Mountain Sky sits at the crossroads of adventure and wellness travel. Inspired by its history as one of Montana’s first dude ranches, we’ve spent almost a century perfecting the ideal approach to a Montana guest ranch vacation. Inspired by the love of this ranch, owner Arthur Blank added the Wellness Center as a way to balance exhilarating activities with deep relaxation that lasts long after you leave.
Between horseback riding, golf, shooting sports, hiking and fly fishing, guests can weave complimentary classes, scheduled treatments, and serene spaces into their daily itineraries. Unlike a planned yoga retreat, each guest can customize their stay with the experiences that will benefit them most. Embracing a wellness-centered activity each day will result in a more mindful, restorative and memorable trip to Paradise Valley.
The Wellness Side of a Montana Guest Ranch Vacation
After arrival, a walk around this mountain oasis will lead you past the barn, lodge and up to the pool, already resetting your stride to a country pace. When you stand on the hill that overlooks Emigrant Peak, you’ve arrived at the destination for wellbeing at Mountain Sky, The Wellness Center.
When you enter the doors of the spa, you’re greeted by a Wellness Host who will invite you to relax in the Serenity Room, take a dip in the Grotto, or take you to your treatment room. The Wellness Menu includes 25-minute treatments, known as “Sweet Somethings” that allow you to target areas that need the most attention during your stay.
“People that come back year after year often book arrival day treatments. It’s a wonderful way to leave stress from travels and jet lag behind. It can accelerate the process of disconnecting from daily life and entering into a relaxation mindset.” ~ Mara Wedekind, Wellness Manager
As you enter the spa, you will walk past walls of Western art and sculpture, to relax in the Serenity Room—filled with plush chaises and a wall of windows to gaze upon the Absaroka Mountain range and lush forestlands below. Or soak in the grotto, which feels like your own personal hot springs carved into stone. Listen to the sounds of water flowing, much like the rushing of Big Creek that carves its way through Mountain Sky.
Continuing through the Wellness Center, you will find a sauna, steam room, yoga studio and full fitness center which are all open 24 hours a day to find a moment of calm when the mood strikes you.
Spa Services – An Itinerary Designed for Recovery and Rejuvenation
After orientation on Sunday, guests are invited to schedule their activities throughout the week. Most opt for an active vacation, filled with horseback riding, hiking, golf, challenge course, fly fishing, archery and more. The Wellness Center similarly schedules wellness activities that provide peaceful relaxation after adventure through yoga, foam rolling, and wellness walks. Wellness Manager, Mara Wedekind recommends that guests utilize the services, classes and spaces to find restorative moments throughout the week.
On Monday morning, and most mornings, guests can enjoy a “sunrise” yoga class before breakfast.
“People often tell us that after taking our morning yoga class, they felt more comfortable on their ride. Yoga is a tool for an even better ranch experience. If you’re feeling relaxed and present with your body, you are going to be able to connect and bond with your horse a lot better during the week.” ~Mara Wedekind, Wellness Manager
Return after activities for a Signature Massage. This guest-favorite treatment is customized with your favorite aroma and techniques, such as light to deep pressure, hot Himalayan salt stones or assisted stretches.
After the Tuesday breakfast ride, sink into the grotto to relax your hips or take a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub. After an afternoon hike or archery lesson, return to the Serenity Room to read a book while taking in the views.
On Wednesday, the Wellness team includes a foam rolling class to further relax tight muscles. This form of myofascial release works in a similar way to massage. Assistant Wellness Manager Amelia Horton recommends the Emigrant Mineral Melt at this point in the week to reward hard-working muscles.
“The magnesium offers muscle relief, relaxation of tension and better sleep. Our professional massage therapists start with a magnesium body scrub. After a rinse, it is followed by a full-body massage, leaving you feeling deeply hydrated.” ~ Amelia Horton, Assistant Wellness Manager
On Thursday, join the Wellness walk or restorative yoga class. Both activities focus on breath work and mindfulness, reminding yourself to exist in the midst of natural beauty. Our wellness walks adopt a slower pace and are tailored to each group. They are based on the Japanese art of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. Our guides encourage guests to be present in nature.
By Friday or Saturday, be sure to indulge in one of our signature experiences to sink deeper into relaxation after your adventures. The Alpenglō treatment includes both a signature massage, and a Glō gua sha facial massage, featuring locally crafted, organic Glō regenerative facial oil.
For guests who are golfing, shooting or doing archery, we recommend the Rancher’s Paradise, which focuses on the head, neck and shoulders. The treatment begins using a crystal-infused, infrared biomat that relieves tension so that our massage therapists can reduce inflammation and improve circulation, leaving your muscles deeply relaxed.
Treatments can be scheduled any day of the week to craft your custom wellness plan.
Yoga and Movement: A Key to Balance
Similar to a Montana yoga retreat, our professional yoga instructors offer twice-daily, included yoga classes at the Wellness Center. Both the sunrise yoga session and the restorative session are gentle, designed to prepare your body in the morning for an active day, and, later, to wind down and find balance as you look forward to an evening of gourmet cuisine, dancing or a drink in the saloon.
Sunrise yoga is a wonderful way to wake the body up gently and set your intention for the day. Meditation during these sessions helps to be more present during the precious time you have on vacation. Yoga classes cater to all levels, and it’s an excellent environment for beginners to discover this therapeutic form of exercise.
“I always encourage guests to take an hour out of their day and balance out their bodies. All of our classes emphasize stress-relief and rejuvenating the body. My favorite compliment is when someone falls asleep in my Restorative class, because I know they needed it!” ~Amelia Horton, Assistant Wellness Manager
You don’t need to book a dedicated Montana yoga retreat to get the benefits that yoga offers. At Mountain Sky, it is a convenient tool to reward the body after an active day. You can add as much or as little to your itinerary, and use it as a bonding experience with friends and family or as time to take time for yourself.
Why Wellness Matters at a Luxury Dude Ranch
Any vacation requires a balance between activity and rest. The Wellness Center is at the core of our desire to help guests reconnect with themselves through challenges during the day and centering moments in our calming spa spaces. A dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub located will reward you with some of the most awe-inspiring views of Paradise valley.
Through expertly crafted food, relaxing accommodations, and a mix of social and solo activities, a Montana guest ranch vacation at Mountain Sky is a perfect balm for the body and mind. Exhilaration and relaxation go hand-in-hand to provide a health-conscious approach to adventure travel, while resetting your goals for the year ahead.
Don’t wait, spots are filling up fast. Contact us today to begin your ranch vacation.
