Company seeks permit to transport XC skiers

The Flathead National Forest is seeking public input on a request from Whitefish Shuttle for a temporary special-use permit that will allow the company to provide transportation services to Round Meadow Cross Country Ski Area west of Whitefish and guide cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

According to an announcement from Flathead National Forest, the permit would allow activities to occur between Dec. 23 and April 1. The authorization would be for a maximum of 200 user days on the existing trail system, with one user day being anytime a permittee brings a client onto the national forest.

While there are currently no restrictions on the hours of use for the shuttle and guide service, only one shuttle or guide will be allowed per day. The vehicles can accommodate 14 passengers plus one driver or guide.

According to Tally Lake District Ranger Bill Mulholland, “on average this could equate to approximately three to four visitors a day at Round Meadows. Currently, parking at the trailhead is limited during peak use times. Providing a livery service, where multiple forest visitors are in one vehicle, will help alleviate this issue.”

Kurt Schram, owner of Whitefish Shuttle, said this is the first year the new Whitefish Shuttle business will be trying out the cross-country service. He said it is difficult to estimate how many people will be booking these particular trips, but he believes it could be an important service to Flathead Valley visitors.

“I know there are a good number of people that come to this valley that don’t have a vehicle and are looking to go cross-country skiing, so we can hopefully provide that,” Scram said.

Mulholland added that separate from the temporary special-use permit, Whitefish Shuttle will be signing a volunteer agreement to help take care of the trails at Round Meadows by providing for both winter and summer trail maintenance.

The public only has until Dec. 22 to comment on the permit request — a time crunch Mulholland said is the byproduct of strained work capacity at the district that led to a delay in the process of the proposal. Comments may be sent via email to comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@usda.gov or by mail to 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com