Chair Two is Now Open for Scenic Lift Rides, Lift-Accessed Mountain Biking

Whitefish, MT - Chair Two is now open at Whitefish for Scenic Lift Rides and lift-accessed mountain biking. This is a temporary activity while Chair One is closed.

Prices for round trip Scenic Lift Rides will be $8 for adults and $5 for juniors and seniors (7-12 and 65-69). The Scenic Lift is free for children 6 & under, adults 70+ and 2010/11 Winter Season Pass Holders. One way tickets are $4. The lift will be open from 10 a.m. and last ride up 5:30 p.m.

Mountain bikers will be able to access the Summit Trail from the top of Chair Two. Hiking is not allowed on this trail. Tickets are required for bikes. Bike tickets are Adults (13-64): $13 for one ride, $18 for 2 rides, $23 all day. Juniors (7-12) and Seniors (65-69): $9 for one ride, $12 for 2 rides, $15 for all day.

“Save the Bierstube” Renovations to Continue This Summer

Whitefish, MT - The final stage of a two-phase structural improvement project will begin this summer at the Bierstube in Whitefish Mountain Resort’s upper village. The Bierstube has been a part of the mountain’s culture since the 1950s and was named one of the “Top 10 great places for après-ski nightlife” by USA Today in February 2011. The business has been located in its present building since 1967. The building is owned by Whitefish Mountain Resort.

“The Bierstube has played a significant role in shaping the mountain culture of this resort,” Whitefish Mountain Resort President Dan Graves said. “We feel strongly, as part of our commitment to preserve the ski area’s heritage, we want to extend its life for years to come.”

Phase one was completed during the fall of 2010 before the start of the ski season after the discovery that the building was beginning to lean. Engineering analysis revealed the need to raise the building’s north east corner and pour new concrete. Phase two will focus on the south and west sides of the building where new concrete will be poured for footings and improvements to the building’s foundation. No changes will be made to the interior of the building which plans to open June 18 when Whitefish Mountain Resort summer operations begin.

“The Bierstube means a lot of things to a lot of people, we have visitors who come back every year, some who come in after 10, 20 years and thank us for being here,” said Bierstube owner and operator Scott McIntosh. “We are excited that the future of the Bierstube is solidified. Whitefish Mountain Resort has been great to work with and their commitment to the Bierstube means a lot to us.”

Whitefish Mountain Resort Officials Advise Tree Well Awareness

Whitefish, MT - After losing one skier and one snowboarder to off-piste tree well accidents, Whitefish Mountain Resort officials are urging those wishing to take advantage of the deep powder covering the mountain to familiarize themselves with risks and safety techniques related to Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Deaths, or NARSIDs.

A 29-year-old snowboarder lost his life in a tree well in an off-piste area at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday, Jan. 8, less than a week after a 16-year-old skier was removed from life support after becoming trapped in a tree well in the same area of the mountain on Dec. 29.

“This has been a very sad and tragic two weeks for all of us at Whitefish Mountain Resort,” said Winter Sports, Inc. President and CEO Daniel Graves. “Losing three lives in two weeks, two in tree wells and one due to natural causes, affects us all deeply, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of the victims.”

A tree well is an area of deep, unconsolidated snow that forms beneath the overhanging branches of evergreen trees as the surrounding snow pack deepens. When a skier or snowboarder falls into a tree well, the loose snow packs in around and on top of them, making it very difficult to move and/or free oneself. Further struggle can worsen the predicament.

According to the industry-created website TreeWellDeepSnowSafety.com, 90% of volunteers placed into tree wells in two experiments could not rescue themselves.

For this reason, the only way to effectively prevent tree well and other NARSID deaths is to ski within sight of a ski buddy at all times, close enough to reach them in the amount of time a person can reasonably hold their breath.

