Snowmobile safety education course set for this weekend

The Helena Snowdrifters snowmobile club will host a free snowmobile safety education course this Saturday and Sunday for children 10 and older.

For completing the course, children will earn a certificate allowing them to travel on approved roads when accompanied by an adult in West Yellowstone, Lincoln and other places.

The indoor portion of the class will be Saturday in the Montana Association of Counties building, 2715 Skyway Drive near the airport, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The outdoor driving portion will be Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at Outdoor Motor Sports, 3654 Highway 12 East.

Proper clothing, including a helmet, winter coat, bibs, gloves, hat and boots, are required for the outdoor portion.

A person must attend a Montana-approved snowmobile safety education course to obtain a snowmobile operator's safety certificate.

To register or for more information, call Jack Darrah at 458-7013.

Christmas bird count set for Sunday

Last Chance Audubon Society is holding its annual Christmas bird count this Sunday, Dec. 14.

For more information, call Cedron Jones at 442-1271.

Memorial Park ice rink holiday schedule set

The holiday schedule for Helena's Memorial Park ice skating rink has been released. The schedule is dependent on the weather.

There is a charge of $1 for children 6-17 and $1.50 for adults when the Warming House is open. Fees cover use of the Warming House while skates are free for use by the public.

There are also unattended rinks at Lincoln Park, Lockey Park, Barney Park and Cunningham Park.

Memorial Park rink schedule

Friday, Dec. 19: 4-8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 23: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 24: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas Day: Closed

Friday, Dec. 26: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 27: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 28: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 29: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan 1: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday, Jan 2: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan 3: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan 4: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.

The schedule for after the holidays is, weather permitting:

Fridays: 4-8 p.m.

Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.

FWP closes hunting, trapping districts

The hunting of female mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 390, 391 and 392, which includes portions of Broadwater, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark and Meagher counties was closed after sunset on Tuesday.

The hunting of all mountain lions in southwestern Montana hunting districts 370 and 380, which include portions of Broadwater, Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties, will close at one-half hour after sunset today.

The season for taking wolverine in Wolverine Management Unit 2 referred to as the Central Core in far southwestern Montana closed at midnight Monday.

Helena Outdoor Club slates winter activities

The Helena Outdoor has a number of winter activities planned in the coming weeks.

The club will celebrate the winter solstice at the Kading Cabin on the Little Blackfoot River Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21.

Participants can ski, snowshoe or hike in the vicinity or just join members for the day.

For more information, call MaryAlice at 495-8787 or JoAnne at 449-7971.

Other planned events include:

Wednesday, Jan. 1: A New Year snowshoe hikefollowed by a soak at the Spa Hot Springs Motel in White Sulphur Springs. Call Becky for details, 449-2041.

Jan. 17-19: Martin Luther King Weekend trip to Elkhorn Hot Springs Lodge. There will be cross country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, food, games and soaking in the springs. Cost is $66 per person for two nights lodging, breakfasts and dinners. Call Jan or Tim, 442-1619.

Thursdays: Skiing at Bill Roberts at 5:30 p.m. If there is snow in town, club skiers will offer instructional tips and hot chocolate on the lighted golf course trails. Call Rick Hunter at 443-8518 with questions.

Tuesday hikes: Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Bill Roberts Golf Course Parking lot, 2201 N. Benton Ave. Call Jo Anne for more information 449-7971. Bring flashlight or headlamps and if icy, bring Yak Trax or ice cleats.

For more information, visit the club's Web site, www.helenaoutdoorclub.org.