Cross-Country Skiing:
Groomed Trails Galore

Western Montana provides plentiful options for cross-country or skate-skiing on groomed trails. This winter activity offers a healthy, heart-happy alternative to downhill skiing. Plus, when you can ski trails like ours that offer the peaks of Glacier National Park, the Cabinet Mountains and the Swan Mountains as your view, you really can't go wrong.

Ski Centers and Groomed Trails

North Shore Nordic Club

The North Shore Nordic Club provides high-quality Nordic skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in the Flathead Valley

Whitefish Mountain Nordic Center

Located just below the Base Lodge Ski Shop. (base of Chair 6) the trails wind through pristine forest and offer a variety of terrain for all skill levels. The more than 14 kilometers of cross-country ski trails are groomed daily and offer beautiful views. Rental equipment and cross-country ski instructions are available, while a fee is required to use the trails.

Double Arrow Resort

Double Arrow Resort can show you 15 miles of groomed trails that fit a variety of experience levels. If you like, you can also snowshoe or skin your way to some of the finest off-site skiing in the world.

Glacier Nordic Center

Located on the gently rolling terrain at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, the 12 kilometers of trails at the Glacier Nordic Center for skate and classic skiing are maintained by the Glacier Nordic Club. The trails are groomed daily and offer great views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Plus, three kilometers of trails are lit for night skiing until 11 p.m.

Glacier Outdoor Center

Located in West Glacier, Glacier Outdoor Center offers 10 kilometers of cross-country ski trails for both traditional and skate skiers. The trail system makes its way though moderate terrain on over 100 acres in West Glacier.

Holland Lake Lodge

Located in the heart of the Swan Valley between the Mission and Swan mountains, Holland Lake Lodge offers 25 kilometers of groomed trails. Rentals are available at the lodge and trails are groomed weekly

Izaak Walton Inn

Named as one of the top 10 cross-country ski resorts in the Rockies by Snow Country magazine, the Izaak Walton Inn offers 33 kilometers of sheltered trails. The trails wind gently through forested terrain with views of Glacier National Park. Trails are groomed daily for skate and classic skiing, while a one kilometer loop is lit for night skiing.

Stillwater Mountain Lodge

One of the newest cross-country ski centers in Western Montana, Stillwater Nordic offers 20 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails that wind over ridge tops, along lake shores and through forests. Trails are groomed for skate-skiing, with tracks for classic. They also have 3.5 kilometer trail that is dog-friendly.

Swan Mountain Guest Ranch

Offering a unique cross-country ski experience, Swan Mountain Guest Ranch has more than 30 kilometers of groomed trails that make their way through the Swan River State Forest. Daily trail passes are available.

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National Forests Offering Cross-Country Trails

Bitterroot National Forest Trails

Saddle Mountain

Lost Trail Pass Ski Trail is not groomed. The trail begins at the Lost Trail Ski Area and follows the road up to Saddle Mountain.

• Length: 4.8 km of most difficult (mountain touring) trail.
• Trail Begins: Lost Trail Ski Area.
• Trail Ends: Saddle Mountain.

Saddle Mountain Burn

Lost Trail Pass Ski Trail is a mountain touring trail that begins in Lost Trail Pass Ski Area parking lot and ends on Highway 93 at the East Camp Creek Road. This trail is not groomed.

• Length: 1.3 km of easiest, 1.3 km of more difficult and 1.4 of most difficult (mountain touring).

Wildfire Trail

Lost Trail Pass Ski Trail takes off from Saddle Mountain Trail and follows ridge out into the Saddle Mountain Burn. Provides three separate routes through the burn; one most difficult and two more difficult. Trails are marked, signed and maintained. This trail is not groomed.

• Length: 5 km of more difficult and 1 km most difficult (mountain touring) trail.

Cross-Country Trail Locations

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Flathead National Forest Trails

Blacktail Mountain Ski Trail

The trail is intermittently groomed. No skiing on plowed Blacktail Mountain Road. Spectacular views of Flathead Lake, valley and four surrounding mountain ranges.

• Length: 39.5 km total tails (10 km easiest, 29.5 km more difficult trail).

Essex Ski Trail Complex

Essex is a trail system that consists of seven trails. To access the complex, park at Izaak Walton Inn. The trails are maintained and groomed by Izaak Walton Inn. There is a required trail fee of $5.00 per person.

• Length: 16.3 km of easiest, 12.5 km more difficult and 2 km most difficult trail; intermittent grooming.

Round Meadows Ski Trail

Round Meadows is intermittently groomed December 20 to March 15. Trailhead parking for 50 vehicles, plus accessible restroom. Trail maps available at entrance sign. Snowmobiles prohibited. Dogs are allowed but need to be under control of owners.

• Length: 12.5 km total trail (3.5 miles easiest, 3.5 miles more difficult, 2 miles most difficult trail).

Cross-Country Trail Locations

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Kootenai National Forest Trails

McGuire Mountain Trail

This trail is an easy hike with very few steep pitches. It follows McGuire Creek for the entire length and is close to the creek the last two miles. Trail length depends on snow plowing of access road. Limited parking.

• Length: 5.6 to 15.1 km of more difficult trail; no grooming.
• Trail Begins: 0.3 mile up McGuire Creek off Highway 37.
• Trail Ends: Upper fork of McGuire Creek.

Birch Creek Ski Trail

The trail is intermittently groomed and provides an opportunity for the cross-country skier to easily access the foothills of the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. There are several marked trails varying in skill levels.

• Length: 6 km of low difficulty trail and 0.6 of difficult trail.
• Trail Begins: Birch Creek Recreation Area .
• Trail Ends: Loop.

Laughing Water Creek Ski Trail

This trail, which leads to Martin Lake, is an ideal tour for beginners and offers a good view of the Tobacco Valley and Salish Mountains. There is also a good view of the Whitefish Range. There are a number of connecting trails available if snow conditions are favorable; up to an additional 11 miles.

• Length: 4.4 miles.
• Trail Begins: Road 7008 adjacent to Murphy Lake Ranger Station.
• Trail Ends: Martin Lake.

Cross-Country Trail Locations

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Lolo National Forest Trails

Pattee Canyon Recreation Area

This area offers groomed trails for skating. Parking capacity for 40 cars. Closed to motorized vehicles. Dogs prohibited on groomed trails. Ski trails are groomed by the Missoula Nordic Ski Club.

• Length: 1.6 km of easiest, 4 km of more difficult and 5.4 km of most difficult trail; intermittent grooming.

Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails

The trails are a series of linked ski trails. You can select a short, medium or long route. These trails are groomed for skating. No dogs are allowed on groomed trails. Snowmobiles prohibited. Parking available for 12 vehicles. Maps available at the District Office. These trails are groomed intermittently.

• Length: 3 km of easiest, 12 km of more difficult and 3 km of most difficult trail.
• Trail Begins: Trailhead on Forest Road 477.
• Trail Ends: Loop.

Lookout Pass Ski Trails

These trails are next to and part of the snowmobile trail system. There are nine ungroomed trails that make a total of 7.3 miles down into the basin. The Lookout Pass Alpine Skiing Area is right next to the cross-country ski trails and offers snowmobiling opportunities. These trails are not groomed.

• Length: 3.6 km of easiest, 3.5 km of more difficult and 4.5 of most difficult trail.
• Trail Begins: Lookout Pass Ski Area.
• Trail Ends: Loop.

Cross-Country Trail Locations

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