Whitefish ski season overcomes the El Niño odds

For all the doom and gloom predicted at the beginning of ski season, it sure did end on a celebratory note. Spring corn and sun ruled the slopes all weekend as locals gathered for a few last turns, last splashes and last laughs of a season that exceeded all expectations.

An El Niño weather phenomenon that was forecast to all but shut down winter proved to be more bark than bite. Whitefish Mountain Resort made it to closing day April 10 with 103 inches of settle base at the summit and 311 inches of total snowfall, the most of any ski area in Montana. Last season ended with 221 inches of total snowfall and 73 inches at the summit — a strong comeback by Old Man Winter.

Overall skier visits to the resort topped 320,000, putting this season among one of the best ever for visitation. It’s the sixth time the resort has topped 300,000 visits. It was also a top-5 season for pass-holder visits.

Saturday was marked by highs in the 60 at the base area, tempting skiers to shed their winter wear for T-shirts, shorts and even a few brave bikinis. The day of surfing slush was capped with the 11th annual pond skim as 60 costumed competitors dared to zip across an 85-foot pond in front of thousands of revelers.

“It’s all about fun,” said Shane Marcial, donning a lampshade on his head as he waited his turn to skim. “It’s a fun event for the entire valley to partake in, whether they’re competing or not.”

He said confidence was key to participating in such a spectacle.

“If worse comes to worse, I get to take a little dip in some cold water,” he said.

Reflecting on the ski season, Marcial described it as offering better snow than last year.

"Overall, it was a great vibe and a good time all around," he said.

Another skier drew roars from the pond skim crowd for his bobble-head depiction of Democrat candidate Bernie Sanders. He felt good about his chances in the skim after testing the costume in a run down Hollywood below Chair 1.

It's pretty aerodynamic," he said.

He didn't make it across the pond, not even close, but it was all worth the laughs.

"It's been an awesome ski season; one of the best in the Rockies," he said. "You can't beat the fresh pow every couple of weeks with no lift lines. That's what makes Montana what it is."

Whitefish Mountain Resort opens for the summer season June 18.