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Rooted in Glacier Park’s History, A Landmark Lives On

On the outskirts of Glacier National Park, the 106-year-old Belton Chalet is still a time-honored destination for lodging and dining

By Dillon Tabish
Clark cottages at the Belton Chalet. Courtesy Gibeon Photography

WEST GLACIER — When the first visitors arrived at the entrance of the newly formed Glacier National Park over 100 years ago, many would stay at the quaint Swiss-style chalet in the town of Belton, which is now modern-day West Glacier.

After riding the Great Northern Railway from across the U.S. to the train depot next to the chalet, visitors would stay for a night or enjoy a lunch before riding a horse to the Apgar Village. From there, they would board the DeSmet, the flagship vessel on Lake McDonald, and journey to the large lakeshore lodge, which was the focal point of the national park.

A century later, much has changed within Glacier Park but quite a bit remains the same, particularly the classic gateway chalet.

At 106 years old on the doorstep of Glacier Park, the historic Belton Chalet remains a vibrant remnant of the past.

And with the arrival of summer, the chalet is most alive. The full summer operations began May 28 with the taproom opening daily at 3 p.m. and the dining room at 5 p.m.

The dining staff, led by talented chef Melissa Mangold, has prepared its unique summer menu, featuring a one-of-a-kind delicacy from almost all Montana-made products. The bar features unique cocktails, from margaritas to martinis, that can be enjoyed from the patio looking out at the peaks of Glacier.

Behind the chalet, the main lodge, completed in 1913, has been outfitted with new beds and fan fixtures while the staff of nearly 60 summer employees is ready to offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience, following the slogan, “The Way It Was, Still Is.” Most of the lodge features original characteristics, including classic door knobs, push-button lights and windows. Black-and-white photos adorn the walls, reminding guests of a bygone era that in many ways lingers in the present. There are no televisions or radios in the rooms, although the owners made a compromise a few years ago and installed wireless Internet.

“We’re constantly reinventing ourselves. We’re trying to be efficient but keep it the way it is,” said general manager Christie Dunn.

“It’s a special getaway.”

The popularity of Belton Chalet is higher than ever as summer crowds continue to increase in Glacier Park. On an average summer night, the restaurant serves 275 people, up from 100 about a decade ago.

The chalet also hosts several events throughout the year, including live music, wine and food tastings and weddings. On June 10, the kitchen staff will host a fun pairing of dishes with fine Greek wines.

Seeing the chalet’s splendor and popularity it’s hard to imagine it nearly vanished once upon a time. The Great Northern Railway built the chalet the same year Glacier Park was formed, hoping to create an attractive lodge for visitors. It was the first of many chalets created in the park, modeled after the Swiss sites. The railroad sold the site after World War II. A series of owners juggled the site over a 50-year period, operating the bar and lodge sporadically while deferred maintenance piled up. Eventually the historic site lost its luster and began falling apart. In the 1970s, the state’s highway department nearly bulldozed the chalet and its lodge to reroute U.S. Highway 2, but the site’s owners, the Luding family, successfully had the building placed on the National Historic Register. Instead, the train depot was moved to its current location and the highway was paved between the train tracks and the chalet.

For 40 years, the lodge sat closed while the chalet operated intermittently. Overgrown trees and brush nearly swallowed the site into a garden.

And then Cas Still and Andy Baxter drove past. The Yellow Bay residents had restored historic buildings in the past and were eager for a new challenge. They discovered the Belton and purchased the site in 1997. Within a couple years, the property was revitalized and restored.

“They rescued it,” Dunn said. “The ceiling was buckling and we would’ve lost more if it collapsed. They came in and totally salvaged this place.”

Today the hotel has 25 rooms along with three large cottages available year-round.

Keeping the historic integrity intact amid rising popularity is a tough task, but this grand piece of Glacier Park’s history is in good hands.

“It’s a labor of love,” Dunn said.

For more information about the Belton Chalet, visit http://www.beltonchalet.com.