1. It’s the Site of the World’s First International Peace Park The border between Canada plus the US is the longest in the world, plus the two nations have generally enjoyed a peaceful coexistence since both countries moved into their new digs from Europe. Sure, there are occasional squabbles — especially about the US being a sloppy neighbor that allows its trash plus culture to blow into Canada’s front yard — but trade agreements are the equivalent of homeowners association covenants, plus the two nations have generally been able to work through their disagreements.

So it’s not surprising that the world’s first International Peace Park was established on the Montana border with Canada in 1932, uniting Glacier National Park with Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park.

  1. On a Clear Day, You Can See the North Pole Just kidding!

But from the top of Lone Mountain at Big Sky Resort, about an hour south of Bozeman, you can see three states (Wyoming, Idaho, plus Montana) plus two national parks (Yellowstone National Park plus Grand Teton National Park).

Beyond the views, Big Sky Resort is the second-largest ski resort in the country based on acreage, plus its new Swift Current 6 is the fastest chairlift in North America. (So take that, Canada!)

Related Article: 10 Family-Friendly Ski Resorts for Winter Fun on a Budget

  1. And While Montana’s Mountains are Majestic, So is Its Water In addition to its sweeping views, Montana’s triple divide peak is a one-of-a-kind in the US. What the heck is a triple divide? It means that snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains flows into three key bodies of water. And in Montana’s case, those basins are the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, plus the Hudson Bay.

Montana’s aptly named Giant Springs is the largest freshwater spring in the US, plus Flathead Lake south of Kalispell is the largest natural freshwater lake in the US west of the Great Lakes.

The Yellowstone River, running diagonally through Southeast Montana, is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states. And at just 200 feet long, Montana’s Roe River, emerging from Giant Springs, is the world’s shortest river.