Winter Recreation

Winter puts a fresh new face on outdoor fun in Gold West Country. The same mountains and high meadows that are great to explore in the summer also offer a wide variety of winter activities. From the thrills of downhill to the wildlife-watching opportunities of cross-country skiing to a silent night in a rustic forest cabin, pick your pleasure or sample them all. Tour the backcountry on a snowmobile or watch iceboats speed across frozen lakes. Put on your parka and prepare to be dazzled!

DOWNHILL SKIING

Discovery Basin

In the heart of southwestern Montana, Discovery boasts 61 runs for a total of 614 ski-able acres, great terrain, uncrowded slopes, amazing views, and a friendly atmosphere.

Two north-facing bowls offer some of the steepest lift-served skiing around. The extensive front side offers excellent beginner & intermediate runs.

Discovery's terrain truly offers something for everyone - tree skiing, powder bowls, mogul-runs, groomed trails and great boarding air.

Located 23 miles west of Anaconda on Highway 1.

Great Divide

Great Divide's runs rise above the semi-ghost town of Marysville in the Helena National Forest, located just 22 miles from Helena via Highway 279. Awesome skiing waits with more than 140 named trails on 1,600 acres of 'ski-all' terrain.

Lower mountain provides fun for everyone with a free beginner's tow, big Terrain Park & Pipe and night lights on nicely groomed runs. The upper mountain features classic slopes and trails, huge open expanses, cornices and cliffs in Rawhide Gulch, and new-school backcountry-type terrain in the Wild West Adventure Area.

Lower mountain opens by early November. Upper mountain, Rawhide Gulch and Wild West are usually open by Christmas.

Maverick Mountain

Maverick Mountain has a vertical drop of more than 2,000 feet, with a top elevation of 8,620 feet. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest location offers diverse skiing in open bowls and alpine meadows as well as steep chutes. 35 miles west of Dillon and north on the Polaris Road.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Exciting ski trails or areas are found in almost every section of the national forests in Gold West. Check with the appropriate Chamber or Forest Service office for local favorites. Many Forest Service back country cabins are available for rent during the winter, so ask about the options.

Wade Lake Resort

Wade Lake Resort offers over 25 km. of professionally track-set trails, miles of off-trail skiing and telemark areas for skiers of all abilities. Wade Lake Ski Trails in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest give winter access to Cliff and Wade lakes, a designated wildlife viewing area. The resort offers shuttle service from a parking area on Highway 287 and the Madison River. Or take highway 287 to Wade Lake Access Road and six miles to the resort.

LaMarche Creek

LaMarche Creek provides over 11 km. of trail which is intermittently groomed. 20 miles west of Wise River at Sundance Lodge.

Lost Trail and Chief Joseph Passes

Lost Trail and Chief Joseph passes provide over 24 miles of groomed trail for skiers of all abilities. 28 miles west of Wisdom on Highway 43.

Georgetown Lake Cross-Country Ski Trails

23 miles west of Anaconda on Highway 1.

Elkhorn Crosscountry Ski Trails

25 miles west of Dillon and north on the Polaris Road.

SKI JORING

The sport of ski joring began several hundred years ago in Scandinavian countries as a way to travel during long winters. Originally it was done on Nordic skis holding reins attached to reindeer. Ski joring eventually found its way to North America, where ranchers attached rope to the saddle horn of a horse ridden at high speeds down a long straight-away. Either a horse or a team of dogs are used and ski joring has evolved into a sport that is a cross between dog sledding and cross country skiing. Or a cross between sleigh riding and cross country skiing.

In Gold West Country ski joring can be done in almost any national forest or wilderness area and snowmobile trails are usually a safe place. Be sure to watch out for other recreationists and take all necessary safety precautions.

ICEBOATING

Canyon Ferry Resevoir

After freezing solid, Canyon Ferry Lake provides an ideal environment for iceboating because of its large size and consistent breezes to make sailing easier. December through April find iceboating enthusiasts gliding over miles of ice with the snowcapped Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains as a backdrop. Canyon Ferry Lake provides one of the longest areas for sailing on ice in North America, so it is becoming popular for racing.

