More than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails slice across the forests of Northwest Montana, taking riders into the deepest sections of wilderness.
This time of year is perfect to fire up that sled and head off to explore.
A great place to start is the Stillwater State Forest, northwest of Whitefish, along U.S. Highway 93. A turn-off near Olney provides access to a large parking lot and trailhead that is popular with riders. The Flathead National Forest also has dozens of trails that are perfect for riding.
As always, safety is important and it’s critical that you’re aware of local avalanche conditions before venturing into the woods.
Also, always bring a map. Trail maps are available across the area, at snowmobile dealers, U.S. Forest Service offices and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks offices. Residents and non-residents need a permit to ride on state land. Also, snowmobiles should be registered with the county. For more information, visit www.fwp.mt.gov.
For more information about snowmobiling in Northwest Montana and the Flathead Valley, check out www.flatheadsnowmobiler.com.
Note: Permit information in this story has been clarified.