Whitefish Sees Fresh Snow on August 29

Whitefish, MT - On August 29, snow began to fall and accumulate at the summit of Big Mountain, at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

For those planning to hike, mountain bike, zip line, or walk in the treetops that day, this was a bit of a bummer. For those in their homes across the country waxing skis, doing lunges, and breaking in new boots, however, the early snowfall was quite exciting.

Resort and US Forest Service staff measured approximately 3 inches of new snow, which was nearly completely gone by the end of the day.

"It melted pretty fast once the sun came out," said part-time Whitefish resident Christine Shea. "But we had time to make a snowman, and it sure seems like a sign a of a great ski season to come."

Weather scientists have identified a strengthening La Niña formation in the tropical Pacific Ocean, prompting the NOAA Climate Prediction Center to call for above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures for December - March in Whitefish. The last time similar conditions were present in the Pacific, during the 2007-2008 ski season, Whitefish received 426 inches of snow.

Summer Announces Shocking Plans to Stick Around Northwest Montana Well Into September

Whitefish, MT - Summer, commonly regarded as the hottest of the four seasons, announced plans to remain in residence in the Whitefish area for the month of September at a press conference today, surprising many who were under the impression that she would move farther south after August.

“I actually try to, like, stick around until the end of September every year,” said Summer. “I don’t know why so few people show up to, you know, hang out and stuff.”

September was also in attendance at the conference, voicing his support of Summer’s plans.

“Rumors that Summer and I are an item have been circulating around Montana for some time now,” said September. “Well, what can I say? They’re true. I’m not going to hide it any more. I love her.”

Donnie Clapp, spokesman for local recreation mecca Whitefish Mountain Resort, was also on hand and bragged that he’s known about Summer and September for a few years.

“It’s actually hard to miss if you’re paying attention,” said Clapp.

Whitefish Mountain Resort plans to run its 3-hour Zip Line Tour, Scenic Lift Rides, Walk in the Treetops canopy tour, downhill mountain bike trails, and Alpine Slide seven days per week through Labor Day, and then Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays from Sept. 10 - 26.

“It’s really all for Summer and September. They’re really into being outside and having fun, but others are welcome to take advantage,” said Clapp.

175 Model T Fords to Visit Whitefish

Whitefish, MT - One hundred seventy-five Model T Fords will descend on Whitefish, Montana and ascend the road to Whitefish Mountian Resort on Sunday, Aug. 1 for the Montana Majestic Mountain T Tour.

The Rocky Mountain Model T Club is hosting the event, which is the the Model T Ford Club of America’s only National Tour planned for 2010. The tour has 175 classic cars and more than 370 guests registered, and event organizers expect it to inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into Montana’s economy.

Visiting Model T owners are bringing cars from as far away as New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont, and California.

Whitefish Mountain Resort was chosen as an ideal location to anchor this year’s tour because of its scenery, breadth of summer activities for participants such as Zip Line Tours and Scenic Lift Rides, and affordable on-mountain lodging options.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Set to Open for Summer 2010

Whitefish, MT - Whitefish Mountain Resort will open its new and improved Zip Line Tours and the Alpine Slide on June 18, with Mountain Biking, Scenic Lift Rides, and Walk in the Treetops Tours set to open June 26.

The resort will operate 7 days per week from June 18 until Labor Day, Sept. 6. After that, all activities will be available Fridays - Sundays through the end of September.

Whitefish Mountain Resort's popular Zip Line Tour and Alpine Slide were new for Summer 2009, but the resort has already embarked on an expansion. Crews are putting the finishing touches on two new zip lines for the tour, bringing the total to six and making an average tour about three hours long. Both new spans are higher and longer than any of the original four, each new span being approximately 1/3-mile long and more than 300 feet above the forest floor.

95 Boarders in Leis Show Up for 2010 Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic

Whitefish, MT - The 11th Annual Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic at Whitefish Mountain Resort drew 95 pro and amateur snowboarders from around the country for a Banked Slalom and Boardercross Saturday and Sunday, March 13 - 14.

