Spent a week in Montana/Wyoming visiting my buddy on Bozeman. I was expecting spring conditions, but got lucky with a late season now storm with 8" of fresh powder. We were lounging in Norris Hot Springs sipping dark Montana beers while the snowstorm peaked - so nice. Then a full day of snowboarding at Big Sky, the largest ski resort I’ve ever been to, with heated seats on the chair lifts and two-plus mile long runs, with ticket prices to match. We also spent a night in Jackson, and hiked in Harriman State Park, Yosemite and Grand Tetons National Park, all with zero crowds because it’s the shoulder season.
Gravel Bar, Ennis MT for post hike burgers and brews. I had the fish sandwich special with a Kettle House cold smoke scotch ale draft. I drank a lot of porters and dark beers because it seemed to fit the weather, and found the various Montana microbrews uniformly good.
Stopped in Deemo’s Meats in Ennis for some local made jerky, which was easily the best jerky I’ve ever had. They also have things like elk steaks and bison meat and various smoked meats. Worth a stop if you are in Ennis, MT.
Local Restaurant and Bar, Jackson, WY.
Everything here was great. good cocktails and beer list. Buffalo tartar was perfect, Local chopped salad with iceberg, radicchio, prosciutto, chickpeas, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, cucumber, cherry tomato, aged fontina, and green goddess dressing was excellent. Waygu burgers and fries, wild mushroom risotto and local trout were all very good, excellent fries. My proudest moment was when the server brought the check she said she applied the 20% local discount - I guess my flannel shirt and unruly beard made me look like a local! Hit Moo’s homemade ice cream down the street for dessert. Huckleberry is big in these parts and the huckleberry ice cream did not disappoint. Cool town, a little bougie, but I love the way the ski runs at Snow King basically end in the middle of town.
D.O.G. in Jackson for bacon egg cheese sandwiches before hiking in Grand Tetons National Park. They use a fancy brioche bun.
Another post hike stop for cocktails/beers and snacks at Murray Bar in Livingston, MT. All local MT beers on tap. Cabinet Mountain Brewing oatmeal stout was great. And fried pickles - oh yes!! great spot, and the town of Livingston is super picturesque, with vintage signs all around the town.
Such a gorgeous area of the country. Some random pics.
