Mountain Trails Park set for access renovation project

The City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department and the Ski Heritage Museum announced that Mountain Trails Park will undergo a renovation of its walkway between the Ski Heritage Museum, warming hut and park playground.  

The current surface is made of brick pavers, installed in the 1990s, prior to the construction of the kids’ playground, volleyball court and Stumptown Ice Den. After three decades, this surface is ready to be revitalized.  

The new surface will be a combination of concrete with brick pavers highlighting the walkway through the plaza.  

“We are excited to get started on this project and to help support the Ski Heritage Museum’s fundraising campaign through the installation of the pavers,” said Maria Butts, Parks and Recreation director. "We are also very thankful for the generous donations from community members that have helped this project come alive.”  

The project includes the installation of a paver walkway around the front of the museum connecting the park and museum to the Wisconsin Avenue SNOW Bus stop.  

The Ski Heritage Museum will help fund the improvements through the sale of commemorative brick pavers installed along the walkway.  

“We are committed to helping fund this project, as well as completing the museum’s new outdoor ski lift exhibit,” said Museum Director Tim Hinderman. “Now we need to sell some pavers. The funding drive starts now." 

The renovation work will be done by Big Mountain Hardscapes, LLC and is scheduled to start in September 2026. The park and museum will remain open during scheduled operating hours throughout the project. 

For information about purchasing the commemorative brick pavers and the new ski lift exhibit, visit whitefishskimuseum.org.  

Mountain Trails Park is located at 705 Wisconsin Avenue adjacent to the Stumptown Ice Den. The land was acquired by the City of Whitefish in 1984 from the Mountain Trails Saddle Club.  

Before becoming a public park, the Saddle Club held events at this location including the demolition derby, ski-joring, rodeos and other activities. By 1990, with grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the I.O. O’Shaughnessy Foundation and donations from local businesses and individuals, the outdoor Whitefish Ice Rink was created.  

In October of 2003, the outdoor rink was transformed into what is now the Stumptown Ice Den. 

The Saddle Club building was used for family and group gatherings and hosted summer camp events until 2013 when it was leased from the city to create the Ski Heritage Museum.  

For questions or additional information contact Whitefish Parks and Recreation at 406-863-2470.