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Whitefish Mountain Resort has been named the 11th overall best ski area by SKI Magazine readers.

The resort also ranks in the top 10 in seven of the 18 categories in the annual resort guide, including No. 3 for service and No. 5 for value. The online poll asks readers to rank the top 50 North American ski resorts in a variety of categories.

“We are pleased that the readers of SKI Magazine have once again voiced what we believe to be the core of our mission — to provide an affordable world-class ski experience with a natural, easy atmosphere in the un-crowded, laid-back small-town setting,” Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said. “Our resort and the community of Whitefish, where the locals are friendly and unpretentious, is a unique experience that offers our guests the freedom and comfort to be who they are, have fun and connect with friends and family and have access to quality products and services without paying a premium for it.”

Whitefish was ranked No. 9 by the magazine, which was the first time the resort had cracked the top 10.

For the third consecutive year, of the resorts ranked in the top 10 for service Whitefish Mountain Resort stands out as the only resort also ranked in the top 10 for value.

“This ranking reflects the dedication of our employees,” Graves said. “We are fortunate to have a talented and knowledgeable staff and we thank our employees, and the community members of Whitefish and its surrounding communities, for their role in making our visitors feel welcome. We would not have attained these scores without them.”

The resort maintains a high rate of return with its winter staff — 72 percent of the resort’s employees have worked at least one year, and nearly half of returning staff have been employed for five or more years. The resort actively encourages its employees to grow professionally within the company.

“Our employees are passionate about our industry and we have found that this passion is what keeps employees returning year after year,” Whitefish Mountain Resort Director of Human Resources Kristi Hanchett said. “With so many years invested in our resort they truly care, and go above and beyond. Because our employees participate and enjoy the same activities and experiences as our guests they are able to personally connect and provide our customers with an experience where personal service comes naturally.”

In addition to service and value, Whitefish Mountain Resort ranked in the top 10 in five other categories including No. 8 for grooming and No. 10 for character, kid friendliness, lodging and overall satisfaction. This the most rankings in the top 10 ever for the resort.

Whitefish’s overall ranking is determined by a combination of reader’s scores across 18 different categories.

The remainder of the resort’s rankings were: No. 12 in off-hill activities, No. 13 for on-mountain food, No. 15 après and dining; No. 18 for terrain variety and scenery, No. 19 terrain parks; No. 21 access, No. 23 snow, No. 24 lifts and No. 26 terrain challenge.

Whitefish Mountain Resort is scheduled to open for the 2016-17 season on Dec. 7.