Snow conditions 'phenomenal' at Blacktail
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area outside of Lakeside marks its 15th anniversary this season, hoping to build on the record skier visitation of last year.
The mountain had to wait to open a little later than last year with the season starting on Dec. 15 (five days later than the 2011 opening), but so far conditions are “phenomenal,” Blacktail co-owner and manager Steve Spencer said.
“It’s all natural snow, but it’s all north slope, so what we get, we keep,” he said.
As of Christmas Eve, the snow depth was 52 inches, with three inches having fallen overnight, and more snow expected throughout the day.
Season pass sales are up 5 percent from last year, and day skier visits are solid so far. Prices are holding steady from the past three years at $36 for an adult day pass.
The “Fifth for Free” offer, in which fifth-graders are given free passes for the year, is still in place, as is the offer that children under 7 ski for free. “Thrifty Thursdays” begin after the holidays, with $25 lift tickets on all Thursdays.
Canadians are a growing contingent on the mountain, Spencer said, even though Blacktail doesn’t make much of an advertising effort north of the border.
“This works fine with the Canadian crowds, if we get them once, we get them back,” he said. A partnership with the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies organization, which promotes Fernie, Kimberley and Nakiska, gives cardholders a discount at Blacktail.
One thing that has changed this year is the food service. John’s Angels catering of Whitefish is the mountain’s new food and beverage operator, providing the food for sitdown service in both Muley’s Pub and Restaurant in the upstairs area of the lodge and in the cafeteria downstairs.
“We now make everything from scratch, the food has been phenomenal,” Spencer said. “It’s a totally different menu, and we focus on keeping it affordable.
“They’re quite a large catering company out of Whitefish, and they’ll be using the venue for weddings and things in the summer,” Spencer said. “It’s a good combination for them and for us.”
Online:
www.blacktailmountain.com
Business reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4439 or by email at hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.