SNOW Bus program entering 10th year
The Big Mountain Commercial Association looking for members
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish PilotNow in its 10th year, Big Mountain Commercial Association's SNOW Bus program continues to provide much-needed public transportation between Whitefish and the ski resort on the mountain.
BMCA executive director Rick Cunningham said the bus service is heavily used and greatly appreciated by skiers and snowboarders as well as Whitefish Mountain Resort and village employees. With three buses running from early morning to late in the evening, the SNOW Bus program significantly reduces traffic on Big Mountain Road.
"Ridership hit 54,000 last season," he said.
The buses are owned, maintained and operated by Rocky Mountain Transportation. BMCA recently signed a $200,000-plus contract for the upcoming season.
"That includes $20,000 more for higher fuel costs," Cunningham said, "although there's a clause that takes into account changing fuel costs."
BMCA also provides about $40,000 for snow-removal and sanding on Big Mountain Road. The ski resort provides the rest of the money for winter road maintenance.
Big Mountain Road is a state highway, and Montana Department of Transportation provides salt and gravel and pays for fixing potholes, but resort officials realized long ago that in order to keep the road in a safe condition bright and early every day during the ski season, it was better to take on that responsibility itself.
"Big Mountain Road is ranked in the top-five heaviest-used state highways during the ski season," Cunningham said.
Jennifer Fisher works at Kandahar Lodge and sits on the BMCA board. She said the bus service is a boon for guests at lodges in the village.
"Many of them come by plane or train and don't have a car," she said. "The SNOW Bus gives them a way to travel to and from Whitefish."
Dale Duff, whose family has owned and operated Rocky Mountain Transportation for two generations, remembers transportation in the ski resort's early days.
"We've had buses running up to Big Mountain since 1954," Duff said. "It was organized by Norm Kurtz."
Duff said Winter Sports Inc. paid for the buses back then, but he recalled Kurtz knocking on doors rounding up support from Whitefish merchants. The Lions clubs in Columbia Falls and Kalispell also organized bus service to the ski resort.
"Back then, buses ran only on Saturdays," Duff said. "Sometimes it cost 50 cents or a token. Toward the end, it cost $1 each way."
About 10 years ago, however, Winter Sports Inc. CEO Michael Collins and operations manager Michelle Reese started talking about getting a full-time bus service going, and they wanted it to be free to riders, Duff said.
"They got the Big Mountain Commercial Association started, and WSI made a three-year commitment with Rocky Mountain Transportation to run the SNOW Bus program," Duff said.
BMCA, a nonprofit organization, raises money through membership dues and two big fundraisers — the Winefest at The Lodge At Whitefish Lake on Feb. 19 and the Brewfest in Big Mountain Village in August.
All businesses in the village are members, and other members are found across the Flathead. The $400 membership fee allows businesses to purchase discounted season passes for its employees right up to Nov. 15.
"Membership is down by more than 30, but it's not too late to join," Cunningham said.