The Art of Western Adventure

Triple Creek Ranch, A Montana Hideaway

By Carolyn O’Neil | Photography courtesy of Triple Creek Ranch

It’s called Big Sky Country for very good reason. The majesty of Montana unfolds from sweeping vistas of grassy valleys and pine forests to the heights of jagged mountain peaks and then keeps going higher to what seems like a never-ending blue sky stretching to the heavens. Could this be why so many artists across the years have stopped to marvel and then work to capture Montana’s singular Western beauty?

One of the best places to find out firsthand is Triple Creek Ranch, a member of the Relais & Chateaux collection of resort-hotels, where the art of celebrating the best of the West is at the very heart of the experience.

Nestled within the Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies, this two-Michelin-key all-inclusive luxury ranch resort is both refined and rustic, with a selection of private log cabins and ranch homes all appointed with a curated collection of Western art. The main lodge is a museum of artistic marvels, from original Charles Russell paintings to Frederic Remington sketches and bronzes alongside modern works by celebrated local artists depicting the people and places of Montana.

The love of art goes far beyond appreciating impressive collections, because guests are invited to join frequent Artist Workshop Weekends, during which renowned Western artists take up residence. These immersive experiences range from watercolor workshops to photographic safaris. 

Choose Your Own Adventure

Trying your hand at artistic activities is always on the menu.

When I visited the ranch, I joined a small group for a soap- and candle-making class. Like stepping back in time, I felt I was in training to be a pioneer woman, but with a fancy selection of scents at our disposal. I chose to make trout-shaped soaps with an olive oil and charcoal base scented with lavender and lemongrass. I also took a leather tooling class to learn how to press and burn designs into the leather coasters and key chains we were given.

Then it was off to pan for sapphires. Unique to Montana, called the Treasure State, boring-looking gravel, when shaken and separated under water, can yield sparkling gems in blue, orange, pink, and green. The panning station at Triple Creek Ranch is fully equipped and can be addicting: “Just one more shake and I know I’ll find a sapphire!” More than a few guests have found sapphires big enough to fashion into jewelry.

Meanwhile, on another part of the ranch, my fellow travelers chose a more cowpoke pursuit, horseback riding through the surrounding forests led by one of the expert wranglers who make sure that novices and seasoned riders all have a great time.

Depending on the time of year, adventures range from snowshoeing to dog sledding, hiking, archery, tennis, and fly-casting lessons, leading up to the allure of fly-fishing. No need to worry about what to pack for the adventure you choose, because the ranch is well stocked with everything from fishing rods to hiking boots to hats and gloves. Feeling a bit chilly that day? Grab a few packs of hand and foot warmers!

Log Cabin Chic

Cabins range in size, style, and location, but guests can expect to step inside and be transported to a world of Western glamour, with original paintings and sculptures, spacious bathrooms, luxurious linens, and an outdoor hot tub for sunning and stargazing. The main lodge has a pool, and there’s a small spa for massages and other treatments.

Outside the cabins, the incomparable scenery, from babbling brooks to horses grazing on pastures near the stables, is a visual joy as well. Keep your eyes open to note that the funny-looking horse stealing bites of weed-free hay set out on the field is actually an elk hanging with his equine friends. See something move in the forest? It’s probably a wandering moose. The owners of Triple Creek Ranch, Craig and Barbara Barrett, are not just prolific art collectors; they are also dedicated to preserving and protecting the art of Montana’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife, serving as stewards of the land.

The gardens, orchards, and apiary—yielding delicious wildflower honey—allow guests to enjoy the fruits of the ranch’s farm-to-table philosophy at every meal.

Montana on the Menu

From the morning cup of Big Creek Coffee enjoyed by the fireside in your own cozy cabin to the crafted cocktails in the lodge’s rooftop lounge with saddle-shaped barstools, menu inspirations are all about Montana, all day long. How about an Alpine Negroni with pine liqueur or a Cowboy Collins with plum and pink peppercorn shrub? Adventures in taste are a highlight at the ranch, and all meals are included in the daily rate. Locally grown huckleberries are a star at breakfast as a topping for sourdough pancakes, or order steak and eggs (or even trout and eggs) served in the main lodge or delivered to your cabin.

The culinary team, led by executive chef Jacob Leatherman, presents dining experiences termed “Ranch Cuisine,” but this is cooking at a gourmet global level. While I chose the potato leek soup with chives and crispy bacon, the other starter for dinner one night was a rabbit and rattlesnake sausage with fennel-parsley puree and a balsamic-truffle vinaigrette. Or how about pan-seared bison tenderloin and grilled Texas quail knots? The ultimate experience is booking the Chef’s Table dinner, where you dine in the kitchen and get to watch Leatherman’s culinary craftsmanship unfold as each meticulously prepared course arrives. Highlights include venison tartare with a huckleberry-beet sauce paired with a Schramsberg sparkling rosé, pan-roasted duck breast with quince-apple sauce paired with an Oregon pinot noir, and kobe beef tenderloin with blue cheese mousse with a California zinfandel. The wine cellar at Triple Creek Ranch is a world-class adventure as well.

Adventures range from snowshoeing to dog sledding, hiking, archery, tennis, and fly-casting lessons, leading up to the allure of fly-fishing.

Feeling more like a chuck wagon meal? The cooking class led by Leatherman taught us how to make cowboy beans (jalapenos and fresh pineapple were the key ingredients) and a BBQ coffee rubbed tomahawk steak. Even the ride back to the Missoula airport extended the foodie fun with a “choose your own” packed lunch to go. Mine was a turkey, bacon, and fig sandwich with sliced apple, cheddar cheese, and mixed greens on toasted multi-grain bread.

In a world that’s increasingly frantic, Triple Creek Ranch is truly a hideaway of wellness and wonder. Fueled by the best in food, wine, and hospitality and surrounded by a landscape that’s inspired adventurers and artists for centuries, you realize you’re not just visiting a ranch, you become part of a living work of art.

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Visit TripleCreekRanch.com to learn more and book your stay!