WHITEFISH, MONT. – December 6, 2016 – After a well-timed storm brought nearly two feet of snow to Whitefish Mountain Resort this week, the resort will open Wednesday, December 7 with top to bottom skiing and access to North Side terrain. Since mid-November the summit has received more than five feet of snowfall, however more snow is needed on the lower mountain to open additional runs and beginner terrain. On Opening Day the resort will have five lifts and seventeen trails open and daily ticket prices will be reduced to $62 for adults ages 19-64, $58 for teens 13-18 and seniors 65-69 and $35 for ages 7-12. Super seniors 70 & over and children 6 & under are free.
“The long-range forecasts for this winter have been very exciting and if this most recent storm is any measure of what’s ahead, it will be a season filled with excellent snow conditions and deep powder memories,” Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said. “In addition to starting the season on the heels of a big storm and more snow on the way for the weekend, our guests can enjoy Phase 2 of the Summit House remodel which added more room and better flow to the food court.”
This Wednesday the resort will open with Chair 6 at 9 a.m. which will provide access to the Lift Plaza and Chair 1 from the Base Lodge and lower parking lots. Resort officials hope to open the Chipmunk beginner run to provide access to services at the Base Lodge as well as lower mountain parking lots. If Chipmunk does not open, the resort will provide shuttles to transport guests between the Lift Plaza and Base Lodge.
Chair 1 will open at 9:30 a.m. providing access to the summit and Russ’s Street, which will be open from top to bottom. Chair 7, Flower Point and the Bigfoot T-Bar will open at 10 a.m. providing access to the North Side and additional runs in the Bigfoot T-Bar area. Guests will be permitted to download on Chair 1 with the final chair at 3:45 p.m.
Additional terrain and lifts may become available during the day and by the weekend as determined by ski patrol. Snowmaking operations will be running on Chipmunk and on other locations around the mountain which will be roped off for safety.
“We’d like to remind everyone to respect all closures and safety signage. Please ski and ride with care, within ability levels, and remember that early season conditions exist and unmarked obstacles and other natural terrain features may be encountered at any time,” said David Stephens, Whitefish Mountain Resort ski patrol manager. “It’s a long season and we want you to enjoy every day, please do not enter closed trails. Season pass holders who enter inbounds closures risk losing their pass privileges and persons leaving the resort boundary are reminded that you are on your own.”
Food & Beverage services will be 100 percent open Wednesday including the newly remodeled food court at the Summit House with food service from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Village Coffee 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally the Base Lodge Café, Base Lodge Coffee Bar, Base Lodge Bar and Ed & Mully’s will also be open with their regular hours.
The Kids Center & Daycare will be open as well as intermediate lessons at the Ski & Ride School. Learn to Ski & Ride and other beginner lessons will begin as more beginner terrain becomes available. Additional services available include the Base Lodge Rentals, Village Rentals as well as Base Lodge Traders, Snow Ghost Outfitters and Summit House Gifts.
For up-to-date information on Whitefish Mountain Resort’s snow conditions and mountain operations, including open lifts and terrain, mountain conditions, forecasts, early-season ticket prices and information on resort events, deals and packages, visit the resort website www.skiwhitefish.com.
Video footage of Monday and Tuesday’s preparations for tomorrow’s Opening Day is available at the resort’s FTP site: http://skiwhitefish.com/inbound/wmr_b-roll_120616.mp4. B-Roll includes footage of ski patrol setting boundary lines, snow making and grooming operations, chairlift and ramp prep and snow removal on Summit House deck.
