Whitefish Mountain Resort plans pass-holder appreciation day

Whitefish Mountain Resort is showing gratitude for its thousands of winter season-pass holders with a day of free summer activities on the mountain.

On Friday, June 19, anyone who purchased a 2014-15 winter pass will have free access to alpine slide rides, the Aerial Adventure Park and Spider Monkey Mountain, as well as zip line tours.

“We’ve had some really good seasons with pass sales and we want to show we appreciate that dedication to our mountain,” said resort spokeswoman Riley Polumbus.

Pass holders must bring their 2014-15 winter pass to receive admission to the free activities. Reservations are required for zip line tours at 862-2900.

Non-pass holders are welcome and will be able to participate in the activities at a discounted rate. Chair 6 will be running and free for everyone, Chair 1 will not be open for scenic lift rides.

The mountain officially opens for the summer season on Saturday, June 20 and will be open daily through Labor Day, and Friday-Sunday in September.

Trails are in great shape already, Polumbus said, with the recent hot weather melting out areas typically covered with snow in June.

“It’s going to be a great opening for bikers and hikers,” she said.

The Summit House will be open all summer, despite a planned $1 million remodel that will add more seating space and a new facade.

The resort also plans to rebuild the summit ski patrol headquarters and drill a new water well, pending final approval from the Forest Service.

Visitors will still have access to the Summit House food court, bar, gift shop and restrooms during construction.

“Everything will be available,” Polumbus said.

The Summit House deck will be closed to public access, but a balcony on the north east face will remain open.

Polumbus warns that the summit will somewhat resemble a construction zone with all of the work. A drill for the well is expected to be on the summit for 3-4 weeks.

“It will be exciting to watch the transformation up there,” she said.

New this summer is a free bus that will shuttle passengers between Whitefish and the resort. Four round-trips are planned daily.

The service is funded by the Big Mountain Commercial Association, the same group that backs the SNOW Bus during winter.