Whitefish Mountain Resort: Hellroaring Basin Project Developments

In Spring 2020 Whitefish Mountain Resort will begin a multi-phase project that will increase accessibility and improve terrain variety in Hellroaring Basin. This initial phase will include, clearing timber for new runs and lift line, as well as gladed areas adjacent to runs, and re-sloping areas on the Hell Fire run to eliminate the negative grades. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the fall of 2020. Phase 2 includes relocating Chair 8 in 2021, which will allow the resort to open Hellroaring Basin earlier in the season.

Phase 1 Spring-Fall 2020

• Conduct a survey for future Chair 8 lift line.
• Construct a service road from the top of Swift Creek Express/Chair 2 to the Grand Junction area.
• Clear timber for six runs including portions of the existing runs: Glory Hole, Connie’s Coulee, Gray’s Golf Course and The Back 9. Two additional runs will be added to the northwest facing slope.
• Perform glading in in six zones.
• Clear timber for future Chair 8 lift line.
• Re-slope three areas (approximately four acres total) in the existing Hell Fire Run where the run currently slopes uphill.

Phase 2 Spring-Fall 2021

• Uninstall Chair 8.
• Rehabilitate the Purgatory ski run, lower section of the Hell Fire Run below Grand Junction, and existing Chair 8 top and bottom terminals.
• Reinstall Chair 8 in new location.

Phase 3 and Future Phases (timeline TBD)

• Install a new chairlift from the Grand Junction area to the top of Hellroaring Peak.
• Clear a “cat track” between the saddle below Hellroaring Peak and the Gray Wolf Run.
• Clear Two new runs on Healroaring Peak.

Benefits of the Hellroaring Project:

• Create an opportunity to open Hellroaring Basin earlier in the season.
• Provide better access to Hellroaring Basin’s terrain.
• Improve the variety of terrain in Hellroaring Basin.
• Add defined groomed runs to provide more intermediate terrain for skiers and snowboarders.
• Create a new pod of skiing in Hellroaring Basin.
• Improve the experience on Hell Fire run by removing negative grades
• Help to improve the flow and spread out skiers and snowboarders across the mountain by creating more options for guests.

Additional facts and information:

• All proposed plans are within the resort’s existing permit boundary.
• This project would not impact the April 1 closure of Hellroaring Basin for grizzly bear habitat.

Proposed Projects

The New Chair 4 — High-Speed Express Lift from Base Lodge

When Chair 4 was installed in 1978, the Base Lodge did not exist, a small ski hut was built at the bottom of the chairlift, and there were no runs or facilities built below that point. Today the vast majority of guests use the Base Lodge as their primary portal to the mountain.

Although Chair 1/Big Mountain Express carries the burden for the most of the access to the upper mountain, nearly 70% of the resort’s parking is located adjacent to the Base Lodge, therefore putting pressure on Chair 6 and Chair 10 to transport guests to the Lift Plaza to reach Chairs 1 & 2.

The future Chair 4 Express is scheduled to run on a daily basis starting at 9 a.m. With the upper terminal located at the top of the Inspiration run, guests will have access to most of the upper mountain terrain, including Ptarmigan Bowl, runs to the east off of the Inspiration Ridge as well as access to Chair 5/East Rim.

Additionally, the old Burger Hut will be removed and that entire area and below the Barn Road/Barndance run will have trees cleared and be regraded to provide improved skiing and access into the new lower terminal. Sections of lower Corkscrew, lower Langley’s, lower Expressway, and lower Bad Rock will also be regraded to provide better skiing into the lower terminal. When people stand at the current carpet lift and look up the mountain when this project is done it will look very different from how it looks today.

Imagine taking advantage of early morning groomed skiing on Hogan’s or Hogan’s East, or powder days in the Langley area or the Faults!

There is no firm installation date however, preliminary planning has begun. A more formal announcement will be made once a timeline is established.

Benefits of the future Chair 4:

• Additional lift service out of the resort’s base area
• Early morning access to upper-mountain front side terrain prior to the opening of Chair 1
• Alleviate crowding on Chair 6 allowing it to serve more beginners and lessons
• Offer guests an alternative to Chair 1 for access to upper mountain terrain

Lift Facts & Stats:

• Model: High-Speed Quad Chairlift
• Make: Not determined at this time
• Bottom terminal: Adjacent to the Magic Carpet (west side)
• Top terminal: Top of Inspiration Ridge (approx. 70 yards below where the old Chair 5 ended)
• Length: Approx. 5,700 feet
• Vertical rise: Approx. 2,200 feet
• Uphill capacity: 2,200 people per hour
• Anticipated opening time: 9 a.m. daily