What is Flathead Lake Lodge?

...Montana Style
Family Vacation
Since 1945
What is Flathead Lake Lodge?
Flathead Lake Lodge is a historic third generation family operated Guest Ranch located in the
mountains of Northwest Montana and directly on the shores of Flathead Lake. The Lodge offers the ultimate family vacation with unlimited horse & water recreation and is located only 40
minutes from Glacier National Park and the famous Going to the Sun Highway.
At the Lodge your family will enjoy endless outdoor recreational activities, a rustic ranch atmosphere, and unmatched hospitality by the Averill family.
Montana style
Flathead Lake Lodge is the ultimate family vacation…
.
Ranch History
Flathead Lake Lodge was built in 1932 as a boy’s camp and was
acquired by Les Averill when he returned to Montana from the war
in 1945.
His boyhood dream was to build a dude ranch and hunting lodge
for folks to experience a special part of the West. That dream came
true with the purchase of the Flathead Recreation Ranch for Boys, •
now Flathead Lake Lodge. The ranch slowly began attracting people •
from around the world. Dignitaries, celebrities (mobsters!) and fami- •
lies discovered the Montana hideaway near the village of Bigfork •
and word of the beautiful lodge began to spread. This true story of •
the American Dream, is filled with characters, trials, perseverance, •
integrity and true old Western values.
•
•
Doug Averill, one of Les Averill’s eight sons, took over as the second generation of the guest ranch operation in 1971. Doug, his wife
Maureen, and their three children live at the ranch and continue to
host guests, many of whom over the past 65 plus years have become longtime family friends.
2
What Makes FLL Special?
Proven Authentic Hospitality
The Averill’s created a concept and philosophy at Flathead Lake
Lodge that successfully survived more than half a century of dramatic changes in travel and vacation trends. Transportation, technology, and family values have changed since 1945, yet the Averill’s
concept of Western hospitality, traditional values, and memorable
family vacations has continued to prove its value, as represented by
the Ranch’s over 70% return rate!
Unmatched Recreation
For over 65 years, Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge has offered the widest selection of recreational activities, for one inclusive rate, of any
ranch in America. Ideally located in the Mission Mountains and on
the shores of the West’s largest natural fresh water lake, there is no
shortage of recreational opportunities on water or land. Including:
• Horseback Riding
• Fly Fishing
• Rodeo Competitions
• Lake Fishing
• Hiking
• Sailing
• Mountain Biking
• Canoeing
• Tennis
• Kayaking
• Sand Volleyball
• Stand Up Paddle boarding
• Children’s Program
• Water sports
• White Water Rafting
• Boating
Private Elk Preserve
Guests will explore the Ranch’s private elk preserve on horseback
allowing for an up close and personal view of remarkable bull elk in
a pristine setting overlooking Flathead Lake!
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Top Quality Amenity Programming
Guests at Flathead Lake Lodge enjoy a memorable seven night all inclusive package. This
includes all on site recreation, accommodations in the Ranch’s historic character cabins and
lodge, as well as all meals, crafted in a hearty, new age ranch cuisine style.
Each day guests have a wide variety of scheduled activities to choose from, or if relaxing is on
the agenda, the Ranch is the perfect place to find solace in a breathtaking setting.
Flathead Lake Lodge is all that is authentic
On-Site Daily Activities
• Children Horseback Rides
• Teen Horseback Rides
• Adult Horseback Rides
• Riding Lessons
• Breakfast Cookout Rides
• Lunch Cookout Rides
• Long Distance Rides
• Guided Hikes
• Guided Mountain Biking
• Multiple Children’s Programs
• Guided Water sports
• Sailing races
• Guided Sailing on historic Q-Class Sloops
• Canoe Races
• Stand up Paddle Boarding
• Boat Cruises
• Happy Hour Cruises
• Shoot the Boot Golf Competitions
• Massages at the Ranch Spa
• Fly Fishing Lessons
• Sailing Lessons
• Art Gallery Tours
Montana
.
Nightly Activities
Each night guest are entertained with a variety of
memorable Western activities and events. Including:
• Happy Hour in the Saddle Sore Saloon
• Beach Fire with Live Music
• Team Roping Demonstration
• Steak Fry Cookout with Live Music
• Barrel Racing Competition
• Mouse Races (a must see!)
• Barn Dance with Live Band
• Team Penning Competition
• Kids Overnight Tipi Campout
• Kids Rodeo
• Staff vs. Guest Sand Volleyball Game
• Educational Speaker Series
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Flathead Lake Lodge Facts & Press
FLL FACTS
• Started in 1945
• Originally Built in 1932
• 3rd Generation Operated
• 2,000 Acre Property
• Largest Lake front Property
• 45 Accommodations
• 120 person Capacity
• 500 Acrea Private Elk Preserve
• Over 100 miles of horse trail
• Two Historic Q-Class Sail Boats
• Bigfork - Top 50 Towns in America
• Longest Returning Guest: 57 years
• Longest Returning Family: 4 Generations
• Over 30,000 meals served a summer
Articles and Praise for Flathead Lake Lodge
• Travel and Leisure
The Perfect Places to be
The Best of Montana
Averill’s is a dude ranch dream - barbecues of bison
and fresh salmon, bonfires, rodeos, the works
• Better Homes and Gardens
50 Favorite Family Vacation Resorts
• American Cowboy
All Around Cowboy - Featuring Doug Averill
• Elite Traveler
One of the top three guest ranches in the American
West
• Films and Commercials:
Good Morning America - 20th Anniversary Show
• Horse & Rider
Great Country Inns
Dream Vacations - Is there a vacation spot where you
Miller Beer
can do it all? Flathead Lake Lodge Guest Ranch in
Toyota Trucks
Northwest Montana.
Horse Flicks
• Catalog Photo Shoots:
• Bon Appetite
Eddie Bauer
The Western Insider - Lake Meets Mountains in MonThe Last Best Place
tana
Isotoner
Gant
• Vogue
Wester Outdoors
‘There is no better place to fulfill a fantasy of riding off
Banana Republic
into the sunset together then at the classic Montana
Condé Nast
dude ranch, Averill’s Flathead Lake Lodge
Wooden Boat
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150 Flathead Lodge Rd. Bigfork, MT 59911 • [email protected] • www.flatheadlakelodge.com
406 • 837 • 4391