Resort says it's too early to call opener

With still a week remaining until the winter season opening of Whitefish Mountain Resort, skiers and snow boarders have their eyes on the weather forecast.

The lower half of Big Mountain had a pretty thin layer of snow Monday, but the summit is another story with 26 inches of settled base. The resort is set to open for the season on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Resort spokeswoman Riley Polumbus said Monday that it’s too early to tell what will be open, but she’s hopeful that more snow will be added to the mountain in the next week.

“We’re crossing our fingers that a couple more storms will come in,” she said. “Also that the temperatures will continue to allow us to make snow.”

The forecast this week beginning on Tuesday was calling for a chance of snow in the mountains continuing through to the weekend.

Resort snowmaking operations began Nov. 16 and slope maintenance crews will continue snowmaking when temperatures and conditions are optimal in preparation for opening day. Polumbus said crews have mostly been making snow at night, but are hoping that can move to 24 hours per day if temperatures cooperate.

While there is a 26-inch recorded base at the summit, some areas actually have more snow.

“That is one of the benefits, it is deeper in some spots,” Polumbus said.

New this season, the resort has finished its remodel of the Summit House which features an enlarged kitchen and food court areas. The work is part of a $1 million remodel of the Summit House the resort began in 2015.

“We’re really excited about that,” Polumbus said.

New season lockers were added in the lower level of the Ed & Mully’s building.

The resort has also added a new grooming machine to its fleet that should help crews operate more efficiently, Polumbus noted.

Two sections of terrain have been widened, which should make for a more enjoyable skier experience on the mountain.

Gray Wolf Road, which runs between Gray Wolf and Bighorn runs, on the mountain’s north side has been widened. Excavation into the cliff on the side of the road was completed. The widened area will be an improvement for the grooming machines and for groups of skiers passing through the area.

“It was a narrow spot,” Polumbus said. “When the groomer goes out there it was pretty tight for them.”

Trees have also been cleared improving skier and snowboarder access to the Flower Point chairlift from the Goat Haunt run.

Resort officials are reminding hikers to follow the preseason uphill travel policy, which went into effect last week.

Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the east route is the only approved route. The route begins at the Base Lodge, crosses the bridge toward the Ski and Ride School and Clinic building and ascends lower Inspiration, Expressway, Moe-Mentum, and Fill Hill to the summit. It is marked by 12 red diamonds with an arrow and the word “UPHILL” printed on them.

There are no uphill or downhill route restrictions before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m. during the preseason and postseason.

Resort officials ask the public to be aware that equipment such as snow guns, hoses, grooming machines, snowmobiles and high voltage lines present potential hazards to skiers wishing to travel uphill for turns.

Also new this season, uphill skier parking is permitted in the Spruce Lot only.

For more information, visit www.skiwhitefish.com.