Basin closing for grizzly bears Sunday

On Sunday, the entire Hellroaring Basin drainage at Big Mountain Resort, including all associated trails and the Hellroaring chairlift (Chair 11), will close for the remainder of the ski and snowboard season.

This closure occurs each spring to provide security areas for emerging grizzly bears in the vicinity of the ski area.

Public cooperation with all closures is appreciated by Flathead National Forest and Big Mountain.

The boundary will be marked with black stringline and/or closure signs. Big Mountain's Ski Patrol and the Flathead National Forest will work together to observe the perimeter of the area. Willful violations of the closure will result in a loss of lift privileges at the mountain and the Forest Service may issue citations.

Sunday also brings changes for snowmobilers.

Snowmobilers will be allowed to reach the summit of Big Mountain and the Summit House by the Canyon Creek and Werner Peak trails only. The Taylor Creek snowmobile trail closes Sunday.

Snowmobilers are restricted to the Canyon Creek and Werner Peak groomed snowmobile trail system from April 1-15.

Riding in the play areas off the groomed trail is prohibited after Saturday. Trail No. 3 (from the Flathead Groomed Snowmobile Trail Map) to the Summit House will not be accessible to snowmobiles once Big Mountain closes on April 8.

For questions about the Hellroaring closure, call the Tally Lake Ranger District at 863-5400. For questions about the snowmobile closure, call the Hungry Horse Ranger District at 387-3800.