Whitefish and Glacier National Park in Winter - Colorado ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Whitefish and Glacier
National Park in Winter
A Ski Touring and Snowshoe Adventure
February 18 - 23, 2020
West Entrance to Glacier National Park
Winter is the quiet season in Glacier National Park, but no less spectacular. Numerous snowshoe
and cross country trails are maintained for a scenic journey to take in the snow-capped peaks
and peaceful forest floor. Glacier National Park offers spectacular scenery and uncrowded
opportunities you would not have in peak season. The Park in winter is magical; snow hanging in
the cedars, frozen lakes, waterfalls and desolate peaks create a landscape unlike any other. This
trip has options for downhill skiing in addition to two guided ski touring/snowshoe tours in
Glacier National Park. The 3-star lodging in Whitefish, Montana includes full breakfasts, plus
shuttle service to and from the airport, the trailheads for skiing/snowshoe, downhill ski area and
downtown. Bring your friends because we can accommodate up to 30 participants on this trip!
Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Glacier and Whitefish,
MT Trip Overview
Day 1 Arrive at Grouse Mountain Lodge by your own means, the
Lodge offers free shuttle from Glacier International
Airport. Dinner with meet and greet at the Lodge.
Day 2 Ski group will be picked up by 0900 by Glacier Adventure
Guides for an all-day ski in Glacier National Park.
Snowshoe group will be taken by shuttle bus to Lion
Mountain Trailhead or you may choose to snowshoe or
downhill ski on your own.
Happy hour with appetizers and cash bar. Dinner on your
own at the Lodge or enjoy one of the many restaurants in
Whitefish.
Day 3 Snowshoe group will be picked up by 0900 and transported
by Glacier Adventure Guides for an all-day snowshoe in
Glacier National Park.
Ski group will take shuttle bus to Big Mountain Nordic
Trails or cross country or downhill ski on your own.
Happy hour with appetizers and a cash bar. Dinner on your
own.
Day 4 Ski group will be picked up by 0900 and transported by
Glacier Adventure Guides for an all-day ski into Glacier
National Park.
Snowshoe group will take the shuttle bus to Big Mountain
Nordic Trails or snowshoe or downhill ski on your own.
Happy hour with appetizers and a cash bar. Dinner on
your own.
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
Day 5 Ski group will take the shuttle to Lion Mountain Trailhead
or you may choose to ski or downhill ski on your own.
Snowshoe group will be picked up by 0900 at the Grouse
Mountain Lodge and transported by Glacier Adventure
Guides for an all-day snowshoe in Glacier National Park.
Happy hour with appetizers and a cash bar. Dinner on
your own.
Day 6 Depart Grouse Mountain Lodge, fly/drive home on your
own. Lodge offers free shuttle to Glacier International
airport.
Major Sites
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in the wintertime is arguably at its most beautiful. It lies, silent,
under a heavy blanket of snow providing a level of peace and solitude that is hard to
find in our modern society. There are no motorized vehicles permitted in the Park to
disturb the animals and it is possible to ski, or snowshoe for miles across snowy
landscapes with nothing but the occasional four-legged winter resident for company.
Snowshoe hares, deer, elk and chipmunks do not hibernate and can often be more
easily seen against a snowy landscape making for great photo opportunities.
Whitefish, MT
Whitefish is a resort town in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana. It’s a gateway
to the jagged peaks, lakes and glacier-carved valleys of Glacier National Park. Whitefish
takes its name from Whitefish Lake, a glacier-carved body of water that stretches nearly
seven miles north from town. Whitefish will be the base for all our daily adventures.
Things to do in Whitefish: explore Stumptown Marketplace, hop into this open-stall
market, where local shops sell a multitude of things like soap, sweets, and clothes.
Explore downtown, the streets of downtown Whitefish are buzzing with boutiques,
traders, restaurants and bars. Visit the Whitefish Museum located inside the beautifully
restored train depot.
Award-winning cuisine, world-class wine selections and great service—all reasons Whitefish exceeds dining expectations.
Culinary discoveries abound, offering nearly every variety of style and fare. Many chefs pride themselves on use of fresh, local
and organic vegetables, fruits, and meats. Each dining experience is an opportunity to savor the local flavor. (Quote by Leslie
Kelly, Zagat.com)
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
Big Mountain Nordic Trails
The 23k of trails are snowmobile groomed daily, as conditions allow and the upper trails are
groomed by Glacier Nordic Club. Big Mountain Nordic Trails have advanced and expert terrain,
expect steep and curvy descents and challenging climbs back to the trail head. Meander through
lush cedar groves, ski the newly opened and challenging single track trail 5.5 miles all the way
down to the new Reservoir Trailhead in town, or tie into the many gated roads in Haskill Basin.
