Four majestic mountain ranges and the raw, untamed beauty of Montana's Flathead Valley. 

When she's not out on the road in her van with her husband Will and Dog Tally, TREW Ambassador Erika Phelps calls the Flathead Valley home. She shares a piece of what makes it so special.

As a lover of the earth and someone who spends most of my time on skis, there is something magical about this place that goes beyond just the adventure. The Flathead Valley is surrounded by four majestic mountain ranges: the Whitefish, Swan, Mission, and Flathead Ranges, all of which offer an incredible sense of solitude, untouched wilderness, and wild freedom. 

The Whitefish Range, in particular, stretches for 76 miles, running north of Whitefish all the way up to the Canadian border, offering a stunning expanse of picturesque terrain. It feels like a land where time stands still, where the only signs of life are the fresh tracks left by creatures like the elusive Canadian Lynx. I’ve been lucky enough to spot these tracks on snowmobile trails, a reminder that we are merely guests in this wild place. The feeling of seeing those tracks is humbling and surreal, a fleeting moment that connects me to the natural world in a way few places can.

The weather here, often cloudy or foggy, keeps the crowds away, allowing for a kind of peaceful seclusion that I treasure deeply. There are times when I feel like I'm the only one in the valley, standing at the base of a towering peak, surrounded by mist and snow, utterly alone with the mountains. And when I do run into someone, it’s almost always someone I know — another like-minded soul who shares my love for the land. There’s a sense of community here, of kindred spirits who appreciate the silence, the vastness, and the beauty that these mountains offer.

For me, every ski tour feels like an immersion into something beyond the ordinary. As I carve my way through the snow, surrounded by peaks that feel as grand and timeless as the Alps, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to live in a place where the land still holds its power. Each peak and valley offers its own brand of wild wonder. The scale of the land is breathtaking, and it’s a privilege to experience it in such an intimate way in my daily life.

The Flathead Valley is also home to a community of people who cherish our public lands. We spend our days, nights, and weeks in these mountains. Whether skiing, snowmobiling, hiking or simply soaking in the view from our back porch. Our federal and state public lands are our lifeblood, and they sustain us in ways that go beyond recreation. These lands are a refuge for wildlife, a habitat for creatures that call this place home, and a resource that binds us to the earth in a deeper, more meaningful way.

That's why it’s so important to me, and to all of us here, that we fight to keep our public lands public. These lands are not just parcels of earth; they are part of who we are. They are a sanctuary for wildlife, a place for our community to gather, explore, and rejuvenate, and a living, breathing testament to the wild beauty of the earth. The Flathead Valley is a treasure, one that deserves to be protected for generations to come, so that those who follow us can experience the same peace, solitude, and connection to the earth that we do every day.

April is Earth Month! 

Join us in celebrating Earth Day all month long. We will be donating 10% of all profits from this month back to protecting + advocating for our public lands. Learn more here.

Photos taken by Will Phelps!