In the Banked Slalom, each rider attempted two runs on the North Side of Big Mountain. The course descended lower Goat Haunt and into George's Gorge, a treat for spectators riding Chair 7. Sunday's Boardercross saw riders battling in head-to-head competition under sunny skies.

After two days of competition, Hugh Black and Sarris McComb were the overall winners in the men's and women's pro division, respectively. Craig Kuzma took home the top prize in the men's amateur 21+ division, Baily Eaton won the women's amateur 15+ division, Baylon Connolly of the Whitefish Freestyle Team prevailed in the men's amateur 15-20 division, and Sam Vitek prevailed in the boys' 15- division.
Whitefish Info

Whitefish Mountain Resort and US Forest Service Agree on Winter Uphill Traffic Policy

Whitefish, MT - Whitefish Mountain Resort and the US Forest Service announced a new policy pertaining to uphill traffic at the Montana ski resort today, in an attempt to decrease unsafe behavior associated with the increasingly popular activity.
"I'm not a fan of restrictions under most circumstances, but in this case I think it is necessary," said Becky Smith-Powell, a Snow Ranger with the US Forest Service's Tally Lake Ranger District.

The policy developed by resort management and the US Forest Service will restrict uphill traffic within the resort's Special Use Permit boundary to a single route on the mountain, as well as limiting the hours when the activity is allowed. The route follows the run called Toni Matt, hugging the uphill-left edge of the trail, and will be clearly marked. Uphill traffic will be allowed on the route during ski season from 6:30 a.m. until the resort closes for the day and Ski Patrol conducts their sweep of the mountain. The same route will be used between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for the first 14 days after ski season ends, with no active restrictions outside those hours and dates. Uphill traffic will not be allowed pre-season, when the resort is likely to be conducting extensive slope maintenance and snowmaking operations.
Whitefish Info

MT National Guard Recognizes Whitefish Mountain Resort for Military Discount Program

Whitefish, MT - The Montana National Guard awarded Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves with a letter and commemorative coin on Saturday, Jan. 16 in honor of the resort's military discount program.
In 2007, Graves significantly expanded military discounts at the ski area to include 50% off lift tickets, free basic equipment rentals, 50% off group lessons, and 25-50% off on-mountain lodging for active-duty and retired members of the armed forces, as well as their spouses and dependents.
The letter, from Brigadier General John E. Walsh, was read aloud by Lt. Colonel Boettcher, who lives in Kalispell.
"The efforts your resort team members make to welcome and host military families every year is [sic] very much appreciated. Support such as your helps to ensure our National Guard families have exciting opportunities to enjoy some time together," said Gen. Walsh in the letter.
Graves, dressed in ski equipment and a Whitefish Mountain Resort jacket, accepted the framed award and said a few words about why he instituted one of the most aggressive military discount programs in the ski industry.
Whitefish Info

Local Athletes Win Big at New Year's Eve Rockin' Rail Jam

Whitefish, MT - Whitefish Mountain Resort's Freestyle Ski and Snowboard Team took home wins in four of eight divisions at last week's New Year's Eve Rockin' Rail Jam, the team's first event of the season.
The 5th Annual Rail Jam took place on terrain park features, including rails and boxes, which were specially set up on the slopes above Ed & Mully's Lounge for the event. A record sixty-five registered contestants did their best to impress judges with style and skill in two half-hour jam sessions; one each for snowboarders and skiers.

Each discipline was split into four divisions: Women's Amateur, Boys' Amateur, Men's Amateur and and Open class.
The Whitefish Mountain Resort Freestyle Team, coming off of an intensive four-day Holiday Training Camp, produced four first-place finishes: Marley Rodwick (Women's Ski AM), Ryan Heaverland (Men's Snowboard AM), Parkin Costain (Boys Ski AM), and Braedon Ortt (Boys Snowboard AM).
Whitefish Info