Resort seeking enforcement of uphill policy

The Forest Service will host an informal meeting next week to discuss possible changes to the uphill travel policy at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Resort management has recently expressed concerns about continued non-compliance with the policy.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to rewrite the special order to allow for more enforcement,” said resort spokeswoman Riley Polumbus. “We have a policy that is not being followed and there doesn’t seem to be any consequences.”

Last month two skiers who hiked up Big Mountain before the lifts opened were in Hellroaring Basin descending a closed slope where an explosive charge was about to be deployed. That incident and others prompted the resort to consider changing the uphill ski policy.

Flathead National Forest spokesman Wade Muehlhof said all interested parties, including skiers, resort officials and the Forest Service, will be in attendance at the March 21 meeting.

“This will be an opportunity to talk to folks about what is at risk,” Muehlhof said.

The two main items up for discussion will be strength of enforcement and improving outreach and education.

“Attendees will learn about the efforts the Forest Service is taking to better enforce the policy and what is at risk with continued non-compliance,” he said. “Leaders from the forest hope to hear from attendees their ideas on how to improve compliance and any other thoughts on the policy.”

The discussion will also touch on uphill access before and after the ski season.

The resort’s uphill policy established in 2010 allows hikers to climb and descend the Toni Matt slope between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. An alternate east route was later added to allow hiking between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The March 21 meeting will be at the Pin & Cue in Whitefish. The no-host breakfast chat starts at 7 a.m.