By TANDY KHAMENEH of the Missoulian

Skiing is a must-do item on the wintertime itinerary of many in western Montana, and communities throughout the area provide a variety of carnivals, races and exhibitions that cater to the downhill crowd. MICHAEL GALLACHER/Missoulian

Winter in western Montana brings a snowy backdrop for outdoor fun. Here, with help from the folks at Travel Montana, is a guide to a few of the events planned for the months to come – snowmobile runs, winter carnivals, torchlight parades and ski contests.

DECEMBER
10 – Whitefish Christmas Stroll, downtown Whitefish, horse-drawn wagon rides, music, food, crafts, (406) 862-3501.
10-12 – Christmas Comes to Libby and Festival of Trees, Mineral Avenue, Libby, live Christmas scenes, festival of trees, carolers, horse-drawn wagons, (406) 293-4167.
11-12 – Christmas Train Excursion, Thompson Falls, day round trip from Sandpoint, Idaho, to Thompson Falls, (406) 265-8618.
11 – Yule Night on Broadway, Philipsburg, (406) 859-3388.
17-19 – Winter Gun Show, Hamilton, (406) 256-2424.
19 – Christmas Tea, 1-4 p.m., Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton, 363-3338.
20-25 – Christmas for the Critters, West Yellowstone, celebrate the holidays at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, (406) 646-7001.
24 – Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade with Santa, Big Mountain, Whitefish, (406) 862-2900.
28 – Whitefish Theater Company’s “Odyssey West,” a Lewis and Clark themed performance by Rob Quist and Jack Gladstone, Whitefish, (406) 862-5371.
31 – Charlie Russell Chew-Choo New Year’s Eve Train, hors d’oeuvres and music, Lewistown, (406) 538-8721.
31-Jan 1 – First Night Flathead, Kalispell, alcohol-free celebration features a variety of entertainment, (406) 881-4088.
31 – New Year’s Eve Free Skate, Community Pavilion, 725 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish, (406) 863-2477.
31 – First Night Missoula, alcohol-free celebration of the arts, downtown Missoula, 549-4755.

JANUARY

Jumping into Flathead Lake in January isn’t everyones idea of a good time, but for a few hearty souls it’s turning into a traditional way to ring in the new year. The annual Polar Bear Plunge happens on Jan. 1 and takes place in Woods Bay near Bigfork. TIM THOMPSON/Missoulian

1 – Polar Bear Plunge, Bigfork, brave souls dip into the waters of Flathead Lake; parade 1:45 p.m. with the plunge following at Raven Brew Pub and Grill, Woods Bay, (406) 837-2836.
1 – New Year Snowmobile Poker Run, Lincoln, (406) 362-4335.
1 – Christmas Bird Count, West Yellowstone, (406) 646-7001.
8-9 – Annual Ski Fest, Essex, (406) 888-5700.
14-16 – Seeley-Lincoln 100/200 Dog Sled Race, Seeley Lake, (406) 754-0053.
14-16 – Montana PRCA Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals, Great Falls, (406) 727-8900.
20 – Ninepipes Museum Black Tie Benefit Dinner, Charlo, silent auction, museum tour, entertainment, (406) 644-3435.
21-30 – Seeley Lake Area Winterfest, Seeley Lake, night parade, snow sculpture competition, arts and crafts fair, dessertfest, fireworks, (406) 677-2880.
22 – Moonlight Snowmobile Poker Run, Lincoln, (406) 362-4335.
26-30 – Montana Winter Fair, Lewistown, livestock show, horse show, bull expo, (406) 538-8841.
29 – Micro Brew Review and Cool Dog Ball, Helena Civic Center, more than 300 beers available in this kickoff to the Race to the Sky, (406) 447-1535.

