Though winter may be cold – at times bitterly so – it’s also extremely beautiful and filled with the same array of outdoor activities as the rest of the year. Winter in Missoula is stunning, and if you’re looking for a great place to explore our winter wonderland, there’s nowhere better than Lolo Pass, Montana.
Lolo Pass, Montana, is about 45 minutes from our Missoula Bed and Breakfast. Once you’ve reached the Lolo Pass Visitor Center, you’ll have an unparalleled opportunity for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling through Missoula’s winter wonderland. The Lolo Pass Visitor Center is just off Highway 12, the Lewis & Clark Highway, on the border between Montana and Idaho.
Our Missoula Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay if you want to explore Lolo Pass, Montana – or any other fantastic winter recreation areas here, including the Montana Snowbowl in Missoula. We’re located just outside downtown Missoula, surrounded by the serene natural paradise western Montana is known for, yet close enough to town for you to enjoy all the shops, restaurants, museums, and more.
Get ready for an unforgettable day on the trails at Lolo Pass, Montana, this winter. Book your room at our rustic yet elevated Missoula Bed and Breakfast today!
Winter Fun at Lolo Pass, Montana
The Lolo Pass Visitor Center sits at an elevation of 6-7,000 feet and offers plenty of trails to explore along the Idaho and Montana border. Before you get started on your adventure at Lolo Pass, Montana, you’ll first need a winter recreation pass. A single-day pass is just $5, but you also have the option to buy multi-day passes or a season pass, depending on how much you want to do in the area.
Lolo Pass, Montana, serves as a major jumping-off point for snowmobilers and Nordic skiers. The peak season for snowsports at Lolo Pass, Montana, usually starts in December and lasts through at least March, and during those months, you can expect the cross-country ski trails to be groomed weekly.
At Lolo Pass, Montana, you’ll find several trails that are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. They include:
- Glade Creek Loop Ski Trail, 2.1 miles
- Packer Meadows Loop Ski Trail, 6 miles
- Moose Ridge Loop Ski Trail, 14 miles – this is the most challenging trail in the area, and it’s also groomed for snowmobiles.
- There’s also a snowshoeing trail that starts at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center and is 1.8 miles long. The views from this trail are magnificent! The Visitor Center has snowshoes for rent if you don’t have your own.
In addition to the Moose Ridge Loop Trail at Lolo Pass, Montana, there are others in the area for snowmobilers, not to mention even more miles of snowmobiling fun on the adjacent Lolo National Forest trails. The primary snowmobiling trails at Lolo Pass, Montana include:
- Pack Creek to Beaver Ridge to Lochsa Lodge
- Granite Pass to Fox Creek
- Upper Shotgun to Parachute back to Lochsa Lodge.
Portions of these routes adjoin the Lolo National Forest snowmobile trail and run parallel to the Great Burn roadless area. Please review your map to make sure you travel only in the designated areas. Forest maps can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Other useful maps are available online, as well as at the Visitor Center.
More Things to Do in Missoula This Winter
With so many trails and opportunities for adventure, it’s easy to see why Lolo Pass, Montana is such a popular destination in the winter. However, spending a day at Lolo Pass, Montana is just one of the many great things to do in Missoula in the winter! Get ready to bundle up and have some fun – below, we’ve listed more of our favorite things to do in Missoula in the winter.
- There’s plenty of great skiing near Missoula, including the Montana Snowbowl – and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Missoula in the winter!
- If you’re looking for more snowshoeing trails, we recommend heading to Pattee Canyon Recreation Area or Rattlesnake Recreation Area. Trail Head. This is easily one of the most beautiful and serene things to do in Missoula in the winter.
- Cross-country skiing is one of the best things to do in Missoula in the winter, and there are far more trails than just those at Lolo Pass, Montana! Don’t miss the Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails.
- If you want an unforgettable adventure, try dog sledding with places like Dogsled Adventures Montana and Triple Creek Ranch.
- If you’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors on the trails, your muscles are probably sore and tired. Take some time to rest and relax at local hot springs near Missoula. This may just be one of our favorite things to do in Missoula in the winter.
- There are also plenty of romantic things to do in Missoula in the winter, including taking a sleigh ride through this magical winter wonderland. Double Arrow Lodge and The Resort at Paws Up both offer winter sleigh rides.
We love enjoying all the things to do in Missoula in the winter, but we’d be lying if we didn’t say that our absolute favorite is to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area from our cozy Missoula Bed and Breakfast. We think you’ll love it, too! Book your room with us today!
