Ski resort plans $1M renovation of Summit House

by Whitefish Pilot
| April 10, 2015 10:40 AM

Whitefish Mountain Resort is seeking approval from the Forest Service for a $1 million remodel of the Summit House to add more seating space and a new facade.

The proposed renovation will include the addition of a mezzanine level adding 1,700 square feet and about 150 seats, along with new windows providing views to the northwest.

Restrooms will be added to the first floor and an expansion of the main entry is planned.

The exterior remodel will feature new siding, stonework, trim and lighting, and all of the windows will be replaced. A 500-square-foot deck will be added to the west end of the new addition.

The remodel would be phased over a two or three year period because of the short building season.

The Summit House was last remodeled in 1989.

The resort also has submitted plans to build a new ski patrol headquarters at the summit of Big Mountain.

This planned two-story 800-square-foot building would replace the current 175-foot cabin and include plumbing, a patient treatment area and a private office for the ski patrol manager.

Construction on the patrol building could begin this summer.

Montana Creative is designing both projects.

The two projects continue a streak of improvements at the resort. Last year the resort installed the new Flower Point chair lift and remodeled the Base Lodge.

“I’m so pleased that our owners continue to support the improvement of our resort infrastructure considering we just finished two years of rather large scale projects,” Whitefish Mountain Resort president Dan Graves said in a press statement. “Even after the roller-coaster season we’re completing, it’s very gratifying to be able to tell our guests that there are more improvements to come. This remodel of the Summit House will have a noticeable improvement to seating and ambiance, not to mention the convenience of main floor restrooms."

The Forest Service is taking comments on the proposed projects through May 1. Email comments to comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us, or call 758-5367.