Cross Country
The Blacktail Mountain X-Country Ski Trails are maintained by the North Shore Nordic Club using volunteers and through local fundraising efforts. Visit their website at www.northshorenordic.org.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The trails are located on Blacktail Road. Turn off Hwy. 93 at Blacktail Grocery and follow road up. The Lower Parking area is located at mile 6.4. The Upper Parking area is located at mile 8.1.
PARKING:
Parking areas have limited space. Do not block roadway. Lower Parking-5 cars-Used mostly for shuttle vehicle parking. Upper Parking-10 cars-Access to Alpine Loop, Powerline Loop, Z Descent, and Blacktail Glide.
TRAILS:ALPINE LOOP- Length: 10.5Km/6.5 Miles Average Time:3-4 hours
Z DESCENT LOOP- Length: 8.5Km/5.25 Miles Average TIme:2-3 hours
BLACKTAIL GLIDE LOOP- Length: 11Km/7 Miles Average Time: 5-6 hours
POWERLINE LOOP- Length: 13Km/8 Miles Average Time:5-6 hours.
SAFETY:
Absolutely no skiing on the Blacktail Road.
Dogs are not permitted on groomed or packed trails.
Dress for the weather, carry water, emergency supplies, and snacks. Watch out for the branches, stumps, rocks, and debris. Skiers climbing, yield to descending skiers.
BEWARE OF AVALANCHES: Call 406-257-8402
DIFFICULTY RATINGS:
EASIEST-Suitable for beginning skiers, with gentle slopes and no sharp turns.
MORE DIFFICULT-Suitable for intermediate skiers with steeper grades, sharper turns, and requiring more stamina. Skiers should know how to turn and stop while going down gentle hills.
MOST DIFFICULT-For advanced intermediates or expert skier. Skiers should have good endurance, and be able to turn abruptly, and stop on all kinds of terrain.
SKI TRAILS:
Generally the ski trail system terrain is rated EASIEST because most of the routes follow existing roadways. More experience and skill is required to descend between road systems. The decent from the Alpine Loop back to the upper parking lot and descent down the Powerline Loop are rated MORE DIFFICULT. The Z Descent Loop and the Z Descent to the Blacktail Glide Loop are rated MOST DIFFICULT.
Click on map for a larger view.
