The 2026 Whitefish Winter Carnival treasure hunt has concluded.  

Keaton Grove, Phoebe Guercio, Brooke Paris and Bryant Griffith found the treasure this week before work. It was found under the stairs on the third floor of the parking garage in downtown Whitefish.  

The friends spent some time looking each week a clue was released, scouring the golf course and a few parks. 

Guercio and Grove grew up in Whitefish and have been hunting since they were young. Guercio’s family found the treasure about 15 years ago, hidden under a bench, buried in snow. Grove found it when he was a senior in high school in 2015.  

Since returning to Whitefish a few years ago, they have been on the hunt.  

Last year, they happened to be the group that found an imposter treasure. By some strange coincidence, they found a rock painted with the Wizard of Oz at City Beach, and the Carnival theme was Wizard of Oz. But it was not the treasure, just a rock left behind.  

After the third clue was released this week, it was a real chase, and the early birds got the worm. Other community members reported great fun, with about 10 people all swarming about the same place looking for the treasure.  

The Carnival theme this year is “Out of this World.” The alien-esque treasure grants the friends $1,000 in prize money, thanks to generosity of the donors: Deven Robinson of Northwest Behavioral Health and Wellness, Doug Reed of Whitefish Lake Restaurant, Ryan Porter of Glacier Bank, and Adam and Elizabeth Pitman.   

Each clue was released in print in the Pilot starting Jan. 21. Here is the third clue that finally gave way to the treasure:  

Here we are — you and I — we’ve arrived at week three. “A small step for man” but the
third step for thee.
We’ve elevated these clues, they’re far more concrete. The treasure lies waiting under
your feet.
Beseech the King and the Queen — they’re down at the bars. Gather their council, then
climb towards the stars.
Once a home to the library with books stacked in tight. Now three stories remain,
faithfully singing goodnight.