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Two cross-country skiers that were lost and stranded overnight in Glacier National Park have been rescued.

The two skiers were rescued by officials from Glacier National Park, Flathead County Search and Rescue Mountain Rescue Team, and Kalispell Regional Medical Center's A.L.E.R.T. Air Ambulance.

The two people were stranded overnight in the North Fork area of the park.

A married couple from Kalispell, a 46 year old man and 39 year old woman, sent a 911 message using a spot messenger device when they became lost and stranded in the park.

Flathead County Dispatch received the message at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday night; the message originated from a remote location approximately one mile north of the Akokala Creek Trail in the North Fork area of park, approximately six miles north of Polebridge.

Park rangers were immediately notified and an incident team was organized. Due to bad weather, downed trees, difficult trail conditions, darkness and overall unsafe conditions for ground or aerial searches, it was determined that a response would need to take place early Sunday morning.

On Sunday morning park rangers and members of the county's rescue team set out to find the couple via snowshoes and cross-country skis.

As weather conditions allowed, A.L.E.R.T. flew the area and were able to identify tracks. The helicopter landed briefly and dispatched two crew members on the ground.

The crew members reached the couple after hiking about one half mile and treated them on the scene. The helicopter then returned as weather cleared and retrieved the couple.

They were transported to a landing area near the Polebridge Mercantile where park rangers met them and transported them to the Polebridge Ranger Station.

The couple returned home via their own vehicle at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Officials caution that people recreating outdoors should be prepared with appropriate equipment, clothing and skills, and communicate to someone about where you plan to go and when you plan to return.