Flathead ski resorts make up for slow start
While vehicles were slogging through the snow in the valley, skiers and snowboarders were carving up fresh powder at both Flathead ski resorts.
"It's been a wonderful day," Blacktail Mountain general manager Steve Spencer said. "We haven't had a breath of wind all day and it's been snowing all day, so it's been a gorgeous day."
At 5 a.m. Friday, the resort had received 7 inches of fresh snow. Spencer estimates they received another foot throughout the day.
Whitefish Mountain Resort likewise was reveling in the new snow.
"Today was amazing," spokesman Donnie Clapp said. "The skiing was amazing."
The resort had received about 8 inches of new snow as of 11:30 a.m. Friday, and the flakes kept falling.
"It snowed most of the morning and on and off throughout the afternoon," Clapp said. "Part of the morning it was snowing really hard, like 2 inches an hour."
As of Friday morning, Whitefish Mountain Resort had received a total of 129 inches and had a settled base of 64 inches. The mountain has received 55 inches in the last week and about 70 inches in the past eight or nine days, Clapp said.
"We got off to a bit of a slow start this year," he said. "But we are within 30 inches of last year's total snowfall at this date. Especially given this year's late start, it's really incredible."
Blacktail Mountain had a 61-inch settled base at midmountain Friday morning.
Blacktail's three plows and grader stayed busy keeping the road to the mountain clear.
"They start at 5 a.m. and don't quit until it quits snowing," Spencer said.
Several skiers told Spencer how impressed they were with the road's condition.
"If they can get down the highway, they can get down here," he said.
Big Mountain Road was also in good shape, Clapp said. The resort has a plow and a couple of excavators, and the state helps keep the road clear. It's plowed a couple of times a day, he said.
The fresh powder should attract some locals over the weekend, Spencer said. More snow is expected throughout the week.
"Keep the snow coming," Clapp said. "Whoever's bringing it, keep the snow coming."
On the 'Net: http://blacktailmountain.com
Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com