Blacktail almost ready to open

Groomers were packing snow at the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area with about 22 inches of snow at the top as of Dec. 3, but no official opening date for the resort’s 15th season has been announced. The lower elevation regions are still lacking snow needed for a complete opening.

“We’ve been packing for the last few days and it’s looking good, but we need more at the top and bottom,” Blacktail general manager Steve Spencer said.

Because Blacktail has an inverted design, with the lodge and parking lot at the top of the mountain, the resort has the option to open for the season with just the top areas available. But Spencer said a little patience with the weather could mean a full opening within the next week or two.

Last year’s opening day was Dec. 8, and the resort kicked off the season with a full opening. The latest Blacktail has ever opened was right around Christmas in 2003 or 2004.

“We got a good November dump that nobody else got. It was the luck of the draw,” Spencer said. “That’s a nice way to open.”

Blacktail has one snowmaking machine at the lodge where snow can be blown down several of the slopes. Its reach, however, doesn’t extend far enough to jump-start the season with man-made snow.

“We’re pretty much counting on Mother Nature,” Spencer said. “But it’s all north slope, so what we get we keep.”

Although Blacktail’s not ready to open its doors just yet, local skiers and snowboarders started preparing for the upcoming season at the Wake Up Ol’ Man Winter party at the Tamarack Alehouse and Grill in Lakeside on Dec. 1, where photos were taken for lift passes.

For more information about Blacktail and updated snow reports, visit online at www.blacktailmountain.com or call 844-0999.