Whitefish Mountain to open with 17 trails, 5 lifts
<p>Tim Healy, a slope maintenance member at Whitefish Mountain Resort, checks a snow-making machine on Ed's Run at the resort on Friday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
First chair officially lifts off at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Wednesday for the 2016-2017 ski season.
The resort on Tuesday announced that nearly 2 feet of snow has fallen in the last week. Five lifts and seventeen trails in total will be open Wednesday, although a resort press release said additional terrain and lifts may become available during the day and by weekend, which will be determined by ski patrol.
Chair 6 at the Base Lodge begins loading at 9 a.m. Chair 1, the high-speed lift to the mountain summit opens at 9:30 a.m. Chair 7 on the back side, Flower Point and the Bigfoot T-Bar will open at 10 a.m.
On the front side, Russ’s Street will be open from top to bottom. Skiers can also download via Chair 1, with last chair set for 3:45 p.m.
“The long-range forecasts for this winter have been very exciting and if this most recent storm is any measure of what’s ahead, it will be a season filled with excellent snow conditions and deep powder memories,” resort CEO Dan Graves said in the press release. “In addition to starting the season on the heels of a big storm and more snow on the way for the weekend, our guests can enjoy Phase 2 of the Summit House remodel which added more room and better flow to the food court.”
Big Mountain reported the summit has received more than five feet of snow since mid-November.
“We’d like to remind everyone to respect all closures and safety signage,” ski patrol manager David Stephens added. “Please ski and ride with care, within all ability levels, and remember that early season conditions exist and unmarked obstacles and other natural terrain features may be encountered at any time. It’s a long season and we want you to enjoy everyday, please do not enter closed trails. Season pass holders who enter inbounds closures risk losing their pass privileges and persons leaving the resort boundary are reminded that you are on your own.”
The resort’s food and beverages services will be fully open starting today, including the refinished Summit House, with services running from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Daily ticket prices will be reduced to $62 for adults, $58 for teens and seniors, with children’s tickets at $35. Seniors over 70 and children under 6 are free.
For more information, visit www.SkiWhitefish.com.