Powder awaits skiers in Whitefish

The Daily Inter Lake

There will be plenty of powder today as Big Mountain Resort gets going for the season.

Seven inches of snow fell Thursday, providing a 37-inch settled base at the summit and 16 inches in the village area. Today is a "shake-down" day for local skiers and snowboarders, with the official opening on Saturday.

Twenty of 93 named runs will open today, including:

Chair 1 - Glacier Chaser high-speed quad from the village; Russ' Street (intermediate), Moe-Mentum (intermediate), North Bowl Face (expert) and Over the Hill Gang (advanced).

Chair 7 - Big Creek Express, high-speed quad on the north face; 13 named runs that include five intermediate runs, one beginner run (with access via an intermediate run) and seven expert/advanced runs.

T-Bar 2 - Big Foot T-Bar; three named intermediate runs.

Big Mountain Ski Patrol will do control work in other areas and open them as conditions warrant, spokesman Brian Schott said.

There will be no beginner terrain access today. The Snowsports School will offer private lessons with advanced notice.

For parking today, no lots will be open below the Dogwood lot.

On Saturday, the resort anticipates opening Chair 6 (village lift) and the beginner-lever Chipmunk Run. With the opening of Chair 6, lower parking lots will open.

The new day lodge should open by Dec. 18 with limited services that include lockers and restrooms, rentals and retail sales. Limited food and beverage operations open Dec. 22.

Ticket prices until additional terrain opens are $36 for adults, $28 for juniors or $12 for beginners on Chair 6. No half-day ticket rates are available.