This spacious, quiet and affordable townhouse gives you easy access to skiing fabulous Whitefish Mountain Resort and everything else that makes Whitefish and northwestern Montana so special.

Instead staying up on the mountain or driving the often treacherous Big Mountain Road and fighting for a parking spot when you get there, stay in a our recently furnished townhouse in residential neighborhood, near downtown Whitefish.

From here, you can take the free Snow Bus up to the resort to ski. Or if you like traditional Nordic or skate skiing, you can enjoy the beautifully groomed trails right in Whitefish. And it's short (less than a mile) walk on a new walkway to downtown eateries and shops.

City zoning prevents vacation rentals in most neighborhoods in Whitefish, so this beautiful townhouse is one of the few vacation rentals within the city limits. Most are miles from downtown and its famous restaurants and shopping.

You can also take short drives to the golf course (1.5 miles) or Big Mountaina (6 miles.) In addition, it's only 25 miles to Glacier Park and even less to Flathead Lake and the airport.

Built in 1997 with a nice view of Big Mountain, the townhouse (1,683 sq. ft.) is nicely suited for family vacations with one master bedroom (queen) downstairs and two bedrooms (double and two twins) upstairs, plus a queen sleeper and a couch for three more people, if necessary. The attached two-car garage (rare for vacation rentals) prevents parking hassles--and no frost scrapping or snow shoveling on winter mornings.

We also set up our vacation home for travelers who have a little business to do along the way or business people on an extended trip who prefer a pleasant alternative to hotel rooms. The loft has a fully equipped computer station with WiFi along with new 40-inch, flat-screen TV with cable and DVD player. Montana has a few dead zones for cell phones, but not in this townhouse or anywhere near Whitefish. With the skyrocketing hotel rates in the Whitefish area, a family, two or three couples, or business travelers can stay here in luxury, quietly, for half the price or less.

Additional charges: A refundable security deposit of $250, non-refundable cleaning deposit of $85, and taxes (7 percent Montana accommodations tax and 2 percent local resort tax).

Important note on terms: Many vacation rentals require full payment upfront, but we find that unreasonable. Our terms are 25 percent upon signing with the remainder (including security deposit, cleaning fee and taxes) due 30 days in advance of arrival, all refundable with the exception of a $100 cancellation fee. Sorry, no credit cards. Please make checks payable to William A. Schneider with The Essence of Whitefish in the memo line.