The Flathead Community of Resource Educators, a network of individuals and organizations working to increase awareness and understanding of the natural, historical and cultural resources of the Flathead region, is celebrating Winter Trails Day throughout January with several free outdoor family activities.  

These activities are great way to introduce winter outdoor activities and discover the fitness and social benefits of these activities in Northwest Montana:  

n A free family snowshoe walk on the Flathead National Forest will be at the Blacktail Mountain cross-country ski trails near Lakeside from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 9.  Participants may bring snowshoes, or a limited number of children’s and adult’s shoes will be available by reservation.

Participants will learn about snowshoeing and identifying wildlife tracks and winter birds.

Meet at the upper trailhead parking area. Reservations are not required. For more information or to reserve snowshoes, contact the Swan Lake Ranger District at 837-7500.  

 n Lone Pine State Park will host a snowshoe discovery hike on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. This will include a brief introduction to the history of snowshoeing and sharing of opportunities for snowshoeing around the Flathead Valley, as well as exploring the park and learning about winter ecology.

The snowshoe hike is targeted for ages 8 to adult and a limited number of snowshoes are available. Contact the park at 755-2706 for more information or to reserve snowshoes.  

n Ranger-led snowshoe hikes at Glacier National Park will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23.  Each hike will last approximately two hours and reservations are not required.

In recognition of Winter Trails Day, the fee for snowshoes will be waived for the day, but the park entrance fee is required. Meet at the Apgar Visitor Center. Call 888-7939 (weekends beginning Jan. 10) for more information.  

For information about Winter Trails Day, visit www.wintertrails.org and for more information about local events in celebration of Winter Trails Day visit the Flathead Community of Resource Educators’ Web site at www.flatheadcore.org.