Let’s just get straight to the point, shall we? Is Glacier National Park really worth a visit in the winter? I would say yes myself, but be sure and read the pros and cons below. The winter months in Glacier are quiet and incredibly beautiful. However, the winter months are also really limited in comparison to the summer. After all, there’s a reason everyone visits during July and August. And that’s because everything is open during those 2 months! But no worries, there’s plenty to do and see if you don’t mind the cold weather.
First let’s define what winter ‘means’ in Glacier National Park!
There’s a joke in Montana that winter lasts for 8 months, and this is pretty much true for Glacier. For this post, winter begins in October and runs into the beginning of July, (see photo below)! Going to the Sun Road is only open 2-3 months per year. But there are other areas to see when the main road is closed to Logan’s Pass. The above photo was taken on the 4th of July hiking into the popular Hidden Lake from Logan’s Pass. This should give you an idea of what early ‘summer’ looks like in the high country. There’s still quite a bit of snow, and you’re going to need appropriate shoes and clothing right through into summer. Going to the Sun Road often opens at the beginning of July, and the conditions can be wintery. However, there’s plenty of hiking for spring or early summer at lower elevations.
Since ‘winter’ in Glacier is most of the year, what is there to do
Safety First
Winter conditions can be dangerous for a number of reasons! It’s best to be experienced and prepared. If you don’t own the proper gear, plan on visiting the lake for photos rather than venturing into the wilderness. Check weather and avalanche forecasts. You can’t plan on following your tracks back out if it snows and you don’t want to be lost. Also, avalanche danger increases as the winter moves on, so backcountry things like snowshoeing / backcountry skiing become increasingly dangerous. We’ve never been up to the higher elevations past November. But it’s weather and experience permitting. We do know people who ski into the backcountry, but it’s very risky and you know your experience level best! Know your limits! This wilderness is always life-threatening when you aren’t prepared, but even more so in the winter. You may find suggested things to do online like ‘ski into Grinnell Glacier’ but this is a far-fetched idea, to say the least. Unless you have extensive experience and stamina along with the gear to stay alive in the backcountry for at least 2 days over 16+ miles of snowy terrain – this isn’t a realistic option. Pick options that sound like fun but stay safe!
Pros and Cons of Glacier National Park in the winter
Pro – much quieter and less crowded. Con – not much is open. Most of the trails, roads, shops, etc. are all closed. Pro – beautiful winter scenery. Con – can certainly be very cold. Temperatures range from -20ºF to 40ºF on average throughout our winters. Wind chills can cause it to be -50ºF with frostbite occurring in less than 10 minutes. Pro – the weather! If you love snow, the winter truly is magical. Although it might mean you can’t get out as much, see below. Con – the weather! It’s a plus and a minus in the winter. Sometimes it’s absolute magic and other times it’s not advisable to leave your house for more than a few minutes. This can be a real downside if you’re on vacation and can barely leave your rental car because it’s -20ºF! If you’re used to this type of weather you’ll be fine. But we see a lot of people come in during the winter that don’t even have a coat. If that’s the case, it’s not safe to be out when it’s super cold!
Best off season hikes in Glacier National Park
Most of what’s listed above is found from the west entrance to the park. Scalplock Lookout is near Essex, and Scenic Point is on the east side in Two Medicine. Be sure to check with the national park service website for current conditions.
What you need to know about Glacier in the winter
I hope you find this helpful if you’re planning a winter vacation to Glacier National Park! Definitely let me know if you have any questions below. And there’s plenty to do outside of the park as well like downhill skiing at Blacktail or Whitefish Mountain Resort. You can also rent snowmobiles at Whitefish Mountain for extra fun. And there are lots of shopping adventures and yummy eats in Whitefish and nearby Kalispell.
