Whitefish Mountain Resort Opens For The 2018/19 Season

Like a favorite houseguest, a storm system stopped by last weekend and stayed an extra day leaving behind more snow than expected with its departure Monday afternoon. The new snow coupled with cold temperatures set the stage for Whitefish Mountain Resort to open for its 71st season Thursday, December 6 with north side skiing and riding. Downloading on Chair 1 will be required. Chair 1 will open at 9:30 a.m. with the last upload at 2:30 p.m. The price of a daily ticket will be reduced to $62 for adults ages 19-64, $58 for teens ages 13-18 and seniors ages 65-69 and $35 for juniors ages 7-12. Super seniors 70 & older and children 6 & under are free.

“Another Opening Day has arrived and we are very excited to welcome more season pass holders than ever before—it’s their devotion to this resort that makes this day and this mountain so special. In addition to season pass holders we look forward to welcoming back our returning guests, and to getting acquainted with our new guests,” Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said. “Snowmaking crews are working around the clock to open additional terrain in time for the weekend. We are anxiously anticipating the re-opening of Ed & Mully’s. The restaurant’s staff are busy moving back into the restaurant after this summer’s interior remodel with the aim to open with a limited menu over the weekend.”

This Thursday chairs 1, 5, 6, 7 and T-Bar 2 will open to provide access to the north and east side of the mountain. Chair 1 will open for access to the north side of the mountain at 9:30 a.m. Chair 6 will open at 9 a.m. to provide access to the Lift Plaza and Chair 1 from the Base Lodge and lower parking lots. There will not be any terrain open to ski down to the Base Lodge. The resort will provide shuttles to transport guests between the Lift Plaza and Base Lodge as well as lower mountain parking lots.

Chair 7 will open at 9:45 and open runs in the area include: Caribou, Black Bear, Goat Haunt, Gray Wolf, Kodiak, Marmot, Silvertip and Whitetail. Bigfoot T-Bar 2 also will open at 9:45 a.m. with access to Big Creek, Whiskey Spring, North fork to Inside Road, Inside Road, Lynx, Lodi Ridge and Trapper’s Trail.

Going toward the east side, Russ’s Street to Moe Mentum, Moe Mentum, North Bowl Face and Evan’s Heaven all will open and be service by Chair 5 which will open at 9:45 a.m. All terrain below Chair 5 will be closed.

Downloading on Chair 1 will be available throughout the day. Due to weight-load requirements passengers will be loaded every third chair on the way down. T-Bar 2 and Chair 5 will close at 3:00 p.m. and Chair 7 will close at 3:30 p.m. Chair 6 will close at 2:30 p.m.

Additional terrain may become available during the day as determined by ski patrol. The Chipmunk run is expected to open by Friday providing ski access to the Base Lodge. For Saturday the resort plans to open Chair 3 and the Hope Slope run along with the Big Easy Carpet to provide additional beginner terrain.

“We’d like to remind everyone to ski and ride with care, within their ability levels, and remember early season conditions exist, unmarked obstacles and other natural terrain features may be encountered at any time,” said David Stephens, Whitefish Mountain Resort ski patrol manager. “Skiers and riders need to respect all closures and safety signage. It’s a long season and we want you to enjoy every day, please do not enter closed trails. Season pass holders who enter inbounds closures risk losing their pass privileges and persons leaving the resort boundary are reminded that you are on your own.”

Food & Beverage services will be available bright and early with Base Lodge Coffee and Village Coffee. The Summit House will be open serving guests at the top of the mountain. Additionally the Base Lodge Café and Base Lodge Bar be open with their regular hours.

The Kids Center & Daycare will be open as well as terrain appropriate lessons at the Ski & Ride School. Additional services available Opening Day include the Base Lodge Rentals, Village Rentals as well as Base Lodge Traders, Snow Ghost Outfitters and Summit House Gifts.