Distinctly Montana Magazine

14 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 - 2 0 2 6 With such august national magazines having already covered the Sage Lodge at length, what am I to add? Well, for one thing, the trout cookies are very tasty. That's a cookie in the enchanting shape of a rainbow trout, you understand, and not a cookie made from trout. Every day, in "the Nook," a comfortable spot with chairs and a couch and a telescope overlooking the pond, and through which we passed in between strolls on the grounds of the Lodge, a small bar is set with compli- mentary coffeee, tea, water, an assortment of snacks, and the best trout cookies I've ever had. A picture is included for reference. The trout cookies on their own are very charming. As just one of thousands of thoughtful, comfortable, beautiful and/or delicious touches, it shows how the Sage Lodge's approach to hospitality is exemplary from the big touches to the small. My fiance and I found ourselves spending a lot of our time at the Sage Lodge strolling. Strolling through the artfully groomed grounds, with plush swaths of lush green grass lined with walk- able paths and the Lodge's namesake sage bushes. In the cen- ter of the property was a lovely pond. Guests are encouraged to fish the pond—all you have to do is grab a free reel from outside the gift shop and cast away. Or you can paddleboard across the pond, or sit in the hot tub, not far away, and appreciate the scen- ery. Even if you live in Montana your whole life, the view of Emi- grant Peak is drop-dead gorgeous. But the key to a really fantastic Montana hotel isn't scenery. A re- ally exceptional Montana hotel should be as nice to look at inside as the view is outside, which can be a tall order when the views are as nice as they are in our fair state. But walking in to the Sage Lodge, the view of the vaulting, floor to ceiling picture windows is liable to take your breath away. The rooms in the main lodge, with fireplaces and bathrobes and little slippers, are so cozy that you almost don't want to leave. But leave we did, and there was so much to offer: a world class spa on the property that offers the full menu of massages, facials, and body treatments you'd expect, along with an outdoor hot tub where you can soak while gazing at Paradise Valley. There are horseback rides. We took a several mile walk that wound around the proper- ty and eventually ended at a historic Old Chico Cemetery while families rode bikes around their own paths. And of course, there's Yellowstone National Park, if you can tear yourself away from the pleasures and attractions on offer at the Sage Lodge. Now, as a guy who appreciates really good food (I already men- tioned the trout cookies, haven't I?) I've been trying to resist the urge to make the entire article on the food we ate. There are two restaurants on site: The Fireside Room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, comfortable atmosphere with both indoor seating and a patio overlooking the valley, and The Grill, which is something else entirely. The Grill is a contemporary steakhouse built around an Argentine wood-fired grill. Definitely in a steak mood, we had exceptional locally sourced steaks, with steak tartar as an hors'deouvre and a couple of remarkable cock- The piece de resistance WAS THE DESSERT, AN INDESCRIBABLE CONSTRUCTION CALLED "THE MONTANA MUSHROOM," A GLOSSY MUSHROOM-SHAPED DOME OF MANGO MOUSSE, FILLED WITH RASPBERRY AND CHERRY GEL, SITTING IN ARTFULLY SCATTERED CHOCOLATE 'DIRT.'

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