Ski Education for Adults
Naturalist on Skis
A winter adventure for curious skiers and lifelong learners. Come explore the forests at Crosscut and deepen your connection to place through our guided Naturalist on Skis sessions this winter! These sessions aim to connect our community with nature as participants learn to navigate the winter woods as a naturalist, reading the landscape and identifying the life that makes these lands so special.
We can accommodate intermediate to advanced skiers, some experience on cross-country skis is required. No prior naturalist knowledge is necessary or expected! These classes will all be at a slow pace, but participants should be comfortable skiing over variable terrain (groomed trails and off trail in the powder).
Classic skis are required for these sessions because the group may travel on the Narrow Gauge trails and off trail through powder. Ski rental packages are available.
Where: Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Who: Participants 16 years of age and older. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Dates: Saturday, March 7th
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $20 for participants with their own skis; $30 for participants who need a rental package (includes skis, boots, & poles)
What’s included: Light ski instruction and naturalist education from experienced instructors in the Bozeman community.
Winter 2026 Dates & Descriptions
March 7th: Winter Plants of the Bridgers with Dr. Matt Lavin
In this session, participants will have an opportunity to get acquainted with the plant species that surround Crosscut’s trails in the wintertime. In addition to basic plant identification, participants will learn more about the plant diversity and ecology of the common tree, shrub, and other plant species that are visible during the winter at Crosscut.
Matt is a retired professor from the Plant Sciences Department at Montana State University, where he researched and taught many facets of plant diversity and ecology for over 35 years. Matt's research emphasis has been on the sagebrush steppe in western North America and other highly seasonal environments such as seasonally dry neotropical woodlands and forests. Matt continues his education efforts through the Montana Native Plant Society and by posting plant photos to Flickr and as iNaturalist occurrence records.