Ski area delays opener

The Daily Inter Lake

Big Mountain has postponed its planned Thanksgiving Day opening.

Skimpy snow cover and recent warm weather have forced the Whitefish resort to delay the first day of the ski season.

If storms expected this week deliver enough new snow, however, it's possible Big Mountain may open on Saturday.

Resort spokesman Brian Schott said Tuesday that the mountain had an 8-inch settled base at the summit with 12 to 15 inches of snow on the back side.

"We need a 6-inch storm to get the back open," Schott said, "but we're tracking some forecasts that look pretty good right now."

The National Weather Service issued a heavy snow warning Tuesday afternoon for elevations above 4,000 feet, predicting 6 to 10 inches of snow in some areas of Northwest Montana. More snow is forecast tonight.

Resort officials will monitor the snowfall and decide Thursday morning whether part of the mountain can open Saturday. The Big Mountain snow phone (862-SNOW) and Web site (www.bigmtn.com) will be updated Thursday once a decision is made on whether to open the resort.

Recent warm weather interfered with snow-making efforts on Big Mountain.

"In early November we were making snow around the clock, but the warm spell came in and shut us down," Schott said.

As soon as temperatures drop sufficiently, the resort will resume making snow.

One Big Mountain tradition will go on as scheduled on Saturday: the 34th annual Pray for Snow party at the Bierstube.

Festivities and the lighting of the bonfire start at 7 p.m. There also will be live music. The SNOW bus will provide free rides between Whitefish and Big Mountain.