Northwest Montana: Paradise for snowmobilers
Hundreds of miles of trails and several active groups that keep them groomed make Northwest Montana a paradise for snowmobilers. With snow piling up recently, snow lovers have ramped up their activities in the last few weeks. While avalanches are on the minds of many following the recent deaths of two young men in the Lake Dinah area, snowmachine enthusiasts are nonetheless excited about the season. Snowmobilers new to the sport and looking for somewhere to ride in the region have several places from which to choose from, including several hundred miles of trails on public and private land. Three national forests in the region, Flathead, Kootenai and Lolo, encompass more than 6 million acres and are home to dozens of trails. Two Montana locales made Fodor’s Travel Top 10 list for best places to snowmobile in the U.S., including West Yellowstone and more locally, Seeley Lake.
The Crane Mountain Trail runs from Ferndale along the length of Swan Lake and offers a spur that heads up to Mission Well, which is a great source for fresh powder and incredible views. This trail, along with Canyon Creek and Desert Mountain/Lost Johnny are maintained by the Flathead Snowmobile Association, which also offers avalanche safety training and club rides.
The Seeley Lake Driftriders maintain 365 miles of groomed trails in Clearwater Valley between the Mission and Swan Mountain ranges. The world-class trails offer thrilling riding experiences and scenic vistas from a number of peaks throughout the valley. Trail maps are available online through their website at driftriders.org or at many Seeley Lake-area businesses.
Safety is also a major component of any snowmobiling venture. Riders are advised to be able to recognize avalanche terrain and to carry avalanche safety equipment including a transceiver, probe pole and shovel and know how to use them, according to the Montana Snowmobile Association. Riders can check the latest avalanche conditions for the area they plan on touring by visiting www. flatheadavalanche.org. The Flathead Snowmobile Association recommends that even trail-only riders carry avalanche supplies since slide areas are located on and around trails.
According to Lauren Alley, Flathead National Forest Public Affairs officer, there are also district maps and a Flathead Area Groomed Snowmobile Map on the Forest Service’s website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/flathead/maps-pubs.
“These maps might be helpful for novices and incorporate more than just U.S. Forest Service land,” Alley said. Alley also said folks can come to any forest district office and pick up a free map to help them plan their trip and ensure they’re snowmobiling in a legal area.
Riders are also required to obtain a snowmobile trail pass for $20, which is good for two seasons and applies to snowmobiles, converted snow-bikes, fat tire bikes and e-bikes. Out of state riders need a non-resident temporary permit for $35. Revenue from pass sales help fund Montana’s 25 snowmobile clubs, which maintain the state’s groomed trails. ¦