Glacier Outdoor Center Blog

Legendary outfitter and packer Smoke Elser is returning to Glacier Outdoor Center to share his backcountry expertise. Sign up now for the two-day hands-on packing course set for May 14th and 15th. Whether you want to get started in packing or honing specific skills, this course is for you.

Details:

• What: Smoke Elser’s Wilderness Outfitting and Packing Course

• When: May 14-15 2011 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Where: Glacier Outdoor Center, West Glacier

• Cost: $200 for the two-day course; includes lunch both days (does not include 7% service fee)

The primary topics will include general horse handling, packing, minimum impact horse use and camping techniques. Participants will receive an introduction to safe handling of horses and mules, main injury points, riding equipment, picketing, hobbling, emergency shoeing and basic backcountry horse care. The course also teaches cargoing, loading, stringing of stock and light on the land travel techniques.

Smoke has spent more than five decades as an outfitter in the famed Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. As an educator, mentor and wilderness steward, he built relationships between Forest Service officials and outfitters across the nation by finding common ground in wilderness protection.

Space is limited to 20 students! To register or for more information, please contact Glacier Outdoor Center at 406-888-5454 or info@glacierraftco.com

Who wants a new used boat? I do! Who wants to sell the boat that is taking up too much space in the garage? I DO! I DO!

Head to the Glacier Outdoor Center Boat Swap and Tent Sale May 14th and 15th. Saturday’s hours are from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday’s are 10:00am to 3:00pm.  We’re giving our river rat friends the chance to sell their rafts, kayaks and inflatables.

Show you the money! In exchange for this awesome chance to buy and sell boats, if your boat is purchased we will reward the sale amount of your boat with either 85% of the sale price in cash or 100% in store credit. Some cash probably sounds great, BUT we’ll have in-store sales on boating accessories and apparel in case you opt for the store credit option. Come with an old boat and leave with some new toys.

Boat Swap Details
- Drop off your boat between May 11-13, no later than 5:00pm
- Unsold boats need to be picked up on the afternoon of Sunday, May 15th
- Paddles, frames and accessories can only be sold as part of a package deal with your boat–not separately
- You don’t need to be present for your boat to sell
- Call or e-mail with questions (406)888-5454 or info@glacierraftco.com

PLUS, we will be having a Tent Sale with store-wide bargains on hats, t-shirts, winter gear and even housewares.  (“Housewares” means cool stuff from inside our cabins, since we’re upgrading appliances, televisions, etc.)

AND, check out the Glacier Raft and Outdoor Center website Friday evening for a list of swapable boats at glacierraftco.com/outdoorstore/usedgear

Young skiers will gather in West Glacier for the regional Nordic competition.

The Glacier Outdoor Center and Glacier Nordic Ski Club are teaming for a second straight year to host “The Race at Glacier” during the 2011 Western States Youth Ski Festival. The race will bring more than 150 Nordic racers, ages 6-15, from all across the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Region to compete in this two-day event.

When: Saturday, Feb. 26^th 9:30am-2:30pm Sunday, Feb. 27^th 9:30am-12:00pm

Where: Glacier Outdoor Center, 12400 Hwy 2 East, West Glacier, MT 59936

Who: 150+ Youth Nordic Racers from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Washington and Canada

What: Skate, Classic, Obstacle and Downhill Nordic race events

Concessions and luxury cabin accommodations are available at Glacier Outdoor Center and spectators are welcome. Volunteers are needed for timing, course maintenance and food concession.  Cameron Blake is the volunteer coordinator and can be reached at blakegray@centurytel.net.

We’ve got a bad case of corduroy… and it’s spreading!

Marc Evans, Glacier Outdoor Center’s (GOC) Head Groomer, Nordic Ski Patroler and Backcountry Guide was the first to alert us to the growing swaths of corduroy spreading through the woods near West Glacier.  “It seems that Glacier Outdoor Center is the epicenter of the outbreak,” says Evans.  “We started with 10 kilometers of groomed trail, but that number seems to be growing daily.”

According to several eye witnesses, the snow-covered hills surrounding GOC seem to be enveloped in meticulously manicured Nordic ski trails.    There is considerable speculation about what’s causing the growing expanse of skiable terrain, but few concrete facts illuminating its origin.  Some claim it’s a side effect of this winter’s La Niña weather pattern, while others think aliens might be at work.  “The grooming is just so smooth and symmetrical… like crop circles in winter.  It has to be aliens,” says Kali Tholen, GOC’s Reservation Manager.

