Holland Peak Retreat

Holland Peak Retreat is located in Missoula County, Montana at the center of the Upper Swan valley. The property is accessed from a county maintained road east of Highway 83 about an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of Missoula, Montana (population over 68,000 people). 

Delta, SkyWest, United, and Allegiant Air service the Missoula airport with numerous arrivals and departures each day. Missoula is also serviced by Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, providing both in-state service and additional non-stop service to the West Coast. United Airlines recently began non-stop service between San Francisco and Missoula. 

The property is also about 65 miles to Kalispell (population over 20,000 people), where there is a full array of services including excellent medical facilities, world class Big Mountain Ski Resort in Whitefish, as well as Glacier International Airport. This airport is serviced by Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Delta and United.

The Swan Valley is one of Montana’s special and unique jewels. Nestled between two massive mountain ranges, the Swan Range and the Mission Range, this valley is riddled with dense timber and hundreds of lakes. The valley sits at the western edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex and the eastern edge of the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness Area, giving backcountry enthusiasts access to millions of acres of designated wilderness. There are roughly 410,000± acres in the watershed with the Swan River flowing in a northerly direction through the middle of it all, while only 30,000± acres is in private ownership for residential and minimal commercial use. 

The town of Seeley Lake, located 30 miles south of the property, is a friendly and vibrant town with deep roots in the timber industry. Missoula is about 80 miles away and is the quintessential “college town”, home to the University of Montana. One will find everything imaginable in the way of services. With over 150 restaurants, numerous theaters, art galleries, outstanding medical facilities, and community programs, Missoula is truly the cultural center of Montana. Snowbowl Ski area, located about 15 minutes north of Missoula, offers great skiing without overbearing crowds.

Summer is mild with temperatures only occasionally reaching into the 90s. Average high temperatures in July and August are just over 80 degrees, with lows dipping into the 40s. Spring is variable with rains providing needed moisture for the native range. Fall is arguably the most beautiful time of year with cold nights (20s and 30s) and cool days in the 50s and 60s. The western larch, quaking aspens and cottonwoods are vibrant with color in September and October. Winter snow depths average 15-20 inches with temperatures falling below zero at times.

Precipitation Zone: 20± inches

Average Annual Snowfall: 120+ inches

Conservation Easement

The Montana Land Reliance holds a conservation easement on a little more than half of the property, which is designed to protect the property’s immense open space and habitat values. The balance of the property remains unencumbered. Full documentation of the easement is available upon request.

Main Home

This white pine log home includes roughly 4,750± sq. ft. in a well-thought-out floor plan. The structure celebrates the best of log and timber framing with powerful elements of reclaimed wood. The kitchen cabinets were forged from the train trestle supports salvaged from the Great Salt Lake. The large flooring planks came from a train depot on eastern Montana’s “High-Line.” Woven deep into Montana’s history, copper adorns spacious kitchen counter tops. The three stone-faced fireplaces are highly heat efficient with copper sliding doors. 

The glass-topped breakfast bar reveals a huge natural support base salvaged from a large Douglas fir root system. Ancient larch timbers create an imposing element for the three fireplace mantels, library shelving, staircase and other features. 

Guest Cabin

Fully restored in 1997, the 1920s log guest cabin provides charm and solitude. 

Garage with Living Quarters

This 2½-car garage, constructed of logs to match the main home, has a sizeable two-bedroom apartment above. 

Storage building, workshop and artist’s studio

A separate 4-bay building provides storage for equipment, tools and a working artist’s studio.

There are no irrigation or stock water rights associated with the property.

Annual property taxes are estimated to be $6,294.02.

Western Montana is a mecca for wildlife and Holland Peak Retreat is no exception. Elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, coyotes, wolves, eagles, osprey and even moose can be seen here.

Outdoor recreation can be enjoyed on the property and in the area on a year- round basis. In summer, activities include golfing at nearby Double Arrow Resort, fishing on the numerous streams, rivers and lakes on the property or in the immediate area, and hiking or horseback riding the ridgelines on both sides of the valley. Winter is a wonderland in the Seeley-Swan with snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding all being popular with residents and visitors. Annually, Montana’s “Race to the Sky”, a grueling 350-mile sled-dog race, is held in the valley.