There is some easier terrain at the start to get your ski legs under you and the trails are
designated green, blue and black. This trail system allows snowshoers, walkers, and bikes.
The Whitefish Trail System
Located conveniently close to town, the trails at Lion Mountain provide access to a scenic
overlook as well as loop options for quick excursions. Looking for a quick and simple option, head
to Lion Mountain Trailhead, where a 3-mile loop makes exercise an easy option. After traveling
through the dry montane, yet botanically diverse forest, you are rewarded with a sweeping vista
overlook of Skyles Lake.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Whitefish, MT
Feb. 18th
Arrive in Whitefish on your own, if you arrive by air the hotel will pick
you up at Glacier International Airport in Kalispell only.
If you arrive early you may wish to explore the town of Whitefish by
taking the free shuttle to town or try Glacier Nordic Center at the
Whitefish Lake Golf Course (cost on your own: $10 or, if you are 70 or
older, it is free). Located across the street from the Lodge, sorry no Downtown Whitefish
snowshoes allowed on the Golf course trails.
At 5:30 we will gather together in the conference room for dinner,
meet and greet where Joanne and Renee will give an overview of the
next 4 days.
Meals Included: Dinner
Cash bar
Lodging: Grouse Mountain Lodge
Whitefish Skiing
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
Whitefish, MT
Day 2
Skiers will join Renee Howbert and be picked at Grouse Mountain
Feb. 19th Lodge by Glacier Adventure Guides around 0900 for a full day ski in
Glacier National Park. The bus ride will take approximately 1 hour to the
trailhead. We will ski McDonald Creek and Going to the Sun Road. The
tour will cross the old bridge and McDonald Creek, have lunch by the
roaring waters of the Sacred Dancing Cascade, and finish the day with
John’s Loop Trail looking toward McDonald Lake
a pleasant cruise back on the Sun highway. Easy access and mellow
terrain and very scenic. Length up to 8 miles (depending on the
group) with little elevation.
Skiers if you have not had enough you may ski the golf course on your
own!
Snowshoers will join Joanne Young to explore Lion Mountain
Trailhead a mile from Grouse Mountain Lodge. The beginning of the
trail stays packed throughout the entire winter, thanks to a core of
dedicated trail users and tends to stay hard packed through much of Lion Mountain Trailhead
the winter and rarely requires the use of snowshoes or skis. Micro-
spikes are recommended, however, and the farther you venture from
the trailhead, the less packed the trails become.
Happy Hour will be open 4:00-6:00 with appetizers, cash bar, and
sharing the day’s adventures with your peers. Joanne and Renee will
give an overview for the next day.
Enjoy dinner with new friends at the Lodge or explore one of the
wonderful restaurants in Whitefish.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Happy Hour with cash bar
Lodging: Grouse Mountain Lodge
Day 3 Whitefish, MT
Feb. 20th
Skiers will join Joanne Young to explore the Big Mountain Nordic Trails
at Trailhead at Whitefish Mountain. The type of trail and length of time
will depend on you. We will take the SNOWBus to the trailhead (5
miles) and enjoy the views. If you decide you want to ski on one of the
many other trails, you are free to do so just make sure your leaders
know where you are going. There is a new trail that will take you 5.5
miles back down to Whitefish (instead of taking the shuttle from the
top of the hill) where you will need to walk ¼ mile to pick up the
shuttle.
Skiers if you have energy you may ski the golf course on your own!
Snowshoers will join Renee Howbert and be picked up at Grouse
Mountain Lodge by Glacier Adventure Guides for a full day snowshoe
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
to Glacier National Park. The bus ride will take approximately 1 hour to
the trailhead. You will tour the west shore of Lake McDonald on
snowshoes to Fish Creek. This tour leads you past the historic
shareholdings and cabins of Lake McDonald, out to the Camas Road
and on to Fish Creek Campground. Snowshoers have the option to
continue from Fish Creek campground out to Rocky Point, one of the
most scenic spots on Lake McDonald. This is a 6-mile round trip
(depending on the group) with little elevation gain.
Big Mountain Nordic Center
Happy Hour will start at 4:00- 6:00 with appetizers, cash bar and
sharing your days adventures with your peers. Joanne and Renee will
give an overview for the next day.
Enjoy dinner with new friends at the Lodge or explore one of the
wonderful restaurants in Whitefish.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Happy Hour with cash bar
Lodging: Grouse Mountain Lodge
Skiing along McDonald Lake on Fish Creek Trail
Whitefish, MT
Day 4
Feb. 21st Skiers will join Joanne Young and be picked at Grouse Mountain Lodge
by Glacier Adventure Guides for a full day ski in Glacier National Park.
