Snowmobile area reopened

The Daily Inter Lake

The Fiberglass Hill and Flower Point areas of the Canyon Creek drainage have been reopened, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman said Friday.

The more than 20-mile system of groomed trails, one branch of which runs between the North Fork Road and summit of Big Mountain, is a popular recreation area for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.

The area was closed due to safety issues and the continuing search efforts after a massive avalanche Sunday that killed two skiers and is reported to have trapped two more. The search for the two additional skiers was suspended Wednesday by the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

The avalanche danger for elevations between 5,500 and 7,500 feet is rated as considerable, especially on wind-loaded terrain. The avalanche danger for elevations below 5,500 feet is moderate, according to a risk analysis by the Glacier Country Avalanche Center.