Flurry of entertainment found at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Every Wednesday, mountain employees, friends and skiers trickle in the Bierstube at Whitefish Mountain Resort for the Frabert awards. After a few announcements on general items of the mountain at the bar on Dec. 16, members of the ski patrol read off people’s storied failures on the hill for some good ol’ light-hearted public humiliation.

Someone left a refrigerator door partially open in the employee kitchen, spoiling about $800 in food.

An unknown skier lost his ski on the lift, and called it a day immediately afterward.

Someone planted their ski tips and double-ejected, right in front of the lodge for dozens to see.

Each time a list item was read, at least 100 people jammed toward the bar to let out a sort of jubilated “booing,” each raising their glass to the time-honored tradition. The award, for worst clod of the week, went to Sean Hagskin, from the guest and information department. After three years of complaining that the guest booth was too hot, Hagskin realized that the shack does, in fact, have a highly-functioning temperature-control knob. For his error, Hagskin was given a stuffed monkey and was forced to chug a chalice of beer as the mob cheered on.

“It’s just a really fun reflection of mountain culture,” said Bierstube owner Scott McCintosh. “It’s been a tradition held at the Bierstube for more than 50 years.”

This is just one of the entertaining and vividly local events that can be found after ski time at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The ‘Stube offers cheap beer, the occasional ski movie showing and plenty of new faces. Ski hill memorabilia and other items of local historical interest cover the walls and ceiling from the divey and diverse bar.

The main event, the first of three seasonal torchlight parades, comes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The zig-zagging line of skiers carrying torches can be seen around the valley, illuminating the slopes on Whitefish Mountain in a triumphant welcoming of the holiday season. After the parade, Santa Claus hands out presents to children at Ed and Mully’s from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

“It’s a fun little way to ski the mountain and win prizes,” said Riley Polumbus, public relations manager at Whitefish Mountain Resort. “We’ve been doing it a long time. It’s very family friendly.”

The second torchlight parade is held on New Year’s Eve, this time accompanied by a rail jam and a fireworks show on the mountain. Guests still in ski gear can sign up for the Dash for Cash event, a short obstacle course with $100 cash prize held in between the ski and snowboard rail jams. After the competition, both Ed and Mully’s and the Bierstube will host live music until midnight.

The third takes place on Feb. 13, Presidents’ Day, including another fireworks show to commemorate the 44 presidents of the United States. Skiers and snowboarders can sign up to participate in each torchlight parade on the Whitefish Mountain Resort website.

“It’s a big, fun fireworks show, but it’s especially special to be up there watching from the snow with friends and family,” Polumbus said.

For those looking for an atmosphere opposite of the Bierstube, Ed and Mully’s can be found across the road. Tyler Lucas, a manager at Ed and Mully’s, said the longstanding bar and restaurant has cultivated its own vibe as the more laid-back and family environment.

“We have a mixed bag of guests, more of a family crowd with space for kids to run around,” Lucas said. “A lot of people who want to get a good craft beer and hang out.”

Ed and Mully’s has the deepest tap line on the mountain with 15 beers.

Once night skiing begins, Ed and Mully’s hosts live local music each week for the resort’s Apres Concert series on Saturdays. Local favorite John Dunnigan is set to kick off the first Apres Concert on Dec. 26.

The Bierstube also begins hosting live music acts on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., although a complete schedule is not yet available.

Ed and Mully’s typically makes last call around 8 p.m., closing down the bar by 8:30 p.m.

Farther up the road, the Hellroaring Saloon and Eatery is the place to dine in your ski boots but drink with your gloves off. Pat LaTourelle, owner of the Hellroaring since the 1980s, has kept the saloon as close to what it’s always been. Located inside the former Big Mountain Chalet, the Hellroaring building is the oldest standing structure on the hill.

“It’s just always been that funky old place to come,” LaTourelle said.

What sets the Hellroaring apart is its beer hat tradition. Donning the seemingly casual baseball cap with “Hellroaring Saloon and Eatery” embroidered on the front earns its wearer a second beer on the house. The tradition started in 1984, LaTourelle said. One hat on the wall, from an old regular who died years ago, claims 970 beers consumed at the expense of the Hellroaring Saloon. The hat hangs in a glass case, the pride of the bar.

The kitchen offers a full dinner and lunch menu, with enough interior space for a group meeting place. Jesse Oldfield, bartender at the Hellroaring, claims a half-order of nachos can fill up three grown men.

As the snow continues to pile up and the Santa squad gets ready to light up Whitefish Mountain, check out www.skiwhitefish.com for the most updated list of events, concerts and weather forecasts.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.