“I think it’s because of the race,” said GOC Retail Manager, Karsten Carlson.  “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’ve got a bunch of phenomenal skiers arriving next month and our trails keep growing every day.  I mean look at the Arena.  That place was thigh deep powder just days ago and now it looks ready for international competition.”  The Race that Carlson alludes to is the The Race at Glacier /Western States Ski Festival, a huge regional Nordic race happening here on February 26th and 27th and consisting of the best young winter athletes in the West.   The Arena, as Carlson calls it, is an oval-shaped expanse of snow beyond GOC, looks to have been prepped specifically for some type of competition. Coincidence?

So, what is causing this pandemic of perfect trails?  Is it weather?  Aliens? Or just a grooming crew suffering from mild OCD?  We may never know.  But for now I recommend you make a pilgrimage to Glacier Outdoor Center and see for yourself.

It’s time once again for Glacier Outdoor Center’s annual Cutthroat Sale. Starting today, July 28th, and going through the beginning of August, we’ll be cutting prices on items throughout the store. You’ll be able to find all kinds of summer essentials at ridiculously low prices. Check out just a sampling of our sale items below and stop by the Glacier Outdoor Center at 12400 HWY 2 E to check them out for yourself! See you soon!

Darn Tough Merino wool Micro Crew Socks

Regular $17.00 Cutthroat Sale Buy 2 pairs get 1 FREE

30% off Drysuits

NRS Inversion Kayak Drysuit

Regular $694.95 Cutthroat Price $486.47

20% off all dry bags and boxes

Witz Sportcase 8 inch by 5 inch

Regular $17.95 Cutthroat Price $14.36

20% off all kayak and canoe paddles

Werner Player Paddle

Regular $305.00 Cutthroat price $244.00

20% off all PFDs

Stohlquist Women’s Kitty PFD

Regular $109 Cutthroat Price $87.20

Here at GOC we’re excited to announce that Smoke Elser, the legendary outfitter and packer, will be hosting a two-day outfitting and packing course on May 1st and 2nd.  It’s a two-day hands-on course designed for novice packers with no experience necessary.
World-famous Smoke Elser has spent more than five decades as an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. As an educator, mentor and wilderness steward, he built relationships between Forest Service officials and outfitters across the nation by finding common ground in protecting wildlands. Elser is one of the founding fathers of the concept and practice of minimum impact packing.
The main topics include general horse handling, packing, minimum impact horse use and camping techniques. Participants will receive an introduction to safe handling of horses and mules, main injury points, riding equipment, picketing, hobbling, emergency shoeing, and basic backcountry horse care. The course also teaches cargoing, loading, stringing of stock and light on the land travel techniques
•    What: Smoke Elser led Wilderness Outfitting and Packing Course
•    When: May 1st and May 2nd 2010 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
•   Where: Ridgetop Retreat Conference Center at Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier
•    Cost: $175 for the two-day course; includes lunch both days
Class space is limited to 20 students. To register or for more information, contact Glacier Outdoor  Center at 406-888-5454 or grc@glacierraftco.com

Glacier Outdoor Center Hosts The Race at Glacier for the 2010 Western States Youth Ski Festival
Young skiers are set to gather in West Glacier to compete in Nordic events

For the first time ever, Glacier Outdoor Center and Glacier Nordic Ski Club are teaming up to host “The Race at Glacier” for the 2010 Western States Youth Ski Festival. The race, which was previously held in Sun Valley, Idaho,  will bring more than 150 Nordic racers, ages 6-15, from all across the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Region to compete in this two-day event.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 27th  9:30am-2:30pm Sunday, Feb. 28th 9:30am-12:00pm
• Where: Glacier Outdoor Center, 12400 Hwy 2 East, West Glacier, MT 59936
• Who: 150+ Youth Nordic Racers from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Washington and Canada
• What: Skate, Classic, Obstacle and Downhill Nordic race events

The registration deadline is Monday, February 22nd.  Forms are available by emailing Linda Grady at skiranch@centurytel.net.  The entry fee for youth racers is $50 for all four events and includes the Saturday banquet, Sunday lunch and an event hat. Adults also have the opportunity to compete in the 7K Masters’ Race held on Saturday after the junior competitions.  The entry fee is $15 and registration will take place on-site.

