Whitefish, Montana to be Featured in Upcoming Episode of ABC’s Hit Romance Reality Series The Bachelor

The Montana Office of Tourism (MTOT) http://travelmontana.mt.gov/ , Whitefish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Bar W Guest Ranch, Glacier Jet Center and Casey’s Bar & Grill have announced that they will be featured on an upcoming episode of The Bachelor. The episode showcases Whitefish, Montana, and the surrounding Glacier Country area as the destination for bachelorettes vying for love with the newest Bachelor, Sean Lowe. The episode is scheduled to air Monday, February 4th, 2013, on ABC (7 p.m., MST).

After being approached by producers of The Bachelor in July 2012, MTOT and their tourism associates in the Glacier region chose to provide support to the long-running hit series.

"Building relationships in the TV and film industry by hosting the Los Angeles-based producers and 110-person crew offered the opportunity to showcase Montana’s spectacular setting, in addition to the partners’ ability to service large projects and productions," said Montana Office of Tourism Administrator, Jeri Duran. "This benefits future tourism, as well as public relations opportunities and other film projects for Montana."

"The benefit that businesses and the City of Whitefish will receive from The Bachelor filming locally will be tremendous in the future," said Jan Metzmaker, director of The Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Having this exposure on national TV to showcase our fall shoulder season is immeasurable."

"Welcoming The Bachelor to Western Montana’s Glacier Country was a prime opportunity for us to showcase our region," said Racene Friede, Executive Director of Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission. "Having a show of such caliber come to our area allowed us to market some of our outstanding gems — including Whitefish, Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Nation — and was a chance to introduce our corner of paradise to a large national audience."

"The partner and community support from the Whitefish CVB and Glacier Country was incredible," continued Duran. "The producers focused on showcasing the very best of the area and embraced our brand pillars of spectacular nature, charming towns and breathtaking experiences that we have worked so hard to develop and promote."

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake hosted Lowe and the 12 bachelorettes for the 5th episode of the season, as well as a romantic one-on-one dinner date by the roaring grand fireplace in the lobby, which was transformed for the romantic shoot. The Bachelor touches down via seaplane on Whitefish Lake and the bachelorettes arrive via an original Glacier National Park Jammer Bus.

Other highlights include the Bachelor and his date arriving on a mountain top on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation just outside of East Glacier via helicopter, a special one-on-one date with two bachelorettes spending the day riding horses through the incredible Montana open range to a romantic glamping-esque picnic at Bar W Guest Ranch, a surprise appearance by Nashville country music star Sarah Darling performing live outdoors in downtown Whitefish, and a special group date party for the winners of a wild Montana Relay race at Casey’s Bar & Grill.

The episode concludes with the famous "rose ceremony" and cocktail party at Grouse Mountain Lodge, where the bachelorettes get their last chance to spend time with the Bachelor before he hands out the roses and sends two of the girls home.

The 17th season of The Bachelor, from Warner Horizon Television, airs Mondays 8/7c on ABC. For more information on The Bachelor, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor.

ABOUT THE BACHELOR

On ABC’s hit primetime reality series The Bachelor, one lucky man is offered the chance to find true love. A single and eligible Bachelor embarks on a romantic journey, getting to know a bevy of beautiful bachelorettes, gradually narrowing the field to the one woman to whom he may propose marriage in the dramatic season finale. Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelor is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Montana Office of Tourism

The Montana Office of Tourism has the enviable job of enticing travelers to choose Montana as a vacation destination. Montana’s spectacular nature, unspoiled landscapes, iconic wildlife and vibrant, welcoming towns, make our fourth largest state a distinctive and unparalleled travel experience. Hosting an episode of The Bachelor in Montana presented the ideal opportunity to highlight our breathtaking experiences by day and our relaxing and romantic offerings by night. http://www.visitmt.com

