Outdoor news
Uphill skiing
In response to dangerous behavior by some skiers at Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Flathead National Forest has announced that individuals who skin up Big Mountain and don’t follow the established uphill traffic policy could be ticketed. Last season, two skiers were told to stay on an approved route but then ventured into an area where ski patrollers were using explosives to mitigate avalanche hazards. Forest Service officials say that this year, any uphill travelers who don’t use approved routes at approved times, or who approach closer than 100 feet to grooming equipment or 50 feet to snowmaking equipment, can be ticketed and face up to a $100 fine for a first offense and potentially stiffer penalties for repeat offenders. The uphill policy and special order can be reviewed online at www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/wintersports.
Kids avy class
A two-day avalanche awareness class designed for kids will be offered at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Feb. 21-22 and possibly a second time in March. The Big Mountain Ski Patrol was able to support an Avalanche 1 course for kids from 12 to 18 years old that will cost $60, which includes lift access to the top of Big Mountain. Kids will learn the basics of safe mountain travel, introduction to snow science and basic rescue skills. Avalanche beacons, shovel and probes will be available for loan to those who don’t have them. Participants must be able to ski or snowboard. Register online at http://bigmountainskipatrol.org under “Courses.” Space is limited to 12 participants.
Wilderness talks
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and the Montana Wilderness Association will host three free wilderness talks at the Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology Building, Room 139, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. On Feb. 5, Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow will speak about “Wilderness Management 101” and management of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. On March 5, Steve Primm, director of People and Carnivores, will talk about “The Wild is consequential: Grizzlies, people and sharing the land,” using his experiences working on grizzly and wolf recovery around Yellowstone National Park. On April 2, Hungry Horse News photographer and reporter Chris Peterson will present a slide show about “A walk on the wild side, a 200-mile hike in the spirit of Bob Marshall,” completed last year in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
Summer camps
F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. will host Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center Day Camps this summer on its forest lands between Columbia Falls and Whitefish. The camps serving children ages 6 to 16 include Wilderness Kids Club day camps, Camp Night Hawk, a week-long overnight camp for 10-12 year olds, a Volunteer and Mentor in Training program, and a Teen Overnight Camp for 13-16 year olds. For morer information, call Brooke at 406-282-4737 or visit online at www.RavenwoodOLC.org.
Park snowshoeing
Glacier National Park will offer free two-hour, ranger-led snowshoe hikes on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. through March 22. Snowshoes are available for rent at the Apgar Visitor Center, where the hikes will start and end. There is no group size limit, and reservations are not accepted. The snowshoe walks are suitable for varying ages and abilities, but are not recommended for children under age 6.
Winter lectures
The Glacier Institute will host three lectures about wildlife at the Conrad Mansion in Kalispell on three Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. World-renowned photographer Sumio Harada will speak about Glacier National Park’s goats on Jan. 22. Former Glacier Park ranger Dave Shea will talk about wildlife encountered by Lewis and Clark on their “Voyage of Discovery” on Feb. 26. Glacier Institute education director Justin Barth will talk about Glacier Park’s fire lookouts on March 19. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit online at conradmansion.com or call 755-2166.
Winter walks
The Flathead-Kootenai Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association will host 12 winter walks, including an ecology walk on Jan. 24 with Brian Baxter in Kalispell, a snowshoe hike to Gary Lookout from West Glacier on Feb. 7, and a Valentine’s Day excursion for singles on Feb. 14 in Libby. For more information, visit online at www.wildmontana.org/walks or call 730-2006.
Winter photos
The Burwell School of Photography will hold its 2015 Winter Wildlife Instructional Photography Workshop at the Triple D Game Farm in Kalispell on Jan. 23-26 featuring a minimum of eight photography sessions up close with big game, including cougars, lynx and even a snow leopard. For more information, visit online at www.bsop.ca or call 1-877-778-1745.