Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing Near Glacier National Park

Get ready to experience a tranquil and magical winter wonderland full of trails that leave visitors with a sense of primal exploration! Glacier National Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of winter activities, including excellent snowshoeing and nordic skiing with miles of trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced.

Snowshoeing in Glacier Park is a popular activity that’s great for beginners and allows you to explore the park's breathtaking winter scenery at a leisurely pace. Cross-country skiing allows you to glide through these majestic landscapes. One of the best places for these activities in Glacier Park is the Lake McDonald area. The trails here are mostly gentle and easy to follow. More experienced skiers can venture further into the park, where they can find more challenging trails and stunning backcountry views.

In this article, you will learn some of the top snowshoe and cross-country skiing spots in the park, as well as tips for preparing for winter activities. 

Key Takeaways

• Glacier National Park offers excellent areas for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in West Glacier and other various points around the park. 

• Visitors should be prepared for extreme winter weather conditions and very limited services inside the park.

• Lodging, road access and services in Glacier Park are extremely limited in the winter time. Food and lodging options as well as many other winter activites in the area surrounding Glacier park are readily available.

Preparing for Winter Activities

 

Preparing for winter activities requires extra planning and consideration. Here are some tips to help you plan your winter excursion:

Gear

Your safety and enjoyment of your wintertime adventure all comes down to having the appropriate gear. Check out our guide on what to pack and speak with gear outfitters for the specific activity you will be doing. For clothing, do not wear cotton as it will not wick perspiration or dry quickly which can become dangerous. Instead, wear wool or synthetic base layers, a thick fleece mid-layer, and an insulated, waterproof outer layer. Thick socks (plus an extra pair), a warm hat and gloves, face mask, and waterproof boots complete your attire!

If you’re looking to rent snowshoes or skis, there are several gear shops in the Flathead Valley (Sportsman Ski Haus in Whitefish is a great option with affordable snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals). If you’re joining a guided snowshoe walk, these are typically included for you. The park also offers ranger-led walks and snowshoes are available to rent for participants.

Don’t forget maps, compass or GPS, first aid and safety equipment, sunglasses, and plenty of water and snacks!

Safety

Safety should always be a top priority. Keep in mind that there are minimal park operations and services during the winter, and many routes are not marked so you will need a good map and compass. The weather can change rapidly during an eight-hour period, with temperatures falling from 50° F to well below zero, and sunny days can turn to rain or snow with white-out conditions. Stay hydrated, dry, wear the appropriate gear, and snack frequently to avoid hypothermia. Know the signs and what to do if someone is displaying symptoms.

Avalanches are a real danger in the mountainous portions of Glacier, so be sure to check the latest avalanche advisory for the park. For most people that aren't going out on big adventures into the backcountry this isn't an issue. But if you're heading up into the mountains avoid areas in old avalanche paths and stay off steep, open slopes and cornices. Additionally, tree wells are a concern in forested areas, so stay with your group and know what to do in a snow immersion situation.

During the winter, white-tailed deer are the most frequently seen large mammals. Surviving the long winter is difficult for wildlife, and human contact adds unnecessary stress. Avoid approaching or startling animals, and never feed them. While bears are asleep for most of the winter, they sometimes awaken for short periods of time. As always in bear country, exercise extreme caution. If approached by a mountain lion, act aggressively. Do not run!

Make sure to tell someone your planned route and expected return time. Bring the right clothing, gear, and safety equipment to set yourself up for an enjoyable winter adventure!

Trail Conditions

Before heading out, check the conditions and trail reports. It's essential to know the difficulty level of the trail you plan to take and the estimated time it will take to complete. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan as well! Severe weather, lack of snow, winter rains, or melting conditions can quickly alter the difficulty.

The National Park Service website has up-to-date information on trail closures and snow conditions. Information is also available at 406-888-7800, and when you’re near the entrance you can also take advantage of updated information on the Travelers’ Information Station at 1610 AM.

Leave No Trace

Review the winter-adapted leave no trace principles! These outdoor ethics are for the safety and enjoyment for both you and others, as well as the preservation of these wild ecosystems and scenic destinations. Ensure that everyone you are traveling with is knowledgeable about them too. In short, plan ahead and prepare, travel on durable surfaces and away from new vegetation, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others. 