Concessions and luxury cabin accommodations are available at Glacier Outdoor Center and spectators are welcome. Volunteers are needed for timing, course maintenance and food concession.  Cameron Blake is the volunteer coordinator and can be reached at blakegray@centurytel.net.

While we’re deep in the middle of winter here at Glacier Outdoor Center by spending our time skiing and snowshoeing and generally having fun in snow, we’ve always got summertime in the back of our minds.

Ahh… summertime – those three (four if we’re lucky) blessed months of sun and fun.

Just last week, the National Park Service statistics office said that more than 2-million people visited Glacier National Park in 2009. That’s huge! It’s a 12.4% increase over 2008. According to an article in the Daily Inter Lake, GNP has more visitors at every entrance compared to 2008, but with substantial increases of 29% at Many Glacier and 10% at West Glacier.

With GOC in West Glacier, of course we’re proud to claim responsibility for at least part of that 10%! All summer long, we’re busy guiding raft and fly fishing trips down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. And the gear shop and cabins at Glacier Outdoor Center offer a great lodging option for vacationers visiting the park.

This summer, we’re excited that Glacier National Park will be celebrating its 100 Birthday. Check out all the fun stuff the park has planned during its Centennial Summer.

April 22, 2010-Glacier Centennial Green Business Activities-Flathead Valley, MT

April 22, 2010-Glacier National Park Birthday and Program Miracle of America Museum, Polson, MT

April 23-24- Glacier Symposium at Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell, MT

April 30 and May 1, 2010-Death by Chocolate Glacier Park Murder Mystery at Conrad Mansion, Kalispell, MT

May 11, 2010- Glacier National Park 100th Anniversary Rededication at GNP Community Building, West Glacier, MT

May 13, 2010-Glacier Centennial Film Festival at Whitefish Mountain Mall Theater, Whitefish, MT

May 21, 2010- Spring for Glacier (Centennial Art is Auctioned) at Belton Chalet & Lake McDonald Lodge in West Glacier and Glacier National Park, MT

May 24 and 25, 2010-Flathead HS Choir Presents: GNP Centennial Concert Flathead HS, Kalispell, MT

June 10, 2010-Glacier Centennial Film Festival at Columbia Falls High School, Columbia Falls, MT

June 22-24, 2010 and June 26 Glacier Centennial and Glacier National Park Plein Air Paint Out at Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, MT (unveiling)

June 25, 2010- Centennial Poetry Reading at the Belton Chalet, West Glacier, MT

June 26-29, 2010-Western Governor’s Association Conference in Whitefish and Glacier National Park, MT

June 27, 2010-Belton Chalet Centennial Birthday Party in West Glacier, MT

July 8, 2010-Glacier Centennial Film Festival at Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park, MT Glacier

July 10, 2010 Centennial Symphony at Rebecca Farm Kalispell, MT

July 20-26, 2010-Glacier Mountaineering Society Centennial Summit in Glacier National Park, MT

July 22-25, 2010-Centennial Heritage Days in Columbia Falls, MT

July 24, 2010-Joe Cosley Collection Unveiling in Columbia Falls, MT

July 29-August 1, 2010-Many Glacier Employee Reunion at Many Glacier in Glacier National Park, MT

July 30, August 2-3, 2010-Centennial Roadshow Hootenanny Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier Park Lodge & Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, MT

August 11-16, and 18-23, 2010-Glacier Grand Heritage Tours, Glacier National Park, MT

August 12, 2010-Glacier Centennial Film Festival at St. Mary Visitor Center, Glacier National Park, MT

August 13-15, 2010-Centennial Huckleberry Days Whitefish, MT

August 20-22, 2010-Glacier National Park Trail Crew Rendezvous in Glacier National Park, MT

August 22, 2010-Annual National Park Service Employee & Alumni Picnic in Glacier National Park, MT

September 5, 2010-Belton Centennial Employee Reunion

More details of what’s in store for 2010 can be found at: www.glaciercentennial.org. We are looking forward to a great year and hope to see you at some of the festivities!

Everyone check out our new calendar of events. You can find this in our blog under calendar of events! Here’s the link: http://blog.glacierraftco.com/category/calendar-of-events/