Skiing and Snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are increasingly popular in the park. Glacier distributes a free pamphlet entitled Ski Trails of Glacier National Park, with 16 noted trails. You can start at Lake McDonald Lodge and ski cross-country up Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 2½-mile Apgar Natural Trail is popular with snowshoers. No restaurants are open in winter in Glacier, but you can pop into Montana House (montanahouse.info) for hot cider, coffee, cookies, and a little shopping. The park website (home.nps.gov/applications/glac/ski/xcski.htm) has ski trail maps.

Tours and Outfitters

Glacier Adventure Guides. This outfit leads full- and multiday guided snowshoe trips on scenic winter trails. On overnight trips, you stay in igloos and snow caves. In summer, the company conducts guided hiking and rock-climbing adventures outside the park. Glacier National Park, Montana. 877/735–9514; 406/892–2173; www.glacieradventureguides.com. From $180. Mid-Nov.–May.

Izaak Walton Inn. Just outside the southern edge of the park, this inn has more than 30 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails on its property. It offers equipment rentals and lessons, as well as guided ski and snowshoe tours inside the park. Inn guests can ski for free, but others must purchase a ski pass. The inn is one of the few places in the area that is both open in winter and accessible by Amtrak train, which saves you the worry of driving on icy mountain roads. 290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd., Essex, Montana, 59916. 406/888–5700; www.izaakwaltoninn.com/activities/winter-activities. From $15. Credit cards accepted. Mid-Nov.–May.