If July has you sweating, how about a little Christmas in July to cool things down? We’re taking you to a Montana winter wonderland—where snow-covered meadows, sleigh rides, and ice skating under the stars feel like something out of a dream. But this place is real. And so is the visionary who brought it to life.
Welcome to The Ranch at Rock Creek—6,600 acres of rugged, untouched wilderness just outside Philipsburg, Montana. It’s the first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Ranch in the world, and the only Five-Star property in the state.
We visited the Ranch during the shoulder season, when the last patches of snow still stuck to the treetops and spring was beginning to stir. What made our visit unforgettable wasn’t just the setting—it was the storyteller behind it all. In an incredibly rare opportunity, we sat down with Ranch founder Jim Manley, a financier whose fairy tale journey proves some childhood dreams don’t fade—they just take time to come true.
"At 10 years old, I told my dad, ‘One day, I’m going to get a horse, a rifle, and a ranch.’ He laughed. But I never let it go.”
Jim grew up in the 1960s in a small New Jersey home with an even smaller yard. It was when cowboy shows ruled the few TV channels, and little Jim was glued to Rawhide, Bonanza, and The Virginian.
“All cowboys, all the time. I just knew I was going to live that life.”
For the next twenty years, the dream stayed alive. He built a career in finance and, starting at age 33, began flying west twice a year. From Canada to Arizona, he toured more than 200 ranches, but none were quite right.
Until he found one that hadn’t hit the market yet.
“I bought it that day. It was the only one that had all ten things I was looking for.”
Jim’s checklist was exacting. He wanted to be surrounded by white-capped mountains, with a ski resort nearby. He wanted a charming mining town close enough for guests to visit—Philipsburg checked that box. He sought a ranch at low elevation (5,000 feet max) so visitors could breathe easily, and he insisted on diverse wildlife—minus the rattlesnakes.
“I didn’t want poisonous snakes or grizzlies,” he laughs. “We’ve got wolves and mountain lions, and that’s plenty.”
He wanted a river on the property—but not a highway beside it. Too many scenic ranches were spoiled by traffic near the water. He wanted forests and meadows. A pristine valley without visible development. He wanted the entire property to be flanked by national forest or other large parcels, so it would feel as untouched as it did in 1880. And finally—26 inches of precipitation annually. Enough for green summers and snowy winters.
“People told me I was nuts. They said those ten things don’t exist in one place. But they did. And I found it. This ranch is one in a hundred million.”
The original plan was personal. A private getaway for Jim, his family, his friends and his clients. But after a year, it was clear—the place was too special not to share.
“They’d come and say, ‘Jim, I’ve never seen anything like this. So I thought—maybe this could be something bigger.”
It wasn’t easy. The vision was bold: a fully inclusive luxury experience in the middle of the wilderness. No signing tabs at the bar. No surprise activity fees. Everything—literally everything—bundled into one price.
“There was no other place like it. People told me it wouldn’t work. That it was too expensive. But I didn’t want guests to pull out their wallet every time they wanted a whiskey.”
It took five years before the Ranch became profitable. But the vision held. And today, The Ranch at Rock Creek is a member of Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso, and the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts portfolio. It remains the only resort of its kind—blending authentic Montana adventure with effortless, all-inclusive luxury.
For Jim, the secret sauce is simple: people want to play.
“You go to some resorts, and it’s just sitting by a pool with a drink. Not here.”
Instead, Rock Creek is an “adult playground”—for kids too. A place where guests can hike, bike, ride horses, fly fish, shoot clays, try archery, mine for sapphires, and even paintball. In the winter: snowshoeing, cross-country, ice skating, sleigh rides, and skiing at nearby Discovery with the help of an exclusive Ski Concierge.
He even built an Old West-style saloon—complete with a bowling alley, movie theater, karaoke stage, and cowboy bar—because guests need somewhere to unwind after a day of adventure.
“I didn’t want people just getting drunk at dinner. I wanted them doing something. Having fun.”
Today, Jim still visits often. All four of his children have been married at the Ranch, and when we met him, his youngest daughter’s wedding was just around the corner.
“It’s a place that brings people together. When you’re here, you’re really here. No distractions. No noise. Just connection.”
As for the name?
“I wanted something that felt elevated. We’re on Rock Creek, so it became The Ranch at Rock Creek. It tells you exactly where you are. And that you’ve arrived.”
And for those lucky enough to arrive in winter—it’s even more magical. It’s the kind of place where time slows down. Where kids—and grown-ups—still believe in wonder.
Because one man did. And he never stopped.
Your Winter Itinerary
Think snow-dusted trails, ski days at Discovery, and gourmet meals by firelight. Mornings start with pastries, days are filled with cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and sporting clays, and nights end with chef’s dinners and saloon revelry. Highlights include the “Turn Out of the Herd” and curated Sip & Shop sessions.
theranchatrockcreek.com