Written by Lauren Hillestad
The holiday may have season has passed, but the snow is still fresh and out to play here in 日本毛片! We put our heads together and came up with our favorite ways to enjoy this winter wonderland we call Missoula. Visiting and need some gear? Not a problem: 听补苍诲听聽are great options for rentals.
Missoula has not one, but four ski resorts in under 2 hours. , and deliver fun terrain and well over 200 inches of snow annually while the closest resort, , is a quick 30 minute drive to some of the steepest slopes around.
If downhill skiing is a bit too vertical for your taste, grab some cross country skis and hit the local trails. No lift ticket needed鈥攎ost of your favorite trails in the summer transform into beautiful territory with a little snow. Some trails are groomed where others are dog-friendly, so be sure to check posted signs as you take off on your adventures.
Lace up at , Missoula鈥檚 nonprofit ice skating arena. When figure skaters and hockey players aren鈥檛 practicing the rink opens up for public skate, and holds fun events such as Family Day. If you are looking for some outdoor skating fun, Pineview Park up the Rattlesnake has an outdoor skating pond when weather conditions allow, too!
Take a quick 35 minute drive outside of Missoula toward , where magic meets mountains and life feels like a storybook. Hop on a horse-drawn sleigh, grab the hot cocoa and enjoy the ride.
Here in Missoula we love a good hike, rain or shine (or snow). It鈥檚 the time of year when the iconic 鈥淢鈥� on Mount Sentinel becomes camouflaged behind a layer of snow, but that doesn鈥檛 stop people from getting outside. Bundle up, strap on a pair of snowshoes or cramp-ons and head for the Rattlesnake, Pattee Canyon, or Blue Mountain recreation areas. Not all trails are dog-friendly in the winter to account for elk migration territory and groomed ski trails, so be sure to heed posted signs.聽
A sunset stroll along the Riverfront Trail is never a bad idea!
