shape of winter
Of course, all this is fine and good, but extreme isn't for
everyone. Those who are easily chilled need not worry. One of Montana's best year-round recreational opportuni- ties is infinitely more enjoyable when the mercury drops below freezing—enjoying the state's hundreds of natural hot springs.
In fact, no matter how you spend your days enjoying the Montana that emerges when winter arrives, a soak in a hot spring is the perfect way to end them. There are whole cities of springs (appropriately called Hot Springs, Montana.), big resorts, springs in the middle of rivers that turn icy water warm and soothing, and spots at the end of a hike where you're guaranteed to be alone. In the end, it's about immersion. Winter feels different in Montana because it draws you in, connecting you to
nature, the landscape, the culture, and the people in a way that just isn't possible in the heat of the summer. For gen- erations, Montana's other season has been scaring people off, only to reward those who stay with the undeniable feeling that they are truly lucky to have ended up here. The shape of Montana's winter shapes lives.
Donnie Clapp lied about his skiing ability to get his first job in Montana, and has never looked back. You can find him exploring opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing with his wife and two young boys around Bozeman, Montana.
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DISTINCTLY MONTANA • WINTER 2011
DONNIE SEXTON DONNIE SEXTON DONNIE SEXTON
