events in West Yellowstone will help you fill in the blank spots on your vacation itinerary.
West Yellowstone Community Market, Thursdays in September, Museum of the Yellowstone Front Lawn
This non-profit organization celebrates the works of local artists and the products of local farmers, making Thursdays our favorite day of the week. Every other day of the week the Museum of the Yellowstone tells the history of our Montana town, but on Thursday evenings, the front lawn shines with products and produce of the now. Offering visitors the opportunity to find some of the most unusual souvenirs to help remind them of the fantastic times they had in West Yellowstone while also helping our guests stock the pantries and refrigerators of their Home Sweet Montana seasonal sanctuaries. The future is bright for the artists and farmers of our community and your future promises to be more colorful and tasteful after an exploration of the products offered for sale at the West Yellowstone Community Market.
Chili Cookoff, September 29, Povah Community Center, 10 Geyser Street
The foods of fall are our favorite and this Chili Cookoff, sponsored by Yellowstone Baptist Church offers the perfect way to kick off the season. Everybody has their own ideas on what makes a chili the best chili, and some may prefer their bowl of goodness so hot and spicy it brings tears to their eyes. Others prefer less spice but more meat, and although most chili connoisseurs prefer their chili to be thick, rich, and filled with flavor, there may be some culinary artists that think a thinner, more brothlike dish is the very best. Whatever your preference, every chili in the contest has something that makes it stand out and who knows? Maybe you will get some ideas on how to improve upon your own chili after tasting the delicious bowls of this spicy competition.
Yellowstone Ski Festival, November 28, Rendezvous Ski Trails
Yellowstone is famous for being the site of the first National Park, but did you know that our little part of paradise is known for its cross country skiing and for 40 years, Nordic skiers from all over the country (and Canada) make their way to the Rendezvous Ski Trails for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Offering skiing clinics, competitive races, and classes that can help you improve your cross country skills or help you develop a love for the sport that will never go away. The ski clinics are led by former Olympic skiers, many of which you may recognize their names, and although we are listing November 28 as the day of the festival, the events, clinics, races, and classes will occur all through Thanksgiving week, giving visitors many reasons to be thankful. Also offering a “Taste of the Trails” event that celebrates the foods prepared by local restaurants, giving the festival a delicious flavor you will love. Last year’s festival, however, was cancelled due to lack of snow, so if you are planning a Thanksgiving visit to Montana, you might want to check the weather if you are planning on attending.
Your Own Impromptu Events
Not every West Yellowstone event has to be a city or community sanctioned one, and some of your favorite fall events in West Yellowstone may be the ones that take place in your Home Sweet Montana vacation escape. Horror movie binge-a-thons over the Halloween holiday will be especially gory and frightening when watching on our state of the art televisions. Accompany your horror move fest with a feast of Halloween themed meals, including Mummy Dogs (hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough, mummy style, and baked until golden and delicious) and for dessert, a holiday classic, Dirt and Worms, made with chocolate pudding, crumbled Oreos, and gummy worms. However you spend your fall vacation in West Yellowstone, coming home to our seasonal sanctuaries will make this getaway one that you will never forget. Contact us and reserve your favorite escape today!