Cross Country Skiing
Red Lodge, Montana is a great destination for your next winter getaway. Start your adventure by taking a cross county ski in the beautiful big sky country. Ski groomed or backcountry trails. Take a lesson or hire a guide. Rent equipment or bring your own. It is very straight forward, as cross country skiing is a sport that requires minimal equipment and a bit of coordination and skill to get you on your way. more info
Cross country skiing is an ideal winter sport. It offers a sense of freedom in the great outdoors, with little fuss to get you going. Cross country skiing originated in Scandinavia 4,000 to 4,500 years ago. The sport has come a long way from being the sole method of transportation for snow and ice-bound northerners. Cross country skiing is actually the great-grandparent of all ski sports since both alpine skiing and snowboarding were only recently derived from this free-heeled ancestor.
Red Lodge Nordic Center is nestled at the base of Beartooth Mountains only three miles from downtown Red Lodge. Ski 15 kilometers of machine groomed trails, from open meadow trails to rolling loops through the Aspen trees. Four kilometers of the trail are rated easiest, seven are rated more difficult, and four are rated most difficult. The nordic center is the perfect place for the entire family to have a great day of skiing, snowshoeing, picnicking and picture taking. Trails are groomed weekly and a fee is required to use the trails. Seniors are discounted.
Children's activities, equipment rental, maps, snack bar, and information along with instruction for cross country skiing are available at Red Lodge Nordic Center. Hours of operation are 8:30am to 4:30pm, with the season beginning November 30 and ending March 30. Red Lodge Nordic Center is located 3 miles west of Red Lodge off Highway 78. Follow Highway 78 to the one mile marker, turn left heading west, and follow Fox Road two more miles.
In addition to the Red Lodge Nordic Center, there are other cross country trails available in Red Lodge. Two ski touring trails that provide about 18 kilometers of cross country skiing are located at Red Lodge Mountain Resort. The Lake Fork skiing touring trail offers two loops of 3 and 7 kilometers. The Silver Run trail has four loops of 4, 7, 11, and 15 kilometers. Cross country skiers are not confined to a trail system in the national forest, but it is recommended that once leaving the trail complex individuals use extra caution.
Red Lodge, MT Weather
Currently Outside 41FMostly cloudy. Nippy. |
Other pages you might find helpful:
Montana Wilderness Association
Find trails, event schedules, and other wilderness enthusiasts through the Montana Wilderness Association.
