Winter Adventures Took Montana by Storm
Big thanks to 70 volunteers for leading a wild season of learning
While winter is hanging on in some parts of the state, Wild Montana has officially closed the books on our Winter Adventures season for 2023. As the winter counterpart to our storied Wilderness Walks program, Winter Adventures offers folks who love the outdoors – and don’t mind bundling up – the opportunity to connect with our public lands. These outings are yet another way that Wild Montana builds our community of support for conservation initiatives and celebrates our state’s most treasured landscapes.
This winter, we hosted 32 outings across the state and we engaged more than 275 participants in adventures that deepened their connection to nature while educating them about Wild Montana’s work.
Each Winter Adventure had a unique appeal. Here are a few highlights from the season.
Winter Camping Demonstration near Rock Creek
Volunteer leaders Ingrid and Chris showcased three different approaches to staying cozy while out enjoying the long, starry winter nights.
History Tour and Snowshoe at Elkhorn State Park
Two dozen kids and adults gathered in Elkhorn for an introduction to the history of the living ghost town, a kid-friendly snowshoe to the town’s cemetery in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and s’mores and hot chocolate.
Introduction to Igloo Building on Lolo Pass
Leaders Bert and Ed conducted an educational webinar reflecting on Inuit ingenuity and reviewing different techniques for building a structurally sound igloo. The following week, a few locals set out to put their knowledge to the test and built an igloo to be proud of.
Cross-country Skiing in the Badger-Two Medicine
The Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance and Wild Montana led a snowy adventure in the Badger-Two Medicine. Participants were treated to powder ski conditions, fresh animal tracks, and an immersive opportunity to learn about efforts to protect the landscape’s cultural and ecological importance.
Every one of these outings was made possible thanks to our amazing volunteer leaders. Seventy volunteers donated over 600 hours of their time! They scouted routes, prepared educational materials, coordinated logistics and, on the day of the event, worked to balance the group’s enjoyment with safety. Hats off to our amazing volunteers!
There is no better way to build support for our conservation work than getting people out into the landscapes we are working to protect. As a part of Wild Montana’s commitment to increasing educational opportunities, we will begin offering these experiences year-round.
Explore Wilderness Walks
Sign up for free group outings on wildlands across the state. We offer a wide range of opportunities, from family-friendly educational trips to strenuous adventures for more experienced hikers.
Keep an eye out for our planned summer outings here. We’ll post May’s Wilderness Walks by April 15 and will regularly update our calendar to include summer walks. Sign-ups for all outings begin one month before the event date. As always, walks are free to join.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the return of Winter Adventures a success! We’ll see you back on the trail beginning next month.
Give Before the Bitterroots Bloom
No doubt, spring in Montana is hard to endure sometimes, but it’s also when the sandhill cranes return, pronghorns give birth, and the glacier lily blooms. We’re dedicated to protecting the public lands that make these and so many other wild treasures possible.
If you embrace what makes spring in Montana special, please support our work before the bitterroot blooms.
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