WINTER SPORTS AROUND ENNIS, MT
A person is walking through the snow on a snowy path.

Winter Sports Around Ennis, MT

Adventure in Montana spans the seasons, with plenty of exciting experiences around every corner. Enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing, and more. The beauty of the winter season in Montana, brings new stunning scenes, with both winter vistas of the mountains and majestic snow-covered trees. 


For the winter season El Western Cabins & Lodges offers our Eagle Lodge three bedroom/ three bath log home, and our Moose Lodge with two bedrooms and one 1 1/2 baths. Adventure by day and snuggle up by night. Each lodge offers a toasty fireplace and breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.

Snowmobiling

Southwest Montana offers hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobiling trails. It is a winter adventurers' paradise with several options available to rent snow mobiles. If traveling in from Bozeman we recommend Summit All Terrain or Big Boy Toys for rentals. For those visiting El Western Cabins & Lodges from the West Yellowstone side, we recommend High Mark Rental.


We've included some of the best trails for snowmobiling near El Western Cabins and Lodges:

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  • Twin Lakes Snowmobile Trail - This trail is part of a cooperative operation with Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Virginia City Snowmobile Club. The trail takes riders past several lakes as well as some historic structures. Enjoy 14 miles of groomed and marked trails, as well as 11 miles of additional marked but un-groomed trails.

        Directions: From Ennis, travel North on Hwy 287 for 8 miles to McAllister. Take North Meadow Creek Road West 10 miles to the forest boundary.

  • Virginia City: Clover Meadows Snowmobile Trail - Offers 25 miles of groomed and marked trails with loading ramps available. Virginia City Chamber of Commerce grooms this trail under a cooperative agreement with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, he U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. 
  • Black Butte/Lobo Mesa Loop Snowmobile Trail - This 50-mile trail offers 25 miles of groomed marked trails and 25 miles of marked but un-groomed trails. Most of this trail is above the tree line and uses existing roads but because of that is subject to whiteouts.

Cross Country Skiing

Enjoy the peaceful quiet and beauty of a winter's day with cross-country ski trails near El Western Cabins & Lodges. If downhill skiing is not your cup of tea, cross-country skiing can be a great option to explore the wide-open winter beauty of Montana.


The closest cross-country ski area near El Western Cabins & Lodges is the Wade Lake ski trail. Wade Lake offers several routes of set track that provide skiers with incredible tours of Cliff and Wade Lakes and scenic vistas of the area. 


Directions: From Ennis travel 40 miles South on Highway 287. Take the Wade Lake Access Road and continue for 6 miles.


For those who have not cross-country skied before, lessons are recommended before you endeavor on a trek. Proper form can make sure the experience is more fruitful, a lot of energy can be wasted if your form is not correct. For those who need lessons, we recommend Homestake Lodge. They offer day passes for cross-country skiing, as well as, lessons and rentals. You do not have to stay at the lodge to participate. 

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Ice Skating

Each year Virginia City creates an outdoor rink for residents to enjoy. Guests of the El Western Cabins & Lodges are welcome to enjoy this annual tradition. There are skates to borrow (first come first serve), as well as hockey sticks and the ice is up-kept with a Zamboni machine.


Donations help to keep the ice up, make necessary repairs and contribute to a new warming hut.


Location: East Idaho Street Virginia City, MT 59755

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Ice Fishing

Ennis is a mecca for trout fishing and winter fishing enthusiasts can give ice fishing a try. Book a guided ice fishing trip around Ennis and enjoy a great activity to get yourself, the family, and especially the kids outside in the winter months. Spend your morning or afternoon in a crystal-white wonderland while you enjoy a warm ice shanty, with hot drinks, and lunch!  You can ice fish on Ennis Lake, and there are nearby stocked private ponds for catching rainbow, brown, brooke, and cutthroat trout. 

 

RIIS Outfitters operates ice fishing tours and they are a luxurious experience. When most people envision ice fishing they picture someone sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake. You will enjoy a propane heater inside the ice hut, creating a warm and inviting experience and there are provided holes to fish from.  


If you love fishing, RISS would be thrilled to take you out for a fun day!

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Winter Season Fishing

Fishing the Madison River- Winter Season

Guided fishing trips to the rivers, lakes and streams around Ennis, MT happen every day, rain or shine, cold, cool or hot. There are a variety of fishing options available in Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby, Jefferson, Yellowstone, Missouri, and more. Full-day and half-day tours are available with our partners, The Tackle Shop and Madison River Fishing Company. 

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Winter West Yellowstone Tours

Yellowstone is open throughout the winter season and just as picturesque in the winter as it is in the spring and summer. Stay at El Western Cabins and Lodges 70 miles north of West Yellowstone National Park entrance, away from the crowds and in the beauty of the Madison River Valley.

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Snowshoeing Trails

Utilize snowshoes to trek across the gorgeous winter wonderland in and around Ennis, Montana. With miles of groomed trails, snowshoeing allows for winter fun for all ages, as the old adage goes- if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Snowshoes are built longer and wider than your foot, designed for more traction on snow and ice, and generally less expensive than other winter sports equipment, Snowshoes allow the explorer to enjoy hiking year round.


Experience the beauty of winter in Montana with these favorite trailheads:

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Bear Creek Bunkhouse - There are several cross-country ski and snow snowshoeing trails in the area.

Here are a few of our favorites:


Wade Lake Ski Trail - Several routes of set track provide skiers with touring of Cliff and Wade Lakes, as well as, scenic vistas of the area. With nearly 40 miles of Nordic trails, Hyalite Reservoir is a winter recreation mecca.


Mount Haggin Nordic Ski Area - Over 25 miles of groomed trails that reach the Continental Divide furnish spectacular Montana winter mountain vistas.

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