Blacktail pares back ski days

The Daily Inter Lake

Mother Nature still has the option to change things but for now, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is cutting down to weekends only.

Managers plan to keep the slopes open as long as snow conditions permit.

"Our north-facing slopes really help out on a once-in-a-lifetime year like this," general manager Steve Spencer said. "The sun and wind don't touch them."

All snowsport lesson programs will continue on the weekends as planned.

Skiers still are enjoying the snow the mountain did receive, with one inch of new snow reported by Sunday. It gives the mountain a settled base of 27 inches at mid-mountain.

Blacktail Mountain is getting ready for its early sale on season passes for the 2005-2006 winter season. Skiers can keep posted by watching the Web site www.blacktailmountain.com or calling the ticket office at 844-0999, extension 10.