Conditions are good at Silver Crest ski trails

The trails at Silver Crest Winter Trails are groomed and skiing well.

"The conditions are good," said Jeremy Franks of the Silver Crest Trails Association. "We have quite a bit of snow."

The Silver Crest Trails Association began grooming the ski trails two weeks ago.

"A few little stumps are showing here and there, but they're easy to ski around," Franks said.

Over the summer, the Silver Crest Trails Association widened Wu-Tang's Way, a trail that was added to the system the previous summer.

Making the trail wider allows for easier grooming.

Also new this year, the Silver Crest Trails Association has new grooming equipment, thanks to a grant the group received.

Silver Crest Trails Association purchased a new Ginzugroomer for grooming the trails. The group already has one Ginzugroomer, but it's large and has to be pulled with a utility terrain vehicle fitted with snow tracks.

The new groomer, which creates a track for classic skiing, is smaller and can be pulled with a snowmobile.

Using the UTV was less than ideal because it left a track in the skating lane, explained Chuck Jennings, president of the Silver Crest Trails Association.

"We think this will set a better track without disturbing the skating lane," he said.

The trails are groomed with set tracks for classic skiing on one side of the trail and a large flat lane on the other side for skate skiing.

The Kings Hill Grooming Association runs its large groomer through the trail system once a week.

"They groom Thursday night usually and then we go over it Friday and set a track," Jennings said.

The grooming is done entirely by volunteer labor and takes about an hour and a half if the big groomer has been through the night before, Franks said. Without the help of the Kings Hill Grooming Association's groomer, it takes about three hours to groom the whole trail system.

Silver Crest has 12 miles of ski trails that are arranged in inter-connecting loops. That allows skiers to loop trails together for a longer adventure or make a short loop for a quicker outing.

The trails are labeled easier, intermediate and more difficult, offering something for every level of skier.

Silver Crest also offers two miles of snowshoe trails that aren't groomed but are well marked.

"We are exploring the possibility of enlarging the snowshoe trails," Jennings said.

Snowshoers should stay off the ski trails because they leave impressions that make it hard to ski. For the same reason, dogs aren't allowed on the groomed ski trails.

For people with dogs, Jefferson Creek Trail is a great option, Jennings said. The trail, just south of the Memorial Falls Trailhead, isn't groomed but is closed to snowmobile traffic.

Silver Crest Winter Trails, accessed from the Kings Hill Winter Recreation Area parking lot, are located on Forest Service land. The Silver Crest Trails Association has an agreement with the Forest Service regarding grooming and maintenance of the trails. However, the association relies on volunteers and donations.

"We rely on donations which we solicit every year from our regular donors through the mail," Jennings said.

Donations also can be placed in a secure box at the Silver Crest trailhead.

Additional volunteers also would be appreciated.

"We would welcome anybody to serve on our committee," Jennings said.

For more information, visit the Silver Crest Trails Association website at silvercresttrails.wordpress.com.

The website also offers up-to-date information on snow conditions.

"Every time we groom we take pictures," Franks said.

Those photos are posted on the website.

"You can see how deep the snow is and how nice it is up there," he said.

Trail maps are also available online and can be printed and taken along on ski outings.

Reach Tribune staff writer Erin Madison at 406-791-1466 or emadison@greatfallstribune.com. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_EMadison.

Cross-country ski in Great Falls

Eagle Falls Golf Club is open to the public for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The course is well marked and goes around the perimeter of the portion of the golf course on the south side of the railroad tracks for approximately ½ to ¾ of a mile. Guests are asked to stay on the marked trails.

Approximately 5 inches of snow is needed to provide adequate cover for skiing and snowshoeing.

Eagle Falls Golf Course is located at 1025 25th St. No. Access to the course will be through the service road off of 38th Street North. The road is not plowed so guests should plan accordingly. The rules and the course map will be posted at the gate as well as an open/closed sign.

There is no charge to ski or snowshoe.

For more information, call the Park and Recreation Office at 406-771-1265.

Find Silver Crest Winter Trails

The Silver Crest Winter Trails are located about 60 miles south of Great Falls, just north of Showdown.

Follow Highway 89 east out of Great Falls. At Armington Junction turn south on Highway 89 and travel about 40 miles. Look for signs marking the Kings Hill Winter Recreation Area on the west side of the highway. The area has ample parking and a vault toilet.

Snowshoes can be borrowed from the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The forest has a limited number of snowshoes in various sizes that are free to check out for three days. For more information, contact the Lewis and Clark National Forest at 406-791-7700.