Whitefish on pace for busiest ski season ever

An adult season ski pass at Whitefish Mountain Resort will top the $700 mark next winter, the ski area revealed Friday as it closes in on its busiest winter ever.

Early-season pricing on an adult season pass next winter is set at $719. That’s a $30 increase over the 2021-22 rate.

A senior pass is $609, teen pass $409, junior pass $209 and super senior $154. Kids 6 and under ski free.

The early season prices are available through Sept. 30.

The ski season is scheduled to run from Dec. 8 to April 9, 2023.

The ski resort wraps up the current season on Sunday, which is on pace to top last season’s record of about 459,000 skier visits, a press release stated.

“It’s been another banner year for us, and we’re excited to keep providing excellent service and a ski experience of unparalleled value for all our guests,” Whitefish Mountain Resort President Nick Polumbus said. “The loyalty of our passholders shows through every year, and we’re just super thankful that folks continue to see this as a place they want to spend their time in the winter.”

Season snowfall was below the resort’s annual average, with 245 inches recorded on Big Mountain’s summit as of Friday. The settled base was at 108 inches on the summit, with 26 inches at the village area.

Next season will bring the addition of a new six-person chairlift that will replace Chair 4. The new lift will go from the Base Lodge to the top of Inspiration Ridge. Resort officials tout the new lift as a “major investment” that will improve access to the upper mountain and reduce skier traffic at Chair1.