Make it a memorable New Year's Eve

By CAROL MARINO

Daily Inter Lake

There’s plenty of partying planned around the Flathead Valley this New Year’s Eve. Here’s a look at some of the fun on tap.

Up on Big Mountain, Whitefish Mountain Resort hosts the 2018 New Year’s Eve Rail Jam. Up to 60 skiers and snowboarders will hit rails and boxes on a custom built rail jam venue. Super fun to watch, its even more fun to compete in this event. Compete for a $1,000 cash purse in Open Class Skier and Snowboarder categories. There will be first, second and third prizes in Amateur categories and a raffle for all competitors.

Day of registration, competitor check-in, and the Rail Jam venue are all located at the bottom of Ed’s Run in the Upper Village area.

Following the Rail Jam is the Dash for Cash, torchlight parade and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. at the bottom of Ed’s Run. Sip cocoa, mulled wine or cold beer slopeside at the on-snow bar without ever leaving the event venue.

Enjoy live music with Dodgy Mountain Men and Ed & Mully’s from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

‘Rock Around the Clock’ with Zino & the Bel Aires’ New Year’s Eve dance from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 U.S. 93 S., in Kalispell. Dance to music of the ‘50s and ‘60s, join the ‘50s costume contest and games and enjoy great food. A fundraiser for the Gateway Community Center, tickets are $50 per person. Call 752-7266 or online at eventgroove.com. Tickets are also available at the door.

Jump into the new year at the Hollywood Nights New Years Eve Party at Marina Cay Resort. A live performance by Fresh Ink begins at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Appetizers and champagne toast at midnight are included with the $10 cover fee. Walk the red carpet into 2019. For 21 and older.

The Fireside Restaurant will be open for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.

Marina Cay Resort will have room packages and discounts available. For more information, call 406-837-5861.

Montana Trolley Company is offering a Christmas Light Tour at 5:30 p.m. Bring your hot cocoa, coffee, friends and family and enjoy an hour-long tour of Kalispell’s finest display of beautiful Christmas lights.

The cost is $10 per person. Book online at www.montanatrolleyco.com or call DawnD, 858-0899.

Whistling Andy Distillery in Bigfork is throwing a New Year’s Eve anniversary pre-party from 5 to 8 p.m. with complimentary appetizers, drink specials and live music with Chance Cole.

Grill 459 in Bigfork offers a plated dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. for $75 per person, with limited seating available. Call 406-420-1017 for reservations.

The general public can come for dinner and live music from 9 p.m. to midnight, with a champagne toast to kick off the new year.

Ring in the New Year at Casey’s in Whitefish with DJ Freddy B from Las Vegas beginning at 9 p.m. For those 21 and older, advance tickets are $35 or $45 general admission.

For VIP space and reservations, email lucia@caseyswhitefish.com

Montana Bonfire in Woods Bay is offering its regular dinner menu as well as a dinner special featuring ribeye with jumbo shrimp and mushroom risotto.

All dinners come with a complimentary champagne toast. Enjoy live music with Chance Cole.

The Spinnaker in Lakeside is having a New Year’s Eve party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a variety of live music performances and a deejay.

End 2018 with a bang by sampling the Flathead Valley’s craft beer scene on the Big Sky Brews Cruise, starting at 2 p.m. in Whitefish. The cruise includes transportation between three breweries, a behind-the-scenes look at a brewhouse, an overview of the brewing process, an education about different beer styles, and four delicious samples of beer at each stop. Visit www.bigskybrewscruise.com to book.

The Bigfork Inn’s New Year’s Eve Bash begins at 4 p.m. The Lowkey Savs will provide a night of music and dancing. Champagne corks pop at 10 p.m. and the ball drops at midnight.

The Tailing Loop Winery in Kalispell hosts a 1920s Prohibition Era theme party. Think, flapper dresses, feathers, suspenders and bowler hats.

The party kicks off at 7 p.m. and rolls to 2 a.m. with live music and jazzy dance tunes by Heidi Lane and Will Peterson from 9 until midnight.

Watch the ball drop and have a champagne toast (on the house) at midnight.

Taco Loco will be on site serving Mexican fare from 7 to 11 p.m.

Blue Samurai Sushi Bar & Grill in Kalispell’s Countdown Party goes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with live music, complementary sushi, drink and a midnight champagne toast. Limited tickets are available. Call to reserve your spot.

Ring in the new year at Kalispell VFW with live music by local Black Sabbath tribute band Sabbath Worship and special guest Bobby Loveless. The party gets started at 10 p.m. There’s no cover but you must be at least 21 and present your ID.

The Scoreboard in Kalispell starts rocking in New Year’s Eve at 9:30 p.m. with dueling DJs, DJ Que and DJD, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, along with a balloon drop.

The Great Northern in Whitefish hosts local ‘80’s cover band favorite The New Wave Time Trippers. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m.

The event is for those 21 and over. Advance tickets are $30.

Saddle and up and head over to Pete’s Lakeview Bar & Grill in Polson to dance to classic country and vintage rock ‘n’ roll of the Cowboy Country and the Gold Dust Girls from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Other New Year’s Eve happenings:

- Backslope Brewing in Columbia Falls hosts trivia night at 6 p.m.

- Silverado plays from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Kalispell Eagles.

- The Stringlers play from 8 p.m. to midnight at Gunsight Saloon in Columbia Falls.

- JC and DJ Tonality play The Remington Bar & Casino in Whitefish. Doors open 9 p.m. The show starts at 10 p.m.

And if you haven’t had enough fun, head to the annual Polar Bear Plunge New Year’s Day at The Raven in Woods Bay on Flathead Lake. The plunge attracts plungers from across the state as well as international and national visitors.

Registration, food and drink starts at 10 a.m. The parade will start between The Raven and The Islander Inn at 1:45 p.m. The actual plunge takes place 2 p.m. sharp with an after-party across the street at Montana Bonfire with live music by The Bad Larrys.