Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is officially underway — and this year, the network is kicking things off in true royal fashion with A Royal Montana Christmas! Directed by Peter Benson and written by Mark Famiglietti and Michael Testa, this enchanting holiday romance brings all the cozy mountain magic and small-town charm that Hallmark fans live for.
Starring Fiona Gubelmann (The Good Doctor) as Princess Victoria of Zelarnia and Warren Christie (Crashing Through the Snow) as Huntley Blaylock, this festive romance blends regal elegance with Montana’s country warmth. The movie takes viewers on a journey from palace halls to snowy ranch trails — and it all comes to life thanks to some truly stunning Canadian locations.
Where Was A Royal Montana Christmas Filmed?
Although the story is set against Montana’s sweeping landscapes, A Royal Montana Christmas was filmed entirely in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with its countryside and charming ranches doubling beautifully for the Montana wilderness.
According to production documents from ACFCWest, principal photography took place from March 31 to April 21, 2025, following a three-week prep period in March.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver has long been the heartbeat of Hallmark holiday filmmaking, offering versatile backdrops — from cozy small towns to sprawling ranch estates. For A Royal Montana Christmas, the city provided both the interior royal sets and the festive town scenes that bring Princess Victoria’s journey to life.
The crew filmed much of the movie A Royal Montana Christmas in and around Vancouver’s scenic outskirts, transforming local streets into snowy Montana towns decorated for Christmas. The local production base operated from Langley, BC, a favorite Hallmark hub known for its rustic architecture and open landscapes perfect for countryside tales.
Squamish, British Columbia – The Ranch Scenes
The heart of the movie lies at Peaceful Pines Ranch — a central setting recreated at a real working ranch in Squamish, British Columbia. Nestled between the mountains and forests, the ranch offered the ideal atmosphere for Huntley’s family property, where most of the romantic and emotional moments unfold.
Squamish’s natural charm — with its wide meadows, pine forests, and snow-kissed views — perfectly captures the Montana spirit the filmmakers aimed for. These sequences showcase the beauty of outdoor life, including horseback riding, wood-chopping scenes, and the revival of the “Christmas Holly-Day Dance.”
Some of the popular Hallmark productions that were shot in Squamish includes:
Behind the Scenes
A Royal Montana Christmas was produced by Royal Montana Productions, Inc., with a strong creative team led by:
| Director | Peter Benson |
| Producers | Fiona Gubelmann, Gemma Martini, Trevor McWhinney, Donald Munro |
| Director of Photography | Graham Talbot |
| Production Designer | Lloyd Stone |
| Costume Designer | Kelsie Baran |
| Propsmaster | Coralee Draginda |
| Set Decorator | Chet Gibson |
The film’s production office was based at 9390 198 Street, Langley, BC, and much of the on-location filming benefited from Vancouver’s seasoned Hallmark crews and local artistry.
The shoot wrapped in late April 2025, marking another spring production timed perfectly for Hallmark’s December premiere season.
Cast of A Royal Montana Christmas
- Fiona Gubelmann as Princess Victoria of Zelarnia – A royal seeking a return to the simpler joys of Christmas.
- Warren Christie as Huntley Blaylock – A rancher torn between family duty and new love.
- Remy Marthaller as Sam – A bright young ranch guest who adds a touch of humor and heart.
- Dani Alvarado as Allie Blanchard
- Julia Benson as Shelby
- Michael Buie as Tom
- David Kaye as Gabriel
- Brock Morgan as Mike Blanchard
- Eva Tavares as Emma
- Alex Weed as Olivier
Each cast member contributes to a warm, family-centered holiday tale — the kind of ensemble chemistry Hallmark viewers love.
What Is A Royal Montana Christmas About?
In this movie where Christmas is near, Princess Victoria of Zelarnia (Fiona Gubelmann) is bogged down with her responsibilities. Wanting some time away, she heads over to Peaceful Pines Ranch in Montana, a place where she would spend Christmas with her late father.
Once she arrives, she meets her guide, Huntley Blaylock (Warren Christie), who happens to be liberating and does not know she is a princess. Huntley does not treat Victoria and others in the ranch with the luxury she is demanding, but they all enjoy rustic Montana ranch.
Victoria’s enthusiasm while they are performing ranch activities is quite a contrast to Huntley who is pondering whether to accept the leadership role in the ranch while his parents are busy retiring.
Huntley does not know who Victoria is and he treats her like everyone else and she is his ranch helper. Together they work to refurbish the Christmas Holly-Day Dance and slowly with time, Victoria and Huntley become romantically involved which also allows her to escape her Princess life.
But when Huntley finds out that his guest is a runaway princess, it all gets weird and complicated. Victoria has a tough decision to make now that it is close to Christmas and her stay at the ranch is ending. Does she would like to return to her royal duties of with Huntley staying in Montana and enjoying the ranch life of her dreams.
When and Where to Watch A Royal Montana Christmas?
A Royal Montana Christmas premieres on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 8/7c on the Hallmark Channel as the opening film of the Countdown to Christmas event. The movie will be available for streaming on Hallmark+ the following day.
So grab your hot cocoa, settle in by the fireplace, and get ready to be swept away to the snow-capped beauty of Montana (via British Columbia) — where royal duties meet ranch life, and where love blooms in the most unexpected places. This is the perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year!
- Where was The Christmas Cup filmed? Hallmark Cast Details - December 1, 2025
- A Christmas Pitch Filming Locations, BTS Cast, Plot Details - November 27, 2025
- Melt My Heart This Christmas Filming Locations, Cast, Plot Details - November 23, 2025
