Skiers excited for a good winter on opening day at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Fog lifted from the Whitefish Mountain Resort village just as the sun crested the east horizon Thursday morning, revealing a double rainbow to kick off the ski area’s 77th season. 

Smells of parking lot breakfast sandwiches filled the air and hundreds of skiers and snowboarders stood eagerly awaiting the chance to shred the 40 inches of snow that had settled on the summit by Dec. 5.   

“The stoke is high, and the sun is shining! We'll see you out there!” read a 10:45 a.m. snow report, detailing the favorable conditions. 

Skiers are optimistic that the 2024-25 season will bring more snow — and better skiing — than last year, when only the backside of the mountain initially opened due to low snowpack and warm temperatures.  

“I hope the weather patterns that are expected to happen do happen,” Betka Alexander, a 63-year-old ski instructor on the mountain, said as she rode Chair 1 to take her first run of the day. 

Forecasts show a more intense winter this year compared to last year, partly thanks to it being a La Nina year, a climate phenomenon that can bring colder conditions and winter weather patterns. 

Alexander, originally from Missoula, has lived in the valley and skied Big Mountain for 20 years. This is her 10th year instructing.  

“Once you know the mountain there are a lot of little places you can get away from crowds, it's a really great place,” she said.  

THURSDAY’S DOUR weather cleared with every bit of vertical gain on Big Mountain. Standing at the top of the 6,817-foot mountain, skiers saw a clear blue sky as they began their runs.  

“Everything has gone really smoothly. I’m just thrilled to have so much snow on opening day,” said Chad Sokol, Whitefish Mountain Resort’s public relations manager. 

For some mountain-goers, opening day on the mountain deserved an early arrival. Chair 1 did not open until 9:30 a.m., but lines sprung up hours earlier.  

Sokol deemed it a busy day, although as of Wednesday afternoon he did not have total skier counts.  

“We wanted to get here early to almost celebrate the start of the season with friends,” said 20-year-old Sequoia Garrison, who arrived just before 8 a.m.  

This is her third season at Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

Garrison has been snowboarding on and off for around 12 years but found a passion for it on Big Mountain. 

“I just enjoy going up with my friends and this turned out to be a beautiful day to be on the mountain, I couldn’t have asked for more,” Garrison said.  

Her roommate, 22-year-old Bre Bloch, echoed Alexander’s sentiment about the snow, hoping to see more powder in 2025.  

“I got new skis this year so I have been excited for this season to use them," Bloch said.  

Jack Fitzgerald, a 33-year-old Whitefish resident, said the snow was awesome and that he found tons of powder in the trees.  

“I made a lot of new friends this summer and it’s going to be cool to snowboard with them this year,” Fitzgerald said.  

While parts of the mountain have good snow, Sokol did warn skiers to keep an eye out for exposed sticks and rocks.  

Lift lines moved relatively briskly throughout the day, despite a longer wait time in the morning.  

“I love Whitefish, lines are basically nonexistent -- maybe don’t put that to print though,” laughed Shawn Corson, 44, on Chair 1 Thursday.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

    Skiers join in the parking lot before opening day at Whitefish Mountain Resort to make breakfast before the lifts open. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    The summit house at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Dec. 5, 2024. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Ski instructors leave the summit during opening day at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Dec. 5, 2024. (Kate Heston, Daily Inter Lake)