Gallatin National Forest

Cross-Country Skiing Photos: Methow Valley, Washington

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For downhill skiing enthusiasts, the area offers two main choices. The Bridger Bowl Ski Area is partially on National Forest land, spanning 1,200 acres of skiable terrain. Average annual snowfall is approximately 350 inches. Its vertical rise is 2000 feet and the longest run is 2.5 miles. The Big Sky Ski area, located south of Bozeman, boasts 3,500 skiable acres and averages 400 inches of snowfall annually. Its vertical rise is 4,180 feet and its longest run is 6.4 miles. The forest also contains 130 km of cross-country ski trails and 650 miles of marked snowmobile trails. In winter, visitors also use some of the forest's hiking trails for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. What follows are descriptions of a few cross-country trails in the Forest.

Bozeman Creek to Mystic Lake - Ten miles of moderate difficulty, beginning at 5,220 feet in the Bozeman Creek parking area and ending at 6,550 feet at the Mystic Lake Ranger Station. From Bozeman, follow South 3rd Street for four miles to Nash Road. Go east on Nash Road for one mile to Bozeman Creek Road. The parking area is one mile south on Bozeman Creek Road.

New World Gulch to Mystic Lake - 5.5 miles, a Ski Mountaineering Route, beginning at 5,440 feet at the New World Gulch parking area and concluding at 6,550 feet at the Mystic Lake Ranger Station. From the Bozeman city limits, go east on I-90 for 4.5 miles to the Bear Canyon exit. Then, head west for a half-mile to Bear Canyon Road. Follow Bear Canyon Road south for 3.5 miles to the New World Gulch parking area.

Hyalite Ski Loop - 15 miles, a Ski Mountaineering Route, beginning and ending at 6,700 feet at the Blackmore Recreation Area. From Bozeman, take 19th Avenue south for 7.5 miles to Hyalite Canyon Road. Continue south on Hyalite Canyon Road for 10.5 miles to Hyalite Reservoir. The ski trail begins on the west side of the reservoir at Blackmore Recreation Area.

Hyalite Reservoir Ski Loop - Four miles of moderate difficulty, beginning and ending at 6,700 feet at the Blackmore Recreation Area. From Bozeman, take 19th Avenue south for 7.5 miles to Hyalite Canyon Road. Continue south on Hyalite Canyon Road for 10.5 miles to Hyalite Reservoir. Road may not be plowed or maintained.