Real estate on the mountain

Born and raised in White-fish, I’m proud to call myself a local and not afraid to state my opinion.

Not only is the name being changed, but many other changes are taking place on Big Mountain. The traditional Thanksgiving opening will be changed to Dec. 8, and keep in mind that it has opened a week before that in past years. Also, the resort will be closing on an earlier date, April 6.

Why spend money changing the name of the resort, which many Whitefish families have ties to, when that money could be spent on expanding skiable terrain — an extra T-bar or some thinning in Hellroaring?

And what of rumors of shortening or eliminating night skiing, and no halfpipe? Chair 6 already isn’t free, there are already houses where the last halfpipe was.

Perhaps when there is no more private land to sell, Big Mountain will go back to being a ski resort instead of a real estate resort.

As far as vandalism goes, there are better ways to express yourself — hike the mountain this year, ski Canada, go snowmobiling, grab some pink duct tape, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion.

Ben Fagan

Whitefish”