Montana has Swiss chalets scattered 18 miles apart through its wilderness – here’s why

Louis Hill’s Swiss Fantasy at Glacier National Park

When Congress made Glacier a national park in 1910, railroad boss Louis Hill saw a chance to fill his trains. He quickly built nine Swiss-style chalets across the park, each a day’s ride apart.

Next came the grand hotels – a 155-room lodge at East Glacier in 1913, then Many Glacier Hotel in 1915. Hill hired Blackfeet people to greet trains in traditional dress while waitresses wore Swiss outfits.

His “See America First” ads urged rich folks to skip Europe and see Montana instead. By 1917, Hill had spent $1.5 million on his alpine fantasy, more than double what the government invested.

The stunning Avalanche Lake trail still shows why Hill’s vision of “America’s Switzerland” captivated so many travelers.

Louis Hill Saw Gold in Glacier’s Mountains

Louis Hill took over as Great Northern Railway boss in 1907, just three years before Glacier became a national park in 1910.

He quickly spotted a chance to boost his train business by turning the park into a tourist hotspot. Great Northern’s tracks already ran along the southern edge of the new park.

Hill jumped into action with a bold plan to create a tourism empire in this remote wilderness, betting Americans would travel thousands of miles to see the stunning landscape.

A Railroad Boss Copied Switzerland’s Playbook

Hill went to Switzerland to learn how the Swiss built their successful Alpine tourism business. He loved their building style and tourism setup, deciding to copy it in Montana’s rugged wilderness.

He called his vision “America’s Alps” and quickly bought land near park entrances. Hill wanted wealthy Americans who usually vacationed in Europe to have a similar experience without crossing the ocean.

His team planned Swiss-style buildings that would look right at home among Glacier’s dramatic peaks.

Chalets Spread Across the Backcountry

Between 1910 and 1915, nine backcountry chalets popped up across Glacier National Park. Hill personally chose each spot, making sure they stood about a day’s horseback ride apart (10-18 miles).

The first chalets opened at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Belton between 1910-1912.

This network created America’s first complete backcountry lodging system in any national park. Visitors could travel from chalet to chalet on horseback or foot, enjoying the wilderness without roughing it too much.

Grand Hotels Grew From Montana’s Wilderness

The huge Glacier Park Lodge opened in 1913 with 155 rooms, showing off giant 40-foot Douglas fir columns in its lobby. By 1915, the 200-room Many Glacier Hotel welcomed guests on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake.

Hill later added the Prince of Wales Hotel just across the Canadian border in Waterton Lakes.

These weren’t simple cabins but grand buildings with dramatic lobbies, fancy dining rooms, and luxury rooms that stood out against the wild surroundings.

Swiss Details Changed Montana’s Mountains

Every building in Hill’s empire had Swiss chalet features with steep pointed roofs that shed heavy snow. Wide roof edges protected walls from weather while fancy balconies and carved wood details added European charm.

Inside, wooden beams and native stone fireplaces created cozy mountain hideaways.

Hill brought in furniture and decorations to complete the Alpine feel, making guests think they’d somehow walked into a Swiss village while in Montana.

“See America First” Ads Filled Newspapers Nationwide

Great Northern started its famous “See America First” campaign in 1910, flooding the country with colorful ads. The company hired top artists to create beautiful posters showing Glacier’s dramatic landscapes.

Thousands of brochures appeared in train stations, travel agencies, and newspapers across America. The clever slogan urged wealthy Americans to explore their own country before going to Europe.

The campaign became one of the most successful tourism marketing efforts of its time.

Blackfeet Indians Greeted Trains in Traditional Dress

Passengers stepped off Great Northern trains to find Blackfeet tribal members in ceremonial clothing waiting to greet them. Hill hired many Blackfeet as guides, entertainers, and staff throughout the park.

Their images appeared all over Great Northern’s marketing materials, postcards, and brochures.

This created a mixed relationship between the railroad, tourists, and the Blackfeet people, who found both jobs and cultural challenges in their new role as part of the tourist experience.

The Complete Swiss-American Experience Awaited Visitors

Waitresses served meals in heavy Swiss outfits despite Montana’s summer heat. Great Northern organized horseback tours between properties with skilled guides.

By 1914, a fleet of bright red tour buses carried visitors along the park’s scenic roads.

The company sold complete vacation packages from Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle and other big cities, handling everything from train tickets to meals and rooms.

Hill created a total experience that felt both exotic and familiar.

The Railroad Spent More Than the Government Two-to-One

By 1917, Great Northern poured $1. 5 million into building Glacier’s facilities while the federal government gave just $634,000.

Despite filling rooms during summer months, the hotels and chalets never made a profit for the railroad.

The real money came from increased ticket sales on Great Northern trains as thousands traveled to see this new wonderland. Hill knew the lodges themselves lost money but helped the more profitable railway business.

World War I Changed Hill’s Grand Plans

Travel bans to Europe after 1914 boosted American tourism just as Hill hoped.

The “See America First” slogan gained a patriotic feel during wartime as Americans looked for travel options at home. Material shortages forced Hill to stop planned expansions after 1917.

The war years marked the end of the biggest building period in Glacier, as Hill gradually backed away from his hands-on work with park projects to focus on other railway business.

The Swiss Village in Montana Still Stands Today

Most of Hill’s original buildings remain in use today, more than a century after construction.

His vision established the defining architectural identity for Glacier National Park that millions of visitors recognize.

The public-private partnership between Great Northern and the National Park Service created a model that parks across America followed.

The Swiss-inspired “parkitecture” style Hill championed spread to other national parks, creating a distinctive American approach to wilderness tourism that combined European comfort with American landscapes.

Visiting Avalanche Lake,Montana

You can hike to Avalanche Lake on Going-to-the-Sun Road, 5.5 miles east of Lake McDonald Lodge, where Louis Hill built his Swiss-style tourism empire.

The 4. 6-mile round-trip trail takes 2.5-3 hours with 730 feet of elevation gain.

Start at the wheelchair-accessible Trail of the Cedars boardwalk near Avalanche Campground, then continue through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest to the glacier-fed lake.

Restrooms are available at the trailhead.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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