Have you been out on the Whitefish Trail this winter? Whether taking the dog for a walk, cross country skiing, or exploring with snowshoes, our community trail offers an option for everyone. Lion Mountain stays busy through the winter with packed trails even after the biggest storms, while the single-track in Beaver Lakes offers a true backcountry experience for those seeking solitude. The 3-mile South Beaver Loop stays packed for most of the year, and if you decide to venture further, you might find yourself breaking trail!
This year, there are also some new and exciting recreation opportunities in Beaver Lakes, so we went out the Whitefish Bike Retreat to learn about multi-use grooming this winter. Owner Cricket Butler purchased a snowmobile and grooming machine last season and wants to provide more winter recreation opportunities to her guests and to the public.
Currently, the Bike Retreat is grooming a narrow track on the DNRC roads that link to the North Beaver Connection, Woods Lake Trailhead, Beaver Lake Fishing Access, and Dollar Lake Trailhead. All together, there are about 10 miles of groomed trail awaiting your fat bikes, snow shoes, and cross country skies. Dogs and walkers are welcome too! Conditions are best during cold weather when the track is frozen, and please avoid using the groomed trails during warm conditions as deep tracks are difficult to remove.
Groomed trails are free and open to the public, and donations are gladly accepted by the Bike Retreat to support their costs. For those wishing to try sections of groomed single-track at the Whitefish Bike Retreat, a waiver must be signed before cutting loose on those berms!