The Flathead Community of Resource Educators is celebrating Winter Trails Day on Saturday, Jan. 8, with several free outdoor activities.

These free activities are a great way to enjoy the outdoors in winter and discover the fitness and social benefits of snowshoeing in Northwest Montana.

n A free family snowshoe walk on the Flathead National Forest, hosted by the Swan Lake Ranger District and Flathead Aududon, will be at the Blacktail Mountain cross-country ski trails near Lakeside from 10 a.m. to noon.

Participants may bring snowshoes or a limited number of children and adult 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 Explore Lone Pine State Park on snowshoes.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., park visitors can borrow snowshoes and explore the many park trails. Adult and children’s snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the park at 755-2706 for more information.  

n Ranger-led snowshoe hikes at Glacier National Park will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  

Each hike will last approximately two hours and reservations are not required.

Snowshoes are available for hike participants. Visitors need to purchase park entrance passes. Meet at the Apgar Visitor Center. Call 888-7939 for more information.  

n A short snowshoe hike for women new to the sport will be offered by the Swan Ecosystem Center from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Condon. Snowshoes are available.

Participants will learn about snowshoe basics and the guided hike will take participants over gentle terrain through open and forested areas. Meet at the Forest Service Condon Work Center, 6887 Montana 83. Call (406) 754-3137 to sign up or for more information.

For information about Winter Trails Day visit www.wintertrails.org. For more information about local events in celebration of Winter Trails Day visit the Flathead Community of Resource Educators website at www.flatheadcore.org. 

The Flathead Community of Resource Educators is a network of individuals and organizations working together to increase awareness and understanding about the natural, historical and cultural resources of the Flathead area.