Ski resort ranked No. 11 by 'Ski' magazine

Whitefish Mountain Resort garnered its highest ranking ever in “Ski” magazine’s Top 50 Resort Guide, making the leap this year to No. 11 on the list.

The resort’s previous highest ranking was No. 18 in 2000. It was ranked No. 22 last season. The magazine uses a reader survey to calculate the results.

Resort spokeswoman Riley Polumbus said the high ranking is a reflection of not only the ski experience and resort staff, but the entire community of Whitefish.

“Whitefish is part of the overall experience of skiing here,” Polumbus said. “The community should be proud of this ranking. All of us — everyone who interacts with visitors — make this place something to write home about.”

Polumbus said the resort takes pride in the ranking.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” she said. “The fact that we made such a huge jump and had our best ranking ever is worth celebrating for sure.”

The magazine cites value as a top asset of Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Of the top 30 resorts on the list, Whitefish is the only one with a lift ticket under $70. This year’s single day lift ticket is $67, and drops to $61 per day for two or more days.

Additionally the resort offers a $79 “Eat, Ski, Sleep, Repeat” package that includes a night of lodging slopeside, lift ticket and hot breakfast.

“The $79 package is less than a single lift ticket at all of the top 15 resorts,” Polumbus said. “We think our value is there.”

So do Ski magazine readers.

“Dollars stretch far,” writes Becky Lomax for Ski magazine. “A $67 lift ticket buys you 3,000 acres, 98 trails, a 360-degree summit dripping with groomers, steeps, and trees, and lodging — both slopeside and in town — that won’t make your wallet cringe.”

“Will you find a pop-up vodka bar at the base?” Lomax goes on. “Hardly. And that’s why you’ll return.”

Whitefish scored highest in digital presence (No. 6), overall value (No. 10), family programs (No. 10), grooming (No. 11), lifts (No. 11) and services (No. 11).

The resort was No. 13 in lodging, No. 13 in off-hill activities, No. 15 in character, No. 16 in dining, No. 20 in scenery, No. 20 in terrain variety, No. 24 in snow and, not surprising for locals, No. 46 for weather.