b"Kids, big and little, Priest Lakes love to ride snowmobiles. Nordic Trails MotherNaturecreatedapictureperfectmarriageWith new grooming equipment and the re-opening ofearlywintersnow,spectacularsceneryandmanyof the Chipmunk Rapids trail system, Priest Lake has bright sunny days in the Priest Lake Basin. This naturala lot to offer Nordic enthusiasts. On the west side of winter paradise, coupled with the area's love affair withPriestLake,HannaFlatsandChipmunkRapidsare snowmobiles,hasproducedagroomedtrailsystemingroomed for traditional kick and glide skiers, while excess of 400-miles and a local business orientation thatthe golf course is groomed for both traditional and caters to snowmobile enthusiasts. skate skiers. The Hanna Flats and golf course trails are The groomed trail system encircles both Priest Lake andmostly level, while the Chipmunk Rapids trails offer Upper Priest Lake and affords easy access to spectacularthe intermediate skier a little more terrain along with powder pushing play areas. Snowmobile trails are mostlyspectacular views of Kaniksu Marsh, Priest River and on either state or federal forest service roads ranging inthe Selkirk Mountains. On the east side of the lake, elevation from 2,500 to over 7,000-feet. The trails traversePriest Lake State Park Indian Creek Unit is groomed for through heavy timber, windswept ridges and snow-filledkick and glide skiers. The park holds its annual Free bowls above the tree line. Ski Day the first Saturday in January.All the Priest Lake area trails have plenty of room for snowshoers. ThereisnoneedtotraileryoursledtoatrailheadPlease dont walk on the ski tracks.either. Thetrailsystemcanbeeasilyaccessedfrom the doorstep of most of the area's resorts and lodgingThetrailsystemsarepartofIdahoParksand establishments. Recreations Park N Ski program, which funds about Snowmobile rentals are readily available through the50% of the costs for maintaining and grooming the recreation equipment rental outlets.trails. The balance is made up by donations and grants to the Priest Lake Nordic Club. Do you thrill at the thought of awe inspiring panoramic views, the beauty of nature's snow castles, and the winterPark N Ski permits are available at local vendors and wonderlandofdeepforestswithtreesheavilyladencost:with great heaping mounds of snow? If any of this stirs$25 per vehicle for a full season thecocklesofyourheart,andit'ssometimebetween$7.50 for a three-day pass. November and April, you probably need to be loading the sleds and heading for Priest Lake.AgrantfromtheUSForestServicesResource Priest Lake recreational area in Bonner County is 9AAdvisoryCommittee(RAC)allowedtheclubto purchaseadditionalgroomingequipmentthispast WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT 9A?winter.TheequipmentwillenabledNordicClub Whenregisteringrecreationalvehicles,snowmobile,volunteers to pack the trails earlier in the season and four-wheeler indicate region 9A. These registration feeswiden skate ski lanes at the golf course. The club is directly support our groomed trail systems, hiking trails,always looking for volunteers. For more information, public launches by the state of Idaho. Come enjoy PriestcheckouttheNordicClubsFacebookpage.Letit Lake and surrounding areas. snow!18 Priest Lake, Idahowww.priestlake.org"