ICE FISHING

Canyon Ferry Resevoir

Clark Canyon Resevoir

Georgetown Lake

Fishing in Montana doesn't end when the snow flies and the ice freezes. Ice fishing is a great winter activity in Gold West Country. Canyon Ferry Lake is an excellent place to set a tip-up and pull in a few rainbow trout or perch. Clark Canyon Resevoir, south of Dillon and Georgetown Lake, west of Anaconda also provide terrific fishing opportunities.

Remember that safety is an important consideration when you're ice fishing. Ice conditions can change rapidly. Springs, currents, repeated thaws, snow cover and wind can all affect ice depth and strength. Avoid any ice that's less than six inches thick and stay away from edges of open water, spring holes, or areas of strong current. While it may seem that deep snow is a good sign, beware: snow is a great insulator, and can actually inhibit ice production. Also, stay off of ice that has thawed and refrozen, or ice that is off-colored. It is also a good idea to bring a friend along, not only is it more fun but it is safer.

A cold day can also be a lot colder when you're standing in the middle of a frozen lake without cover. Be sure to check local weather conditions before you head out on the ice, and bringing along a change of clothing doesn't hurt. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen.

ICE SKATING

Skating is a great winter activity for the whole family. In Gold West Country, you'll find plenty of places to go ice skating, including indoor rinks, outdoor rinks, ponds, lakes and streams. Remember when skating outdoors to be aware of ice conditions. Ice on ponds, lakes and streams can be unpredictable and rough with cracks, holes or weak areas.

SNOWMOBILING

Imagine miles and miles of groomed trails and acres upon acres of crystal white powder. With some of the longest, most scenic groomed trails in the nation, Gold West Country offers the perfect destination for snowmobiling.

The Montana snowmobiling season usually runs from mid-December to April with average temperatures generally in the 20s to 30s during the winter. Snow depths range from one to three feet at lower elevations and from 6 to 15 feet in the mountains.

Snowmobiles on public land must be registered and display a decal. Snowmobiles currently registered in other states are not required to display a Montana registration decal. For snowmobiles not currently registered, a non-resident, temporary-use permit is required and can be obtained by calling Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department headquarters at (406) 444-2535.

Snowmobilers riding on plowed streets that are open to snowmobile traffic must have a driver's license or possess a snowmobile safety certificate and travel with an adult.

The extensive network of trails in Gold West Country offers unrivaled riding and spectacular scenery. These trails are maintained by members of the Montana Snowmobile Association:

Anaconda/Philipsburg Georgetown Lake-120 miles

Deer Lodge-40 miles.

Dillon/Polaris-200 miles.

Garnet (Includes Garnet Ghost Town)-100 miles.

Georgetown Lake-90 miles.

Helena-245 miles.

Lincoln-250 miles.

Skalkaho (from Georgetown Lake west)-56 miles.

Virginia City / Ennis-130 miles.

Wisdom / Jackson-150 miles.

Wise River-150 miles.

RACE TO THE SKY

In 2005 the Race To The Sky Sled Dog Competition is celebrating 20 years as one of Montana's largest winter attractions. Dozens of mushers and dog sled teams from around the country test their strength and skill in this long distance winter race across Montana's mountainous backcountry. The 350-mile run crosses the Continental Divide several times making it one of the most challenging races among dog sled teams. The endurance of the teams is an exciting thing to witness at the dogs rush across the ice and snow. Doug Swingley, winner of the 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1995 Iditarod, Alaska's longest sled dog race, is from the Lincoln Montana area and began his racing career running the Race to the Sky.

During WW2 a group of US and Canadian soldiers volunteered for a Special Forces group training for winter warfare near Helena. The Race for the Sky honors those men and their dogs which combine the skill and training they acquired at the US Army's War Dog Reception and Training Center.

All Race to the Sky events are open to the public and public viewing areas are located near several guest ranches, lodges and restaurants along the route which serve as check points for the teams.

© 2005 Gold West Country and Tempest Technologies, LLC. Site designed by Tempest Technologies, LLC.