fbpx

PLACES: Blacktail Nordic Trails

By Beacon Staff

The Flathead Valley offers numerous groomed Nordic trails and some of the best are on Blacktail Mountain in Lakeside. The system of trails is expertly groomed by the North Shore Nordic Club, packing the powder into a wonderful track for the skate skier or grooved tracks for the cross country skier.

The area is a great opportunity for the novice to get out and develop a feel for the pace of Nordic skiing, but there is plenty for the more advanced skier as well. The map of the trail network is available on the club’s website, northshorenordic.org, and is posted at the parking lots. The map is a handy guide to the more than 39 kilometers of trail.

The trails follow wooded roads and snake their way through Forest Service land. The trails are mostly level, with some rolling hills. There are places where knowing how to control a steep descent is beneficial.

Donations are appreciated as the existence of the high-quality groomed trails depends on donor support.

How to get there: Head up Blacktail Road in Lakeside several miles until you see the obvious trailheads and parking areas on the left side of the road.