Developing Local

Photo Credit: Missoulian Angler
www.missoulianangler.com

There are a millions of guidebooks, blogs, and mapping services. When we built PlanXplore’s business plan, the secret sauce wasn’t high-tech algorithms… it’s local knowledge.

If you’re visiting a place like Montana for a fly fishing trip, nothing beats visiting the local fly shop to figure out where to go, what the hatch is looking like, and what to use to have a successful trip. There can be 100+ years of of local fishing knowledge sitting behind that desk. In the mountain sport community this is known as beta, in the military it’s known as gouge, and it’s always critical to having a great experience.

Montana’s economy is built around that fly shop interaction. The Montana adventure tourism drove 12.5 million visitors to spend $5.82 billion dollars, much of which goes directly to local businesses. Fly shops, ski hills, hunting guides, restaurants, and your huckleberry pie stand on the side of the highway all benefit from this.

The reality is, the folks who work at these businesses have a short season to make ends meet. Whether it’s a ski patroller making sure you’re safe on the mountain or a whitewater rafting guide making sure you have a unforgettable experience, they face seasonality on the job, poor pay, and no benefits. They don’t do it to get rich, they do it because they love being on the trail, river, or mountain.

As we develop PlanXplore, we want to harness the hard earned knowledge these adventure workers have gathered over their careers in two ways:

• Compensate the adventure worker to highlight and detail their favorite trails, routes, and post-ride beer spot.

• Cite the adventure worker in all of the local information they provide, with a profile which enables PlanXplore users to reach out directly. Give credit where credit is due, and drive business directly to the adventure worker.

We’re getting started with Missoula, Kalispell, and Whitefish in house. From there, we hope to branch out to these adventure workers to cover the entirety of the great state of Montana.

More to follow. Cheers.

Day 1

PlanXplore is the brainchild of two Montana residents—one native, one transplant—united by a shared love for the beauty of this incredible state. We’ve spent countless weekends chasing trails, hitting ski slopes, discovering local spots, and experiencing the best of what Montana has to offer. But every time we tried to plan a new adventure, we hit the same problem: the information we needed was scattered across a dozen websites, apps, and guidebooks. That’s why we decided to build something better.

There are plenty of great tools out there—some with detailed trail maps, others with local reviews, and many dedicated to specific activities. But what was missing was a single place to discover everything Montana has to offer, from hiking and biking trails to local breweries and trusted guides. We wanted to create a tool that brings it all together. That’s what we’re building with PlanXplore.

PlanXplore isn’t just another travel app. It’s a curated experience, built by people who know Montana and designed for anyone who wants to experience it fully. Using our platform, you’ll be able to search for outdoor activities, explore local dining spots, and even connect with local guides—all in one place. And with our AI-powered itinerary builder, planning your perfect day in Montana will be faster and easier than ever.

But more than that, PlanXplore is about community and connection. We’re gathering insights from locals and adventure-seekers alike to ensure you get real, trusted recommendations. Our goal is to help you discover both the iconic destinations and the hidden gems that make Montana special.

So whether you’re visiting for the first time or exploring your own backyard, we hope PlanXplore becomes your go-to companion for adventure. We’re just getting started, and we’d love to hear your thoughts as we build.

Here’s to more adventures