— Your club, in plain terms
What a full-service athletic club in Bigfork includes
Montana Athletic Club is a member-owned, full-service health club at 850 Holt Drive in Bigfork, Montana. Inside roughly 32,000 square feet you'll find weights and cardio floors, a heated indoor pool, three group fitness studios, outdoor pickleball courts, a recovery room, tanning, a complete Pro Shop featuring Oakley, Helly Hansen and other fitness brands and a café corner with grab-and-go meals — everything under one roof, included in one membership. The club has served the Flathead Valley since 1991, when it was founded by Doug Mahlum and Jack Tawney, and today counts about 3,000 members. In 2026, they added the most complete recovery and wellness business in the Pacific Northwest — the Elysian Institute.
That's the difference from a 24-hour access gym: A Montana friendly staffed front desk, 70+ live classes a week, actual pools, real courts, and people who know your name — not just a keycard and a room of machines.
Who is the club for if I live in Kalispell, Whitefish or Polson?
Members drive in from across the valley — Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Lakeside, Somers and Polson — because a single membership covers the pool, courts and every class. Bigfork sits on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake, about 20 minutes from Kalispell and 15 from Lakeside. And when you travel the other way, your membership travels too: MAC has reciprocal access at partner clubs across Montana, Idaho and Washington at no extra charge.
What is a first visit like?
Walk in, say Howdy! at the Front Desk, and a MAC Concierge will show you around — the pools, the training floors, the studios and the courts. Our Concierges are trained to find out what YOU want - and then figure out a way to meet those needs! You can go as deep as you want—sophisticated InBody testing, medically based PNOE Metabolic testing, blood draws, there is no limit. Perhaps you just want a place to swim a few laps or push around some weights - we can do that for you, too! Most people simply pick what they came for, whether that's a lap swim, a group class or open court time. If you want guidance, personal training starts with a conversation about your goals, and membership options are flexible month-to-month — no long-term contract required.
Where can I play pickleball in the Flathead Valley?
Right here. About 20 minutes from Kalispell, Montana Athletic Club offers pickleball at 850 Holt Drive — four outdoor pickleball courts, plus indoor play in the club's three-quarter-size gymnasium, so play continues year-round through Montana winters. All levels are welcome, and the Front Desk can point you to current court schedules and open-play times.
An indoor pool in Bigfork?
Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork has a heated indoor pool — for lap swimming, aquatic group classes and swim lessons — all included with membership. That makes it one of the few places in the Flathead Valley where you can swim year-round regardless of the weather, whether you're driving in from Kalispell, Lakeside, Somers or Polson.
Can my kids learn to swim here?
Yes — group and private swim lessons run in our heated indoor pool for every age and ability, from water-safety basics for little ones to stroke refinement for adults. Questions? Contact the club or call (406) 837‑2582.
