New bus route connects Kalispell with Whitefish ski resort

Kalispell residents have a new way to reach Whitefish and Whitefish Mountain Resort as Eagle Transit Mountain Climber began operation of its new Saturday Kalispell Ski Connect run last week.

A collaboration between Mountain Climber and the Big Mountain Commercial Association, the new route allows riders to be picked up at the Kalispell Walmart and travel to downtown Whitefish or continue on to Big Mountain at no charge.

“This new route should be helpful to the public in a number of ways,” Eagle Transit Mountain Climber’s Elizabeth Wood said. “We are hoping this will be helpful for younger skiers whose parents are not able to take them up to the mountain. Also, this is helpful for any skiers who don’t want to spend their own gas to get to the mountain. Best of all, the service is free to everyone.”

Wood pointed out that the run isn’t just for skiers.

“This route is also great for people who are just wanting to get from Kalispell to Whitefish,” she said. “People can go shopping or go out to eat in Whitefish without the hassle of trying to find a parking spot.”

Early birds can catch the first bus at Walmart at 6:40 a.m. before moving on to Whitefish for stops at the Mountain Mall, Depot Transit Center and O'Shaughnessy Center prior to ascending Big Mountain for stops at the Whitefish Mountain Resort Base Lodge and Whitefish Mountain Resort Village around 7:40 a.m. Two additional runs leave from Walmart at 7:50 and 8:20 a.m.

For the return trip, the last bus leaves from the Base Lodge at 6 p.m. and arrives at Walmart at 6:40.

In addition to the Saturday Ski Connect Run, Eagle Transit Mountain Climber continues to offer its on-demand service, where riders can call and arrange a ride. Wood stressed that these services are available to everyone.

“Our on-demand service allows anyone in town to ride the bus, so it really opens it up to the general public,” she said. “We are here for everyone. We serve the general public in addition to the elderly and the disabled. We just want to get the word out about what services we have to offer so that everyone can take advantage of them.”

For more information, call 758-5728 or visit Eagle Transit Mountain Climber on Facebook and its website at https://flathead.mt.gov/eagle.

Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 758-4446 or jweber@dailyinterlake.com.