Things To Do in Montana

The rafters hear it before they see it. The steadily increasing roars emanating from down the river can only mean one thing: whitewater. As their raft rounds a bend, it plunges headfirst into a Class III rapid. Frothy spumes shower the group, but they remain focused, paddle in unison, and conquer nature's natural roller coaster.

Since 1976, Glacier Raft Company has created adrenalin-pumping experiences like these for more than 500,000 customers. Using the Middle Fork and Flathead River as their playground, guides lead rafting adventures that fuse the thrills of fast rapids with natural beauty of areas such as John Stevens Canyon. Though rafting is their focus, the outdoors outfit also leads other activities such as horseback riding and hiking trips. During fishing excursions, anglers cast for rainbow trout and radical bartenders harvest ice cubes from glaciers. The company also welcomes guests for extended stays in one of their classic log cabins.

By caring for animals unable to be returned to the wild, The Beartooth Nature Center's primary focus is to educate the public about the protection and conservation of Montana's wildlife and its habitats.

In their 85th season, the Harlem Globetrotters have entertained millions of parents, children, and general basketball admirers with a unique brand of athletic precision and showmanship. For their latest 4 Times the Fun North American tour, the Globetrotters will add new 4-point shot spots located 35 feet from the basket, which is 12 feet farther than the official 3-point line but several thousand miles closer than the prime meridian.

After continually traversing the globe since its breakout television performance nearly 18 years ago, Riverdance returns stateside for a last hurrah. A cast of six principal dancers will clobber the stage with the stomps, taps, kicks, and tackles of traditional Irish step dancing, which, when synchronized with a live band and 18 troupe dancers, sends waves of rhythm cascading over all 3,200 seats of the regal Indiana University Auditorium. The show’s 18 scenes break into two acts: the first depicting the mythical beginnings of the Celtic people as they hatched from a kelpie's head, and the second portraying the Irish famine and ensuing wave of emigration.

Sports Cove offers scuba-diving courses that take students from the shallows of an indoor swimming pool to the depths of the ocean. For beginners, open-water classes cover breathing techniques and safety regulations, and advanced-certification courses give divers enough confidence to explore the depths on their own. Those looking for a more exotic experience can join the crew on one of its organized scuba-diving trips to locations such as Mexico and the Caribbean.

Jamie Beeson is a walking paradox: a workout expert who loves to eat cookies. The personal trainer and head of Workoutplanz, however, doesn't view her fondness for dessert as a flaw—she believes practical fitness regimens should allow for life's indulgences and interruptions. Therefore, she caters her programs to women of all backgrounds, personally testing out her suggestions before recommending them to others.

Jamie's workout plans range from Weight Loss 101 Plan, which offers beginners guidance on diets and exercise, to the Busy Mom's Workout Plan with grocery lists and at-home fitness routines that accommodate hectic schedules. Though they achieve different aims, most of these plans include a nutritional and workout component, as well as scheduling tools that help keep participants on track. Resources on the Workoutplanz website also supplement training efforts. Clients can watch video tutorials on each exercise, read up on how to monitor their heart-rates, and even download a music playlist for an invigorating treadmill session.

Sumit Banerjee—the namesake of Sumits Yoga—certified each instructor at the studio to teach his blend of Bikram and Vinyasa yoga. His approach incorporates static poses, energetic music, and temperatures ranging from 100 to 105 degrees. In addition to expelling toxins from the body, the heat keeps muscles limber for safe stretching. Regular practice can foster increased energy, improved focus, and weight loss. On Fridays, instead of taking a baseball bat to their work computers, participants celebrate the end of the week with an ice-cold popsicle after class.