Giving Thanks from the Heart — Reflections from Pintler’s Portal Hostel
- marsha7170
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
As the leaves turn gold and fall to the earth and the crisp Montana air ushers in winter and foreshadows snow, we at Pintler’s Portal Hostel pause to give thanks. This season, our hearts are full— not just for the sweeping Anaconda and Flint Creek Mountains that surround us, but most of all for you: the travelers, families, outdoor enthusiasts, students, artists, professionals, stewards, and community members who make our hostel more than a place to rest.
A Welcome for Every Kind of Traveler
We have now completed five years serving a diverse tapestry of travelers and community:
Hikers and Continental Divide Trail adventurers, swapping stories and laughter and taking coveted showers and getting much needed rest after long days on the trail, to awake and explore Anaconda and refill supply boxes before heading out again!
School groups studying history, geology, and Montana’s landscapes, using the Hostel and Anaconda as it's classroom--exploring the rich geologic, mining and smelting history of the area, using our maps to plan hikes and explore local trails and our geologist/owner to embellish the experience! or sports teams and athletes--ski, basketball, softball, golf, marathons, cyclists--taking some of or the entire space to yourselves to concentrate on your performance, watch video, and collect some down time before you're at it again!
Wildlife photographers capturing the region’s beauty--bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, bear, cougars and birds galore--and geocachers and foragers searching out its hidden secrets!
Families and relatives visiting their loved ones, looking for a comfortable, peaceful place to stay without crowding their loved ones' homes or taking the entire hostel to host their family reunion! We also enjoy wedding parties, where couples embrace the opportunity to prepare, stay and celebrate in the same place while capitalizing on the rest of the amenities in the community for the formal union!
Bands, musicians and other artists, visiting for performances or rehearsals and sharing their skills in the Hostel lounge, participating (or conducting, or writing, or however else creating) in local performances, or displaying extraordinary pieces or art at local events.
Biking enthusiasts, taking advantage of Discovery Ski Area’s Bike Park, local trails around Washoe, or along the skirts of town. We're bike friendly; our bicycle maintenance station in back is well used; and our good friends at Anaconda Bicycles are always ready to help!
Organizations, business groups, associations and non-profits, who find us the perfect place to house their entire group under one roof for planning, working and teambuilding while at the same time enjoying our authentic Montana community and outdoor amenities.
Every guest brings energy, curiosity, and stories — and it’s these stories that give life to the Portal.
“Sitting by the fireplace after a long day on the trails, I felt like I was sharing the mountains with friends I hadn’t met yet.” — Alana H, BC
Special Moments and Shared Experiences
At Pintler’s Portal Hostel, the magic happens in the moments we share:
Cooking and sharing meals together,
where laughter, conversation, and the joy of breaking bread bring people close — whether around bubbling pots in the kitchen or leaning against the counter swapping tips.
Storytelling and connection, as guests lean in, swap tales, and spark friendships that last beyond their stay.
Quiet reflection and personal time, reading a novel, journaling, or relaxing in the hammock in our backyard Pintler Flats (sometimes have to encourage the deer to vacate....)
Exploration and inspiration, planning hikes or biking trips from our map wall or community room.
Celebration and playful moments, from our extraordinarily popular puzzle nights and cooking classes to gear swaps, birthday parties (local kids love our pinata hook) and holiday parties for Anaconda service groups.
These experiences — learning, laughter, celebrating, and connecting — make the Portal feel like home, with every corner of the hostel enriching the shared moments.
It was great to see ideas for new trails on a the map. Really excited about what this offers Anaconda”— Jordan H, 11/8/25
Incredible Staff — Heart and Soul of the Portal
Our staff is the heartbeat of the Portal. We are endlessly grateful for Julie, Kaelyn, Katie, Lisa, and Sandra, whose devotion, attention to detail, and love for the outdoors make every stay special. They each bring special skills and their own unique passions — wildlife, cooking, hiking, fishing, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning (did I say 'cleaning'?). But mostly what we hear, in our reviews and in our guestbook, is that our staff are awesome. We agree.
Gratitude for Our Local Community
We're providing this list at the great risk of accidentally leaving someone out. Anaconda has an extraordinary pool of people, groups, organizations, government entities building a robust, meaningful experience in Anaconda today and ensuring a sustainable, vibrant future. They've made our existence possible, and we're thankful for everything they offer and provide.
Ability Montana Outdoor Recreation Programs Anaconda Community Foundation Anaconda Community Market Anaconda Deer Lodge County Open Lands Committee Anaconda Ensemble Theatre Anaconda Saddle Club Anaconda Skate Park Anaconda Trail Society Anaconda School District Bike Walk Montana Business for Montana Outdoors Continental Divide Trail Coalition | Copper Village Museum & Arts Center Discover Anaconda Discovery Ski Education Foundation Echo Lake Trails Association Hearst Free Library Mile High Nordic Ski Club Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association USDA Forest Service Wear It For Barrett Wild Montana |
From the Mountain Village Quilt Guild, whose intricate nature-themed quilts adorn our walls, to all the local private businesses in Anaconda — who have invested their personal resources and time to keep the community heart beating — with whom we partner on events, refer our guests for groceries or clothes, resupply or coffee, breakfast or dinner, their favorite beverage — to each individual in this community who opts to share a celebratory post, pick up a hiker, attend an event, enjoy a friday night football game under the lights, express their interest, contribute their own unique shots of the glorious northern lights to the pool of those populating our shared social media pagesa — this is the Anaconda for which we find ourselves so grateful.
Looking Ahead — Montana’s Bright Future
Exciting developments in Anaconda — the skating rink at Kennedy Commons, the new SkatePark, a robust multi-use system of trails from a grant secured by the
Anaconda Deer Lodge County and the Open Lands Steering Committee — promise even more spaces for recreation, play, and connection perfectly suited for Anaconda, Anacondans and everyone who visits us here . Together with these initiatives, Pintler’s Portal Hostel is pleased to continue to be to be a welcoming base for all who come to explore, learn, and connect in Southwest Montana.
Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, our gratitude overflows. We’re thankful for every guest who’s laughed over a shared meal, traced a trail on our map wall, lingered with a novel in the backyard, or settled in by the fireplace. We’re deeply grateful for our staff, our family, our friends and neighbors, and the businesses and organizations that make this region a place of beauty, history, and genuine connection.
From all of us at Pintler’s Portal Hostel — thank you. Thank you for sharing your curiosity, laughter, and sense of adventure. We are honored to be part of your Montana story.
Here’s to many more trails to hike, snowflakes to catch, bike rides to explore, meals to share, fireside conversations to enjoy, and memories to cherish — together.
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