Whitefish CVB

Whitefish, Montana is an authentic mountain town located in the northern Rockies, home to some of the world’s most beautiful mountains and spectacular, unspoiled nature. Whitefish offers close access to the hanging valleys and emerald peaks of Glacier National Park, plus world-class skiing, golf and all facets of mountain, lake and river adventures. After breathtaking natural experiences by day, guests discover award-winning cuisine and nightlife, plus enjoy an abundant arts and culture scene. The Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau (WCVB) is a non-profit marketing organization with over 140 business members promoting economic development through travel promotion.www.ExploreWhitefish.com

Glacier Country Tourism

Glacier Country encompasses millions of acres in Western Montana and is home to such icons as Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, the Blackfeet Nation and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The region is also home to charming communities, incredible outdoor recreation and abundant cultural experiences. Glacier Country is dedicated to promoting tourism and assisting visitors in planning memorable vacations to Western Montana and being part of this special production greatly enhances that mission. http://www.glaciermt.com

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake

Inspired by the grand lodges of the past, with all the conveniences of the present, the Lodge has returned a sense of leisure and grace to the Montana travel experience. Surrounded by mountains with the pristine waters of Whitefish Lake at their back door and all the amenities of a full-service resort, the Lodge provides the perfect location for a visit to Whitefish and northwest Montana. The Lodge is minutes from downtown Whitefish, ten minutes from the ski slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort and less than a 30-minute drive to the scenic wonders of Glacier National Park.

Bar W Guest Ranch

Bar W Guest Ranch is nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, between two pine-covered ridges just three and a half miles outside of Whitefish. The ranch is open year round and treats its guests with true Western Montana hospitality — from the moment they arrive until long after they have left. This idyllic piece of paradise welcomes singles, adults, families and groups to experience the Western way of life riding, rodeoing, fishing, shooting, dancing, rafting — or guests can just sit back and let Montana surround them. Bar W is permitted on hundreds of thousands of National Forest acres, so there is riding in the foothills, across prairies, and in the mountains. http://www.thebarw.com

Grouse Mountain Lodge

Grouse Mountain is one of Montana’s finest resorts with 143 spacious and recently-renovated guest rooms, extensive meeting space, vast amenities and exciting adventures. All of this paired with the many offerings of beautiful NW Montana make it the perfect place to gather for year-round fun. Nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort offers fun on the slopes for winter visitors while spring, summer and fall visitors take advantage of the neighboring 36-hole golf course and the close proximity to Glacier National Park. For more information, please visit: http://www.GrouseMountainLodge.com

Casey’s Bar & Grill

Casey’s is a new cornerstone of the Whitefish, Montana community that embodies both its colorful past and bright future. After looking at many options to save the original structure, Frontier Builders embarked upon an ambitious, ground-up rebuild of the famous bar with the goal to create the nicest facility of its kind in the Northwest with a distinct nod to the past. The new 17,000 square foot facility rises to three levels, offering a different mood and décor on every floor. The main level embodies the old pub with casino gaming machines, flat screen TVs, and a kitchen serving an eclectic mix of menu options including kabobs, burgers and famous fish tacos. The second level offers a DJ dance and concert hall, pool tables, and a VIP/event lounge. One of Montana’s only rooftop bars, the Skybar features a grill, heated walls and floors, fire pits, as well as stunning views of the Whitefish Range. http://www.caseysbar.com

Glacier Jet Center

Glacier Jet Center is the sole Fixed Base Operator providing services at Glacier Park International Airport. Committed to providing general aviation and airline customers with the finest aviation services available, aircraft charter department, line crew, aircraft maintenance and customer service personnel, invite customers to experience some of the best service in the business. Well-trained and safety oriented Line Service staff meet each aircraft upon landing to assist customers with a worry free stay. Glacier Jet Center offers full service concierge services including hotels, rental cars, gourmet catering, sightseeing and tours. The public is welcome to visit Glacier Jet Center’s world class facility and experience the incomparable service found only in the heart of Montana. http://www.glacierjetcenter.com