Whitefish ski resort records busiest day ever

Local powderhounds turned out in hordes Sunday to ski knee-deep cold smoke blanketing the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Thousands of passholders combined with a healthy dose of holiday crowds to set a new record for total skier visits in a single day at the resort. Nearly 7,900 skiers hit the slopes Dec. 28, breaking the previous single-day record of 7,650 set Dec. 30 of last ski season.

“Passholders were ready for a powder day,” said resort spokeswoman Riley Polumbus. “When you wake up and see 6 inches of new snow in your lawn, you’re not going to shovel, you’re going skiing.”

The resort picked up 15 inches of snow over Dec. 27-28, making it the deepest powder day of the season.

All chair lifts were spinning and 100 percent of the terrain was open to help disperse the crowds.

Getting to the mountain proved to be a test of patience, however, as traffic was backed up on Wisconsin and Baker avenues by 9 a.m. Polumbus reminds skiers to carpool or take the SNOW bus when possible, especially during the busy holiday week.

An arctic blast moved into the valley on Monday, which has led to fewer skiers on the slopes, Polumbus said. Yet, there’s still a chance for another big day of skier visits over New Year’s weekend if the weather cooperates.

“You never know,” she said. “Certainly the weather will play a big role.”

Highs are predicted to be in the teens next weekend with a chance of snow.