Glacier National Park Ski Tour
Northern Rockies, MT
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Active Blizzard Warning with 47 mph winds and heavy snow through Friday night — this is a no-go until conditions stabilize. Wind loading will create significant avalanche hazards once the storm clears.
26°/9°F · Blowing Snow · 3 alert(s)
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48" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 40m daylight · Sunrise 7:55 AM · Sunset 7:36 PM
Full Briefing
Multiple severe weather warnings are in effect through Friday evening, making backcountry travel extremely dangerous. The Blizzard Warning runs until 3 PM today with winds gusting to 47 mph and heavy snow, followed by a Winter Storm Warning continuing through Friday night. Visibility will be near zero and hypothermia risk is critical with wind chills well below zero.
The prolonged wind loading during this storm cycle will create extensive wind slab problems on leeward aspects once conditions clear. With no avalanche forecast available for Glacier NP, you'll need to assess conditions independently, but expect significant instabilities on wind-loaded terrain after 3+ days of sustained loading. The SNOTEL at Long Lake shows 98 inches of established snowpack, but Annie Springs at higher elevation shows recent settling from 35 inches — this suggests temperature fluctuations that could create weak interfaces for the new storm snow to fail on.
Stream crossings remain manageable with normal flows across all gauges, but that won't matter if you can't navigate safely to them. The storm is forecast to taper Saturday morning, but with overnight lows dropping to 1°F Saturday night, any wet snow from the storm will refreeze into a supportable crust.
Wait until Sunday at earliest for any backcountry travel. Even then, you'll need to carefully assess wind slab distribution and avoid leeward aspects and cross-loaded gullies until the new snow has had time to bond. Plan conservative terrain selection for several days after this storm cycle ends.
Waypoints
Lake McDonald Lodge
Start from the Lake McDonald Lodge area. Road is closed to vehicles in winter.
4,888 ft
The Loop
The Loop hairpin turn on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Good rest stop.
5,397 ft
Logan Pass
Logan Pass visitor center area. Alpine terrain opens up in all directions.
6,647 ft
Route Details
Distance
12.0 mi
Elevation Gain
3,501 ft
Elevation Loss
3,501 ft
Max Elevation
6,647 ft
Estimated Days
1
Trailhead
Lake McDonald Lodge
Best Season
Best January through April. Road corridor provides approach but adds distance.
About This Route
Glacier National Park transforms into a backcountry skiing paradise in winter, with Going-to-the-Sun Road providing a groomed approach corridor to spectacular alpine terrain. The route follows the road to Logan Pass before branching into the surrounding peaks. The area around Logan Pass offers rolling alpine terrain with options for all skill levels. Moderate tours explore the Oberlin Meadows area, while advanced skiers can access steeper terrain on the flanks of Mt. Oberlin and Clements Mountain. The snowpack is generally deep and the terrain is dramatic. Winter access requires skiing or snowshoeing the closed highway, which adds significant distance but rewards with utter solitude. Check with the Flathead Avalanche Center for current conditions. The park requires no additional permits for day touring.
Plan This Route
Get a personalized conditions briefing with detailed analysis for your trip dates.
Plan This Route