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared for your snowshoeing or cross-country skiing adventure in Glacier National Park.

Top Snowshoe and Cross-Country Skiing Spots in Glacier National Park

If you love to escape the crowds and find serene solitude, you might prefer winter over summer in Glacier Park. Nearly all the services and restaurants in Glacier are completely shut down in Glacier, so come prepared or with a guided group. For a list of trails with maps and directions, visit the NPS site here. Below are some of the top snowshoe and cross-country skiing spots in the park:

Apgar - West Glacier

Apgar is a great spot for beginners and offers stunning views of Lake McDonald with trails ranging from 2 - 11 miles. The trail system here is usually well-maintained and marked, making it easy to navigate. The Apgar Lookout Trail is a popular route with a rewarding view, but steep sections make it difficult for beginners.

Lake McDonald and Avalanche

Here you’ll find some of the most scenic and popular routes in the park. Gentle terrain winds through old-growth forests and along the banks of the crystal-clear streams of McDonald Creek. Continuing past the Avalanche Lake Trail on Going-to-the-Sun Road is possible, but recommended only for very experienced backcountry skiers with avalanche education and equipment.

Polebridge

Accessing this area can be challenging as the highway is infrequently plowed, but it’s worth the effort! Trails range from easy to challenging, with spectacular diverse views of the river, meadows, lake, and mountains. Polebridge is also home to the historic Polebridge Mercantile, where you can warm up with a hot drink and a locally renowned huckleberry bear claw.

St. Mary

St. Mary is a great destination on the east side of the park. The 3-mile Beaver Pond Loop and the 8-mile Red Eagle Lake Trail provide fun rolling terrain and stunning scenery of meadows and the surrounding mountains.

 

Guided Tours

 

 

There are several options for guided snowshoe walks and cross-country skiing in Glacier Park. It’s not only a great choice for beginners, but a wonderful way to broaden your experience as the knowledgeable guides point out wildlife tracks and educate you on the area’s history and ecology.

Our number one recommendation is this  5-hour snowshoe tour around West Glacier and Lake McDonald. This is our favorite because it includes hotel pick-up and lunch.

If you're on a bit more of a budget, you can get a shorter tour with hot-cocoa and a meeting point in West Glacier on this guided, 3-hour snowshoe experience that focuses on wildlife education and winters in Glacier. 

Additionally, the park offers ranger-led walks most weekends. For an excellent guided cross-country ski adventure, I recommend Glacier Adventure Guides.

 

Winter Camping in Glacier National Park

 

Lodging is not available inside of the park during winter. Winter camping in Glacier National Park is challenging and requires a high level of expertise and preparation, but it’s a very rewarding experience for those willing to brave the elements. Visitors should be prepared for extreme weather conditions, be entirely self-sufficient, and follow the Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash and waste. 

For those interested in frontcountry camping, the Apgar Campground on the west side and the St. Mary campground on the east side are available for primitive camping in winter and are first-come-first-serve. For winter backcountry camping, a permit is required and will be issued electronically by advance reservation only.

If winter camping isn’t your thing, there are some wonderful cozy lodging options just outside of the park that are available year-round. Two of my favorites are the Izaak Walton Hotel in Essex and the Cedar Creek Lodge in Columbia Falls.

Additional Winter Activities Near Glacier National Park

 

If you're looking for more winter activities near Glacier National Park, you're in luck. Here are a some options to consider:

• Skiing and Snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort

• Snowshoeing or Fat Biking on the Whitefish Trail

• Snowbike in the Flathead National Forest

• Snowmobile with a rental or a guided tour

• Ice climb frozen waterfalls

• Ice fishing on Whitefish Lake

• Take a winter drive in Glacier Park

• Enjoy a horse-drawn Clydesdale sleigh ride

• Experience the thrill of a dog sled ride

 

Have Fun and Be Safe!

Exploring the winter wonderland of Glacier National Park is an unforgettable experience. The solitude and serenity of the snow-covered landscape allows for a deeper connection with nature's tranquility. Whether you're an avid snowshoer or nordic ski enthusiast, the park offers an unparalleled adventure in winter. Make sure you plan your trip appropriately, follow all of the safety guidelines, and have the necessary equipment for an enjoyable and memorable adventure!