Trail Run⚠ Needs verification
♥ FeaturedWhitefish Trail Challenge & Trail Blazer
Annual Trail Challenge + Trail Blazer races (summer)
📍 The Whitefish Trail
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesSummer
New here? Start with these.
Just moved to the Flathead Valley, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
MTB⚠ Needs verification
♥ FeaturedFree Skills Clinics
Free skills clinics (seasonal)
📍 Local trails
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Nordic⚠ Needs verification
♥ FeaturedGroomed Nordic & Community
Daily-groomed trails (Whitefish Lake GC 12k + Big Mountain 26k)
📍 Glacier Nordic Center & Big Mountain, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesWinter
Road Run⚠ Needs verification
Run Club
Community group runs — see schedule
📍 Columbia Falls / Kalispell area
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Road Run⚠ Needs verification
Shop Runs & Race Series
Group runs + local race calendar (5K–marathon)
📍 Downtown Kalispell
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost varies
Trail Run⚠ Needs verification
FTBT Trail Marathon & Events
Trail marathon + community trail events (summer)
📍 Herron Park / Foys to Blacktail trails
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesSummer
MTB⚠ Needs verification
Trail Building & Dig Days
Volunteer trail-building days (summer)
📍 Spencer & local trails
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Cycling⚠ Needs verification
Shop Group Rides
Seasonal road & gravel shop rides
📍 Glacier Cyclery, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
Climbing⚠ Needs verification
Community Climbs & Clinics
Intro clinics, community nights & bouldering (indoor)
📍 Rockfish Climbing & Fitness, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost varies
Indoor — a reliable winter option.
Climbing⚠ Needs verification
Bouldering Leagues & Comps
Seasonal bouldering leagues & competitions
📍 Rockfish Climbing & Fitness, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesWinter
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Trail Stewardship & Guided Hikes
Volunteer trail days + guided hikes on the Whitefish Trail
📍 The Whitefish Trail (47 mi)
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFreeSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Volunteer Trail Days
Trail building & maintenance (Herron Park area)
📍 Foys to Blacktail / Herron Park
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Guided Outings & Stewardship
Guided outings + volunteer stewardship on protected lands
📍 Owen Sowerwine & area preserves
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFreeSummer
Nordic⚠ Needs verification
Lessons & Programs
Winter youth & adult lessons and programs
📍 Glacier Nordic Center, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidWinter
Backcountry⚠ Needs verification
Forecasts & Awareness
Winter avalanche forecasts + awareness education
📍 Flathead & Glacier-area backcountry
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeWinter
Know before you go — check the forecast before backcountry travel.
Backcountry⚠ Needs verification
Awareness Talks & Field Courses
Free awareness talks + intro field courses (winter)
📍 Flathead Valley
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesWinter
Paddling⚠ Needs verification
Kayak & SUP Rentals & Tours
Kayak & SUP rentals + tours (summer)
📍 Flathead Lake & Swan River, Bigfork
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidSummer
Paddling⚠ Needs verification
Learn-to-Paddle Programs
Kayak lessons & programs for all ages (summer)
📍 Flathead River & Whitefish Lake
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidSummer
Paddling⚠ Needs verification
Guided Kayak & SUP Tours
Guided tours (incl. Wild Horse Island), summer
📍 Flathead & Whitefish lakes
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidSummer
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification
Chapter Meetings & Fin Fest
Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited
Chapter meetings + family Fin Fest (Snappy’s)
📍 Kalispell
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Native-trout conservation + a welcoming on-ramp to local fly fishing.
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification
Conservation & Volunteer Days
Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited
Native-trout restoration & volunteer days
📍 Flathead-area rivers
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification
Casting & Fly-Tying Classes
Casting & fly-tying classes (off-season)
📍 Lakestream Fly Shop, Whitefish
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost varies
Birding⚠ Needs verification
Guided Field Trips
About 25 guided bird field trips a year
📍 West Valley, Owen Sowerwine & area hotspots
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Birding⚠ Needs verification
Bird-ID Classes & Programs
Bird-ID classes + monthly programs
📍 Kalispell
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree