Where to ride

With all of the excellent snowmobiling around the Flathead Valley, it's hard to put your finger on the best places to go.

Whether you're after high-banked fun and playing, family touring or mountain scenery, following are some of the Flathead Snowmobiling Association's "insiders' tips" on some of the best places to play.

Best mountain views

For this, the ride would have to be the Stryker Ridge/Werner Peak overlook areas in the Whitefish Range.

Of course you can't forget about the summit of Big Mountain.

Then again, there's Desert Mountain in the South Fork of the Flathead, which offers great views

into Glacier Park and Hungry Horse Reservoir.

All of these destinations are accessible from groomed trails.

Best family ride

Some of the best family riding takes place on the Seeley Lake area trail system. In the Seeley Lake area, these trails would include trips to Marshall Lake and Jocko Lake, or a jaunt on the east side of the highway to McDonald Falls.

Since Seeley is in Missoula County, snowmobiles are allowed on plowed county roads, Zundel said, which makes for good touring and connections on the backroads. It's a great place to take the family.

The Flathead Snowmobile Association grooms 220 miles of trails, while Seeley has about 200 miles within its system. Libby and Eureka each have about 50 miles of groomed trails.

Best backcountry play area

The South Fork on the west side of Hungry Horse reservoir features ample running room and sidewalls to play on. Due to logging activities, this area is open only on weekends.

Best all around

For the best all-around trip that includes hill climbing, playing and family touring, Kimmerly Basin, off the Canyon Creek Road in the North Fork of the Flathead, is the obvious choice. Red Meadow Lake on the Olney trail system has plenty of clearcuts that provide play areas, all which are off of groomed trails.