FEBRUARY
4-6 – Montana Hunting and Fishing Outdoor Show, Great Falls, (406) 580-3907.
4-6 – Winter Carnival, Whitefish, (406) 862-3501.
5 – 19th Annual Chocolate and Valentine Fair, Helena Civic Center, more than 60 vendors, (406) 443-5291.
4-5 – 16th Annual $1,000 Super Poker Ride, Haugan, (406) 678-4242.
5-6 – Frost Fever/Winterfest, Missoula, events include snow volleyball, softball, football, ice skating and more, 721-7275.
5-6 – Snowboard Jam, Montana Snowbowl, Missoula, events for snowboarders including giant slalom, slope style jam and monster air contest, 549-9777.
5-6 – Ice Fishing Derby, Havre, (406) 265-4383.
12 – Chocolate Festival, Anaconda, merchants give chocolate away to customers; antique quilt show and bake sale, (406) 563-2422.
12 – Ice Fishing Tournament, Glasgow, (406) 228-2222.
11-17 – Race to the Sky Sled Dog Race, 350-mile race features dozens of mushers and sled-dog teams from around the country, events take place in Helena, Lincoln, Seeley Lake, Holland Lake Lodge, White Trail Ranch, Ovando and back to Lincoln, (406) 881-3647.
12 – 14th Annual Snowmobile Poker Run, Trout Creek, snowmobile run, live auction, raffle, (406) 827-4458.
13 – Lincoln Winter Fun Days, Lincoln, family dogs encouraged to race; other events also feature dogs; cross country skiing, snowmobiles for rent, (406) 362-4313.
13 – Race to the Sky Official Start, Lincoln, (406) 362-4633.
11-13 – Montana Snowkite Rodeo, Georgetown Lake Lodge, freestyle and racing event attracts snowkiters from a variety of countries, (406) 442-8009.
18-20 – Northern Division Freestyle Competition, Montana Snowbowl, Missoula, moguls, freestyle, jumping, 549-9777.
19 – Snowmobile Pancake Breakfast, Lincoln, (406) 362-4335.
19 – Scholarship/Charity Snowmobile Poker Run, Lincoln, (406) 362-4335.
25-27 – Winter Carnival, Red Lodge, (406) 446-2610.
26 – Eagle Mount Dick Dailey Memorial Cup, Great Falls, (406) 454-1449.
26-27 – Snowbowl Cup Gelande Championship, Missoula, 549-9777.

MARCH
5-8 – Montana State Special Olympics, Whitefish, (406) 862-1948.
6-8 – Special Olympics State Winter Games, Whitefish, (406) 268-6759.
6 – Ben Ali Haggin’s Mile High Nordic Ski Race, Anaconda, (406) 782-0316.
11-13 – Montana Hunting and Fishing Outdoor Show, Kalispell, Exhibitors show hunting, fishing and camping goods and services, (406) 580-3907.
12 – Annual St. Patrick’s Race, Anaconda, three- or six-mile race, drinks and food available, (406) 563-7618.
12-13 – Big Sky’s Annual Thrash-n-Bash, Big Sky, giant slalom course, slopestyle competition, skier/boarder cross games, (406) 995-5000.
12 – Rendezvous Cross-Country Ski Race, West Yellowstone, (406) 646-7701.
13 – North Dakota Downhill, speed-and-glide contest on the North Dakota Downhill Trail, Snowbowl, Missoula, 549-9777.
16-19 – C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art and Exhibitors Show, Great Falls, (406) 761-6453.
17-20 – Great Falls Native American Art Show, Great Falls, (406) 453-9980.
17-20 – World Snowmobile Expo, West Yellowstone, (406) 646-7895.
19 – Winterfest, Big Sky, (406) 995-3000.
19-20 – Annual Snow Rodeo, Essex, (406) 888-5700.
19-20 – Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead Spring Show, Kalispell, (406) 881-4288.
24-27 – Wayne Estes Basketball Tournament, Anaconda, about 120 teams compete in five gyms, features high school boy’s and girl’s and men’s and women’s divisions, (406) 563-2400.
26-27 – Telemark Classic, Montana Snowbowl, Missoula, 549-9777.