Glacier Park & Montana Cross Country Skiing

Whether you make your own tracks or stay on groomed trails, cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to experience and enjoy more than one million acres of Glacier National Park and surrounding areas.

Overview

Cross country skiing is a popular winter sport, both inside Glacier National Park and the surrounding area, with a variety of terrain making a cross country ski adventure fun for both novice and experienced skiers.

Where to go Cross Country Skiing

• Glacier Nordic Club, located on the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, offers 12 kilometers for both skate and classic cross country skiing. These groomed trails are perfect for the whole family as well as serious athletes. Generally open December through March until 11 pm, Glacier Nordic Club is popular for night skiing.
• Bigfork Community Nordic Center offers 12 kilometers of groomed, high-quality nordic skiing near the Swan Mountains on Jewel Basin and Foothills Road. to Big Fork and Flathead Valley residents and visitors.
• Big Mountain Nordic Center, generally open November to April, offers a variety of easy-to-difficult terrain, covering 16 kilometers of cross-country ski trails for both classic and skate skiing. Fees.
• Glacier Outdoor Center, located about a ½ mile West of West Glacier, offers more than 10 kilometers of daily groomed skate and track trails through 100 acres.
• Stillwater Nordic Center, located about 8 miles Northwest of Whitefish and Glacier National Park, offers 20 kilometers of groomed trails, including a 3.5 kilometer trail specifically for skiers and their dogs.

Inside Glacier National Park

Cross country skiers should ask rangers about weather concerns and any closures, as well as sign in at trailhead boxes prior to skiing (most unmarked) areas including:

• Apgar – West Glacier: About 10 miles roundtrip, Apgar Lookout is beautiful but challenging for beginners.
• St. Mary: Parking for trailheads offering 1 to 8-mile roundtrip trails is near the 1913 Ranger Station.
• North Fork: These ski routes start at the Polebridge Ranger Station and follow mostly unplowed gravel roads.
• Lake McDonald – Avalanche: This popular, easy terrain area can be found off Going-To-The-Sun Road.
• Two Medicine: Skiing starts 4 miles north of East Glacier near Two Medicine Road and Highway 49 junction with 6, 10, and 16-mile roundtrip options.
• Marias Pass: This popular, windy skiing area features Autumn Creek Trail, a 6-mile roundtrip route that starts easy near Essex and morphs into an advanced skier trail.

Rentals & Fees

• Memberships through Glacier Nordic Club are $45/person, $90/family, and $500/one-person, lifetime.
• Bigfork Community Nordic Center requires a $7 State Land Use Permit and accepts donations for trail maintenance. Dogs are only allowed on Blacktail Mountain Nordic trails.
• Cross country rental equipment and lessons are available at Big Mountain Nordic Center, as well as at surrounding area retailers.
• Glacier Outdoor Center offers rentals as well as daily trail passes start at $8/person (kids 10 and younger free) and $50/season.
• Stillwater Nordic trail use requires a $7 State Land Use Permit before skiers can purchase daily or season trail passes (Daily starts at $10/youth & $12/adult and $35/season youth and $50/season adult).

Hire a Guide

Explore the expert local suppliers/outfitters listed on this page who can advise you and your ski group regarding technique, terrain, equipment as well as avalanche safety and rescue techniques.