Regional Guide

Glacier National Park Photo Gallery

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The seven-mile Dry Creek route in Kootenai National Forest is a lightly used trail for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Enjoy easy touring through heavy timber along the first 2.5 miles, then work up a sweat as the trail switchbacks up through a large clearcut. Beyond the clearcut, practice your telemarking skills on a variety of open slopes. Advanced skiers will enjoy the ups and downs of a loop at the junction of the North and South Fork.

Just 30 minutes west of Choteau, Teton Pass Ski Area in the Lewis and Clark National Forest offers 26 runs spread over 150 acres. With a vertical rise of 1,000 feet, 300 inches of snow each year, and reasonable ticket prices, this Rocky Mountain resort promises affordable winter fun for the whole family.

Whitefish's Glacier Nordic Club maintains nearly 7.5 miles of gently sloping terrain for diagonal and skate skiing. Located on the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, the Glacier Nordic Center offers well-maintained trails and views of Whitefish Lake and the Whitefish Range. About two miles of trail are lit for night skiing.

Visit Glacier in winter and experience the park on skinny skis or snowshoes. There are no snowmobiles and no cars, so revel in the peace and quiet. With fewer people and less foliage, the park offers a better chance of spotting wildlife as well. You're bound to see tracks—from elk and moose to wolf and lynx—in the fresh, deep powder.

With more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain and a 2,500-foot vertical rise, the Big Mountain Ski & Summer Resort in Flathead Valley has something for everyone—from deep powder bowls to steep, technical terrain. In summer, ride the gondola for hiking, mountain biking, and spectacular views. From the summit of Big Mountain (7,000 feet) you can see Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, and the Canadian Rockies. Big Mountain Nordic Center offers more than nine miles of trails groomed for both diagonal and skate skiing.