Kalispell is in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, poised in the northwest corner of Montana and about an hour south of the Canadian border. As Montana's seventh largest city and the seat of Flathead County, it's a progressive, thriving community; the very essence of Big Sky Country - with the best backyard in the country. A half-hour to the east lies the rugged grandeur of Glacier National Park. Fifteen minutes to the south is Flathead Lake - a glacial jewel - the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and one of the purest anywhere. Encompassing the valley is the Flathead National Forest - 2.3 million acres of federally protected public land, home to abundant wildlife, including grizzly and black bears, moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and wolves.

At more than 5,000 square miles Flathead County's 87,000 residents have plenty of elbow room. About as many people live within the three incorporated towns as outside of them. With a population of 22,000 Kalispell is the largest. It is within a 15-minute drive of the other two, Whitefish and Columbia Falls; and less than 30 minutes from Bigfork and Lakeside, two smaller but vibrant communities nestled on the east and west shores of Flathead Lake. Northwest Montana's economy is diverse, small-business oriented and growing. And Flathead County has the leading edge as the state's second-fastest growing county. In 2004 it was named the most diverse, balanced economy in the Rocky Mountain West in the Colorado College State of the Rockies Report. [more]