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ranchandcoast.com 70 NOVEMBER 2023 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE detour destinations barn and a giant dining room presided over by taxidermized Montana wildlife — and the result is a joyful, indulgent weekend of eating and drinking in its purest form, with live music to round out the convivial tableau. WinterFest 2023 kicked off with an open-seating dinner in Paws Up's Bull Barn featuring multiple stations boasting generous and unlimited tastes of guest chefs' delectable dishes, wines, and whiskeys. Rather than a dip of the toe into the level of indulgence that's to come, WinterFest's opening night is a dive into the deep end. In 2023, it kicked off WinterFest's daytime events including cooking demonstrations and tastings. ey're well-spaced to allow time for activities away from the table, with the evenings reserved for the chefs to truly shine. Tasting dinners, hosted at Paws Up's Pomp restaurant on each of the festival's next two evenings, are cooperative efforts between the featured chefs and the resort's own esteemed team. Each course is presented by its chef creator, whose introduction and description of their dish is invariably met with resounding applause from the packed room of rapt guests. It's a fair assumption that everyone present is keenly aware of just how incredible it is to have a seat at this table. Fortunately, there's plenty of opportunity to burn off at least a percentage of the weekend's staggering caloric intake. Seasonal activities include dogsledding, featuring teams of exuberant, Iditarod-experienced canines (a must-do), sleigh rides, broom hockey, curling, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. A standout among the extensive list is moonbiking. Essentially a mountain bike-cum-snowmobile, the moonbike is an exhilarating means to explore the resort's expansive, snow-blanketed terrain in virtual silence — the completely electric machines eliminate the deafening blare of gas-powered outdoor toys. If less is more, each haus back "home" at e Green O is equipped with its own outdoor spa for a soothing soak, and the tireless team there ensures it's always hot and ready for you with a path cleared daily from your door to the spa's edge. Unsurprising is that many who visit end up planning a return before they even depart, meaning these signature events, especially, have a tendency to book quickly. So, while February may seem far off as an entire holiday season still lies ahead, if you want to be among those 24 people to call a Green O haus your home for Winterfest 2024 on February 16-19, the time to book is now. Don't forget to pack your stretchy pants. FOOD: PHOTO BY DEANNA MURPHY << WinterFest's curated guest list includes celebrated chefs as well as winemakers and distillers Moonbiking at Paws Up