The bus ride will take approximately 1 hour to the trailhead. You will
tour the west shore of Lake McDonald on skis to Fish Creek. This tour
leads you past the historic shareholdings and cabins of Lake McDonald,
and on to Fish Creek Campground. Skiers have the option to continue
from the campground out to Rocky Point, one of the most scenic spots Rocky Point Overlook
on Lake McDonald. This is a 6-mile round trip (depending on the
group) with little elevation gain.
Skiers if you have not had enough you may ski the golf course on your
own!
Snowshoers will join Renee Howbert to explore Big Mountain Nordic
Trails at Trailhead at Whitefish Mountain. The type of trail and length
of time will depend on you. We will take the SNOWBus to the trailhead
(5 miles) and enjoy the views. If you decide you want to snowshoe on
one of the other many trails, you are free to do so just make sure your Big Mountain Nordic Trail
leaders know where you are going.
Happy Hour will start at 4:00- 6:00 with appetizers, cash bar and
sharing your day’s adventures with your peers. Joanne and Renee will
give an overview for the next day
Enjoy dinner with new friends at the Lodge or explore one of
Whitefish’s wonderful restaurants.
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Happy Hour with cash bar
Lodging: Grouse Mountain Lodge
Day 5 Whitefish, MT
Feb. 22nd
Skiers will join Renee Howbert to explore Lion Mountain Trailhead a
mile from Grouse Mountain Lodge. The beginning of the trail stays
packed throughout the entire winter, thanks to a core of dedicated
trail users and tends to stay hard packed through much of the winter
and rarely requires the use of snowshoes or skis. Micro-spikes are
recommended, however, and the farther you venture from the
Big Mountain Nordic Trail
trailhead, the less packed the trails become. If you decide you want to
ski on one of the other many trails, you are free to do so just make
sure your leaders know where you are going.
Skiers if you have not had enough you may ski the golf course on your
own!
Snowshoers will join Joanne and be picked at Grouse Mountain Lodge by
Glacier Adventure Guides for a full day ski in Glacier National Park. The
bus ride will take approximately 1 hour to the trailhead. We will ski
McDonald Creek and Going to the Sun Road. The tour will cross the
old bridge and McDonald Creek, have lunch by the roaring waters of John’s Lake in GNP
the Sacred Dancing Cascade, and finish the day with a pleasant cruise
back on the Sun highway. Easy access, mellow terrain, and very
scenic. Length up to 8 miles (depending on the group) with little
elevation gain.
Happy Hour will be 4:00-6:00 with appetizers, cash bar, and sharing
the day’s adventures with your peers. Joanne and Renee will give an
overview for check out the next day.
Enjoy dinner with new friends at the Lodge or explore one of the
wonderful restaurants in Whitefish.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Happy Hour with cash bar
Lodging: Grouse Mountain Lodge
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
What’s Included What’s NOT Included
● Lodging ● Transportation to and from Whitefish, MT
● 5 breakfasts ● Lunches
● 5 Happy Hours ● 4 dinners
● 1 dinner ● Tips for shuttle bus drivers
● Ground transportation
● Tips for guides and drivers
● Tips for housekeepers
Trip Cost and Payment Information
CMC Members: $1,310
Non-Member: $1,440
Single Supplement (if applicable): $540
Minimum Deposit: $500 Final Payment Due By: 10/18/19
Maximum # Participants: 16 Minimum # Participants: 30
CMC Deposit and Cancellation Policy:
1. Non-refundable Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required to register for all trips.
2. All requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to the trip leader.
3. Cancellations 90 days or more prior to departure: All money paid in will be refunded less the non-refundable
deposit.
4. Cancellation on Day 64 or more prior to departure:
a. If a qualified, wait-listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments
made by the canceling party will be refunded less the nonrefundable deposit.
b. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, 50% of paid money will be refunded, less the non-
refundable deposit.
5. Cancellation on Day 63 or fewer days prior to departure: No refund will be made.
The Colorado Mountain Club will make every effort to carry out this trip. However, if the trip is canceled by the CMC, all money
collected from participants, including any “non-refundable deposit” shall be returned. Participant will not be reimbursed for any
other purchase made for the trip or other expenses that the participant may have paid in association with this trip, which
includes equipment purchase, airline cancellation penalties, or medical inoculations.
Travel Information
Participants need to arrive in Whitefish, MT no later than Feb 18, 2020.
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
Departures from Grouse Mountain Lodge should be planned for Feb 23, 2020 no later than 1100.
Trip Leaders
Name Email Phone Number
Renee Howbert thehowberts@outlook.com 303-809-5826
Joanne Young chipandjoanne@gmail.com 303-981-4458
Travel with the Colorado Mountain Club www.cmc.org/adventuretravel
You can also read
