Ski resort on schedule for opening day

Even if it doesn't snow another flake on Big Moun-tain between now and Dec. 5, Whitefish Mountain Resort spokesman Donnie Clapp says it will fire up the lifts for opening day.

"Obviously, we don't want that to be the case," Clapp said. "But if it came down to it, we could open the back side with today's (Nov. 23) snow."

According to resort reports at press time, there is a base of 25 inches at the summit and about 15 inches at the bottom of Chair 7 on the north side of the mountain. The front side is still showing rocks and grass with five inches of fresh snow in the village area.

"Ideally, we'd like to have two feet across the entire mountain for opening day," Clapp said.

The resort's maintenance crews have been utilizing a new mowing tool they invented for their snow groomers to help improve early-season conditions on the back side of the mountain.

While the groomer compacts the snow with its tracks, a mowing-type mechanism attached to the front of the machine cuts tall tufts of grass. This allows the resort to open some runs with only a foot of snow.

Clapp says the resort has not fired up the artificial snowmaking system yet, but is prepared to under the right conditions.

"We need it to be under 25 degrees for 48 hours," Clapp said. "We have 22 snow guns ready to go."

The resort will start making snow in the village area and work their way up the mountain.

"We try to concentrate on the beginner terrain first," Clapp said.

Last season, the resort opened on Dec. 9 with terrain on the back side only.

On Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., the resort will host a Pray for Snow party at the Bierstube in the village. The free SNOW bus will run from Whitefish to the mountain until midnight.