Kolby Zugg sprints a short distance and jumps on his snowskate – a skateboard with a snowboard-like runner instead of wheels – and “cuts” a few small turns into a powder-covered hill at Herron Park.
On that particular day, Zugg said it was the chance to “have the sunshine on your face” that drew him to the park before work.
The park is an ideal spot for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. The large inviting equestrian field greets visitors near the parking lot off Foys Lake Road southwest of Kalispell. Strapping on snowshoes, cross country skis or simply venturing out across the frozen tundra is enough to shake off stress or clear one’s mind. The park is the gateway to the Foys to Blacktail trail system and features scenic views of Big Mountain and Flathead and Smith lakes.
Dog owners find a welcoming environment as they exercise their pooches in the wide-open spaces.
The sledding hill on the northwest side of the park is a popular place for daredevils to test their wits against gravity. The road is open past the stables so access to the hill is convenient. Signs mark the entrance.
For more information on Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, or to learn more about donating and volunteer work, visit http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org.
How to get there: From downtown Kalispell, travel west on Idaho Street (U.S. Highway 2). Turn south on Meridian Road. At the end of Meridian Road, veer west on Foys Lake Road. The turn off to Herron Park is on the west side of Foys Lake Road just past Foy’s Lake.