Lost Trail Ski Area on the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forests has announced that they will begin their 76th season of operations this Thursday, December 4. Open Thursday-Sunday, the ski area has hundreds more acres of new terrain this year, thanks to some recent thinning operations on the mountain. For the latest conditions and information visit www.losttrail.com.
December 1 is the “official” opening day for the Chief Joseph Ski Trails. The trail system located at the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley near Lost Trail Pass has been significantly expanded over the past few years to include 15+ miles of traditional classic-style cross-county trails and 20+ miles of multi-use trails for skate skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding and more. For the latest grooming information, trail conditions, and maps visit www.bitterrootxcskiclub.net
However, the Bitterroot National Forest has been notified by the Como Trails Club that the group is not planning on grooming trails south of Lake Como this winter for cross country skiing. According to the group’s website http://comotrailsclub.weebly.com, they are currently “finding it difficult to secure capacity such as volunteers, board members, and funding to run the club.” The organization has groomed 30 miles of trails for skate and classic skiing and has operated under a volunteer agreement with the Forest since the winter of 2009-10.
The Bitterroot Ridgerunners is a group of snowmobile enthusiasts in the Bitterroot Valley. The club grooms more than 50 miles of trails weekly in the Skalkaho, Rye Creek, Lost Horse, and Lost Trail areas, operating under a volunteer agreement with the Forest Service. For more information on trail conditions and an updated groomer report, visit www.ridgerunners.org.