Need some advise on trails/areas

[Ryzo]

My family (me, husband 12 & 13 year old kids) are renting a cabin near Columbia Falls December 19 to January 2nd. We are just getting into snowmobiling (to be honest, this will be our first time out). We are all taking the Avalanche course this coming weekend and we will be equipped with all the gear. That being said I want to stay clear of avalanche areas. I am a little nervous. I would love some advise on areas with groomed trails that would be out of avalanche danger. My husband would be interested in playing in the powder so a nice area just off the trail for him would be great. We have a trailer for the 3 sleds and don't mind traveling a reasonable distance from where we are staying. I am trying to research the areas around us but maybe someone can offer suggestions. Thank you

 

[Summit 934]

I rode out of Olney, between Eureka and Whitefish, a couple years ago. The village is on the west side of the highway, staging area is on the east side. A few locals we met with on the trail informed us there is about 120 miles of groomed trails from that area and runs down to the mountain top lodge at the ski hill at Whitefish, also lots of off trail riding. You should be able to access that from the ski hill end which would be closer to you at CF but check with some locals...sled club, dealers, etc. I drove home Fri night from Kalispell in a blizzard, looks like some good snow there this year.

 

[Puckaneer19]

There is closer access to the trail system near CF that you may want to consider. I believe it is called 'China Basin' (verify that) and it will get you onto the south end of the groomed trails and near Big Mountain.
The snow over there should be better as well. Also,you will need a non-resident trail pass. They are priced at $25 sled for the entire year. I buy ours in Eureka a the Northwest Sports store. Not sure were they are offered CF. The pass is to aid in the cost of grooming and it is a real bargin. Enjoy the trails, they are beautiful.

 

[RXN]

I know this is like a 6 hour drive from calgary. But there's no mountains. Whitecourt has lots of good trails. And some decent hotels.

Another good spot for lots of trails is west Yellowstone. Idaho and Montana.

 

[RXN]

Sorry didn't fully read your post on the area you were looking into.
The spots I mentioned would be good other family trips to do.

 

[Big Diesel]

Canyon creek staging area is north of C Falls

 

[retiredpop]

If you are close to Columbia Falls the closest staging area would be Canyon Creek. On the PDF for that area Area Trails & Info - Flathead Snowmobile Association the town of Columbia Falls is in the lower right corner. Turn north at the lights on the east side of town and go a couple of blocks to the railroad tracks. Turn right and follow the North Fork road (SR 486). You will see a sign on that road a few miles up indicating the snowmobile staging area on the left. There is a huge parking area up there. You cross some avalanche areas on the trail system but there are signs identifying them and they are short distance. Trails are well marked at major intersections. It's a safe area if you use common sense. Slides do occur in places after heavy snowfalls or warm weather. Don't be surprised to see some skiers on the groomed trail system behind the ski hill. Some will ask for a tow. Friendly bunch toward sledders down there as a lot of them do both sports. You can get trail maps at the NiteOwl restaurant in Columbia Falls and also at the sled dealers. I think there may be some at the staging area as well but not positive. On the link above you can download the list of vendors who sell the trail pass. We usually buy them in Eureka as mentioned previously at Northwest Sports.