Christmas in Montana at Chico Hot Springs
A Paradise Valley Christmas
Escape the holiday hustle and spend Christmas soaking in warm geothermal water while snow settles on the mountains of Paradise Valley, Montana. At Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, the season slows down to cozy evenings in a historic lodge, dinner in the Historic Dining Room and winter days as active or as quiet as you like, from a guided snowshoe tour with the Horse Barn to a nightcap in the Chico Saloon. Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance is around 30 miles away and the resort is open all year, so couples, families and friends can share the same getaway and still spend it their own way. Come for the mountain views, and stay for the memories.
Soak in the hot springs all winter
Chico's two open-air pools have been fed by the same natural geothermal springs since 1900, and they stay open right through the winter, there's a warm spot for everyone while snow dusts Emigrant Peak under the big Montana sky.
The pools are open daily from 8am to 11pm, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with early access from 7am for hotel guests, and soaking is complimentary for everyone staying overnight. They're family-friendly, so the whole group can share a soak between snowy days out, and an evening in the pools is the easiest way to end a day in Yellowstone Country.
Explore the Hot Springs
Holiday dining at Chico
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Historic Dining Room serves dinner from 5 to 9pm, with the regular menu and a few dinner specials from the chef. It's a relaxed way to end a day of soaking and snowy adventures, with the people you came with.
For the rest of your stay, grab a drink at the Chico Saloon or keep things casual at the Poolside Grille. On New Year's Eve, the Saloon hosts its annual celebration, with live music from BlackWater Band starting at 9pm.
Explore Dining
Winter adventures from the Horse Barn
The Horse Barn runs a full winter schedule, whether you want a guided day in Yellowstone or an hour of fresh air close to the lodge.
Cross-country skiing in Yellowstone: private, customizable guided tours, with ski equipment and a trail lunch provided.
Guided snowshoe tours: in Yellowstone National Park or around Paradise Valley.
On-property snowshoe tours: about an hour, weather and snow permitting, for ages 10 and up.
Ski rentals: for your own winter outings.
Chico is in Pray, Montana, around 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance, so a day in Yellowstone Country fits easily into a Christmas stay.
Explore Winter ExperiencesSeasonal treatments at the Chico Day Spa
Pair a soak with a seasonal treatment at the Chico Day Spa. The winter specials run December through January.
Winter Fresh Peel and Glow
A results-driven winter facial with an enzyme peel and microdermabrasion. 75 minutes, $200.
Winter Fresh Peel and Glow
Welcome the holidays and the New Year with a fresh, radiant complexion, perfect before a big holiday event. This results-driven, skin-focused facial incorporates elements of massage for relaxation.
A Skin Script enzyme peel gently exfoliates and brightens, followed by microdermabrasion to refine and polish skin texture and reveal a smoother-looking complexion. A deeply moisturizing and soothing mask replenishes hydration, and a finish of nourishing serums leaves skin radiant, hydrated and refreshed.
75 minutes | $200
Includes a holiday spa gift and a swim pass for guests not staying at the hotel. Available December through January.
Holiday Glow
A dry brushing and castor oil massage with holiday essential oils. 60 minutes, $195.
Holiday Glow
A seasonal spa escape to revitalize your skin and spirit during the holidays. The treatment begins with dry brushing using soft, natural bristles to gently exfoliate, boost lymphatic drainage and enhance circulation.
Pure organic castor oil, blended with your choice of holiday-inspired essential oils, is then applied with Swedish and lymphatic massage techniques. You leave with silky-smooth skin and less tension, ideal for winter dryness and holiday stress.
60 minutes | $195
Includes a holiday spa gift, a take-home dry brush and a swim pass for guests not staying at the hotel. Available December through January.
Where to stay for Christmas
From couples' suites to houses for the whole family, there's a place to stay for every kind of Christmas in Paradise Valley.
Spa Suites: a private Jacuzzi in your room, for couples who want Christmas to feel like a retreat.
Cabins and Chalets: more space for families, with the hot springs and the rest of the resort close by.
Houses and Chalets: room for multigenerational Christmases, so everyone can be together without being on top of each other.
Historic Main Lodge: classic rooms in Chico's original building, for a cozy, traditional Montana Christmas. Some rooms have private bathrooms and others share facilities.
Getting here in winter: Chico is about an hour's drive from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport via I-90, and about 2½ hours from Billings Logan International Airport. We recommend renting a vehicle for winter travel in Paradise Valley.
Explore Places to Stay
Holiday events near Chico
Paradise Valley and nearby Livingston and Bozeman have plenty on through the season if you'd like a night out during your stay.
Light Up Livingston: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 4–7pm at the Livingston Depot Center & Park, about 30 minutes away.
Cold Snap Film Festival: November 19–20, 2026, at the Empire Twin Theaters and Livingston Depot Center, about 30 minutes away.
Livingston Christmas Stroll: Friday, December 4, 2026, 4–8pm in downtown Livingston, about 30 minutes away.
Livingston Holiday Market: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9am–4pm at the Livingston Civic Center, for gifts from local makers.
Bozeman Christmas Stroll: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:30–7:30pm in historic downtown Bozeman, about an hour away.
Yellowstone in winter: guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours start for the season on December 15, 2026.
Skiing at Bridger Bowl: about an hour away, for a day on the slopes.
Treat Your Loved Ones to a Montana Getaway
Give the gift of a Paradise Valley winter this Christmas. A Chico Hot Springs gift card can put a soak in the hot springs, dinner in the Historic Dining Room, a treatment at the Day Spa or a night in the lodge on someone’s wish list, and they choose when and how to enjoy it. It suits couples, families and friends alike, and it is an easy gift to send from anywhere.
Buy a Gift CardChristmas at Chico FAQs
Yes. Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is open year-round, and the hot springs pools stay open right through the winter. The large pool averages around 96°F and the smaller pool around 103°F. The pools are open daily from 8am to 11pm, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, from 7am for hotel guests, and soaking is complimentary for overnight guests. Day visitors are welcome for a fee.
Yes. The pet fee is $50 for up to three pets per stay, with another $50 for each additional set of three. Pets must stay in pet-friendly rooms (there's a $150 penalty otherwise) and be kept on a leash. Contact us in advance to arrange your stay.
Yes. The Chico Saloon hosts its annual New Year's Eve celebration, with live music from BlackWater Band starting at 9pm.
A credit card guarantees your reservation, with no deposit taken before arrival. Cancel at least 48 hours before arrival to avoid a charge of one night's room and tax.
Soak in the hot springs, book guided cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in Yellowstone or Paradise Valley, rent skis, join a holiday-themed family adventure at the Horse Barn, visit the Day Spa, and finish the day at the Historic Dining Room or Chico Saloon.
Chico is around 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance. The closest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, about an hour's drive via I-90, and Billings Logan International Airport is about 2½ hours away. We recommend renting a vehicle for winter travel in Paradise Valley.