PRAISE FOR BOZEMAN, MONTANA

For outdoor enthusiasts, it’s hard to beat this Rocky Mountain city of 43,000, a population that keeps growing. World-class skiing, rafting, fishing and hiking are all close by; Yellowstone National Park is an easy day trip; and there’s sunshine an average of 300 days a year. Bozeman is also culturally vibrant, with educated residents — Montana State University has a campus here — a strong tech industry and a thriving Main Street.

Bozeman sits in a nearly 5,000-foot-high plateau surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and, frankly, some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. An hour and half drive takes you to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Ski Resort is only an hour away, and smaller ski resorts are reachable in 30 minutes. Bozeman is also heaven for fly-fishing fans, who can cast at Gallatin, Madison River, or Yellowstone River. Horseback riding is also big in Bozeman, as are rodeos (a big one each summer is the Bozeman Stampede). Add in hiking and mountain biking, and there’s no shortage of outdoor activities.

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Bozeman is also home to Montana State University, which gives it a cool college town vibe – including brewpubs and museums. The Museum of the Rockies actually has the country’s largest collection of dinosaur bones. A crop of new restaurants have recently opened in Bozeman, adding to the great selection of affordable taco spots, Korean barbecue, and other college town fare. Despite the cold weather — December through March can be brutal — Bozeman’s charms have made it one of the fastest growing towns in the region.