Snow show

| January 7, 2010 11:00 PM

Center showcases winter offerings

By DEVIN SCHMIT / The Hungry Horse News

The Glacier Outdoor Center hosted its first annual Nordic Day on Saturday, giving patrons the opportunity to ski, snowshoe or skijore its six miles of groomed trails for free.

Local families filled the forest and enjoyed half-price equipment rental, a bonfire and several skijoring demonstrations. In this type of skijoring, a nordic skier is pulled by one to three dogs. Owners were encouraged to bring their own dogs to try out the Norwegian sport.

The large gathering signifies a growing interest in winter recreation in and around Glacier National Park, and the 32-year-old raft guiding company is at last gaining recognition as a wintertime destination.

The increase in off-season business is in part due to cooperative marketing between The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Mountain resort, which once offered guided trips into Glacier.

The center's growing clientele has afforded work opportunities for summer employees like Karsten Carlson, who is now one of its four winter guides. A self-proclaimed ski bum, Carlson has now found steady winter work with his summertime employer, allowing him to do what he loves year-round.

"Guiding in general is a heck of a lot of fun," he said. "Whether it's fly-fishing or whitewater rafting or skiing or snowshoeing, just helping people have a good time is one, a lot of fun, and two, it's relatively easy."

He credits the ease of his job with the enthusiasm of his clients.

In its third year of winter guiding, the outdoor center allows winter visitors to escape the hustle of the ski resorts and see Glacier National Park in a different light. Its permit area includes the greater West Glacier area and offers a variety of challenges, whether it's low-angle nordic skiing or snowshoeing up Apgar Mountain. Visitors also have the option of touring the center's trails or staying in one of their fully furnished log cabins.

For more information call the Glacier Outdoor Center at 800-235-6781 or on the web at www.GlacierRaftCo.com.